Mandolin head-to-head comparison

**Keith Owen** · Feb-17-2006, 3:08pm

Howdy! I have been doing a lot of reading and classified-hunting on the site and am interested in getting some opinions.

I have been learning on a Fender FM-52E that my wife surprised me with a couple years back, and the top is beginning to cave...which has given me a bad, bad case of MAS!

I am looking to buy a reasonably priced "lifetime" instrument. I am interested in bluegrass but end up playing in that setting less than in an alt-country or even a church hymn/praise setting, so I need a mandolin with some versatility. I am a hobbyist so probably will have to stop at one good mando.

I am looking in the $1000-$2000 price range, American-made. I will give you a comparison at the bottom and top end, and see what you guys have to say. If you have other suggestions by all means let them fly. (Most notably missing in the comparisons are used Weber products...I am interested but leaning otherwise at the moment unless convinced otherwise.)

$1000-ish range:
Used Gibson A-9
Used Rigel A+ (also included: the A-Natural in the classifieds, which is actually within driving distance from me)

$2000-ish range:
Used Gibson F-9
New/Gently Used Collings MT

Let's hear what you guys have to say. Thanks!

**otterly2k** · Feb-17-2006, 3:24pm

Of the ones you mentioned, I like the Collings best. Weber makes some nice instruments, but I personally don't care for their necks. That's a preference issue you might want to sort out. I'd also say that if you can find a used Phoenix or Old Wave in your range, those would be well worth your attention as well.

**kudzugypsy** · Feb-17-2006, 3:24pm

i'd buy a good used Flatiron (entire line is great) - if i couldnt find one of those, then the F-9 or MT would be next - depending on whether you prefer F or A style.

btw, dont think the next instrument you buy will be your lifetime instrument (unless you're already 65+)....it just dont work that way

**Bob DeVellis** · Feb-17-2006, 3:29pm

I'm with otterly. I think the Collings is well ahead of the alternatives you've listed. No slam to Gibson or Rigel. I just think that the MT is an extremely impressive instrument for the price.

**Keith Owen** · Feb-17-2006, 4:10pm

Yes, I am aware that the "lifetime" thing may not work out

...I just want to make sure that the one I purchase this time around is good enough to serve that purpose!

I am not married to the idea of the "F" style at all, and I lean towards the Collings as well if I can scrape together the $$.

Any more opinions and suggestions are welcome!

**violin2233** · Feb-17-2006, 4:16pm

Just be sure to play it before you buy. A good maker does not let a bad sounding mandolin leave their shop. Collings should be a slam dunk though. Make sure you have a good set up as well.. It can make a big difference.

**Ken Sager** · Feb-17-2006, 4:17pm

I'll second the used Flatiron idea, and offer another suggestion of a used Oldwave A. If I weren't playing an Oldwave A I'd be driving a Flatiron, no question. Both can be had for between $1200-1600 in good shape.

**ab4usa** · Feb-17-2006, 4:46pm

Here is another vote for a used Old Wave (if you can find one). I have an F hole A style that IMHO would accomadate all of you music styles. After that I would go with the Collings.

**FlawLaw** · Feb-17-2006, 5:56pm

I think that there are a lot to chose from in the price range. #I think that if you are looking for a traditional A style with F holes, then Collings or Flatiron sound like good choices. #For instance, Collings are often described as cannons, etc. #Really good bluegrass mandolins. If you are looking for something different (or maybe an oval holed mandolin for blues, old time, folk, celtic, jazz, or for plugged in alt country) and something easy to play, beautiful, and customized, then a Rigel A+ is really a good option. #You can get one for a under $2K and can have it voiced the way you want it, in any color you want (those burgundy ones or blue burst ones for instance are stunning), and even have block inlays (if that is your bag). It will be delivered in weeks not months. #No financial interest, just personal opinion and experience.

**atetone** · Feb-17-2006, 6:26pm

Don't rule out Breedlove either. I have had a couple and they are a good quality instrument. Definately worth a look.

**FlawLaw** · Feb-17-2006, 6:28pm

In other words...lots of choices, chose wisely and play as many as possible...

**Kevin Briggs** · Feb-18-2006, 6:03am

My two cents...

I was in the same boat over a year ago and went with my custom Bitteroot. It's out of the price range you indicated, but man am I happy with it. My Weber has done me well.

My only regret is I opted to have everything in my Bitteroot (lots of wood upgrades and a bridge upgrade) that would improve the sound for bluegrass, and I ignored cosmetic upgrades. Tonally, it doesn't matter, but for that lifetime-type intrument, I'm now in the market for a second mandolin that will have all of the trimmings I want. I didn't care about looks at first because I was so thrilled to upgrade to the Weber, but once I settled in with the great tone I am getting out of the Weber, I started thinking about looks.

The mandolins you've listed will generally have good tone, but, based on what you say you want, they may not fit that "lifetime mandolin" descriptor. A Gisbon A9 will probably sound good for you, but you very well may find yourself looking for a fully loaded F-style in a year or so.

My opinion, then, is to increase your price range a bit, if possible. Your not too far off from what I think is the best value in the industry, a nice custom Weber. Sound To Earth (Weber) will do just about anything you want, within' reason, and they'll be there for you down the road when you need some tune ups.

