Re: Total Newbie Looking for advise
Something like an Eastman MD505 ($699 new with setup if bought from a good music store) would be a nice option, as it is good enough in solid carved wood and playability to get you pretty far in your mandolin journey, and is popular enough that it would be easy to sell without too much loss or it could be a good second mando when you don't want to chance taking your better NEXT mandolin with you.
I've played Martins a few years (2002 was my HD28. My D18GE followed a few years after that) and do appreciate a good instrument. Something like a Northfield F5S might be coming my way in a year or two, but for now an MD505 and MD315 are performing delightfully.
On the LOW end of options, I actually can recommend Musician's Friend for their Rogue RM-100A for only $49! I recently bought one as a loaner for friends and family who want to dip their toe into the mandolin world. The one I got is surprisingly loud and quite playable. Yes, solid wood will give you a sweeter sound, but there isn't much to lose in trying one of these bargains. (Rob Meldrum has generously provided an ebook with how to inexpensively do your own setup on this very mandolin. https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...ighlight=rogue).
Doug Brock
2018 Kimble 2 point (#259), Eastman MD315, Eastman MDA315, some guitars, banjos, and fiddles
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