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That's a beauty, and a really good price. I love Weber mandolins, and the Bighorn has been on my radar for some time. Wish I could afford to jump on this one. Whoever buys it will be getting a whole...

A good setup will usually include a fret leveling and a nut slot adjustment. Both are needed to get optimum playability with low action. A good setup by a competent tech, is well worth the typical...

The OP mentioned in the first post that he/she was primarily interested in playing "classic bluegrass" type music. My suggestions were based on that.

I am also a longtime guitar player, with an ear for good tone, and an appreciation for a smooth playing instrument. I had an Eastman 815 for a while, and was never satisfied with the sound or...

Every M-K I have ever picked up has sounded cheap and thin. I would not personally recommend one at any price. At $300+ there are definitely many better alternatives. You might look for a used Big...

Hi OP, I see you are in Knoxville. Me too. Welcome to the Cafe'. As others have advised, don't set your sights too low, and end up with an instrument that will end up in a closet. I saw a Rover...

More food for thought, again from a guitar player. During my mando journey, I owned an Eastman 815 for about a year. This is one of the higher level Eastman F-styles. I got a good deal on it (used),...

I am also a long-time guitarist that has become a mandolin player over the last 10 years. My suggestion is to stick with your Loar until you can move into a hand-made American mandolin. Right now,...

Either of the Eastman MD315s would be a good deal. Those will sell quickly.

You are not alone. I am a long time guitarist, who has spent the last several years learning to become a mandolin player. I found out some years ago, that the typical Gibson-F5-style neck (narrow,...

I had the same problem when I started playing regularly with an Eastman 815. I'm a guitar player, and attributed the forearm fatigue to the smaller mandolin neck compared to a guitar neck. I thought...

Monroe, Burns, Bush, Grisman

That's a beauty, and you got a screamin' deal on it. Enjoy!

I have both an A-style and an F-style. Before I got the F-style, I thought I would like the way it hangs on a strap better, because of the scroll. With my A-style (Weber Bitteroot), I tie a leather...

I agree with the above lust for the Bighorn in the classifieds. I'm a Weber fan big time. I've had a Bitteroot-F, and now have a Bitteroot-A. Both were great playing mandolins. My A-style has maple...

You might want to check out the Redline Traveler. Steve Smith makes those in Nashville, at his shop (Cumberland Acoustics). I've played several of these, and they sound really full, loud, and complex...

I am also primarily a guitar player (50 years), who has become addicted to mandolin over the past 10 years. I've had several mandolins, and played many others. I could never get used to the typical...

I would like to build the equivalent of a 20s Gibson A-Jr. I don't like binding, but would want a carved top, oval hole A-style. Does anyone make a kit like this? I could deal with either elevated...

The Summit A100 currently in the classifieds certainly looks like a lot of bluegrass mandolin for not much money. I have no affiliation, and don't need more mandolins. But if I was looking, that one...

I went through this for a long while. I played a high end Eastman (815) for a couple of years, which had a neck similar to many modern Gibsons, but just didn't have the sound. Personally, I don't do...

An Eastman or Kentucky with a good setup will give you the playability you need to learn the instrument. I am also a guitar player of 50 years, who got bit by the mandolin bug 10 years ago. If you...

I've been a guitar player for over 50 years now, and have mostly been an electric lead player. I've always had an acoustic guitar, but honestly never played acoustic guitar much. Playing chords on an...

The responsible thing to do would be to pay on your debts. You might also improve the sound/playability of you Eastman by having a pro setup and possibly install a Cumberland Acoustics bridge. This...

Steve came in on a Saturday, just to work on my Weber. He installed one of his bridges, and did a thorough setup including fret leveling. I have been stunned by the improved playability and tone...

I am also an electric lead guitar player, who has spent the last few years trying to become a passable mandolin player. From what I heard, you are doing great after only 3 months. But I understand...