Mandolin Recommendations $1,000-1,600

[dickhoff3]

I just came into a bit of extra income and I'd like to upgrade my accoustic mandolin, I'm looking to spend probably between 1K to 1,600 on a good F syle Bluegrass instrument; something which will play well unplugged with a guitar and banjo and has a good deep woody sort of tone, if that makes sense. Any brands or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[carleshicks]

there is a 2003 Gibson F-9 in the classified for $1695. that would be my first choice.

[F-2 Dave]

F9's are alot of mandolin for the money.

[Jim Nollman]

IfI had that money and needed a bluegrass instrument, I'd sit in a corner for an hour to release my own obvious scroll envy, and then get a Collings A style ff hole. Go find a store that has 3 or 4 of them hanging on the wall, and choose the best one.

[Schlegel]

That F-9 and a Collings in the classifieds now look like just the thing at your price point!

[f5loar]

A new or used KM1000 by Kentucky. Hard to beat that sound and quality for the price.

[tburcham]

The Collings MT in the Classifieds is a sure bet (NFI). You probably won't loose a cent on it, even if you keep it only a short time. They are the most highly rated A's on the Cafe from my observations. While I haven't personally played the A's, the Collings MF I played was excellent. The Gibson F-9 that was just posted for $1,695 is a great deal on an F style....and its a Gibson (NFI).

[Rob Fowler]

Though the OP said he was looking for an f style, I would first go with the Collings MT. I just got one 3 weeks ago and am beyond happy. Collings are also thought to be more consistent in their instruments than Gibsons are, also. That F9 that's on the classifieds--if you really need the scroll--would probably be a "win-win" and would have more of he "woody" tone that you are looking for over the Collings. Either way you would be able to resell either one for what you bought them for without losing a penny.

Good luck!

[dickhoff3]

Thanks guys, I'm looking into all of these. I appreciate the help.

[allenhopkins]

Since the OP's being so nice, I'll refrain from my usual "ham sandwich" post...

But, he did say F-style, did he not? So the F-9 and the KM-1000, yeah, but ain't them there Collingses A-style?

Good mandolins, though.

[f5loar]

It's like a lot of things in life once you go F you don't go back to A. If you stay at an A and that's your level of comfort zone then okay but once you get your mind and heart set on the big F model and A will not satisfy you no matter how good it is. Now there might be some room for argument if you compare the one and only A5 to a Loar F5 or 20's Fern but anything else is pretty much going to be less. I can think of 4 pro bluegrassers that perfer the A over the F and 2 of them have an F. I can think of dozens of pro bluegrassers that had F and then tried A for a short while and went back to the F for preference.

[Mike Snyder]

Going to an A makes the most sense, IMMO, when going to the 3.5K to 4 grand level. You can get into a top level small-shop luthier A`style instrument at 3.5 to 4.5, whereas the F5s start at 5 large. Look into Silver Angel, and Bulldog/Kratzer econo models. Very good instruments for not-so-big bucks.

[Marcus CA]

... a good F syle Bluegrass instrument; something which will play well unplugged with a guitar and banjo and has a good deep woody sort of tone

Be careful --- you're describing a Loar. :disbelief:

In your price range, you could also get a new Breedlove FF or a used Weber Gallatin F. Sometimes, the used Weber Bitterroot F's show up for a couple hundred more.

If you tell where you live, people might be able to suggest some relatively nearby music shops where you could try out a few different models so you could tell which one sounds the deepest and woodiest to you.

[KYBlues]

I'll echo the others. The Gibson F-9 would be a good bet--never owned one but have heard them played and they sound very nice. I have a Breedlove FF that I think is a very versatile mandolin and would work well with bluegrass. It doesn't have the traditional F scroll, but it is still a place to hang your strap!;)

If you start considering non-F models, I recently purchased a used Collings MT and it is an absolutely wonderful instrument. I don't think there is a better deal out there in American made A models. My 2 cents.

[mandolirius]

Since the OP's being so nice, I'll refrain from my usual "ham sandwich" post...

