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auteq
Apr-05-2008, 10:27pm
Already play mandolin and own a couple, not to mention various guitars. If I bring another instrument into the house, it will be matched by shoes equaling in price. (My wife and I's sick version of the cold war arms race)[she's russia]

SO.. wondering if inexpensive (below $500) decent mandolas pretty much track the same makers/brands as mandolins or if there are some diamonds' in rough for mandola's that would not pop up on a mandolin player radar.

Eric F.
Apr-05-2008, 10:32pm
Trinity College. You'll probably have to do a little tweaking, but they are playable and sound OK. Dunno what the comparable is in women's shoes. ...

GRW3
Apr-05-2008, 10:48pm
I played a Trinity College mandola today at Fiddler's Green in Austin, TX. Very nice instrument with a very pleasant sound.

Brad Weiss
Apr-05-2008, 10:49pm
Wait for a used Mid-Mo to show up - they can be had for under $500.

eljaspero
Apr-06-2008, 11:06am
I know this is a bit off-topic, but since it seems to have the 'dola players' attention:

Any thoughts on who's making good, above-entry-level, mandolas these days? I'd like to own something with a real voice, not a beginner's flattop, without dropping $4k for an old Gibson; any thoughts?

allenhopkins
Apr-06-2008, 11:36am
Any thoughts on who's making good, above-entry-level, mandolas these days?
Concur on Eastman; my 615 is a very nice instrument.

Want to do some eBay-ing? #There are four interesting possibilities active now:

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/EASTMAN-MD815-MANDOLA-Add-to-Your-Mandolin-Collection_W0QQitemZ140220466636QQihZ004QQcateg

oryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Eastman 815 upgraded with Brekke bridge #</a>

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Vintage-1912-The-Gibson-H-1-MANDOLA-Ex-Condition_W0QQitemZ250232399532QQihZ015QQcateg

oryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Gibson H-1 "pumpkin top" #-- bid is around $2K</a>

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-RARE-1942-GIBSON-MANDOLA-EXCELLENT-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ150233014271QQihZ005QQcatego

ryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Gibson F-hole mandola (H-50?), pre-war, replaced parts but original Geib case</a>

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Cr-1910-GIBSON-MANDOLA_W0QQitemZ140221580470QQihZ004QQcategoryZ35 9QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1Q

QcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Another Gibson H-1, seems to be in good shape #</a>

Seems to be a good day for mandolas!

RichM
Apr-07-2008, 2:57pm
Wow, that Eastman sold for $900... now THAT's a bargain. If I didn't already have an Eastman 'dola, I would have been all over that...