Mandolin for a beginner

[JMFingerstyle]

Within the past month, I purchased both an Eastman Octave Mandolin (MDO-305) and an Eastman A-Style Mandolin (MD-305). Carved spruce top, solid maple back & sides. Very good build quality, and they both sound great. My only nitpick would be that the tuners could be a little better.

...and yes, you're gonna need a thicker pick! I settled on Primetone 1.4mm.

[leew3]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

IMO they're also some of the most beautiful string instruments ever conceived with their Art Nouveau aesthetic, and while the Loar-era F-5 gets all the attention (and commands the highest prices) I've always been partial to the F-4...

All true and truth be told, I find these aesthetics to be equally compelling to the point that I'll likely cough up the extra money for a F style mando at some point!

[Br1ck]

Beware the F style disease. There is no cure. And once you get a taste for quality, the major players will set you back over five grand. The Collings MF or the Gibson F 9 are mid fives. You want a bound sides and back, neck and headstock and you get into the sevens. Want the equivalent of a Martin D 42 and you start pushing into the ten grand and beyond. Boutique? $15,000 up. Gibson master model is over $20K, and there is a lot of company.