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

[Perry]

My 2 Cents.

For a new or used A mandolin, it is hands down Will Kimble.

First, from a practical point of view, statistically it is not guaranteed that you're going to hang on to the mandolin. I don't know you, so I may be off base. But, the odds are that this instrument might be sold or traded. If you're going to have something new built for you, you also have to consider it's resale value. Some builders that have been mentioned do not have the test of time to guarantee good resale (or even if their resale might increase). I've seen some people bank on an up and coming mandolin builder to be left with an instrument they can't sell or sell at a price that they even get close to some of their money back. Buying used, to me, is always the smartest route, but if you want a new small builder instrument, put time in researching. Will has tons of street cred and to my way of thinking, he's at the top of the second tier builders (1st tier being Gil, Nugget, Monteleone, and Dudenbostel).

Second, if you build with Will, he's a wonderful person to get to know and you're put at ease with the choice you've made.

Third, Will is a fine musician himself and understands what goes into producing both a fine playing and sounding instrument.

Fourth, Will's A5--at $5K--is the best value in a professional grade mandolin. You'd be hard pressed to find another A5 or F5 at that price that could beat it.

Fifth, you should strongly consider Shaun G's A5 in the classified. Great price, good vintage, great sound, and save yourself a thousand bucks.

Both Shaun and I have many YouTube videos showcasing the Kimble A5 sound. Additionally Mike Guggino and Andy Statman play Kimble F5s and there are many YouTube videos demonstrating the sound. There is no appreciable tonal difference between A5 and F5s.

My very biased perspective.

I was going to mention the resale perspective too as it something worth considering when spending 5k on a mandolin. Also something not often mentioned is playability, My Kimble A5 plays like a dream and I have never touched the set-up since I got it.

[fernmando]

Ellis.

[fernmando]

Or Kimble.

[tuhker]

Kimble ++

[Mike Romkey]

Duff +++!

[OlderThanWillie]

I haven't read all 6 pages of posts but I did see one where you mentioned Lloyd LaPlant. As you and he are both in Minnesota it would be easy for you to give him a call and drive up to Grand Rapids for a visit. There are a number of players in the Twin Cities area that own one or more of his instruments. I don't know of any of them that are not really pleased with what he has built for them. As he is so close it would be easy to discuss with him the various options that you'd like. He can be reached at 218-326-4456.

[good_ol_al_61]

I couldn't be happier with my Arches. I have had several long time grassers look at me while gigging and asked me to "turn the volume down". Maybe it was my playing, but the Arches does everything I ask of it and then some. Chris Baird in Moab, UT will hook you up for quite a bit less than $5K and give you all the candy.

[BBK]

Here's another + for Paul Newson.

[John Duncan]

+1 for Will Kimble

[Galimando]

I have an x-braced Campanella round hole A (although he normally does them with f-holes), and I have to say it's a pretty hot ride.

[Sid Simpson]

What an embarrassment of riches that there are so many great mandolin makers out there! Hard to go wrong - you just get a bit different.

I've been looking at two pointers, and will mention Phoenix (Gerhardt), Old Wave (Bussmann), and Paul Sorensen. All in the $2800-$3500 range.

[fatt-dad]

I chose the 1923 a2z that was in the classifieds.

f-d

[blauserk]

Either a Kimble or I'd hold out a bit longer to put together $6 Gs for a used Gilchrist Model 1. Simply a divine sounding instrument.