Looking for Shopping/Upgrade Advice

[jsboley]

I've been wanting to upgrade from my Michael Kelly mandolin for some time now. I'm not sure but I think my current MK is probably the lower level F style. I live in Indiana and don't have a nearby store that has a lot of variety. I've been slowly looking for a couple of years now. I want a good American-made, F-style, bluegrass mandolin and has a bit better action and volume than my current mandolin.

I've played a few at IMBA last year. I made a day-long trip to Elderly and spent a good bit of time with a Flatiron, an F9 and a Weber, and after settling on one (Flatiron) they then told me that they had made a mistake and sold it the night before on the Internet, so I left empty handed. I've made email contact with a couple of reputable dealers which included my goals and budget, but I've been disappointed in the response and one didn't even respond.

I'm frustrated. So I ask am I being too picky, or going about this the wrong way? It seems like I'll be limited to a mail transaction, so I would like to buy from a dealer who can spend some time and help me pick a good mandolin that meets my goals and budget, even if it is by email or by phone. What should my next step be? Should I really try to connect with someone that can spend some time, or should I take the fact that I don't know exactly what I want as a sign I'm not ready to upgrade yet?

[Mike Snyder]

Perhaps you're not ready. Better to stand pat than make a mistake. I'm suprised that your homework, and it sounds like you've done some, hasn't brought any preferences to the fore. Don't go until you know. Or dive in, it's all a learning experience. I believe, personally, that if one camps out with the cafe classifieds long enough, the perfect mandolin will come to you. If you can recognise it and make your move in a timely fashion, Bob's yer Uncle. You reliance on dealers is good if you rely on good dealers and they can assist in the education, the good ones. Good luck.

[jsboley]

I'm suprised that your homework, and it sounds like you've done some, hasn't brought any preferences to the fore.

Thanks for the advice. You're probably right about waiting. I have definitely played some nice ones out of my price range. I fell for the Flatiron, as many have. Finding one has been another story. There's a pretty big demand for them. I have to think that when it comes to people selling online, most of the time they don't even make it to getting listed. I'm going to try to find a Gibson retailer around somewhere where I can test drive some of those as well. It's hard to find a retailer that doesn't just carry entry level mandolins for new pickers.

[red7flag]

I really agree with the advice for restraint. When not sure, don't buy. I always know in my heart whether to pull the trigger. Does not mean that I will make a good investment or the best choice over the long run, but that it was the right choice at that time. I have never regretted buying with my gut feelings. Every time I let my mind decide, I made a mistake. That does not mean that I don't look at all the instruments that I can, play every instrument I can and evaluate the playability and tone. But getting an instrument for me is a love affair. I either love the instrument or I don't. It doesn't always make sense. Good luck and have fun buying. Play everything you can get your hands on, even instruments out of your range. It gives you reference points and a direction for down the road. You will simply know when you find the right one. If you have to think about it, it is not.