Mandolin suggestions
 

I've had at various times in the past a Collings MT, a Collings MF, and a Breedlove American OO. I have not had a mondolin in a few years now, but wanting to get back into one. I liked all of those above that I previously owned and am gravitating back toward those brands as I begin my search.

What other brands should I be looking at for an entry level around the same quality level as those? I'll be looking at buying used primarily. A or F style, oval or F hole. Prefer American made. Thanks!

The Northfield Calhoun is nice.

https://www.northfieldinstruments.com/thecalhoun

That is nice. Thanks for the suggestion and link.

I should have mentioned in the original post that flat or arched top is fine.

Collings and Northfield are not "entry level" instruments by any stretch - new they will set you back a few grand. Normally, when we talk about decent entry level mandolins we're talking The Loar, Kentucky or Eastman, or an affordable pancake Red line/Big Muddy. Another cool option is a teens or 20's Gibson A. Just like guitars, if you're ok with buying used you can get a good deal. I would Google "mandolin classifieds" to turn up the best source of used mandos anywhere.

Both these guys, Howard "Sonny" Morris and Tom "TJ" Jessen are great builders, one-man shops right here in the US. I own instruments built by each. You will not find a better deal than a used mando from either of these guys in a hand built in the US great sounding, great playing mandolin.

The OP has previously owned a Collings MT (~$3200) and a Collings MF (~$5200).
In that context, a Northfield Calhoun, at ~$890 (and made right here in the USA) is a more than reasonable "entry level" instrument to suggest for the OP to get back into playing.

Well... a “lesser quality” American-made Mandolin is the Big Muddy. I had Mike make me a Big Muddy M11 and it’s special. Warm Celtic style tone. I like it. It is unique, and made by a unique crazy guy, Fellow Basset owner and fellow Yankee fan.

https://imgur.com/UznmprN

https://m.imgur.com/UznmprN

As a White Sox fan I cannot endorse the instrument shown.

Big Muddys are fine mandolins though.

Going by what you have owned before, I'd say more of the same, unless you don't want to spend the money. You can get a very nice used A style for around $1500. Weber Galatins, older Flatirons, Ratliff Country Boys, and Silverangel Econos are all fine. MTs go for closer to $2K.

The Northfield F5S is a favorite in the F style group, along with a Gallatin.

I would add used Weber or Pava mandolins to the mix to consider. I consider Collings, Weber, and Pava to be about equivalent quality, and based on what you had before I don't think you would be satisfied with lesser quality.

You probably know this already, but f style mandos will not get you the most bang for your buck (tho they’re purdy). A nice used A style will get you a much nicer mando for the money. I went with an older Oregon made Breedlove ($500) in good but played condition. A flat top like a big muddy will be an even bigger savings, if you aren’t set on an arch top.

Thanks for all the suggestions. There are some in there I likely would have never found or considered. Right now I'm liking the looks of the Weber Gallatin A with F holes. Starting my search for a used one of those. Thanks again!

Check out Ken Ratcliff’s Silverangel mandolins.

The Emerald Amicus is an out of the box wild card alternative. It is NOT a mandolin. It is a 12 string instrument tuned like guitar with a capo at anywhere from the 7th to the 10th fret, and has a mandolin-like sound.

https://emeraldguitars.com/product/amicus-artisan/

+1 on this. Better to me than most Webers I've played. You can get his Econo for $1500 new. Its on the warm and lush side of things. Equal but different to the much brighter Collings tone. I bought the regular fully bound version for $1400 a couple of years ago. Ken Ratcliff, the builder, has been sending out his mandolins for a trial with no money paid upfront at all. Kinda says something.

I found a used Weber Gallatin A for a little over 1K. I was looking at higher end imports and I'm really glad I held out for what I consider entry level for a quality US product. It's a killer mando and I highly recommend it.