Yet another post asking for advice...

[nultylynch]

Hello,
A lot of lurking and a lot of searching through forum archives has lead me to this question. I'm a lifelong musician (classical piano, 30 years of electric bass guitar). I'm fairly new to mandolin, but have been loving it. I'm currently playing an older (Korean) Kentucky KM675.
However, I'd like to get something that doesn't sound as boxy as my Kentucky does. (Kind of the way an overbuilt acoustic guitar sounds.)

My requirements are: F-style (I just prefer the look, and they feel more balanced to me) and under 3000. I'm open to used instruments. The couple of Eastman mandolins that I've played have me liking a radiused fingerboard, but I don't think it's a dealbreaker. Made in the US if I'm paying more than $2000 (which will almost surely push me into the used market). I'd like it to have enough volume to at least make a valiant effort at keeping up with my wife's concertina playing

My styles: In order, I play Irish traditional music (melodic, seisiún style playing), Americana/folk, and bluegrass.

I'm hoping to get some specific model recommendations so I can maybe start tracking things down to try out. Thanks so much for the help.

[Eric F.]

Other than "more than $2000," what's your budget? That leaves a lot of room.

[MikeZito]

Hey Nulty - welcome aboard.

You are about to get an awful lot of advice, recommendations, etc. - so I will keep it simple.

Considering your #1 preference of playing a melodic/Irish type of music, followed by Americana/folk, you might want to make sure that you put some sort of F-2/F-4 oval hole mandolin on your list of possibilities. While an oval hole is generally not something that you will see in most bluegrass circles (which is #3 on your list), it is still a possibility - although your 'chop' might not be too great.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Willie Poole]

you will get a lot of different opinions on this subject but the best way to find a mandolin that suits what you are looking for is to play as many as you can and when the right one comes along it will "speak" to you....Looks like you will need at least two mandolins, one with an oval hole for Irish music and another one with FF holes for Americana and Bluegrass....

The list is plenty long so good luck...Looks like Mike and I were typing at the same time...

Willie

[nultylynch]

Other than "more than $2000," what's your budget? That leaves a lot of room.

To clarify, I’m looking to spend up to 3000, but if it’s over 2000 it needs to be American made.

[Mark Gunter]

I'd spend over $2K for a Gilchrist (Australian made) if I could afford one. Several great luthiers on other continents. But I see your point, you probably won't be able to get a truly great mandolin from another continent for under $3K.

[Charles E.]

Here is a good starting point, in the classifieds.........

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/122895#122895

And this.......

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/121516#121516

NFI

[Eric F.]

Sorry, I missed where you said "under $3000."

Lafferty and Summit were what came to mind immediately. You can get a new Northfield for a few bucks less than $3,000, but if you can't abide something made overseas, that's out. I think only their A models are made in Michigan, but someone will surely correct me if I'm wrong.

[KEB]

If your budget really is $3k, I'd spend $350-500 of that on a flight to Nashville (or a similar great shop--Mandolin Store/Elderly/etc), a cheap hotel, cab fare to Carter Vintage/Gruhns, and I'd play anything they had on their wall for under $2,500.

Looking at the F5s at Carter's you could try a Ratcliff or Cross, but you could also hear what an A5 from a dozen really great makes-- Pava, Vintage Gibby, Collins.

I've spent a fair amount (a bit over 1/2 your budget) on a mandolin sight unseen (and been very happy with my purchase- Silverangel A), but at 3k, I'd want my shopping experience to be awesome, too, and I think I'd like to play damn near anything I could get my hands on. Dunno how cheap tickets from your locale to nashville are, but I see SWA flights there for ~100 each way all the time from Philly.

[George R. Lane]

You don't say where you are from, so we can't let you know of any good places to try out mandolins. As Willie says the only real way to find the best one for you is to play as many as you can. Buying one without playing it is a crap shoot at best. If you go that route make sure there is a trial period, where if you don't like it you can return it. I suggest you check the classifieds here or work with one of the stores that advertise here.

[nultylynch]

Good point. I'm in the DC/Baltimore area.

[nultylynch]

That's a really good idea, and one that seems much more enjoyable too.

[Dave Sheets]

There's a Collings MF in the classifieds right now, somewhat above your range, but it would be a while before you outgrow that one. No financial interests on my part. But do listen to the advice, and go play a bunch of mandolins somewhere before you buy, including a couple of the good A bodies in that range so you know what the options are. Oh, and do have fun.

[gspiess]

http://www.appbluegrass.com/

Right in your neighborhood

[nultylynch]

http://www.appbluegrass.com/

Right in your neighborhood

Yep. Just got back. They have some mid level Eastman’s and a couple of Northfields.

[Kevin Stueve]

Here is a good starting point, in the classifieds.........

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/122895#122895

And this.......

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/121516#121516

NFI

I have a 2012 bitterroot . At your price point the 2010 bitterroot above should be a serious candidate.

[Br1ck]

Play both the Northfield F styles. The f hole model is the F 5S. Basic well made great sounding mandolins. The oval hole sound like one. You can buy one from many of our sponsors and the consistency makes this worry free. Otherwise, shop whatever used market you have available, including the classifieds.

Be aware that mandolins can sound very different. The Weber I played was a warm and lovely tone, while the Northfield was punchier and brighter. Both were good which is why you should try to play some. You are going to be at the lower level of good F styles, which would be the mid level of A styles.

[dwc]

Contact Walter Johnson. He builds “June” mandolins in upstate South Carolina. I have owned two of his mandolins and played two more; all of them were excellent. His F style mandolins start at just under $3k.

[allenhopkins]

Check out House of Musical Traditions "Mandolin Room" -- they're in Takoma Park. I think the F-4's they list are a bit pricey, but you could at least do some hands-on testing of a variety of brands and price ranges.

[Denny Gies]

Like Brick said, try to play an Northfield. If they are good enough for Emery Lester they're good enough for us.

[BrianWilliam]

Like Brick said, try to play an Northfield. If they are good enough for Emery Lester they're good enough for us.

No doubt that Northfield makes some good mandolins, but Emory Lester doesn't buy them.

FWIW, the F5S I've played was so so.

I vote for a trip to Carters and bet you come home with and A5

[Alex Orr]

Check out House of Musical Traditions "Mandolin Room" -- they're in Takoma Park. I think the F-4's they list are a bit pricey, but you could at least do some hands-on testing of a variety of brands and price ranges.

Selection there can be spotty at best and the prices tend to skew high.

- - - Updated - - -

Sumi and Collins come to mind.

[Charles E.]

This just showed up in the classifieds..........

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/123076#123076

You would be hard pressed to find one much cheaper.

NFI

[Jim Garber]

Here's another possibiity from the classifieds 2015 Gibson F-9.

[Randi Gormley]

You can always drive up the coast to Acoustic Music in Guilford, CT and take in the NYC music stores as well. Lots of good mandolin offerings just north of you if you want to do some other hands-on...