$1000 Budget - What should I get?

**Deering_Dude** · Dec-02-2020, 12:04pm

I've got a $1000 burning a hole in my pocket. I've sold my A-style and I'm in the market for an F-style. What should I get?

I've read other forums and I've done my own research ... BUT I want to know what you think! Tell me what you'd do, if you had a grand to spend.

Thanks,
Dave

**pheffernan** · Dec-02-2020, 12:34pm

I'd hunt around to see if I could find a Kentucky KM-1000 in that price range, but barring that (and I couldn't find one in a cursory search), I'd buy the best Eastman in my budget: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/163362#163362

**grassrootphilosopher** · Dec-02-2020, 1:57pm

I have to advise to check this thread: https://www.mandolincafe.com/news/pu...s_001443.shtml (Great Vintage Mandolins Under $1,000, published in 2012 and still absolutely recomended reading)

Play before you buy. That´s the best advice for most any instrument that you might have an interest in.

**JeffD** · Dec-02-2020, 1:58pm

It depends on what kind of music you play. Certainly check the classifieds just around the corner.

**pheffernan** · Dec-02-2020, 2:10pm

Originally Posted by grassrootphilosopher

I have to advise to check this thread: https://www.mandolincafe.com/news/pu...s_001443.shtml (Great Vintage Mandolins Under $1,000, published in 2012 and still absolutely recomended reading)

I love the article and have returned to it repeatedly, but I don't find an F-style in its contents.

**Charles E.** · Dec-02-2020, 3:40pm

Eastman 515.

**Zach Wilson** · Dec-02-2020, 4:11pm

As mentioned before I'd look at Eastman, 315 or 515. I'd also look at the Kentucky km750 or km 850.

I noticed Sun Valley guitar is having a sale. NFI.

https://sunvalleyguitars.com/product...v=e748b7c8fd06

I'd personally try to find a Eastman 415 blk cause I like the look

https://massstreetmusic.com/products...gaAm5dEALw_wcB

Happy Hunting!

**Em Tee** · Dec-02-2020, 4:36pm

If you want an American build with a great tone and a luthier who guarantees his builds; Morris. Otherwise +1 on the eastman 300 series. They have a great warranty and are, in my opinion, some of the best things coming out of China.

Used J. Boviers and American Breedlove are also excellent.

I hear good things about Afanti but I've never played one and couldn't say. There's threads about them on the forums.

**Eric Platt** · Dec-02-2020, 4:40pm

Zach mentioned it above, but I'll definitely second trying to find a Kentucky KM-850. Have played a couple and they are excellent mandolins. The normal price is slightly above your budget, but maybe you can luck out.

**grassrootphilosopher** · Dec-02-2020, 6:13pm

Originally Posted by pheffernan

I love the article and have returned to it repeatedly, but I don't find an F-style in its contents.

True! I just overlooked that the OP desires an F-style mandolin.

But at that price point I would concentrate on a great A-style mandolin. And of course I am biased, narrow minded and stuck up. Because at that level it is Strad-O-Lin for me all the way. I never saw or played a mandolin up to some couple of thousand USD that could outplay my Strad-O-Lin.

**Sue Rieter** · Dec-02-2020, 6:28pm

Originally Posted by grassrootphilosopher

True! I just overlooked that the OP desires an F-style mandolin.

But at that price point I would concentrate on a great A-style mandolin. And of course I am biased, narrow minded and stuck up. Because at that level it is Strad-O-Lin for me all the way. I never saw or played a mandolin up to some couple of thousand USD that could outplay my Strad-O-Lin.

I love my Strad-O-Lin, and though I'm a pretty inexperienced player, the sound of it has been given high praise by much better musicians than me!

Is there any such thing as an F-Style Stradolin? The two pointers look pretty cool.

**Dave Sheets** · Dec-02-2020, 6:39pm

I know you want an F-body, but a Flatiron A can sometimes be found used for that price.

**Zach Wilson** · Dec-02-2020, 7:12pm

Originally Posted by Dave Sheets

I know you want an F-body, but a Flatiron A can sometimes be found used for that price.

