Re: F5's from $3000-5000 worth considering - Sept '19
Kevin Briggs ..... I'll go along with you. For an F... that Pava satin is bound to be a killer. If you ever get over the -gotta-have-an-F & get to the it's-all-about-the-tone.... You'll be in good company with Tim O'Brien & Norman Blake. Collings has continually upped their mandolin game since they started building. MT-2 are wonderful mandolins. & $5k with a little luck will get you a lightly used Tom Ellis A, varnish.
Re: F5's from $3000-5000 worth considering - Sept '19
There is a slightly used Ellis A-5 in the classifieds as we speak......
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/143872#143872
In the OP's price range there are a lot of good choices, This BRW F-5 just hit the classifieds too.....
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/144057#144057
NFI