I am a big fan of the Eastman 305 in the sub $500 price range. It has all solid, carved woods and generally sounds pretty good, if slightly bright. The main issue I have with it is that the hardware (tuners and tailpiece) isn’t the best.
That being said, if you can find a used flat top like a Mid Missouri or Big Muddy (same builder, different name, Mid Missouri was his first company), then I would jump on it. They are fantastic mandolins, not just good mandolins “for the money”. In fact, NFI, but there is a Mid Mo M4 on Mandolin Cafe right now. I would jump on it.
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Bourgeois Aged Tone Vintage D
Gibson CS 1958 Les Paul Std. Reissue
Mason-Dixon FE 44 Combo Amp
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