Eastman, Loar, and Kentucky are the three imports that get good reviews. I started with an Eastman MD505. It was good until I started playing the Northfield and Collings mandolins. All are good enough to get you hooked. I would not buy anything above an all solid wood mandolin in any of the imports. I have not found a great difference, and indeed have often preferred the Eastman 300 over the more expensive models. Scrolls cost a lot of money.
While you are enjoying whatever you buy, set your sights on a used A style in the $1200-1500 range. Weber Gallatin, Silverangel Econo, Ratliff Country Boy, to name three. It is all in the richness of the G string.
If you are coming from guitar, the neck width won't matter much, as they will all seem tiny.
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2007 Martin D 35 Custom
1970 Guild D 35
1965 Epiphone Texan
2011 Santa Cruz D P/W
Pono OP 30 D parlor
Pono OP12-30
Pono MT uke
Goldtone Paul Beard squareneck resophonic
Fluke tenor ukulele
Boatload of home rolled telecasters
"Shut up and play ur guitar" Frank Zappa
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