How many mandolins is considered to many ?

[Teak]

I have played mandolins for twelve years and have only owned two over that period.

One mandolin that plays great and time spent practicing and playing with others will make you a lot better mandolin player than a mandolin shopping habit ever will.

I know I am in the minority here for this opinion but a mandolin is tool for making music to me. Until I start needing specialized tools for specialized genres I am far better served learning to use my tool than looking at every variety of tool in the catalog.

Good point. I have always felt the same way. I have been playing for 38 years and I still have one mandolin. But it's a good one, and I use it to learn songs. Never was big on trying to play any particular style, but rather use it to play songs that I like, which takes me across many genres.

[Petrus]

My learning curve was very steep the first half year or so; I went through probably 6, but all low-end stuff that put together wouldn't equal a single higher-end instrument. It took a while to learn not only the sound I wanted but to discern bad from good and the importance of setup and so forth. Since I bought used, I've always been able to resell and break even. My KM-150 ($99 used), Gretsch New Yorker, and TCOM are keeping me satisfied for now and look like keepers.

My next move up will probably be to a Crossover or an Eastman 304 if I can find either one used at some point, though I'm sort of considering a resonator mando (the RK model that runs about $450.) I don't see much value to me in going any higher than that for quite a long time based on my own needs and limitations.

I have other stuff not listed in my sig which may or may not last, like a couple of lower-end guitars and an electric bass guitar (Hofner style.)

[GKWilson]

I've bought and bartered and traded up till now I have 3 very nice mandolins.
[I've had double that at times.]
Now I'm retiring and think I only need one. Maybe 2. One for backup.
Problem is, which one or two should I pass on?
I love each of theme for what they offer.
So, to help answer my problem I ordered another one.
Good luck.