Mid range A model

[Jingles]

My Breedlove is in the shop getting the tailpiece replaced and my Kentucky 140S went down in flames, after a family member decided to use it as a trampoline. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif I was never really happy with it anyway, other than the volume. Anyway, at the moment I'm in mandolin limbo, so I'm shopping around for another mandolin. The afore mentioned family member has given me $300 (so, I fibbed a little on the Kentucky's value) and I'm kickin in $200. That puts me in the range for either a Mid-Mo or a Michael Kelly A-plus. I like the A+ because of the radiused fretboard and F-soundhole projection. I like the Mid-Mo because it's made in the US and sounds like great value for the money. I'm just a little worried how a Mid-Mo will stand up in a jam session (usually with two guitarists). Will it cut through reasonablly? If you were in my shoes, dying to play mandolin again, which would you go for? No! Saving up for a higher end model is not an option. My price limit is set at $500.

[John Flynn]

I think it depends on what kind of jamming you do. Personally, I do old-time and I would go for the Mid-mo. If I really wanted a radius on it (and I might) I would buy a used one for $300 and then have the fretboard re-fretted and radiused for about $200. If you do primarily bluegrass, I guess the MK would be the way to go, but I have never been knocked off my chair by the volume and projection on MKs. I would rate them "OK, but just OK."

[8ch(pl)]

I play my M-4 unamplified in a church group and it can be hears over piano and an electric guitar. For volume I would not pick the mahogany M-0,M-1 models.

[Jingles]

Thanks for the replies. I'm leaning toward a Mid-Mo. I love the way my Breedlove plays, so I guess that's why I was thinking radiused fingerboard. The Kentucky was a nightmare to play. Do the Mid-Mo play well? What are the main differences between the Mid-Mo models?

[John Flynn]

The Mid-mos play fine, but not as well as your Breedlove. I like thier wide neck option for playability and especially if you get an unbound fretboard, getting your board radiused by a good luthier should not be a big operation. The two "heavy hitter" models, IMHO are: The M-4, which has a spruce top and rosewood back and sides. It is the loudest of the models. The other notable model, my favorite, is the all mahogany M-11, just because I love the sound, look and smell of mahogany on an instrument.

[ShaneJ]

Dang! Gibson has REALLY caused the entire mandolin market to go up in price! A KM140s for $300? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Dioptase]

The M11 as mando johnny mentioned is a great instrument, I love them. If you're looking for volume, you'd be better off with the spruce or rosewood.

On the other hand, the M11 would make a beautiful tonal contrast with your breedlove and offer more variety when you get the breedlove back.

And as always, I'd definitly suggest the Midmo over the Mk. I owned an MK as a "beater" and sold it shortly after purchasing a Mid Mo. Unless your jam partners are really laying into the strings, or your playing with a banjo, it should stand up fine.
Micah

[Michael H Geimer]

Another vote for the M-11. Great tone. Plays nice, for a flat board. Mine has plenty of volume. I've gotten lost in big Bluegrass jams, but have held my own against two dreadnaughts and bongos with my M-11. Mojo.

[fatt-dad]

Here's (http://home.comcast.net/~fatt-dad/kalamazoo-mandolin.html) a flat-top American made Kalamazoo that I will sell you for $450.00. You can also look at my other mandolins for sale (Kentucky, Aria, Ibanez) at www.fatt-dad.com. I will donate 5% of each sale to the plucked string foundation, too.

f-d

[Eric F.]

I'm always up for an excuse to buy another mandolin, but it took me about 15 minutes to change the tailpiece on my Breedlove. How long could it take a shop to do it?

I was thinking the same thing, unless it's an older model with the cresent shaped tailpiece that does not interchange with the Gibson screw hole pattern.

[kvk]

Aren't the lowend Eastmans aroun $500-600? I ain't never seen one but the talk here as been that they are pretty good value.