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  #16  
Old 11-24-2017, 03:22 PM
MaurysMusic MaurysMusic is offline
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Thanks everyone! I'll be in touch with my friend and relay this great advice.
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  #17  
Old 11-24-2017, 05:03 PM
rockabilly69 rockabilly69 is offline
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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
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  #18  
Old 11-24-2017, 05:05 PM
HHP HHP is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockabilly69 View Post
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"
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  #19  
Old 11-24-2017, 06:03 PM
leew3 leew3 is offline
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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'.
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Old 11-24-2017, 10:12 PM
Kip Carter Kip Carter is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leew3 View Post
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
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  #21  
Old 11-25-2017, 09:49 AM
MaurysMusic MaurysMusic is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by leew3 View Post
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'.
Thx, that's good to know.
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  #22  
Old 11-25-2017, 01:04 PM
merlin666 merlin666 is offline
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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
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  #23  
Old 11-27-2017, 12:43 AM
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I presently own two Eastman mandolins and have owned a Kentucky. I would say Eastman is the way to go here.
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  #24  
Old 11-27-2017, 09:48 AM
fatt-dad fatt-dad is offline
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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
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  #25  
Old 11-28-2017, 02:37 PM
JCook1 JCook1 is offline
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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
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  #26  
Old 11-28-2017, 09:57 PM
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SprintBob SprintBob is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kip Carter View Post
Should fit the bill nicely... Eastman MD505 Mandolin
+1 here. My wife gave me an MD505 for Xmas last year, I am thrilled how good it is for its price point.
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  #27  
Old 12-31-2017, 05:50 PM
varmonter varmonter is offline
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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 .
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