You can pull great classical OR bluegrass from an f-hole, arch-top mandolin. That's what Thile does! Other's too!
If you want new, I'd consider the Kentucky 900/950 or a flat-top. Folks seem to love Poe or Crystal Forest. Never played either. Flattops do sound different as you'd be unlikely to pull much bluegrass tone out of one.
f-d
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