$3000 limit Weber, Collings, Pava or?

[lflngpicker]

All helpful points and good push back on the fret wear. I appreciate that. The Bighorn from the MC Classifieds was purchased by Fiddler's Green and is now posted there for sale? Or it is the very same. Still a good price, though bumped up, naturally. Okay friends, I have been learning tons and hopefully I am nearing my conclusion. "The anticipation of the next mandolin is the best part" is what one of my mandolin buddies always says.

[mee]

Okay friends, I have been learning tons and hopefully I am nearing my conclusion. "The anticipation of the next mandolin is the best part" is what one of my mandolin buddies always says.

Can’t wait to see what you decide on! And yes anticipation and looking around is lots of fun, I am doing that also but not near making up my mind what I want and in no hurry to do so. I like hands on for myself and hope to visit Lowe’s Vintage this summer.

[pops1]

I have always said, the search is as enjoyable as the rest of the journey.

[THart]

If it's a Bitterroot F14 I were after I'd take a close look at the Fretted Frog. They have one you could pick up for 2775 it looks like, new under full warranty. NFI but I've bought from them & Roland was a pleasure to work with. http://www.thefrettedfrog.com/

[Br1ck]

Why the reluctance to buy a mandolin with fret wear? If it's not too bad, frets can be leveled, and if not can be replaced. I'd not walk away from a mandolin for somethin easily rectified. Now pinkie wear through to bare wood? I hate that.

I'm pretty tolerant of aesthetic bumps and bruises though, even pick wear. It's just the finish worn off from the pinkie that bugs me.

Provided the price is right, I'd buy a mandolin with issues.

[lflngpicker]

If it's a Bitterroot F14 I were after I'd take a close look at the Fretted Frog. They have one you could pick up for 2775 it looks like, new under full warranty. NFI but I've bought from them & Roland was a pleasure to work with. http://www.thefrettedfrog.com/

THart, That is in my region! Wow, shipping would be safe and quick. The deal! I am looking at it. Thanks, D

[lflngpicker]

Why the reluctance to buy a mandolin with fret wear? If it's not too bad, frets can be leveled, and if not can be replaced. I'd not walk away from a mandolin for somethin easily rectified. Now pinkie wear through to bare wood? I hate that.

I'm pretty tolerant of aesthetic bumps and bruises though, even pick wear. It's just the finish worn off from the pinkie that bugs me.

Provided the price is right, I'd buy a mandolin with issues.

You're right Br1ck. I am considering all factors of quality weighed against the potential need for fret work or otherwise. Your point is very well taken.

[Northwest Steve]

Why the reluctance to buy a mandolin with fret wear? If it's not too bad, frets can be leveled, and if not can be replaced. I'd not walk away from a mandolin for somethin easily rectified. Now pinkie wear through to bare wood? I hate that.

I'm pretty tolerant of aesthetic bumps and bruises though, even pick wear. It's just the finish worn off from the pinkie that bugs me.

Provided the price is right, I'd buy a mandolin with issues.

I would not hesitate to buy a mandolin that needed work but the price would need to reflect the amount needed to bring it up to playing condition. A complete fret job and setup is not cheap.

[pheffernan]

THart, That is in my region! Wow, shipping would be safe and quick. The deal! I am looking at it. Thanks, D

Would sales tax take the price out of budget?

[THart]

Would sales tax take the price out of budget?

Crazy, isn't it? No sales tax for me having my nice new Weber resonator sent from another state but buy in state and you pay hundreds in sales tax. I feel for the brick & mortars (of which I am one. Guess that was kind of self serving )

[lflngpicker]

Would sales tax take the price out of budget?

Pheffernan, I am so glad you mentioned that because I don't often buy something from my own state so I would not have realized that they 8% would be assessed and hit me for an additional $250! Thanks guys... but then, the A5 Yellowstone with Tax would be a good thought. I am more likely to buy a great used, still.

[Jeff Mando]

I would have a difficult time deciding with all the choices out there. Good luck!

[Jim Garber]

THart, That is in my region! Wow, shipping would be safe and quick. The deal! I am looking at it. Thanks, D

Pheffernan, I am so glad you mentioned that because I don't often buy something from my own state so I would not have realized that they 8% would be assessed and hit me for an additional $250! Thanks guys... but then, the A5 Yellowstone with Tax would be a good thought. I am more likely to buy a great used, still.

