Best mid range mandolin? Need advice

[Ephraim]

OK, so I started out with a Mid Missouri (absolutely love this product) and now I am ready to move up (or over, or whatever) to a more expensive F-style mandolin. I'm quite interested in Bluegrass these days and would enjoy having a more classic Bluegrass "woody-er" sounding instrument. I am looking at several makers/models: Gibson F9, Breedlove, Weber, Collings, Eastman, etc. Could anyone out there provide me with some veteran advice as to which of these brands/models is the best sounding F-style between approximately $1000 and $2000? This is a lot of money for me, and I would like to hear what you all have to say before I blow the wad at the local dealer's shop. Thanks in advance for your input...

[jjboone101]

If I were you, I'd look for a gently used Flatiron Festival or Performer F5. Well-built mandos, great tone, and they hold their value really well if you wanted to upgrade again in the future. You can usually find them used for $1800-2000. My $0.02.

[John Flynn]

When you say F-style, we need to be clear. Are talking F-hole, which is perfectly good for bluegrass, or are you talking the Florentine, or F-style, with the scroll. It's important because there are big price differences for the same level of playability and tone. There are some great A-style F-hole bluegrass mandos for under $2,000. I think the Collings MT is the best choice for a production bluegrass mando for under $2,000 new. You can also get a new custom made instrument in that range, from builders like Old Wave and Pomeroy. If you really want a scroll, though, you may not get as much instrument for your money, unless you find a really sweet used deal. Then you are at the mercy of what is available. Check the Cafe' Classifieds to get an idea of what is out there.

[Ephraim]

OK, thanks for the advice so far. In response to your question, I was thinking of the F style, as opposed to the A style with F holes (there, did I get that right?)... So when I checked out the Collings web site, the Collings MF appears to be a low end unit that is F style... thoughts?

[GVD]

The Mid Missouri was a wise choice for your first mandolin. If you want to continue on the wise buying path I recommend going with an f hole A. There's a plethora of builders turning out great A's in your price range. On the other hand your choices of F's are pretty limited. If I my paraphrase Bill Monroe:


The old crossroads now is waiting

Which one are you going to take?

One path leads to a decent F

The other to an absolute killer A

GVD

[John Rosett]

i would like to second GVD on this. i played an A style for many years, but longed for an F style. well, i finally traded the A style mandolin plus lots of cash for a good F style, and i was happy for a while. after a while, i realised that i had acquired the F style soley for the looks, and it didn't sound any better because of the scroll. i sold it, and got 2 non-F mandos each of which i like better than the F.
of course, this is just my opinion. there's plenty of choices because there's plenty of different tastes.
good luck in your hunt for the perfect mandolin.
john

[tiltman]

But if you absolutely want an F-style...

Play as many as you can find and go with what sounds best!

When I got my first F-style I was fortunate to be able to choose between 3 F-9's (they all sounded different), several Webers and a local builder. They were at 3 different stores and I was running around from store to store to store playing them and trying to remember how they sounded, etc. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

In my opinion, I liked the F-9 the best. Some people are unhappy about the lack of dots and some obscure finish details... blah, blah , blah... I like the way they sound.
Some good deals are out there on used ones.

Good luck and don't forget to enjoy the journey.
Kirk

[Jasper]

the best sounding F-style between approximately $1000 and $2000? #

the Collings MF appears to be a low end unit that is F style... #thoughts?

You mention your price range topping out at $2K and then later talk about the Collings MF. #I don't know how the Collings MF sounds, I have heard mostly good, but it truly is not right to call it low end, asthey retail new for about $3,850. #For the money you want to spend and the quality you seek, the Collings A-style (MT, I believe) is probably your best bet. #If you just have to have and F-style, check the classifieds. #Lay your hands on it and play it before you swap your hard-earned cash.

Good luck.

[mandopaul]

You might want to check out a Weber Bitteroot, a nice carved scroll F. Many can be had with the Mahogany back/sides for less than $1500, then the Maple back with finish are a bit more. Try for a used one first, lots of 'em out there. I have one, mahogany back, tone bars, with custom lack. finish & radius board. Love the more mellow sound in the mids/highs perfect for blues that i play, but also ok for any other style too. Very versitile sounding instrument.

[Lane Pryce]

There is a custom Glenn F5 in the classifides that is definately worth a look at $1200.00 plus a case and shipping. Its purty too. Lp http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[steve in tampa]

The classifeds here have the best selection I've seen. Bought 2 instruments so far, an Ovation MM68 and a Gibson F-9.
Check the used inventory at the sponsored links. You can really get a feel for whats ou there, and what a good price is by doing that kind of research. There are a lot of real good instruments out there in that price range.

[mandoJeremy]

Well, I definitely don't have any financial interest in this but there is a Pomeroy F style for $2250 and that seems to be a pretty good deal. PM and I will give you some others to choose from that I know of because I don't want to seem like I am advertising anything.

[Ephraim]

OK, two questions:

1) I heard that the Webers don't produce quite the same woodsy tone that one hopes to find in an F-style bluegrass machine (rumor rumor), and

2) If I were to seek out a local luthier, who would you recommend? I am frequently in California, Oregon, and Utah. Is there anyone in these locations that cranks out quality F-style product in the $2K range?

(many thanks again for the great advice I am getting here -- what a great source for mandolin players!)

[jim bevins]

Check out those Eastmans. I just got one and it's great. Nice Mando for the bucks they're selling them for! I've tried alot of different Mandolins, American and import. The Eastman company has a good thing going here with these new handbuilt Mandolins and at an affordable price.

[jmkatcher]

From my own experience I have to disagree about the Weber comment. A new tonebar Yellowstone has been the woodiest mandolin I've played. If that's what I wanted, I'd buy it happily.