F-Style on a ~$600 budget

[Dchip]

I am looking for advice on buying a F-Style mandolin on a $600 budget. What qualities should I look for in an instrument in this price range? Any recommendations?

[wxfloyd]

I'm guessing you already know you'll get much better value with an A style in this price range, but if you're set on getting an F style, the Eastman MD315 is about the best choice to go with. All solid woods, satin finish, and good tone. I have one, but I purchased it used on the classifieds here and it came with some upgrades. But it's my first mandolin and I'm very happy with it. Search the forums and you'll see others will agree, it's a great entry level mandolin.

[dhergert]

Most of the new F-style mandolins in this price range are going to require a detailed setup before they are playable and sound good. That at least involves modifying the action at the nut, seating and adjusting the bridge for intonation and string height, leveling and dressing the frets, adjusting the neck's truss rod, tightening all fittings, freshening the fingerboard and generally cleaning up the whole instrument. That is something that is best done by someone with significant mandolin setup experience.

If that describes your personal setup skill level and if you're willing to spend the time and some money for tools to do the detailed setup yourself, then shopping around primarily for lowest prices and sufficient build quality from a number of big-box merchants is a practical thing to do, with the expectation that you'll be doing the setup work yourself.

Otherwise, if you are looking for a new instrument, you should be shopping for not only a well built mandolin, but also for a professional detailed setup. In your price range, this may also mean you will need to think more about getting an A-style mandolin, which is not necessarily a compromise in tone quality.

A number of vendors that help support the Mandolin Cafe routinely provide instruments and professional setup at an excellent price point especially considering the time and experience required to do that kind of setup. If you click on the "Classified" section of Mandolin Cafe, there is a listing in BLUE near the top of the page that includes many of these vendors.

Another option is looking for used instruments. It is not at all rare to find nice, mildly used, originally low-cost F-style mandolins for sale in the Mandolin Cafe classified adds. But again, there is no guarantee that the setup is done to meet your personal playing needs, so you may also need to provide a detailed setup for these instruments.

[Bob Visentin]

I like the Rover RM75 made by Saga (same as Kentucky). Goes for around $400 new. Leaves you enough to pay for a good set up.

[allenhopkins]

I am looking for advice on buying a F-Style mandolin on a $600 budget. What qualities should I look for in an instrument in this price range?

Qualities: [1] all solid woods (check the specs for the instrument -- if there's euphemistic language like "select," rather than "solid," you've got plywood; [2] carved top and back, rather than heat-pressed; [3] better to stick to the generally-recommended brands, such as Eastman, Kentucky, Loar, Rover etc., which generally get better marks than Morgan Monroe, Michael Kelly, Epiphone, Washburn etc.; [4] if you can find a used instrument in which you have confidence, based on its make and model and the reliability of the seller, you can save a good 35-50% below the price of a new one.

As mentioned above, you will need a good set-up. Set-up is not really a function of the mandolin's cost, but more related to the dealer from whom it's purchased. Of course, rock-bottom discount dealers rarely do set-ups, so the $50 you save there, may be lost -- and more -- by paying for a pro set-up, new strings, etc.

Any recommendations?

See above. Eastman, Loar and Rover are solid wood instruments; Kentucky is too, but I'm not sure what their sub-$600 F-models are like (or if they have any). I'd recommend structural quality over fancy inlay and finish; the Eastman 300 series are real "plain Jane" looking, but seem to be well made and good-sounding.

Again, I'd also investigate the used market, where you might be able to score a near-$1K instrument for your $600.

[CES]

Eastman 315 or the Rover mentioned are probably your best bets. The Mandolin Store will also frequently have 515 Blems (with often imperceptible finish flaws) at great prices as well. Good luck!

Also, advice regarding set up is spot on. Don't go the "cheapest thing I can find on eBay" route unless you've got some experience with such matters...

