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Thread: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

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    Registered User backwoodsborn10's Avatar
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    Default Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    looking to weigh in on expert advice; what are the best two mandolins that $1000 can buy? I'm a biuegrass player and i'm not married to an f style. Soooo watcha think?

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Used Gibson A9
    Used Flatiron Festival A

    You can find both of these at $1000-ish

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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Get ready for an avalanche of people telling you you are asking the wrong question.

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    Registered User Patrick Market's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    What he said...
    -Patrick

    "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity.'' -Dave Barry

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    Purveyor of Sunshine sgarrity's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Quote Originally Posted by JonZ View Post
    Get ready for an avalanche of people telling you you are asking the wrong question.
    What's the right question then?? He plays bluegrass and he's not dead set on an F5.....that opens up a lot of options. Gibby A9, Flatirons, a new Kentucky KM900, a used KM1000......lots of options.....

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    U will do better used 4 under $1000.00.

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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Quote Originally Posted by sgarrity View Post
    What's the right question then??
    It is a perfectly reasonable question. It just seems to be hard to get a straight forward answer to that kind of question on the Café. (You can add my first response to the pile.)

    I like the Breedlove Quartz for around a grand.

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    Registered User Patrick Market's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Quote Originally Posted by JonZ View Post
    It just seems to be hard to get a straight forward answer to that kind of question on the Café.
    For as much as I enjoy the MC, JonZ has a point. I've seen the phrase "dog pile" here, as well as "echo chamber" to describe responses to this kind of question.

    That said, I'll pile on and mention the nice little Weber A-style I played recently---it was used, and right around $1K. WOOF Woof woof..

    (And my advice is *NOT* expert.)
    -Patrick

    "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity.'' -Dave Barry

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    Moderator JEStanek's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    If possible play as many different models as possible. If possible goto a store/jam/tasting party and get your hands on as many as possible. Find a brand that fits you and your budget. Then buy the best one of those you can afford. You will get more instrument for your money if you buy used than new, and get an A style rather than an F style, in general. Many of the voicing opinions are very taste specific to the person offering you advice. I like Eastman's mandolins because of the neck shape. A used Gibson A9, Rigel A, could also be in the cards along with the Breedloves and Webers. A used Kentucky KM-1000 would be nice too.

    Jamie
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    My biased answer is a used Gibson F-9, if you can find one at that price. But, chances are you'd find an A-9 much easier; since you're not married to an F ...

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    Chris Fontaine
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    I played the new Kentucky KM900 prototype at SPGBMA and was blown away. The rep said dealers should have them available very soon.
    Chris Fontaine
    Wiliams Fine Violins
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    Okay, I'm with you fellas tburcham's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    The Breedlove FF in the classifieds for $ 1300 is a great bargain and a superb instrument...I should know I used to own it. The Loar 600 and 700 are excellent for less than $ 1K.
    Tim Burcham
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    Purveyor of Sunshine sgarrity's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Quote Originally Posted by JonZ View Post
    It is a perfectly reasonable question. It just seems to be hard to get a straight forward answer to that kind of question on the Café.
    The questions that you usually can't get a straight answer to are the, "What's the best mandolin for $xxxx." There's not enough info in that question to provide a straight forward answer.

    The OP on the other hand told us that he 1) plays bluegrass, 2) is willing to look at A-styles, and 3) has about $1000 to spend. And I think he's gotten some pretty good suggestions.

  14. #14
    Registered User big h's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    One of the best A style mandolins I have played was the Kentucky km900 at Gruhn's. I was totally blown away by how great a tone and bark it had. Definitely worth the money.
    I like mandolins.

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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Quote Originally Posted by fiddledoc View Post
    I played the new Kentucky KM900 prototype at SPGBMA and was blown away. The rep said dealers should have them available very soon.
    Ditto
    Stephen Perry

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    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Play all you can of those in that price range and then buy the one you just can't put down.

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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    There are some nice mandos in the classifieds right now in your range.

  18. #18
    Registered User Seeyououtthere's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Breedloves are always a good option at a reasonable price. You can usually find used OF's for around $700-$800. I'm always amazed at the volume they have.

  19. #19

    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Quote Originally Posted by sgarrity View Post
    And I think he's gotten some pretty good suggestions.
    That's because of my Whithering Sarcasm First Strike.

    Most people asking for suggestions on mandolins in a certain price range do so because they are not yet confident in there ability to gauge quality. They are concerned that the brassy blond that grabs their initial interest may not be the best long-term choice.

    (Talkin' 'bout mandolins, of course.)

    Hence, the need for specific recommendations rather than "Choose the one that speaks to you."

    Of course, more specifics on the type of music you play helps with more specifics on recommendations.

  20. #20
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    I second the opinion that Eastman can make a good mandolin for under $1,000.

  21. #21
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Quote Originally Posted by Skip Kelley View Post
    Play all you can of those in that price range and then buy the one you just can't put down.
    I have to agree with that , .. because as a thing made out of a natural material, Wood,

    there will be a sound produced variation, that you can hear, when it is in your hands,
    even though the finish on the outside, is standardized.

    and a neck feel, shape, that also is difficult to describe with words.. or saying D or V section.
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  22. #22
    Registered User Atlanta Mando Mike's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Gibson A-9

  23. #23
    Registered User Greg Potter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Danny Clark has a black top Fraley A that I would be looking at.
    Greg Potter

    "Tiller of the land and feller of trees"

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    Registered User jim_n_virginia's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    Quote Originally Posted by Patrick Gunning View Post
    Used Gibson A9
    Used Flatiron Festival A
    I agree! Gibson or Flatiron! There is an nice looking Flatiron in the classifieds now for $1075 that looks great and ready to play!

    And seriously I have not heard an A9 (or F9 for that matter) didn't sound as good as mandolins that cost 3 times as much!

  25. #25
    Registurd User pjlama's Avatar
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    Default Re: Two best mandolins 4 $1000

    A9

    Seriously, I loved the A9 I had for a while but there are a lot of good options in your price range. A solid A for 1k is totally doable so try and get to play some. If you;re in an area where you can't there are several reputable dealers that offer "trial periods" and can point you in the right direction sight unseen. Danny Clark was mentioned and is great to deal with so is Dennis at the Mandolin Store just to name a few. Good luck and enjoy the hunt, it's part of the experience and should be fun.
    PJ
    Stanley V5

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