Austin AU625

[David Rench]

There’s very little information about this mandolin online. I believe it’s entry-level and I believe it has a solid spruce top if you know anything about this instrument specially whether it’s a solid spruce top or its original price. Please give me some help

[Roger Moss]

There's not much information around about this instrument except that it is an f style mandolin. I have seen Austin mandolins before though and they were bottom of the line all laminate instruments that required considerable work to make playable. If you are going to get it I would try it out first and be very discriminating. There are too many decent budget instruments around to pay much at all for a cheapo that will make you want something else almost immediately.

[Roger Moss]

This is probably the lowest cost solid top f style mandolin I could find. Very well reviewed.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk...style-mandolin

If you are open to an a style this is a good buy. A starter yes but all solid wood.

https://www.amazon.com/Rover-RM-50-D.../dp/B001RIZEL4

Of course both will need setup. If you get Rob Meldrum's free ebook you can probably do that yourself. Idid.

[MikeEdgerton]

There’s very little information about this mandolin online. I believe it’s entry-level and I believe it has a solid spruce top if you know anything about this instrument specially whether it’s a solid spruce top or its original price. Please give me some help

Post a picture. Many of these mandolin brands are imported under various labels.

[David Rench]

Thanks so much for your info Roger. I am pretty sure the AU 625 is an “A” style and the only reference I found online was that it had a spruce solid top. The spruce reference was on a dubious website but Guitar Center offers a used AU625 out of their Asheville store at $149. Link https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Au...25-Mandolin.gc
I am looking at a slightly played AU625 “A” style offered after negotiation for $80. My budget is limited and yes, I will check it out before I buy. It’s so hard to find any info on this AU625 which adds to why I would like to know more before I drive 90 minutes to go see it. Solid spruce top? Original cost? Reviews? Can’t find any. If it’s garbage I guess my budget could look into a Rouge. Or just start saving for the Eastman MD505 that I enjoyed quite a bit. ✌️

[David Rench]

I would post a photo but can’t figure out how. When I choose an image it goes pale and I found no ok or insert button. Sorry.

[allenhopkins]

Dollars to donuts it doesn't have a solid top. I did a little Googling on Austin instruments, and the reviews were purty bad, even for cheapos, which seems to be what Austin sells.

If you want to spend less than $100, you'll be extremely fortunate to come up with any solid-top mandolin. I'd second the suggestion of the Rover RM-50, which is all solid wood (not carved, of course) and can be bought for around $150 -- and they pop up used on Reverb for under #100.

Just make sure whatever mandolin you buy, is properly set up. Elderly Instruments advertises that the to shop set-ups on their RM-50's; other dealers may or may not.

[Roger Moss]

That 505 is an outstanding instrument and excellent goal. Many MC members have started out with a Rogue and Rob Meldrum's ebook and done just fine. In fact, if you're starting out with an all laminate instrument, it's hard to go wrong that way.

[David Rench]

Thank you for all the feedback guys! I will take a pass on the Austin check into the Rouge , Kentucky 150, and or save up for the Eastman 505. I am just itchy to play and will curb my enthusiasm til I have the $$$!If thee are any Austin AU625 owners out there I am still curious to hear your story. Cheers, everyone