Mando Recommendation around $500-$1000?

[ihearok]

I'm a guitar player (20+ years) but love the sound of the mando and am looking for one to play in my bluegrass band. Any suggestions for a good sounding mando around $500-$1000, preferrably American made?
thanks,
Bob

[mpeknox]

Not American but in that price range you'd be hard pressed to beat an Eastman.

[shields up]

[Steve L]

I would look at the Breedlove Quartz line...particularly the OF model for bluegrass.

[John Flynn]

In that price range, your best bet is used. Check the cafe' classifieds.

[TeleMark]

I would look at the Breedlove Quartz line...particularly the OF model for bluegrass.

Second that. I got my KF Quartz new for just under a grand.

PM me if you want details.

[thistle3585]

Howard Morris had several new F styles for sale at $850.00 in the classifieds.

[GBG]

In the Classified Section:#128-1992 Flatiron Performer A for $950;#173-Flatiron A5Jr for $950;#289-Summit A100 for $1,200. The Summit is over $1,000, but I played a Summit A that was a great sounding bluegrass mandolin.

[Pen]

IMO - the Gibson A-40's from the 1950-1960's have an awsome mando bluegrass sound. There are a couple listed on ebay last time I looked and they should fit nicely into your price range.

[PCypert]

Hey,
Really depends on some other things also. Do you want radius wide fretboard or narrow flat fretboard. I will second that Summit mandolins have a great sound to them. I've played about four or five of them and they all sounded great. Really surprised they're not talked about more on this board. I personally would go for a Rigel A Natural because of the Rigel Radius, but a used Gibson A9 would give you a purely bluegrass sound in your budget.
Paul

[mingusb1]

I've played that Summit A-style in the classifieds. #It is a nice mando, sounds good, and plays easily. #I'd say a good value. #No financial interest.

Z

[Baron Collins-Hill]

Used Gibson A9. i got one for well under a grand and love everything about it.

[jmkatcher]

Used Weber Gallatin.

[mingusb1]

The two A9's I have played do not compare very favorably to that Summit, or a number of other mandos (Eastman F, Flatiron A, Janish A, etc.) I have played around the 1K level, in my opinion.

Z

[earthsave]

There are some nices ones listed above from the classifieds... I have a performer A and it's not a banjo killer, but has good tone.

[ihearok]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I'm on the hunt, but I may have to consider the imports due to $$.

[Ken Sager]

Keep a sharp eye out for a used Old Wave A w/F holes. Excellent bluegrass instruments and used they'll sometimes be priced around $1200. They're a steal at that price.

Hold out for the one that shakes you to your roots. Seriously.

Joy to all,
Ken

From what i here check out the Mid-Missouri's. Cheaper then your range and i hear they sound great!

[otterly2k]

I'm looking in that range myself... and I've been out there playing and comparing a lot of mandos. Haven't come to a firm decision just yet, but am leaning towards a Breedlove OO. (for bluegrass, you might prefer the OF). If you can get a used Gallatin in that range, definitely go for it, but I haven't seen 'em for less than about $1400. Same with Old Wave.

Now, I'm sure there are folks that will disagree with me, but I went and played a bunch of Eastmans, and wasn't as impressed as I expected to be based on all the buzz I've read here on the message boards. The ones I was playing were in the 800's and 900's... and the were NOT really that cheap. For the same $ I thought the Collings MT was a MUCH better instrument. Maybe the lower model (fewer frills) Eastmans are a better deal, but I don't see the 500's anywhere ever, and the 600's are not easy to find either.

If you don't care about the F shape or f holes, the Mid-Mos are mighty instruments at a great price.

Good luck... and I would only add that there is no substitute for getting out there and playing a bunch. Figure out what your preferences are... shape, sound holes, flat or radiused fretboard, etc...and look for the instrument that sounds and feels right.

KE

[rtjack]

Just yesterday afternoon I received a new mandolin in the price range you are looking for. Handmade here in America. I opened the box and there was an Arches Musical Instruments Mandloin. What a beauty!

I saw a photo of my mandolin on this website about 2 weeks ago. It has Zebrawood back and sides! Do yourself a favor, go to there website and look it over. Chris, one of the 2 builders, is who I dealt with, he could not have been nicer.

Great product, great price, that's my 2 cents. rtjack

[PlayerOf8]

used Gibson F5 from the late '60 or early '70s.

George

[Lee]

While just over a grand is above the limit, I heard some good remarks made about a Boulder mandolin.

[AeroJoe]

What jmkatcher said above...

[Picknpine]

Hi,
I highly recamend Glenn mandolins. The A style mandos are around a $1000. Bryan Sutton plays one and records with it all the time. Hands down the best handmade mandolins for around this price.

Cody Shuler- Pine Mountain Railroad

[ihearok]

I've decided to up the ante to $2K. Currently considering a '95 Gibson A5G and several Flatiron A5 Artists. A Weber could be in the picture as well. Since I'm foremost a guitar player, I want to stick to the more well known names in case I really stink at mando and have to sell later. Thanks for all the advice.

[neal]

Isn't it funny how we start out at a maximum, then raise that maximum? #It's not just you, either......