Absent or have I not searched enough?

[recon]

I have been looking for a carved top, f-hole mandola in the $500-$700 range. Something comparable to an Eastman 505 mandolin or Kentucky 505 mandolin in terms of price and features. I know Eastman and Michael Kelly make F-style 'dolas, but is an A-style out there? Have I missed it or is there a conspicuous absence of such an instrument? Feel free to point me in the right direction if you know of one. Thanks.

[allenhopkins]

Don't think you'll find one in your price range. All the sub-$1K mandolas I've seen have been round-holes. The cheapest Weber A-style, f-hole model (Hyalite) lists for nearly $2K. The Asian and Eastern European imports I've seen have all been round-hole, flat-top instruments, except for the Eastmans and Michael Kellys you mention.

It would be nice if there were a Rover or Kentucky A-style mandola, but so far, nope. You could keep your eye out for a used Weber, but a) there are many fewer mandolas than mandolins, so the used market is pretty small, and b) even a used Hyalite etc. is going to be over $1K.

[recon]

I think we have reached the same conclusion--mandola choices are limited in the sub-$1000 range.

[Eddie Sheehy]

Scott, the Michael Kelly Mandola usually shows up on Ebay for sub $1,000. However, I would say play it first before buying.. there's a reason they go for sub $1,000. The Eastman 615mda averages about $1,000 and is worth that. A much more tuneful and brighter instrument than the MK dola. The Webers are much more expensive, although there is a Weber Beartooth Mandola in the Classifieds that is probably a bargain - nfi.

[catmandu2]

Ditto what Eddie says; FWIW, I recently played a MK mandola that appeared to have been set-up, and it was totally lifeless-sounding.


I was most fortunate to have found a unique A-style archtop mandola. This is from the atelier of New York builder George Nasca...a blanca.

[recon]

Stumbled across this 'dola that is in my price range. I think the tone is respectable. Thoughts anyone?

[EdSherry]

I've not been impressed by most of the MK instruments that I've heard. This RECORDING sounds pretty good, but IMHO you should be concerned that it's possible to make an instrument sound good for recording purposes that really doesn't "cut it" live (e.g., poor volume, poor projection, needs to be EQd to death to sound good). That said, if you can snag that for under $700, personally I'd probably jump at it.

(Then again, I just lucked into an older Gibson H-1 'dola for $850 locally in excellent shape other than a VERY bad 'buzz' on one of the two C strings. $40 to my luthier for a new nut and it was rarin' to go. But I don't expect lightning to strike twice.)

[Eddie Sheehy]

I agree with Ed Sherry, I'm just not impressed with MK dolas. However, if you get it for $700 you should be able to recover it if you want to move it along later...