Re: What to look/listen for when mandolin shopping?
I'm thrilled to have a few good stores around. I let them sweat the details. I then let my body dictate what I like. I try not to pay attention to neck width or radiused or not fretboards, just how it plays and sounds. If the instrument is used, I look for aesthetic issues that would be deal breakers for me. Like buying anything, you can get an idea how well something was cared for.
I found moving up from the same mandolin you own, any of the usuall suspects worked for me. Once I had spent time with my Silverangel, i developed a better understanding. That jump to something like a Weber or Collings is going to be dramatic.
IMHO, don't settle for higher up the Eastman ladder. Not worth it. For an experiment, play a Kentucky or Eastman G string, then grab a Collings and play that G string. If you can't tell an imediate qualitative difference, play your Eastman for a while longer. An investment of $1500 more or less in the used A style market should be satisfying. After playing something like this for a while, you'll find things very interesting going forward, like how much more you'll be willing to pay for just a small reward.
Silverangel A
Arches F style kit
1913 Gibson A-1
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