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Thread: best mandolin for 700.00

  1. #1

    Default best mandolin for 700.00

    Just looking for suggestions on quality mandolins for under 700.00. open to both vintage or newer type models- looking primarily to buy a used instrument. any suggestions would be great thanks

  2. #2
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    This...

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/152845#152845

    NFI

    A used Eastman 505 or 605 might be had at that price too.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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  4. #3
    Registered User Eric F.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    At that budget, you are a few hundred dollars away from a much better mandolin. A couple of Ratliffs recently passed through the classifieds for about $1,000. If you can't do that, you could look for a used flattop, such as a Flatiron, Big Muddy or other, for about $700 or less. You could also spend less and do just fine. There is a used Eastman 305 in the classifieds now for a shade less than $500 if I recall correctly. What do you want to do with this mandolin? Go to bluegrass jams, play Celtic tunes, learn it and see where it takes you?

    Edit: The one Charles E posted while I was replying would make a fine choice, too.

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    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Time travel will be very useful..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

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  8. #5
    Registered User Eric F.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    So would watching the classifieds and dealer sites because deals like those come around regularly.

  9. #6
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Did you lose $100?

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...67#post1535167

    If you're not looking to play bluegrass at a jam, but more fiddle tunes and roots music, then I think that American flattops offer great value. Reverb has a number of options in your price range from Flatiron, Big Muddy, and Redline.
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  11. #7
    Registered User Pappyrich's Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    I bought an Eastman 305 from the Mandolin Store for under $500, and am very happy with the instrument. Sounds great, and the craftsmanship is wonderful. I recommend it highly.
    Richard

    Eastman 305
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  12. #8

    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric F. View Post
    At that budget, you are a few hundred dollars away from a much better mandolin. A couple of Ratliffs recently passed through the classifieds for about $1,000. If you can't do that, you could look for a used flattop, such as a Flatiron, Big Muddy or other, for about $700 or less. You could also spend less and do just fine. There is a used Eastman 305 in the classifieds now for a shade less than $500 if I recall correctly. What do you want to do with this mandolin? Go to bluegrass jams, play Celtic tunes, learn it and see where it takes you?

    Edit: The one Charles E posted while I was replying would make a fine choice, too.
    I guess i am interested in expanding my skill with it. i had a really nice stradolin that regrettably sold some time ago and now i am thinking of going back to playing as a side thing.. not really looking to go heavy into bluegrass. more folk and folk rock i guess

  13. #9

    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    You could call the folks at The Mandolin Store, tell them your budget, and ask them what the best sounding mandolin they have for the price is.

    When I asked them this with a budget of $750, they recommended the Eastman MD505. If you're set on an f-style then they'd probably recommend the MD315 but it can't hurt to call and talk to them.

  14. #10
    Registered User J Mangio's Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    The Banjo Warehouse
    New...The Loar LM 600 BK
    $649.00
    I heard they overnight.
    2021 The Loar LM700 VS

  15. #11

    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Quote Originally Posted by J Mangio View Post
    The Banjo Warehouse
    New...The Loar LM 600 BK
    $649.00
    I heard they overnight.
    Yea but it's painted black. I prefer to see the grain!

  16. #12

    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    You won't go too far wrong with an Eastman 315 or 505/504. You're pretty close to a Sawchyn beavertail if you like the flattop sound.
    Girouard Concert A5
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  18. #13
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Did you lose $100?

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...67#post1535167

    If you're not looking to play bluegrass at a jam, but more fiddle tunes and roots music, then I think that American flattops offer great value. Reverb has a number of options in your price range from Flatiron, Big Muddy, and Redline.
    That post is from 4 years ago. How in the heck did you remember that?
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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  20. #14
    Dave Sheets
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    There are some flatiron army-navy (flat-top) mandolins used in that range, they are a lot of fun, and should hold value. I can't speak for the Morris or Big Muddy instruments, but I'll bet they are similar. Otherwise, I'd look for a KM-150 or Eastman 304/305 which offer good sound and playability for the money, and save your money for the next mandolin. As people have noted if you can get to the $1k range, there are some other good options that become available.
    -Dave
    Flatiron A
    Way too many other instruments

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  22. #15

    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Here you go:
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/153312#153312
    Eastman MD 315 With Hardshell $725

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  24. #16
    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    A couple months ago I bought a Kentucky km500e from The Mandolin Store. It was on sale and well below $700. It is a fabulous mando, couldn’t be happier with it, and the setup was spot on.

  25. #17
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Did you lose $100?

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...67#post1535167

    If you're not looking to play bluegrass at a jam, but more fiddle tunes and roots music, then I think that American flattops offer great value. Reverb has a number of options in your price range from Flatiron, Big Muddy, and Redline.
    Yup!

    Haven't looked at his prices lately, but you might even be able to afford a new Big Muddy. All solid woods. Everything you need, nothing you don't need. Born in the USA.

    Can't go wrong with a Flatiron or Red Line, either.

  26. #18
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Quote Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein View Post
    Haven't looked at his prices lately, but you might even be able to afford a new Big Muddy.
    You can: https://reverb.com/item/32383845-big...-with-bag-2020
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  27. #19

    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    The Loar LM 700 Used would no doubt be available within that budget if a scroll is desired. Whatever mandolin, I'd say 100% USED if you want value for money. Having said that, some poeople buy an instrument and keep it for life so they may want a new one to call their very own.

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  29. #20
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Which way are you leaning, Salt?

    Here's another plug for flattops. Even though I've moved on to carved-top instruments (a Red Line and a Gibson, both great), I realize now that I sounded just as good on my old Mid-Missouri (a.k.a. Big Muddy) flattop. (Someone else might. I'm no pro.)

    I like fat tone, big volume, North American provenence, and all-solid wood construction. And I like to rock out. I got all of that with the Mid-Missouri. If I'd known then what I know now, I would probably have stuck with that flattop.

    For bluegrass, a carved-top f-hole A- or F-style instrument is a must, if only because no one will think you're serious if you don't have one. For my music and yours, any style mando will do.

  30. #21
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Best is hard to quantify. What are you looking for in a mandolin?

  31. #22
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    I can see why its called a "Big Muddy", he sure did'nt spare the shoe polish when he finished that.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  32. #23
    Registered User J Mangio's Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Nah..wouldn't work for me.
    The last year or so, I needed more Bling; Gold & Gloss.
    2021 The Loar LM700 VS

  33. #24
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: best mandolin for 700.00

    Then you go where the labor rate is low to make them ..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  34. #25
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Smile Cost target s $700.. best is an Opinion..

    My brown Gibson A was $600 in 1985 they're selling for $900 today.

    my Gibson A40 was $150 in 1973. hence the comment on the Time travel
    with Mr Peabody or Doctor Who..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

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