[themandocello]

I bought an FF Breedlove crossover from amazon.com for about $695 with free shipping. I have to tell you I like it more then my Weber made flatiron f 5 artist. Not only is it beautiful to look at but it has a wonderful sound and the neck is very easy to hold

[Pittsburgh Bill]

Many threads on f style vs a style. By most consences no different in sound or playability with all things being equal. More bang for the dollar by far with an a style.
Personally, I prefer the looks of an a style, but I am probably in the minority.
I think that many people may purchase a f style for the benefit of other people looking at it and for no personal benefit. As always, just my humble opinion.

[Br1ck]

Of all the cheaper F styles I've played, the Eastman 315 sounded best to me, so I'd look for a used one.

If they we we still available, the recent MK close out mandos were surprising, but that ship has sailed.

Flexibility is nice when looking for a used instrument in this price range, so I'd just look for one of the oft mentioned brands and be ready to pounce when a good deal comes along. Kentucky, Loar, Eastman etc. any of them should work for you, just buy a solid wood instrument.

[dschonbrun]

A lightly used Eastman MD515 would be a good option in that range.

[Charles E.]

This in the classifieds........

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/105826#105826

As well as this......

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/105366#105366

Good luck with your search!

NFI

[ccravens]

This in the classifieds........

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/105826#105826

As well as this......

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/105366#105366

Good luck with your search!

NFI

That Eastman 515 looks like a great deal!

Especially with the upgrades and set-up already done!

If I was the OP, I'd be on it in a flash..

[Trav'linmando]

Dchip , you should jump all over that 515 w/upgrades listed in the classified as Charles E. pointed out.

[Dchip]

Thanks for all the suggestions and direction. Now time for some homework!

[CES]

I bought an FF Breedlove crossover from amazon.com for about $695 with free shipping. I have to tell you I like it more then my Weber made flatiron f 5 artist. Not only is it beautiful to look at but it has a wonderful sound and the neck is very easy to hold

Glad it worked out for you! My first was a Kentucky 675S off eBay that came with a chipped nut and the fretboard separating from the neck, that became very apparent when my luthier tried to flatten out the substantial neck bow. We did get it playable after spending about as much as the mandolin cost to buy, but it was not the bargain advertised. The seller, who had 100% feedback and a 100% return policy, vanished after the 3rd email or so. I'd have been much better off getting the KM 150 starter pack from Elderly!! At least with Amazon you have the return policy as some insurance...

[Bill Cameron]

Thanks for all the suggestions and direction. Now time for some homework!

Grab that 515 before I do! Thats a great deal especially with the upgraded bridge.
I would slightly disagree with the comment that there is no difference between an f-style and an a-style. The f-style body has a slightly larger air chamber, perhaps as much as 10% added volume, so in theory could be a little louder than an A. But the very best mandolin makers build a's to the same quality standards as f's, that should tell you something. It's a preference--an F-style wont make you more bluegrass, or more anything, than an A. But that 515 should make anyone happy.

[Loubrava]

Not sure if it's been said but do your homework when buying a used instrument that your having shipped, a lot of sellers in classifieds offer 48 hr try out period which is the way to go. If that's not offered then get a lot pics sent as 1 picture obviously can't show the overall condition. Then figure on some money to have it set up by a pro. My advice is buy from a shop or seller that offers returns.
Good luck on your purchase

[Br1ck]

Not sure if it's been said but do your homework when buying a used instrument that your having shipped, a lot of sellers in classifieds offer 48 hr try out period which is the way to go. If that's not offered then get a lot pics sent as 1 picture obviously can't show the overall condition. Then figure on some money to have it set up by a pro. My advice is buy from a shop or seller that offers returns.
Good luck on your purchase

I'll take a somewhat different tack regarding the last statement. I got into mandolin by buying an Eastman MD 505 from a great online dealer. It got me hooked so that I knew it would be a long term activity and so I sold the 505 to fund my Silverangel. Someone got a well setup four month old instrument at significant savings. There are many here doing the same. I would not fear buying if you have a simple phone conversation that is positive.

I got a nice Silverangel from a banjo player who was just not playing it. So be prepared to have a mandolin set up, and most assuredly have someone qualified look at it, but there are plenty who want nothing better than to find a new home for a mandolin that has served them well.