I am really happy with my Nava archtop and for a different sound my Calace bowl back. There was a gorgeous part finished mandolin that I saw as I was passing a violin shop in Sorrento a few years ago, a bowl back with a scalloped bowl. I had a chat with the builder but stupidly didn't get his name, so that's the one that got away.
I would go with the earlier choice of a Sobell OM, I like my Buchanan but the Sobell I played just sung.
Shame you are in the US John Berlotti, I have a Ceccherini I could be persuaded to part with.
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