Which mandolins should I be looking at in the $2000-$4000 range?

**dreadhead** · May-07-2010, 7:16pm

My first mandolin was a Flatiron A5-jr that sounded really good but was hard to play. I ended up trading it for a banjo. My current mandolin is an Elvenwood A and although it is very easy to play, I am ready to move on to a better instrument. Actually, I am hoping to buy a mandolin that will satisfy my MAS forever.
The models I'm looking at are the Gibson F-9, Gibson F-5G, Collings MF & the Weber Yellowstone F. I want a mandolin that'll be great for bluegrass, but that will also work well with celtic/irish & other genres. I'm located in Europe and will most likely buy from the states without trying the instrument in advance and have some friends bring it over when they visit. Prices & selection seem to be much better in the U.S. I have considered buying from one of the stores here in Europe or directly from one of the Czech luthiers, so any input from other players located in Europe would be appreciated. What other luthiers should I be considering in this price range? Thanks

**George R. Lane** · May-07-2010, 7:35pm

Dreadhead,
As I have a Weber Yellowstone under construction as we speak, I have to say the new model Yellowstone is a great bargain for the money. I say go talk with the nearst dealer and work with them. They can put you in touch with Bruce, tell him what tone you are looking for. They can get it done and in just a few months.

**JEStanek** · May-07-2010, 7:58pm

In Europe consider The Acoustic Music Company (I linked to their Used/Vintage section). Trevor, the owner, posts here and has a very good reputation and currently has an amazing selection. Of the models you list, I have played a Collings MT and it was a powerful instrument. Collings are also renowned for consistency of product. While I haven't played one, many people have been very impressed with the Gibson F5G.

Jamie

**Ivan Kelsall** · May-08-2010, 12:45am

If you have indeed considered buying from one of the Czech luthiers,then select one or two & go to visit them.All the Czech.guys have good reputations. My personal favourite is Jiri Lebeda.I've had 2 Mandolins made by him - i still have one,& it's a stunning instrument,easily as good 'in it's own way' as my Weber Fern.
As Jamie so generously said,Trevor at The Acoustic Music Company (TAMCO) in Brighton,UK,has an amazing array of instruments to suit all pockets. I'd also second Jamie's picking out the Collings MT. I've played one belonging to another Cafe member over here,& it was one of the sweetest sounding mandolins i've played to date.
Just as an aside,if you did decide to get a Czech luthier to build one for you,personally,i'd go for a varnish finished "A" style. My Lebeda has a better response than my Weber ie. it's louder for the same effort put in to picking the strings. I've put that down to the varnish finish which is much thinner than
the laquer on my Weber. Good luck in your search,
Ivan
PS - The pics.are of a Lebeda "A-4" style & the back of my Lebeda F-5 "Special"

**Ivan Kelsall** · May-08-2010, 12:46am

Somehow or other i've double posted this - my apologies for wasting space.

**trevor** · May-08-2010, 6:02am

Dreadhead,
Prices in the US may look a lot better but by the time you add duty and VAT they should (in my case at least) be about the same. Don't be tempted to ask your friends to bring in a mando undeclared or under-declared. The customs guys are savvy these days (they can use the internet) and will confiscate, fine and give the person concerned a criminal record. I have heard of several cases of this recently. You should also know that US warranties are such that in the case of a claim the shipping costs are down to the owner.

**dreadhead** · May-08-2010, 9:48am

Originally Posted by trevor

Dreadhead,
Prices in the US may look a lot better but by the time you add duty and VAT they should (in my case at least) be about the same. Don't be tempted to ask your friends to bring in a mando undeclared or under-declared. The customs guys are savvy these days (they can use the internet) and will confiscate, fine and give the person concerned a criminal record. I have heard of several cases of this recently. You should also know that US warranties are such that in the case of a claim the shipping costs are down to the owner.

Thanks for responding. You've made some valid points and I've also noticed that the €uro has lost some of it's strength against the dollar over the last week or so. I'm going to consider buying from you once I have decided on the mandolin I want.

