WWW.THEAMATEURMANDOLINIST.COM
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"Life is short. Play hard." - AlanN
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HEY! The Cafe has Social Groups, check 'em out. I'm in these groups:
Newbies Social Group | The Song-A-Week Social
The Woodshed Study Group | Blues Mando
- Advice For Mandolin Beginners
- YouTube Stuff
+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.
If I had $2000 to spend would be getting a Weber Bridger.
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.
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
... not all those who wander are lost ...
Good used Pava and Flatiron Artist mandolins can be had in your price range. Both are excellent.
2007 Sumi F-5 Deluxe
1991 Flatiron Performer A
Martin D-35
Here's a good looking Nashville flatiron for $1900
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/119039#119039
I agree with Brick; look for a teens Gibson A 2. They can be really nice.
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.
Pava, Northfield, Wienman, Girouard and many other great choices within your reach !
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
Look no further than a used Colling MT, shockingly great in every way. Great value in the market IMO.
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.
Silverangel A
Arches F style kit
1913 Gibson A-1
Ya'll are making my mouth water.
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.
It ain't gotta be perfect, as long as it's perfect enough!
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...yler-White-F-5
This thread has vids of White #6
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)
• Seagull S8 • Weber Y2K6 • David Hudson Bloodwood Didgeridoo (C#) •
MT or Pava. No question!
Phil
“Sharps/Flats” ≠ “Accidentals”
I'm broke but this A style seems like a great deal. NFI
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/119240#119240
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...
2003 John Sullivan F5 "Roy"
2015 Heiden F Artist
2019 Ruhland F5 #35
I associate crisp bell-like tone with oval hole Mandolins more than f holes, but maybe that's just how my Mandolins sound.
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