Best A Style Mandolin around $2,000?

[Mark Gunter]

Yes, I would definitely be looking into this. Could certainly meet your criteria. And yes that brown Pava A5 is a steal as well. Both great options.

Man, those are nice

[billykatzz]

+1 for the Collings MT. I have one of the "plain Jane" ones in sunburst with "only" the satin finish, and this baby is just a tone-machine. Clear, bell-like tones, great projection, nice pop on each note, and great action.

Another nice things about the MT's: if you don't like it if you buy one, they're pretty easy to sell. If you buy a used one, you can probably turn it around for the same price you paid for it.

[James Miller]

If I had $2000 to spend would be getting a Weber Bridger.

[Victor Daniel]

I agree with many of the previous posts. I have a Satin Pava Model I bought used and it is a fantastic mandolin. Tonally it is very bell like and chimney. Extremely even across the strings. The tone is almost like a cross between an F-hole and oval hole mandolin. It is very versatile sound wise. I find it works well with many styles from bluegrass to jazz. Collings Mt2’s seem to be in a similar modern sound camp to my ears. I haven’t played a Girouard, but from the videos I’ve seen they have a very nice tone.
You might also consider teens or early 20’s Gibson Oval hole. They have wonderful tone but don’t quite cut as well as an F-hole.

[Denman John]

If you buy used, you can get a lot of mandolin for $2K. Watch the classifieds and I'm sure something will catch your eye

[Mike Arakelian]

Good used Pava and Flatiron Artist mandolins can be had in your price range. Both are excellent.

[colorado_al]

Here's a good looking Nashville flatiron for $1900
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/119039#119039

[Denny Gies]

I agree with Brick; look for a teens Gibson A 2. They can be really nice.

[Mandoplumb]

My 1922 A4 was about $1350 15 years ago, my plain brown A was $ 600 , 30 years ago...
the A40 was $150, with F holes.. 45 years ago..

Go back enough years and you can buy a Loar maybe even the Griffen Loar for your $2000.

[rcc56]

Stick an aluminum bridge saddle on an adjustable bridge base and try it on a lively oval hole Gibson A model. The way it can make one of those old mandolins cut can be pleasantly surprising.

No, I'm not crazy. Gibson's earliest adjustable bridges had aluminum saddles.

[yankees1]

Pava, Northfield, Wienman, Girouard and many other great choices within your reach !

[trabb]

Nothing to add, but this thread is making me wonder at what point to quit saving. Everything mentioned here sounds great and is just a bit more than the 1200 I have. I also know that when I've saved 2000, the 2500 options will sound even nicer

[rcc56]

Nothing to add, but this thread is making me wonder at what point to quit saving. Everything mentioned here sounds great and is just a bit more than the 1200 I have. I also know that when I've saved 2000, the 2500 options will sound even nicer

It wouldn't take very long to find 3 or 4 'teens A-1's or plain A's for $1200.

[Stop]

Look no further than a used Colling MT, shockingly great in every way. Great value in the market IMO.

[Caleb]

Look no further than a used Colling MT, shockingly great in every way. Great value in the market IMO.

^^^^^ This exactly. It will likely end your mandolin search and become a lifelong player.

[Br1ck]

The thing with me and the MT is that whenever I've been in a store with a good selection, like Gryphon or THe Mandolin Store, it is always my second choice. A jewel of a mandolin though, and one that would certainly make me very happy to take home.

[Sherry Cadenhead]

Ya'll are making my mouth water.

[Steve VandeWater]

Well, I know I asked about an A style, but something came along that I had to jump on. I visited Tyler White at Pinehouse Guitars in Bloomington, IN last week and took home White #9. A tad more than I was looking to spend, but WOW! Im hoping that this is "the one". Tyler is a fantastic guy and as nice as you'll ever meet. Thank you all who responded.

[Rodney Riley]

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...yler-White-F-5
This thread has vids of White #6

[Mark Wilson]

A tad more than I was looking to spend, but WOW! Im hoping that this is "the one"

The best mandolin for any budget is at best a tad more. good Choice!!

[James Miller]

Not sure if I mentioned this, have you looked into a Weber Bridger? Seen a few near mint on Reverb for your price range. Looks the like $2,000 one sold.

Weber Bridger ~ https://reverb.com/item/6300008-webe...shape-mandolin

Weber Absaroka ~ https://reverb.com/item/7926588-weber-absaroka-2003
(Really sexy looking too)

[Phil Goodson]

MT or Pava. No question!

[Chuck Leyda]

I'm broke but this A style seems like a great deal. NFI

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/119240#119240

[EvanElk]

Pava!! There's a nice Pava satin A in the classifieds right now in your range. Many of the great build, tonal and playability qualities of an Ellis. My 3 cents on the matter...

[Davey]

I associate crisp bell-like tone with oval hole Mandolins more than f holes, but maybe that's just how my Mandolins sound.