OTOH it looks like it would be only slightly over an hour drive. If possible, why not go and play it in person and seal the deal that way? For me that would be preferable than having to deal with shipping and possible returns if you didn't like it.

[lflngpicker]

OTOH it looks like it would be only slightly over an hour drive. If possible, why not go and play it in person and seal the deal that way? For me that would be preferable than having to deal with shipping and possible returns if you didn't like it.

Hi Jim, That would be best. If I get to thinking that way, I will try to get up there. I need to get to that store in Pasadena at some point, because it is the only mandolin destination with new Webers. Most places with Guitars in my 50 mile radius have nice imports, but a very small selection (1 or 2 mandolins) and that isn't what I am looking for anyway. Playing a mandolin before buying-- the best would be a road trip with my wife to Phoenix area and Vance's TMS. That is my dream vacation! I don't drive anymore, but she does like to get me where I want to go within a reasonable distance.

[colorado_al]

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/123818#123818
2001 Flatiron Festival F $2650

[lflngpicker]

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/123818#123818
2001 Flatiron Festival F $2650

I appreciate it, Al. Thanks!

[colorado_al]

I you can stretch $500 more, this looks like a sweet one!
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/123841#123841

2012 Collings MF Blonde Gloss top $3500

[colorado_al]

I can see why this is a hard choice to make. Great instruments in your price range keep hitting the classifieds!
1999 Gibson F5G $3000
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/123888#123888


This is essentially the same as the Flatiron listed above, but if you want the Gibson name on it, here you go!
I think I would go with the Flatiron to save $400 and also get the modern large fretwire that they have.

[lflngpicker]

I can see why this is a hard choice to make. Great instruments in your price range keep hitting the classifieds!
1999 Gibson F5G $3000
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/123888#123888


This is essentially the same as the Flatiron listed above, but if you want the Gibson name on it, here you go!
I think I would go with the Flatiron to save $400 and also get the modern large fretwire that they have.

Holy Cow, Al! That is a pretty amazing listing. Dan

[Northwest Steve]

FYI on F5G's and Flatiron Festivals. The nut width can run anywhere form just over an inch to 1 1/8". The F5G's from that era had small fret wire the Festivals medium.

The sound description of the MF seems to fit what you are looking for -

https://reverb.com/item/11263440-col...006-mf-gt-used

Wide nut

http://www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.co...k-top-wide-nut

I am sure you are overwhelmed with choices at this point, so good luck in the search......

[Josh Levine]

I have to put in a plug for my favorite local builder, Matt Ruhland. He is producing varnished F5s at a reasonable price. Not sure where he is at with pricing, you would have to contact him directly to see what they cost. I recently played his new batch #21-25. I really liked #21, which was x-braced and definitely meets your criteria. Very lively, powerful, strong sustain. Fit and finish are decent, not at the level of Collings or Weber, but I have only seen a few Collings/Webers that have the power and volume of Matt's mandolins. They are great. (NFI) He just started working on his 1st batch of As, so I am hoping to put down a deposit on one of those. Here is a video of him playing an earlier one of his: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_3mB2jm88E

[Josh Levine]

[lflngpicker]

Those are some great sounding and good looking mandos, Josh.

[Br1ck]

I would appreciate any food for thought and your expertise will help me narrow my target. [/QUOTE]

I think we have failed utterly and completely helping the OP narrow his target. More like creating a deer hunt in the entire forest.

[lflngpicker]

I would appreciate any food for thought and your expertise will help me narrow my target.

Br1ck said: I think we have failed utterly and completely helping the OP narrow his target. More like creating a deer hunt in the entire forest.

Better than it might seem, my friend. I have been writing notes and making lists and prioritizing. I am being somewhat choosy and careful through this decision process. You and all of our MC friends have been such a great help. I do have a short list and you have helped narrow my target to a group of 3-4 mandolins. I can't speak to which ones right now because I am in the process of corresponding with these great sellers on the MC and I want to respect those discussions. Thanks for all the help Br1ck and so many others.