But, he did say F-style, did he not? So the F-9 and the KM-1000, yeah, but ain't them there Collingses A-style?

Good mandolins, though.

Allen, there are a lot of "well-meaning" people around here who are perfectly aware of what was said but have convinced themselves that the OP just hasn't considered the obvious wisdom of getting better value for the money by forgoing the scroll. They simple can't help but contribute this valuable insight. A Cafe phenomena that seems to be a necessary part of every discussion about buying an F style mandolin.

[allenhopkins]

Allen, there are a lot of "well-meaning" people around here who are perfectly aware of what was said but have convinced themselves that the OP just hasn't considered the obvious wisdom of getting better value for the money by forgoing the scroll. They simple can't help but contribute this valuable insight. A Cafe phenomena that seems to be a necessary part of every discussion about buying an F style mandolin.

I agree that most of these people think they're doing the OP a favor by suggesting he/she buy a "more bang for your buck" A-style. And, conversely, there are a few helpful folks who try to convince potential bluegrass mandolin buyers, asking about A-styles, that they "really want to get an F-style" or they won't achieve BG social acceptance.

I have this retro idea that one tries to answer the question as asked. Just my idiosyncrasy.

[Douglas McMullin]

It's like a lot of things in life once you go F you don't go back to A.

Not to be a contrarian, but I started with a few nice F's, and now I have and only want A's and two points. I prefer the simple lines, and getting more mandolin for less money. F's are great, but not for me.

[Jeff May]

Not to be a contrarian, but I started with a few nice F's, and now I have and only want A's and two points. I prefer the simple lines, and getting more mandolin for less money. F's are great, but not for me.

Not to be extra-contrarian, but I completely agree with F5Loar. I started on a cheapo F model, bought a good F, and then bought an Eastman A as a backup. Hardly ever played that A model except when my F was in the shop. I upgraded my backup from the A to a Kentucky KM1000. Now I sit and play one for an hour or two, and then switch over to the other one. I also disagree with the widely held notion on this board that there is little or no sound difference between an A and an F. But that's just me, and I definitely don't want to start THAT debate up.

As to the OP's question, I would also agree with F5Loar, a Kentucky KM1000 is pretty hard to beat in that price range, especially if you're going to play almost exclusively bluegrass. I've never played a Gibson F9 so can't compare there. From a value point of view and considering future resale, the F9 is probably the way to go, although I've rarely seen them in the OP's price range. I will say that I've played a Gibson A9 and I wouldn't trade my KM1000 for it.

[Douglas McMullin]

Not to be extra-contrarian, but I completely agree with F5Loar.

That just goes to show how subjective these things are, but I think it is safe to say that there is no universal love for any one kind of instrument.

[jdchapman]

A lot of arguments about strap holders here.

OP did mention an F, but he also said, "something which will play well unplugged with a guitar and banjo and has a good deep woody sort of tone, if that makes sense. Any brands or suggestions would be appreciated."

I second Mike Snyder on the Silver Angel. Ken sells his basic A for $1500. I have one, and the OP described it pretty darn well.

[DannyB]

F-Style go with the F-9 in that price range, I've played about a half dozen of them and all were good. That'll be my next purchase as a back up and to start teaching my grand daughter to play. There were a few others in the classifieds I'd consider but I haven't really heard them to make a recommendation on them.

[man dough nollij]

I have this retro idea that one tries to answer the question as asked. Just my idiosyncrasy.

Buy that man a ham sandwich!

[mrmando]

Not to be a contrarian, but I started with a few nice F's, and now I have and only want A's and two points.
I switched over to my Rigel 2-point R100 while my F was in the shop. The F is back from the shop but I haven't switched back. Enjoying the Rigel. I also like having a couple of vintage snakeheads around. I can't afford to keep both of them, but I'll play them until they are sold. I chose the snakehead A4 to play in Mahler's 7th Symphony last night ... although I could have chosen the Rigel or the F.

I could, I suppose, take my D'Angelico A off consignment with Mandolin Bros. and see if it makes me forget all my other mandos.