In addition, I read the point about necks above and at STE there are three stock neck sizes to choose from, along with two stock nut widths, and they can do really any measurement you give them. I had some difficulty with the type of neck I chose from them, which was their biggest U-shaped neck, and Bruce offered to shave it to my specs...covered under warranty. I gave him my measurements and am so eager to get it back I can;t stand it. It will be another week or two.

Hope I helped.

**Richard Russell** · Feb-18-2006, 11:44am

I started out w/ the Fender you mentioned. Good for a start, but, you will really enjoy the upgrade, no matter what model you choose from the ones you mentioned. That said, I think the Collings MT is a mandolin that can cross over to a variety of styles well and will deliver fantastic tone and volume. It would be my first choice if I was in the $1500-$2000 range. I upgraded recently to the $800-$1000 range and the Flatiron A models are excellent in that area, used Gibson A9's are great as well. This kind of decision is tough, I know from experience. Hopefully, one mandolin will just clearly be "the one" for you when you pick it up! Best of luck!

**woodysny** · Feb-18-2006, 12:59pm

You should be able to find a used Gibson A5-L for around $2000. Same as the fern or F5-L without the scroll, and you could keep it for a lifetime.

**Mark Walker** · Feb-19-2006, 8:05am

Barney94,

If you're into the idea of a custom-made (and American made - in Elliottville, KY) instrument, you can't go wrong for the quality, tone and value of a Laura Ratcliff Silver Angel A-style. #She'll custom-build one to your specs for between $1800 - $2000.

There are three of hers here in West Michigan within 15 miles of me - with a 4th on the way. #All sound exceptional, her fit and finish is wonderful, and the tone is rich with a deep woody sound.

I'll snoop around, but I recall somewhere here on the Cafe' a member with Laura Ratcliff mandolin had a sound bite demonstrating the great tone. # I'll see if I can find it.

**Keith Owen** · Feb-19-2006, 8:14am

Thanks for the feedback guys! This is great stuff!

**red7flag** · Feb-19-2006, 8:30am

As many have noted, there are a great number of really great mandos at your price point and for a few hundred more, more. To me getting an instrument is like a love affair. I would go to all the music shops you can until you find the one that talks to you. That is how I got my Collings MF. I was playing a range of instruments at a number of different stores. I had played almost a whole wall of mandos at Gruhn Guitar. Then I picked up the Collings. That baby just talked. It was no way the prettiest or even in the top five cosmetically, but tone, it sang. I knew I had found the right mando. I found out later that many others considered my MF to be the best to have come through Gruhns at that point. My point is that you want to find that instrument that lights up your eyes. If you are not sure, I wouldn't get it. When you find the right one, it WILL talk to you.
Tony

**Mark Walker** · Feb-19-2006, 9:05am

red7lag/Tony is right - you'll find 'THE' one that talks to you. #Ken & Laura at Silver Angel mandolins will either hook you up with one of theirs, or let you 'test drive' one for a couple days. # Something you won't find on eBay or with most private sellers - unless you're local to them or find something in a local music store. # #

I would guess there are at least 2-dozen well-thought-of luthiers mentioned on this site, and at least twice that many who make fine instruments who are not so well known - yet. #

Of course, another mandolin might come along next year and 'talk' to you as well - resulting in M.A.S....

**Doug Edwards** · Feb-19-2006, 4:14pm

We did a little mando tasting at our show this past Friday. Everything can be so subjective. All things considered, what most important to you?
Here's 4 takes from Friday, two are of my SA being played by two different players, one an '88 Carlson signed Gibson F5L, and one a Nashville Flatiron Festival. Although one may sound a little better to each's own preferences, none of these sound bad.

A
B
C
D

**Kevin Briggs** · Feb-19-2006, 6:06pm

Cool post. I assume the ABCD order follows the order you mentioned each mando.

**Doug Edwards** · Feb-19-2006, 6:51pm

Two were played by Rick Curlee of the Star Canyon Band and two were played by Bob Shelton of Prairie Wind. Both local groups were at our monthly 3rd Friday show. Now as to which one is which, you can probably agree there is not a huge difference in them. I did hear a pretty good difference on the Flatiron though, but we are talking different players and picks. Bob was on stage when I recorded Rick and vice verse with Bob. I would have been great to have both play all three.

**Kevin Briggs** · Feb-19-2006, 6:55pm

Not much difference at all. I think the first two song selections lend themselves to a better analysis of tone though. The second two songs aren't clean enough to get a good read. That being said, I think A and B sound richer, but C definitely wins the strength match.

**Doug Edwards** · Feb-19-2006, 7:03pm

Both B & C are my Silver Angel. I agree Bob did not get it a clean on C & D for a great overall comparison. I though D was a good sound on the Flatiron . Rick was quite impressed with the SA's volume and deeper tone. I think Rick's F5L (A)would have been brighter and louder with some newer strings.

Rick tends to play more towards the fingerboard and Bob more between the fingerboard and bridge.

**Kevin Briggs** · Feb-19-2006, 7:07pm

Wow! That goes to show what the player does to the instrument. I would have never guessed that B and C were the same instrument. B was so smooth sounding, for the most part, and C was definitely on the receiving end of a viscious attack.

Pretty cool.

**Doug Edwards** · Feb-19-2006, 7:12pm

Good wood, strings, setup, construction ect. lend a lot to the sound but the touch of the master's hand, as the song goes, makes the most difference. My brother-in-law is a professional, he makes my Blueridge BR-160 sound extremely way better than I could ever hope.