**Jill McAuley** · May-08-2010, 10:36am

I second the recommendation to check out The Acoustic Music Co. - Trevor has such a great selection of mandolins you'd easily find something awesome in your price range amongst his stock.

Cheers,
Jill

**JeffD** · May-08-2010, 11:18am

Originally Posted by dreadhead

Actually, I am hoping to buy a mandolin that will satisfy my MAS forever.

**dreadhead** · May-08-2010, 10:45pm

Originally Posted by JeffD

That was silly..... forever was a little too strong. When I was living in Nashville, I was surrounded by lots of music stores & great musicians with equally wonderful instruments, but I rarely go into Paris to check out guitars & there are very few mandolins in the stores. For me, as long as I get a great sounding mando that plays like silk, then I doubt I'll suffer MAS; however, scroll envy is another matter. I just have to make sure I get a mando with a scroll this time!

It's too hard to try & quote more people on this iphone,but regarding the czech luthiers;yes, I have been considering them a long time. When I was researching on which custom dobro to get, I almost went with Holoubek,but ended up going with an American luthier instead.

I'd love to go to the Czech rep. at some point, but I don't see it happening this year.
I just got back from the states last month & NYC was crazy expensive, not to mention the cost of that D-18A.

I've been checking out a website with a 2005 & 2009 Collings MF both priced at $3500 which would be in my budget. I hear that they are consistantly good so buying without playing wouldn't be as much of a crapshoot. Have any of you tried either or both of these particular instruments? I'd like your impressions. Thanks for all the comments.

**Ivan Kelsall** · May-09-2010, 1:42am

Hey Dread - If you do pay a visit to TAMCO, you'll be in Mandolin heaven. Trevor has one of the finest & largest selections of instruments to be seen anywhere & he's a great guy to deal with. Set aside a few days for a visit if you're able to,don't rush with your choice & you're sure to find an instrument to suit you,
Ivan

**dreadhead** · May-09-2010, 9:15am

Originally Posted by Ivan Kelsall

Hey Dread - If you do pay a visit to TAMCO, you'll be in Mandolin heaven. Trevor has one of the finest & largest selections of instruments to be seen anywhere & he's a great guy to deal with. Set aside a few days for a visit if you're able to,don't rush with your choice & you're sure to find an instrument to suit you,
Ivan

I was just looking at the map and it's not far at all. I wonder if there is a boat you could take directly from Calais to Brighton. Last summer my wife and I spent a weekend in London and then in September we were in Scotland for 10 days. It rained every single day! It was still a great trip though. Hey Ivan, I noticed that you were from Manchester..... do you know a guitarist from there, Mel Dean?

**trevor** · May-09-2010, 9:23am

No boat to Brighton, I think nearest is Newhaven, only 30 mins by train from Gatwick airport, 50 mins from London. This is the sunniest part of the country, I can't remember ever having rain continuously for 10 days.

**dreadhead** · May-09-2010, 9:50am

Originally Posted by trevor

No boat to Brighton, I think nearest is Newhaven, only 30 mins by train from Gatwick airport, 50 mins from London. This is the sunniest part of the country, I can't remember ever having rain continuously for 10 days.

The weather was great when we were in London. I've never been to Brighton. From what I've seen, and that is limited to a few Eastenders episodes set there over the years based around Frank & Pat, it looks like a nice place to visit, especially if several hours playing mandolins in your store is involved.

**mandroid** · May-09-2010, 11:17am

Peter Mix's CF A's come in the 3-4K$, range , and certainly do well after the trans Atlantic Crossing ...
any time of year..

If I were to get a New one I'd have the front of body/pegface .. blackfaced solid, and the shade burst around the Carbon fabric look on the back.

**Ivan Kelsall** · May-10-2010, 12:44am

Hi Dread -No,i'm afraid that i don't know Mel Dean. Manchester is one of the very largest cities in the UK & there must be LOTS of Guitarists here.But more than that,i'm not part of any musical scene over here that would get me to see/hear Mel Dean.
As an aside - we do have this guy,
Ivan

And do pay a trip to TAMCO before you buy - it's well worth the time.