A lot of really good A's can be found for 1k (especially used) and that's what I'd look for too. But, I guess the OP has scroll desire/envy. It happens to the best of us

**withfoam** · Dec-02-2020, 7:23pm

I would also say what Pheffernan did. KM-1000 or best Eastman. I was in the same boat and initially got an Eastman 315, loved it. Then I upgraded to a KM-1050.

**Trader Todd** · Dec-02-2020, 7:50pm

When I was shopping in that price point, I got an Eastman 515. Great mando, I love it. Bought it here on the classifieds. I was supposed to sell it to finance my Northfield but it is such a great mando, I can't part with it. (So much for my one in, one out rule. Don't tell the Mrs...) Good luck.

**A-board** · Dec-02-2020, 8:35pm

Another vote for the most Eastman that fits the budget.

**Don Grieser** · Dec-02-2020, 8:41pm

Those Kentucky KM1000 mandos are great values at used prices.

**Pappyrich** · Dec-03-2020, 9:09am

Another vote for the Eastman's..

**red7flag** · Dec-03-2020, 9:49am

The Kentuckys and Eastmans are both great options. If your focus is more on bluegrass related music, I would recommend the Kentucky. Eastman, to me, has a more modern sound. Not better or worse, different. At that price point, you can find examples of both Kentucky and Eastman that are exceptional. You won't know until you try them. Trying instruments can be trying in these times, but we'll worth it when possible. To me buying an instrument is like getting married. You want to date as much as possible before hand.

**Chuck Leyda** · Dec-03-2020, 10:07am

You won't go terribly wrong with Eastman or Kentucky. Kentucky gives you the 6-8 series. Eastman the 3-5. I like the Eastman 515cc and the 515v.
Here's some info. I can recommend all these stores as well. Reach out to them and see what they have to say!

https://store.banjobenclark.com/coll...olin-with-case

https://themandolinstore.com/product...md515-varnish/

https://themusicemporium.com/mandoli..._mandolin_whsc

**Mark Seale** · Dec-03-2020, 12:44pm

Wait for a Kentucky km1000 (and keep saving in case it's a couple hundred more...)

**Gunnar** · Dec-03-2020, 3:10pm

Save up a few more pennies and buy a RAG from Roy Gordon, or a Buckhorn from Keith Terry. They run between $1000-1500 and are hand built by American luthiers.

**grassrootphilosopher** · Dec-03-2020, 5:42pm

Originally Posted by Sue Rieter

I love my Strad-O-Lin, and though I'm a pretty inexperienced player, the sound of it has been given high praise by much better musicians than me!

Is there any such thing as an F-Style Stradolin? The two pointers look pretty cool.

Unfortunately there´s no such thing as an Strado-F.

As far as I am concerned there are distinctions between the 30ies Strad-O-Linds and the 40ies Strad-O-Lins and the later Strad-O-Lins with the 30ies being the best (and I am being biased). There´s a Strad-O-Lin group on the cafe where you may find more info and comunication.

I don´t think that there´s more value than an early Strad-O-Lin. Enjoy yours!! And post some music here!

**Northwest Steve** · Dec-03-2020, 7:13pm

Not an F, but a good mandolin at a fair price. NFI

https://nashville.craigslist.org/msg...234676479.html

**CES** · Dec-04-2020, 8:06am

Check with Dennis at TMS (NFI). They periodically get “blem” Eastman 515s that sell for a bit less than budget, and the blems are often extremely tough to find. Very good instruments, excellent values!

My “beater” prior to a downsizing during a move a couple years ago was an Eastman 315 I picked up for $429 at a GC affiliate’s clearance sale before their price bump to current levels. Were it not for the move, I’d still have it. It had 80-85% of the tone of a Collings MT I had at the time, at 1/3-1/4 the cost. Funny, but I got just as many compliments on how it sounded as I did with my better mandolins. I could feel/hear the difference, but the average non-musician really couldn’t...