Re: Ideas for a mandolin, $500-1,000
Lots of options of which I have not played but have heard good things about. Howard Morris comes off the top of my head. As to those that I have experience with include several lower and middle priced Eastman / Kentucky. I never seemed to bond with any of these as all to me sounded tinny. Additionally I have come to the realization that the look and glitz of an F Style does not do anything for me. The added benefit of allowing me to get more bang for the buck with an A Style.
I now have one of Kentucky's A Style Master series with a radius that I bought used in the Cafe classifieds for $850.00 I find to be light years better than my previous Eastmans / Kentucky's. It is the best sub $1000.00 mandolin I have ever played allowing me to not miss so much my Collings when I'm traveling. I have never played another Kentucky Master series so I do not know if mine is exceptional or how much difference the Cumberland Acoustic Bridge it came with influences it's tonal qualities.
Good luck and happy shopping.
Big Muddy EM8 solid body (Mike Dulak's final EM8 build)
Kentucky KM-950
Weber Gallatin A Mandola "D hole"
Rogue 100A (current campfire tool & emergency canoe paddle)
Bookmarks