Alvarez Mandolin???

[DesertRat]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum and am shopping for a good mandolin. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on Alvarez Mandolins? What are some other recommendations under 1k???

Thanks ahead of time...

-DR

[MikeEdgerton]

Under 1K I'd be looking at the Kentucky and Eastman options out there. If you buy used you get a little more bang for the buck. If you can go with an A style it will be cheaper than an F style. You can generally get a used Montana built Flatiron Festival A for less than a grand. You can get a Kentucky 505S for less than 500.00.

[swampstomper]

I had an entry-level Alvarez F-model bought about five years ago -- it was well-built but heavy and never got a good tone. No complaint at the price point (about $400 IIRC) but I sold it on. Since then Eastman, Kentucky and J Bovier have come on strong and have, I think, much better instruments for the price. The lowest-price Eastman is quite a reasonable mando for a beginner.

[Capt. E]

And the Kentucky 505 is a very nice instrument for the money. The equal of many over 1K

[jim_n_virginia]

Every Alvarez mando I have ever played had no tone.

get an Eastman

:mandosmiley:

[Eric Taylor]

I'm really happy with my Michael Kelly Legacy Deluxe, $550 new.