f style mandolin

[colin]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Hi

I currently play an A style mandolin and as I get more into bluegrass I would like to purchase an F style. I have seen an Ozark F style around £390 - £400 and don't want to pay much more than this. Am I likely to get an f style that is playable and that I can impove on at this price?

Comments gratefully received.

PS I recently bought a new Vantage at £200.00 and although the neck was straight it was at the wrong angle and the action could not be lowered sufficiently, so am a bit wary.

[Blind_Cowboy]

I have found with mandos, that you get what you pay for.

I've had a pacrim mando for about a year, and it's been through countless hours of adjustments to level the frets, set the nut height, seat the bridge, reshape the bridge, pinched strings, sticky tuners, and a couple of other things.

However, after that, I have a very playable mando. I had to put my sweat into it to get a reasonable product. I like the Fender and Kentucky products because they're at least consistent and around your price range. I don't yet have an educated enough ear to tell alot of difference in the higher end mandos. So, i'll leave that topic alone.

[Bill Snyder]

For all us in the good ole USA colin's budget is about $700 US dollars. You could look at a Michael Kelly - there seems to be alot of fans of these here at the cafe.

[Blind_Cowboy]

I never even noticed the pound mark. Sorry!

[colin]

Thanks guys for the helpful comments. I will look at Michael Kelly, Fender and Kentucky.:D

[giverin]

I have that ozark and having played other peoples like webers and kentuckys, that mando is just as good. But what I cant emphasise more is whether it feels ok with you. Price shouldnt matter, you will know instantly when you find the rightmandolin for you. If it isnt the ozark, look further afield to America. For 4oo quid its a really good deal.