Thanks everyone! I'll be in touch with my friend and relay this great advice.

can't believe no one advised to look at the one in the forum. I own some nice mandos and I can say these are killer solid wood american made mandos....

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=489979

I think they specified "new"

Only thing I would add to this already good advice is that if your friend doesn't require an F style, you can generally get a better instrument at a lower price by going with an A style. The labor costs are lower so you can likely get more bang for the buck. It's heresy in blue grass circles, I know but maybe the money saved will help with the 'slings and arrows'.

Precisely why I mentioned the Eastman 505

Thx, that's good to know.

Without a doubt for this price nothing comes even close to a Sawchyn Beavertail. Price advertised is Canadian Dollars.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?sto...60675313944022

I presently own two Eastman mandolins and have owned a Kentucky. I would say Eastman is the way to go here.

To echo the refrain!

An arch-top, f-hole, a-model mandolin seems the most versatile of the bunch. Suited for all sorts of music, style, etc. As in guitars, solid top makes a difference. Also, carved top makes a difference.

In mandolin advertising (as in guitars), maple back and sides means laminated. It actually has to say, "Solid!" Arched top means, the top was made as plywood and then steamed to an arch-looking shape. This also matters.

Not all cheap mandolins even have tone bars! I think the Gretch is such a beast. Typically, whether needed for structural support of strings or not, mandolin tops have tone bars. Leaving them out may be a disadvantage.

Now that that preamble is out of the way, I'll chime in on Kentucky (I'd look at the KM-250 and above) and Eastman.

The Big Muddy mandolins are likely great too! I have a flat-top mandolin that I'll never part with! Just a great instrument. Not quite as versatile as an arch-top, solid-wood, carved-top mandolin with f-holes; however.

f-d

You can get a new Breedlove Crossover mandolin, f-holes or oval hole, for $500. I bought mine (Crossover NT oval hole) from FolkMusician.com in Reno, NV. I just checked and they are currently sold out, but you can get them elsewhere. It's a very, very nice mandolin, with great tone, and easily playable, as well as beautiful. Actually, the retail price is $699, but usually they are on sale for $500. It would be an excellent gift, and a step or two above the usual "starter" mandolin.

Jack

+1 here. My wife gave me an MD505 for Xmas last year, I am thrilled how good it is for its price point.

plus 1 on the a5 style of mando. just because"bill" played one doesn't mean
you have to. your paying for two points and a scroll which only add 3 solid
blocks to the side of the instrument. and add no tone over an a5 style.
but the labor involved (binding and building the scroll)will in most cases double or triple the price.

Tim OBrian agrees .