**grassrootphilosopher** · May-10-2010, 4:22am

dreadhead,

there are some excellent european luthiers to chose from. You can use your vacation to track them down and check them out.

France has got Hervé Ceaufleau (http://www.myspace.com/hervcoufleauluthier). He may be in Laroche sur Foron (festival around July 30th). His creations are excellent musically and pricewise. I have played one and would say they are very nice mandolins. They are worth every cent (and they are underpriced, to my mind). Gruhn has one (that should say something). (Since you´re in France, I´d say buy local and save VAT and customs; Coufleau´s mandolin should cure a disease).

There has been some discussion about Vana mandolins (http://www.myspace.com/vanamandolins). His A style is in your price range. They look the real deal and I´d like to get my hands on one. He´s located at Jirkov (northwest of Prague)

Giacomel allways comes to mind (www.corradogiacomel.it). Grisman has `em. If you´re going to either Voorthuizen NL in a week (www.ewob.nl) or to Laroche in July, chances are that you´re going to see Mideando String Quintet with Stefano Santangelo playing one. He swears by the sound even though the aestetics needs getting used to (if you´re bluegrassically challenged).

Holubek mandolins are very well made and sound good as far as I know. The Holubek bros. are very fine czech luthiers and put out very limited numbers of instruments (very fine guitars and mandolins).

Krishot mandolins (made by Eduard Kristufek in the Czech republik) are worth every penny. (www.krishot.com/ekrishot/index_en.html) They sound very good and the price is right. There was one in the classifieds recently (in Europe) if I´m not mistaken.

The "usual suspects" are Lebeda, Capek (owned by Ricky Skaggs [mandocello] and Peter Rowan [mandola I think]) and Prucha (mostly known for the banjo parts that are used by Gibson).

The best places to go to for a trip into the czech goodies would be the czech festivals at Caslav and Strakonice. Be prepared for powerful and musically excellent jam sessions until the wee hours.

I think it is very advisable to play before you pay. Checking out an instrument before you buy one will get you an idea about sound and playability. Setup is crucial also. I have an excellent instrument from far away that I ordered after I was in some high power jam and was able to test out this kind of instrument under several conditions. The places that I named have a bunch of great musicians with great instruments. The meet and greet will enable you to play a bunch of perfect instruments. All the brands that you see will enable you to come up with your life´s instrument.

I do lust after a Stanley, Altman, Kimble (all in my price range) or Dudenbostel, Gilchrist, Monteleone, Nugget (all out of my price range) but i do have an instrument that I can put with all the mentioned instruments. So right now I don´t have an urge to get me a new one...l

Good luck on your trip towards your special instrument.

**Spencer** · May-10-2010, 5:08am

Oliver Waitze at the New Acoustic Gallery in Solingen Germany deals in quality instruments, and is worth a visit if you can make it. He has instruments from several of the top makers US and Europe: New Acoustic Gallery

A couple of very good European makers that I haven't seen mentioned are Prucha from the Czech Republic and Flatbush here in Denmark. (I have one and can recommend them).

Spencer

**dreadhead** · May-10-2010, 11:01am

As an aside - we do have this guy,

I want to jam with this guy! great stuff

there are some excellent european luthiers to chose from. You can use your vacation to track them down and check them out.

thanks for all the info, I'm going to weigh all my options and see if I can try out some mandolins by as many different luthiers as possible. I'll research more of the French luthiers, but I'm thinking that the Czech luthiers will be more affordable. we'll see...

Oliver Waitze at the New Acoustic Gallery in Solingen Germany deals in quality instruments, and is worth a visit if you can make it. He has instruments from several of the top makers US and Europe: New Acoustic Gallery

A couple of very good European makers that I haven't seen mentioned are Prucha from the Czech Republic and Flatbush here in Denmark. (I have one and can recommend them).

Spencer

Thanks for the link. Are any of the Prucha mandolins priced under 3000€? The prices aren't listed on that website unfortunately.

