Will $2,750 get me the right one the first time?

[Big Hat]

I always buy the wrong one the first time! Wrong motorcycle, wrong canoe, wrong outboard motor, camera etc.....you've got the picture. Help me avoid this pattern with my first mandolin. With a $2,750 budget, which f style should I purchase? --I'm thinking Weber.

[terzinator]

what's wrong?

[Big Hat]

I never discover what's wrong until I own it!

[dusty miller]

177 members of the Weber fan group on this site. I've heard they are really nice.

Kris

[Laird]

I'd buy a Collings with that there money.

[Mike Bunting]

Would there be a Northfield in that range?

[Randy Smith]

Are you looking for an f hole or an oval? As others have said many times, check the classifieds here before looking for a new instrument. Your money should go further. Enjoy your hunting.

[Gottliver]

If you dont play it first, it will be the wrong one. It really is that simple.

[F-2 Dave]

If you dont play it first, it will be the wrong one. It really is that simple.

Listen to Gottliver.

$2750 can get you into a really nice mandolin, but it sure helps if you know what you want and have time to try several out first.

[Shanachie]

Check out the Mandolin Store's Lafferty models. I love mine. Sounds great. It has really nice construction and is fun to play.

[Marty Jacobson]

I'm not sure the first one is ever the right one. Maybe you should get a cheaper instrument, in the $1000 range, probably an A style, that is used and likely to have decent resale value, and then see where to put your money after getting acquainted with mandolins in general? You don't have to spend $2750 to get a good mandolin.

[DataNick]

Listen to Gottliver.

$2750 can get you into a really nice mandolin, but it sure helps if you know what you want and have time to try several out first.

I third this sentiment...sounds like you got a little dough to play with...go to The Mandolin Store in AZ, play everything on the rack, then make your choice!

[Michael Weaver]

I'm not sure the first one is ever the right one. Maybe you should get a cheaper instrument, in the $1000 range, probably an A style, that is used and likely to have decent resale value, and then see where to put your money after getting acquainted with mandolins in general? You don't have to spend $2750 to get a good mandolin.

I agree with Marty. My first nice mandolin was a 2003 Gibson A9 that I picked up in the classifieds in 2004 for $900.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Would there be a Northfield in that range?

Yes. One of the new F5-S. There are a few listed in the classifieds. Probably at the top of my list if I had that kind of budget.

[PhillipeTaylor]

Play it for a while first!!!! Play it, touch it, and play with a LOT so you know what feels and sounds good because you found out what sounds not so good. Play with crappy ones in the store, even if theyre the brands people tell you to avoid so you know WHY. Play REALLY cheap pieces of crap in the store, then play something in your price range. Go back and forth. Get to know what you like and why...

But then youll catch MAS in a couple months like the rest of us and "need" to buy another one, anyway...

[Michael Bridges]

I'm of the opinion that there's no generic,universally "Right" mandolin. (Loar signed F5 not withstanding). What's right for me may not be right for you.All the names mentioned would be excellent choices, but you see on the Cafe everywhere that a person prefers one of them over the others. Things like the sound, how the neck feels in your hands,heck, even how the headstock inlays are done may make one right for you. What's "Right" is what's right for you. The test-drives on a bunch of mandos of that caliber would sure be a lot of fun! Good luck in your search.

[Michael H Geimer]

Weber makes so many different types of mandolin, surely one of them is wrong for you!

Best of luck!

[Rodney Riley]

The trouble with mandolins... There is no wrong one. But so many that are the "right" one. The right one for bluegrass. The right one for Olde Time. The right one for Irish. The right one for classical. The right one for Blues... Get the picture. What genre will you be playin? And if you're like most of us, you will need one mando for the different style of music you want to play

[Shelagh Moore]

That amount will buy you a really nice mandolin. As other people have said, the best would be try as many as you can, new or used, and choose the one that you connect with.

[Rodney Riley]

Also have to agree with others about test drives. I have purchased 3 Martin guitars. 2 as gifts and one for myself from 2 Guitar Centers. The first one had 4 of the same model I wanted. My son and I spend over an hour playing them. The one we bought was so far above the others in playability and sound. The second we had 5 to test. Same thing with the one we got. So much better than the others. The little Martin we got for my oldest Grandblessing was the same way. Out of 4, the one we have holds its own against the other "real" guitars

[UsuallyPickin]

Yes you must play many to select one that you like. And just because you want another one later does not make your first purchase wrong. I mean really..... you like more than one kind of something do you not? Not to mention change, your tastes in music for one thing. As different mandolins are better suited to different musics. You have saved enough money to purchase a good quality instrument. One that will encourage you to play and grow as a mandolinist. That's enough for now. Enjoy the process. R/

[shawnbrock]

Hands down I would go either with a Northfield F5S, or a Nichols Road for another $100 plus shipping, so lets say another $200. $2750 will cover a F5S with shipping, and if you look around you can get a 48 hour trial on a new one. My last mandolin would cost 9K if you bought it today, and I like my F5S as good as I did that one. This opinion is after the old one had been played for 10 years, and the F5S has been played for a few weeks. In the end the F5S will be hands down a better sounding mandolin, or so I think. If I can I'm going to place an order for a Northfield F5M to go along with my S...

[bmac]

I think our question to you should be "Where are you right now in your mandolin journey???"

Are you a beginner?

If so, then you can expect to make a mistake, whatever you choose. There is so much to learn, so many varieties of instruments, style of playing, aesthetic considerations,,, All of which will contribute to your attitude and thinking as you grow... and your thinking will change.... That is a given...

So buy whatever style instrument you like, but don't expect it to be a lifetime choice.

Weber makes fine intstruments, but even within those there are lots of options which may not be important now but likely will be as you gain experience and competence.

[Eric Michael Pfeiffer]

And if you "don't" have access to any mandolins locally, then what are you supposed to do? Ironically my first good mandolin (and subsequently the one that was my favorite) was the only one I didnt play, although if you can play them first by all means do so.

[Andy Alexander]

Keep your eye open for a used Collings MTII. They are consistently good. They are an A model. To add a scroll in your budget range would seriously decrease the quality of instrument you could purchase.