aaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhh!

[steadypluckinaway]

I am going to be in the market for a new mando in a couple weeks, with a budget of about a grand maybe a little more. I have been looking at the usual, used rigel a+, breedlove, weber etc, but what I just found never crossed my mind. A-style Collings for $1755. Above my budget, but what do all you knowledgeable folks think? Is it fully worth just biting the bullet and ponying up the extra dough? The A+ is sweet, but that Collings, mmmmmmm!!!
What do you all think? Thanks

[jcs271]

YES !!!

[Bowzette]

A+ Deluxe just hit the classifieds for $1000. Not much to lose as you should be able to resell it for that without much effort.

you think the A+ is still available......... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Crowder]

Depending on what styles you play, the Collings could be seen as more than 75% better than the others you mentioned. But if you keep playing that game with yourself, you'll be buying a Collings F5 for $6000 later in the week http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[John Flynn]

The Collings is great, just make sure you like the neck on them. They are 1 1/8" at the nut with a sharp V in the back. Some people like that, but some don't. I prefer the tone on the Collings, but the playability of the Rigel cannot be beat, IMHO.

[steadypluckinaway]

Thanks for the info on the neck Johnny, that could make a big difference. I plan to head over to the picknparlor and check it out. I played a teens Gibson A3 that had one of the most comfortable necks that I have played. Is the Rigel similar to that? I like the neck on my Flatiron 1N, and it is sort of a happy medium between sharp V and mellow curve. I don't have any Rigel dealers around that I know of, but maybe I will go for a 48 hour trial and see what the Rigel does for me. The Rigel samplers at their site make the A+ sound sweet. I think a lot of that is Peter's pickin', but I did like the sounds I heard. Playability is first and foremost for me, but tone is of course intertwined in that. Thanks for everybody's help so far.:)

[PCypert]

Hey,
Not to add in too much confusion. I'd say go with the Rigel. The Collings will be great, but personally I never buy new because down the line you'll usually lose some money when you want to trade up (and you will want to trade up). In a couple years I bet we'll be seeing used versions of that mando for less than what it's at now. If you get a used A+ and you do some shopping around (some keep poping up on ebay) you'll get it cheap and definately get your money back. The neck is super on the Rigel. Have played a bunch, but love the fatter neck and radius. I came off of a Mid Missouri though so I'm used to a whole lot different. Loving my Rigel though. Plus if you ever feel you may need to plug in for any reason, you're already set up. I don't know if this helps. Good luck searching and have fun playing a bunch of mandolins and thinking about which one you'll get. That seems to be half the fun sometimes.
Paul

[250sc]

I didn't see any reference to the Gibson A9. I've played some nice ones and $800 is hard to beat.

The bottom line is you can't (or should'nt) buy an acoustic instrument because of the name on the peghead. Every instrument will be different and what sounds good to you might not be what someone else is looking for.

Have fun buying your new mando.

[mcmando]

Playability is first and foremost for me, but tone is of course intertwined in that.
If playability and tone are your top criteria, you'll find that Rigel is tough to beat.

[8ch(pl)]

Look at the 94 A style Flatiron for $825 in the classifieds.Montana built, pretty good price as I see it.

Wish I had the money for it myself. An A9 Gibson or an Absaroka would be 50% more than this in my area.

[steadypluckinaway]

That is a great deal. I have a 1N and I love that sucker. I may just go for that. Thanks 8.