**grassrootphilosopher** · May-10-2010, 11:56am

Victor Smith (Flatbush) is a force to recon with. But he´s probably not in the price range.

I find Prucha okay but they don´t float my boat. For the same money I´d go with Lebeda or Holubek. Capek is okay but I find they vary.

Happy hunting.

**Greg H.** · May-10-2010, 12:34pm

In the US Prucha's F models tend to be above the $3,000 mark, though the A models get below $2,000. With Pruchas my experiences are quite good (personal differences...all the more reason for you to go to Brighton) a friend of mine and I wandered through the booths at IBMA one year and the Pruchas seemed noticably better than the other Czech mandolins there (Capek and Lebeda are the only ones I remember seeing) and was level with most of the American ones (at least the ones in the under $10,000 price range).

**Ivan Kelsall** · May-11-2010, 12:19am

The ''Krishot'' Mandolins are very good instruments indeed. There's a young guy who i see every now & again at festivals over here who plays a Kristufek "A" style & it's superb !.They're retailed in the USA by none other than Byron Berline - a heck of a mandolin player himself. The only "F" style i've seen was beautifully made & retailed at around £2,500 UK ($3,750 US),
Ivan

**Patrick Gunning** · May-11-2010, 12:32pm

Collings MF's are consistently very good, and some are fantastic. I've played more than a dozen of them, and I'd have no qualms purchasing one sight unseen - in fact I purchased my Collings MT sight unseen and was thoroughly satisfied.

**eurobluegrass** · May-23-2012, 6:04am

Hey Dreadhead! Still looking? I certainly agree with the people advising to try out a couple of Kristufek handbuilt mandolins, they are great and I prefer them a lot above for instance Lebeda or even Capek, though his work is wonderful. Eda Kristufek really knows what he is building and the woods he is using. never seen any with cracks or problems and I cannot say that about some of the others. He used to build his mandolins under the name of "Krishot" just as his brother Pavel builds great 5-string banjo's under that name (and he makes parts for banjo's for many top US brands!). However, since a couple of years Eda build his mandolins bearing his initiatls EK on the headstock. I have both an older "Krishot" and a 4 year old unbelievable EK Kristufek F-5. Amazing tone and easy to play and beautiful to look at and indeed thin finish which helps the sound. Great Bluegrass bark and old dry tone, full and beautiful. One problem is that they are hard to come buy... Mostly you have to custom order them well in advance, but you might be lucky he has a few you can try out and maybe even buy at a very reasonable price compared to e.g. Gibson or even compared to some of the other non-US names. Just contact him at Eduard Krištůfek - e.krishot@volny.cz and see his website at http://www.krishot.com/ekrishot/index_en.html

There are 2 dealers in the USA, Byron Berline is on of them in Guthrie, Oklahoma and Kit Simons Musik shop Pickparlor in Arvada near Denver in ColoradoColorado. Besides a skilled luthier, Edaurd is also a great mandolin player in famed bands as Country Cocktail and a couple of others. He won the US mandolin championship twice in the 80's I think, Telluride and Rocky Grass, so he knows about mandolins and how they should sound.

If in the Czech Republic, the annual Bluegrass Jamboree - Bluegrass festival with day & night jamming is the place to go and for shure you will meet all the Czech instrument makers there, including Kristufek who probably will play there with his band. many of the top bands use Kristufek mandolins such as Monogram, Famy! http://www.banjojamboree.cz/banjojamboree.php 15 & 16 June in Caslav near Prague. Among others Eddy Adcock will be there!

Have fun and good luck!

Dennis Schut
Spruce Pine Bluegrass band
1989 Krishot F model, 2008 EK (Kristufek) F model, 1950's Framus mandolin (guitar shaped), Harmony Shutt model, harmony "Batwing", Ibanez 526 F-model, 2 1930's Kalamazoo A-models, Roberton (Handmade in Eastern Kentucky) F-model

By the way, I have the Robertson mandolin for sale for 1250 Euro incl case and maybe some of the others, I have too many instruments (not the Kristufeks though....) and mainly play guitar... contact me at schut@uic.org (I live in France)