Frank
I dropped into the mando world a few years ago and love it. Knowing your flavor in guitars, I have some recommendations with a cause. Get one that will appeal to you in such a way that you can't sit it down, get one with a low setup that frets easy-but clean. Also knowing your skills and desire level, I expect you will continue so I'm going to suggest a nice mandolin that could easily be a forever mandolin.
A few things that will take you some time to figure out:
1)what shape neck profile works for me best
2)what nut width(and string spacing) work for me best
3)what scale works best for you, from 13-14"
4)do I want an A style or F style(scroll and top and bottom points).
5)flat fretboard or radius fretboard
6)small, medium, or large frets
these things above no one can tell you. you just have to experience them and figure out for yourself.
Most people suggest guitar players to go with a wider fretboard at first-I'm not so sure of that now. I think a 1 1/8" nut width is a good all around width-and popular, so easy to sell later if it doesn't work. At first its all going to be awkward and feel wrong-give it time, keep working, it will come.
Highly suggest watching/learning at mandolessons.com
Its free, the lessons are excellent, and Baron offers a lot for all levels.
Plenty to learn there, then if you want more, there's all sorts of online teaching that is excellent(artistworks, peghead nation, Matt Flinners classes, and many more-but I really like the ones I've listed, and you can get an all around education on the mando and not just bluegrass).
A style or F style. Neither sound better or worse. Both can do the same music-its all about that particular mandolin. Some brands are very consistent(Collings, Girouard, Weber, Pava, Northfield, used Ellis)in quality, build, ease of action settings, fretwork-very very important in mandolin, and tone.
the one big thing I notice about and A or F, if you sit and play, the F style is typically easier because you can use the bottom points to balance the instrument-if you sit and play with an A style, you pretty much need to use a strap to help balance it(so your hands are free to do the string work). I sit and play, and I am most happy with an F style, but, in time, you can/do learn how to hold an A style without a strap if you get one. a way to help with an A while sitting and using no strap, is to put a toneguard on the back-these slip on easy and stay in place, the bottom tips of the guard I use like a point on the F style and it balances easily while sitting.
Flat fretboard or radius. I've had both, I highly prefer radius, and I prefer med to large frets myself. Again, things you will decide over time.
neck profile can be reshaped on a mandolin neck-a too sharp V profile can be softened and blended, a too round neck can be reshaped to a soft V. And you leave it as a speedneck(a lot of players prefer this), or you can recolor and finish after the shaping. This is all normal in the mando world-so if you end up with a mandolin you love but the neck just bothers you, there is still much hope.
I would look for a used Girouard A or F, Weber F, Collings A or F.
They are out there, reach out to me if you want me to send you some links.
And yes, the Café is the place for everything mandolin.
Gregboyds had a used Weber F that looks really good, and Greg is a very trusted soul in the music world. I would jump on this one.
https://gregboyd.com/product/2010-we...ot-f-mandolin/
with this one, you can learn a lot, its got a great burst, by Gregs announcement it has good tone, and if you sell it later you will not lose much if anything. probably in a year or two you might even list it higher.
A setup is very very important on mandolin, to be happy, to keep playing, and to progress. We are not that far apart. I do very good setups on mandolins. could set it up for a low action and easy play in no time.
There was a used Girouard A in the Café ads-that would be an awesome mandolin also, max and laurie build great instruments and they are just getting better and better. I have an octave A that is a monster.
A used Northfield F5S with the modern setup(larger frets, radius board), are consistant, hold value, and play and sound exceptional with all music styles. New ones run under $3000
Collings are typically exceptional in all areas, but do have a pretty bright tone-unless you get an englemann top. I've had a bunch of them, tend to really like the A styles for the tone and light weight and price.
also call/check ThemandolinStore, Dennis and Brian do nice setups on instruments they send out, they have a huge stock and know their business well. They get nice quality tradeins all the time. I've purchased probably 5 from them. There are a lot of videos on youtube from themandolinstore , so browse those for a tone that suits your ears.
pm or email if you need or want more
d
check out these folks for interest:
Sierra Hull
John Reischman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oZzfeetE5U
Sharon Gilchrist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgy_c5qcrCA
mandolessons.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_Esi4hhHKo&t=97s
David Benedict(does mandolin Mondays on the Café)
http://davidbenedictmusic.com/
Matt Flinners courses-these run about 4 weeks and he is an excellent teacher. He has a live session each week, and you can download it after if you miss it-he taught David above, and is just a well versed performer teacher. Highly recommend one of his beginner sessions-even if its bluegrass and you don't want that, you will learn a lot. his classes are extremely interesting and well designed to have you moving in a positive direction from the getgo.
http://www.mattflinner.com/
theres a couple excellent luthiers/shops near Asheville
http://condino.com/
Fiddle and Fret-near Asheville, he flys under the radar, has a small shop but does repairs on vintage guitars, instruments, and has a few US made mandolins at times(pava, ellis, collings). HIGHLY recommended, theres a used 3 point Weber there that's probably going to be a swell instrument.
http://www.fiddleandfret.com/mandolins-for-sale.html