Upgrade Benefits?

[Ivan Kelsall]

From the OP - " (or even my state...Utah).". If necessary,travel !. I had to make a 520 mile round trip from where i live to try a few mandolins out when i was looking to upgrade. Sometimes it's the only way to really find out what you're after. Our opinions are exactly that - our's, not yours. Whilst many folk on here have a wide experience of many brands of mandolin,they can't say with 100% certainty what will 'suit you'. A friend of mine up in Scotland had to travel down to Brighton UK to select a mandolin & had to stay overnight - if that's what it takes,do it & enjoy the journey,
Ivan

[Br1ck]

You make a good point regarding the subjectivity of it all, but if the OP were to buy something like a Weber or a Collings MT, and not having both at once, I'd venture he'd be happy with either though they are different. This is more true as the upgrade to either would be substantial.