Re: Cheap/low-end mandolins...
I think there's a bit of satisfaction in finding a diamond amongst all the low-end coal. As peculiar as it sounds, a bit of musical kinship occurs with certain instruments over others, and it becomes the "go-to friend" while the others are showroom. A buddy once remarked that it's like the old time house where there was a living room with the fine furniture (often covered in plastic) and a comfortable den in a far corder where the lounging and informal get-togethers occurred. The expensive instrument is like that formal living room - very good, but just didn't have that warmth to it.
I've got an old Fender 101, a low-end by a lot of standards. I've put a lot of time reworking that instrument and that sweat-equity has resulted in an instrumentbwhich I really like, for tone, for warmth and just for the plain fun if it. Tried recently to sell it, but balked in the end - there's just too much "me" in it now. It's illogical, probably musically nonsensical, but I do prefer it over the Others which have entered-exited the stable.
So, the answer is Yes. But that's only because of several factors beyond the technical.
...Steve
Current Stable: Two Tenor Guitars (Martin 515, Blueridge BR-40T), a Tenor Banjo (Deering GoodTime 17-Fret), a Mandolin (Burgess #7). two Banjo-Ukes and five Ukuleles..
The inventory is always in some flux, but that's part of the fun.
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