What's a step up from an Eastman MD 515 CB F Style?

[Jordan S.]

I made the move from a crappy old, nearly broken Epiphone to my current Eastman 515 about a year or two ago, and I'm starting to plan my next upgrade. So, what lies in the $3-4k range that will carry me until my playing justifies a $8,000 Gibson F5 L Fern (which is my ultimate goal). Looking strictly at F styles. Thanks!

[pheffernan]

This: http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/70636

[Charles E.]

Good luck with your search, you might want to check out this thread......

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?97880-Best-F-Style-for-3-000-to-4-000

[roysboy]

What's wrong with the Eastman ? That's about a thousand dollars worth of mandolin.

[almeriastrings]

This: http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/70636

You may not ever want or need to 'step up' from one of those...

I see that is 126. I have 127.

Awesomely good mandolin. Not ever seen/played anything under $10K I'd rate as "better". Just different.

[Clef]

Your Eastman is plenty of a mandolin to tide you over until you get the Gibson you want. Save your cash and keep what you have for now.

As you look at the Gibson F5 Fern, you may even consider the Goldrush. It's basically a blonde Fern without the fingerboard extension. It's a cheaper price than the fern also. I originally was wanting to get the F5 Fern like you, then I went with the Goldrush. The goldrush has been out of production for the past year, but according to The Mandolin Store, it will be back in production soon.

[rastamypasta]

A good Weber or Collings are tough to beat and in that price range.

[Eric C.]

Get a km1500 and save your money.

[Eddie Sheehy]

Get the Sam Bush in the Classifieds...

[pheffernan]

You may not ever want or need to 'step up' from one of those...I see that is 126. I have 127. Awesomely good mandolin. Not ever seen/played anything under $10K I'd rate as "better". Just different.

Can you comment on the price? I've never seen the street price new or one offered used.

[DataNick]

What kind of music do you play that necessitates a "step up". If you play bluegrass, then I agree, you can "step up".
There's a lot out there to "step up" to.
BTW: I've played the Gibson Sam Bush listed in the classifieds. It would certainly hold you over till you get that $10k axe (Ellis F5, Red Diamond, etc) Steve Sorensen will also build you a custom mando, voiced the way you want at around $4500 to start.

[almeriastrings]

Can you comment on the price? I've never seen the street price new or one offered used.

One in the classifieds right now:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/70636

[pheffernan]

One in the classifieds right now: http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/70636

Yeah, I posted that link above. What I'm wondering is whether the asking price of $4000 -- which I could have sworn was $3000 initially -- is fair market value.

[JeffD]

If you can afford it, go the full 8K and get that one now. Grow into it.

There is no deserving, there is just playing and enjoying.

If you are worried that what you will want by the time you feel deserving may be different than what you want now, well you will anyway.

My brother has this great philosophy - if you are buying a small boat in the hopes of someday buying a bigger one, get the bigger one, someday may never get here.

Resources permitting of course.

[almeriastrings]

Yeah, I posted that link above. What I'm wondering is whether the asking price of $4000 -- which I could have sworn was $3000 initially -- is fair market value.

Not for me to say - I guess the market determines that. However, if you specified one to that build, new, you would be looking at around $5.5K+, so it sounds fair enough to me. I actually think they are a steal at the full price. I very much doubt you'd find one for $3K. If you do - jump on it immediately. I've never seen one go that low.

[Michael Bridges]

I think I saw the original price at 3k, also. I remember thinking that would be a GREAT deal!