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
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
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
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.
Time travel will be very useful..
writing about music
is like dancing,
about architecture
So would watching the classifieds and dealer sites because deals like those come around regularly.
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.
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
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
Gibson A1 (1919)
Martin D16 guitar
Great Divide Guitar (Two-Old-Hippies)
OME 11" banjo (1973)
Pisgah 12" banjo
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.
The Banjo Warehouse
New...The Loar LM 600 BK
$649.00
I heard they overnight.
2021 The Loar LM700 VS
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
Girouard Custom A4
Nordwall Cittern
Barbi Mandola
Crump OM-1s Octave
www.singletonstreet.com
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
Here you go:
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/153312#153312
Eastman MD 315 With Hardshell $725
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.
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
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.
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.
Best is hard to quantify. What are you looking for in a mandolin?
Nah..wouldn't work for me.
The last year or so, I needed more Bling; Gold & Gloss.
2021 The Loar LM700 VS
Then you go where the labor rate is low to make them ..
writing about music
is like dancing,
about architecture
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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