What would you choose for a $5000 A-style?

[Willie]

All of the mentioned mandolins are great mandolins and I have played some of them as well as some Gibson A`s and I bought an A model that sounds as good (to me) as any of the others that I have played and it is the Kentucky KM-900....It will also allow you to keep about 4 grand in your savings account for future items like a down payment on a car etc....For the money I don`t think you can beat it, like I said the sound is just great and fit and finish is outstanding....Even some Loar owners on here say how much they like theirs....YES, They are made in China but there are some good mandolins coming out of China these days and at a big savings....I like to buy American when I can but couldn`t pass on the KM-900, it is a great value and sound....

Good luck in whatever you choose.....

Willie

[pjlama]

Since a Heiden is out because of cost my front runners (since I'm spending Chris' money) are;
Stanley - super trad
Collings - uber modern
BRW - in the middle

[Ed Goist]

Well, I have to offer the very biased opinion that you should at least consider two other builders not yet mentioned...
Highland Strings (Jason Harshbarger) & Girouard Mandolins (Max & Lauri).
Though Jason & Max are less experienced builders than others mentioned here, I believe that the mandolins they have built for me (which cost considerably less than $5K) perform on par with mandolins built by the builders mentioned here.
Of course, my opinion is biased, but I firmly believe these builders are offering great quality mandolins that are stunning values.
I have absolutely NO intention of ever moving my mandolins, as I expect them to appreciate in value greatly as Jason & Max continue to develop a reputation for building exceptional instruments.
YMMV.

Speak of the devil! I would choose this one! (NFI)
I played this mandolin while I was visiting Jason's shop, and I agree completely with the seller's comments about it. This mandolin is a monster!
Jason (and Max) are building fantastic mandolins that are exceptional values.

[wildpikr]

Hmmmm...Silverangel A model for $2K leaves $3k towards the next MAS attack...just sayin'...

[CelticDude]

But I will say that BRW 2-point that just showed up on the classifieds has me all jittery... ohhhh, man.

I agree. Just saw this, and I'm amazed at this instrument. The maple on the back is incredible, and I'm a sucker for black-faced instruments. The 2-points are a cool change from straight A or F style.

[Ed Goist]

Well, I have to offer the very biased opinion that you should at least consider ...other builders not yet mentioned...
...snip... Girouard Mandolins (Max & Lauri).
...snip...I have absolutely NO intention of ever moving my mandolins, as I expect them to appreciate in value greatly as Jason & Max continue to develop a reputation for building exceptional instruments.
YMMV.

...snip...The 2-points are a cool change from straight A or F style.

Well, if we're including 2-Points, I'll of course need to throw this one in the mix
NFI

[pefjr]

Love this thread.

Have you tried this? http://www.theacousticmusicco.co.uk/jukebox2 It was interesting to me to have my wife at the computer while I listened to these samples with ear phones away from sight of the list. I would make comments and she would write my comments down by the appropriate mandolin. Interesting too to see if you can hear a difference in the different models and different woods.

[Paul Busman]

I haven't read every single post here, but I've seen enough to agree with those who say not to feel you HAVE to spend that $5K. Play a lot of instruments up to that price-- you may be happily surprised to find one that plays just the way you want it to, for a lot less. Paying more might not buy you more satisfaction or playability.

[George R. Lane]

A Kimble A just came up in the classified for $3,200.00.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/57402

[Willie]

For what it`s worth I played one show last night and another today and was using my Kentucky KM-900 and there was quite a few bluegrassers, some mandolin players, in the audience and a lot of them came up to me during a break and wanted to know what i was playing, they all said it was as good of a sounding mandolin that they have ever heard...I know sometimes the picker has a lot to do with the sound but I am not a super picker by any means, I do have a great sound system and a pick that gives me a good sound....I guess if the OP has money to burn he can spend it any way he desires, I am planning on doing some festivals later this year and I suppose I will get a lot of chances to really compare it to some more of those "name" mandolins that many of you have posted about...These Ky`s are not the run of the mill Chinese junk that most of us had seen in the past, don`t pass on them until you have tried either the KM-900, KM-1000 or KM-1500, they are made in a different factory then the other Ky`s....

Thats all.....Willie

[JEStanek]

Willie where did you hear that the different Kentucky Models are made in a different facility? Not that I don't believe the higher end models get much more hand time... Just curious.

Jamie

[dcoventry]

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/57410

And then BAM! Back comes the Lawrence Smart A from Dr. Marc. MAN, we have some contenders in the house right now.

[goose 2]

Red Diamond with vintage varnish finish. I cannot imagine there is a better A model at any price point. I owned one once and sold it to but a vintage Martin. That is the one that got away.

[Cabbagehead]

Kimble!

[drbluegrass]

I'd start with a Collings. Not as "exotic" or sexy as some of the other choices but Bill just makes very good mandolins. I tried a $4500 F model in a store full of very high dollar customs and a particular Collings honeyburst sounded as good as anything in the store. Very impressive mandolin, especially for the price. So many choices though. Pretty hard to go wrong considering what's out there.


Tom

[fatt-dad]

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/57410

And then BAM! Back comes the Lawrence Smart A from Dr. Marc. MAN, we have some contenders in the house right now.

^

f-d

[Willie]

Jamie...I tried going back over some previous posts here on the Cafe that mentioned that the top three models of Kentuckys were made at a different shop than the lower end models....But I didn`t find any, I`m not a good computer person so I missed them completely...I am only saying what I read on here, I am not a dealer so I don`t really know that for sure...I guess I shouldn`t say things that I am not sure are true...Maybe some of the Ky dealers will chime in and tell us if they are...Sorry if I stepped on any toes....

Willie

[JEStanek]

Nope, I just hadn't read that hear but, there are a lot of posts and threads. WE both have lives outside of the Cafe, right? I was just curious about that.

Jamie

[yankees1]

If you want to spend all of the $5000. get an Ellis or buy a Northfield and pocket $2500.

[Martin Stevens]

I would always recommend Ellis... especially if you're looking to get a bang for your buck A model.

[Grommet]

Although I have played a few really good ones, my sampling of higher end A models is still pretty limited. I would be tempted to spend some of the 5gs on either traveling or shipping to try out available mandolilns by builders whose art is still unknown to my hands including Kimble, Brentrup, Passernig, Campanella, Givens, Smart, Ellis, Hamlett, Voight, Bussman, Lewis, Mowry, Ratliff, Newell, Girouard, Baird, and others. I surely loved all of the Collings MT and MT-2 s that I have tried, but I would love a chance to fall in love again (with a mandolin, sweetheart!).

Scott

[Cheryl Watson]

My Kimble A5 is a monster! Also, maybe add Stanley, Brock, and Red Diamond.

[Capt. E]

I am never suprised when people compare Ellis and Collings favorably. Bill Collings and Tom Ellis have been friends and business associates here in Austin since the late 70's. I have always wondered how much Tom Ellis influenced Collings in the design and construction of their mandolins. In my opinion, Ellis has always been ahead of Collings, both building instruments with their own unique sound. Tom's main business is Precision Pearl, they do the pearl inlays for probably half the acoustic instruments in the US, but he saves the best m.o.p. for his own instruments and somehow has available some of the most beautiful wood ever used for mandolins, works of art indeed.
Just Friday I had a chance to play a Ratliff that I thought was pretty darn close to an Ellis in sound for considerably less money. The Ellis was still more beautiful and refined.

[PJ Doland]

Aside from a Gilchrist, Dudenbostel, or Monteleone; what A-style couldn't you get for $5K or less?

[Dan Margolis]

Above a thousand you are buying "pretty".

Wow, I don't agree with this, at all.