Mandolin suggestions

arwhite · #1 06-23-2019, 01:58 PM

I've had at various times in the past a Collings MT, a Collings MF, and a Breedlove American OO. I have not had a mondolin in a few years now, but wanting to get back into one. I liked all of those above that I previously owned and am gravitating back toward those brands as I begin my search.

What other brands should I be looking at for an entry level around the same quality level as those? I'll be looking at buying used primarily. A or F style, oval or F hole. Prefer American made. Thanks!

frankmcr · #2 06-23-2019, 02:24 PM

The Northfield Calhoun is nice.

https://www.northfieldinstruments.com/thecalhoun

arwhite · #3 06-23-2019, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankmcr

The Northfield Calhoun is nice.

https://www.northfieldinstruments.com/thecalhoun

That is nice. Thanks for the suggestion and link.

I should have mentioned in the original post that flat or arched top is fine.

Mandobart · #4 06-23-2019, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arwhite

What other brands should I be looking at for an entry level around the same quality level as those? I'll be looking at buying used primarily. A or F style, oval or F hole. Prefer American made. Thanks!

Collings and Northfield are not "entry level" instruments by any stretch - new they will set you back a few grand. Normally, when we talk about decent entry level mandolins we're talking The Loar, Kentucky or Eastman, or an affordable pancake Red line/Big Muddy. Another cool option is a teens or 20's Gibson A. Just like guitars, if you're ok with buying used you can get a good deal. I would Google "mandolin classifieds" to turn up the best source of used mandos anywhere.

Both these guys, Howard "Sonny" Morris and Tom "TJ" Jessen are great builders, one-man shops right here in the US. I own instruments built by each. You will not find a better deal than a used mando from either of these guys in a hand built in the US great sounding, great playing mandolin.

frankmcr · #5 06-24-2019, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arwhite

I've had at various times in the past a Collings MT, a Collings MF, and a Breedlove American OO. I have not had a mondolin in a few years now, but wanting to get back into one. I liked all of those above that I previously owned and am gravitating back toward those brands as I begin my search.

What other brands should I be looking at for an entry level around the same quality level as those? I'll be looking at buying used primarily. A or F style, oval or F hole. Prefer American made. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandobart

Collings and Northfield are not "entry level" instruments by any stretch - new they will set you back a few grand. Normally, when we talk about decent entry level mandolins we're talking The Loar, Kentucky or Eastman, or an affordable pancake Red line/Big Muddy. Another cool option is a teens or 20's Gibson A. Just like guitars, if you're ok with buying used you can get a good deal. I would Google "mandolin classifieds" to turn up the best source of used mandos anywhere.

Both these guys, Howard "Sonny" Morris and Tom "TJ" Jessen are great builders, one-man shops right here in the US. I own instruments built by each. You will not find a better deal than a used mando from either of these guys in a hand built in the US great sounding, great playing mandolin.

The OP has previously owned a Collings MT (~$3200) and a Collings MF (~$5200).
In that context, a Northfield Calhoun, at ~$890 (and made right here in the USA) is a more than reasonable "entry level" instrument to suggest for the OP to get back into playing.

SalFromChatham · #6 06-24-2019, 02:54 AM

Well... a “lesser quality” American-made Mandolin is the Big Muddy. I had Mike make me a Big Muddy M11 and it’s special. Warm Celtic style tone. I like it. It is unique, and made by a unique crazy guy, Fellow Basset owner and fellow Yankee fan.

https://imgur.com/UznmprN

frankmcr · #7 06-24-2019, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themissal

Well... a “lesser quality” American-made Mandolin is the Big Muddy. I had Mike make me a Big Muddy M11 and it’s special. Warm Celtic style tone. I like it. It is unique, and made by a unique crazy guy, Fellow Basset owner and fellow Yankee fan.

https://imgur.com/UznmprN

As a White Sox fan I cannot endorse the instrument shown.

Big Muddys are fine mandolins though.

Br1ck · #8 06-24-2019, 03:05 PM

Going by what you have owned before, I'd say more of the same, unless you don't want to spend the money. You can get a very nice used A style for around $1500. Weber Galatins, older Flatirons, Ratliff Country Boys, and Silverangel Econos are all fine. MTs go for closer to $2K.

The Northfield F5S is a favorite in the F style group, along with a Gallatin.

LadysSolo · #9 06-25-2019, 02:46 AM

I would add used Weber or Pava mandolins to the mix to consider. I consider Collings, Weber, and Pava to be about equivalent quality, and based on what you had before I don't think you would be satisfied with lesser quality.

Bunnyf · #10 06-25-2019, 06:31 AM

You probably know this already, but f style mandos will not get you the most bang for your buck (tho they’re purdy). A nice used A style will get you a much nicer mando for the money. I went with an older Oregon made Breedlove ($500) in good but played condition. A flat top like a big muddy will be an even bigger savings, if you aren’t set on an arch top.

arwhite · #11 06-25-2019, 01:10 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. There are some in there I likely would have never found or considered. Right now I'm liking the looks of the Weber Gallatin A with F holes. Starting my search for a used one of those. Thanks again!

stevo58 · #12 06-26-2019, 11:51 AM

Check out Ken Ratcliff’s Silverangel mandolins.

ceciltguitar · #13 06-26-2019, 12:04 PM

The Emerald Amicus is an out of the box wild card alternative. It is NOT a mandolin. It is a 12 string instrument tuned like guitar with a capo at anywhere from the 7th to the 10th fret, and has a mandolin-like sound.

https://emeraldguitars.com/product/amicus-artisan/

Br1ck · #14 06-26-2019, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo58

Check out Ken Ratcliff’s Silverangel mandolins.

+1 on this. Better to me than most Webers I've played. You can get his Econo for $1500 new. Its on the warm and lush side of things. Equal but different to the much brighter Collings tone. I bought the regular fully bound version for $1400 a couple of years ago. Ken Ratcliff, the builder, has been sending out his mandolins for a trial with no money paid upfront at all. Kinda says something.

Rumblefish · #15 07-03-2019, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arwhite

Thanks for all the suggestions. There are some in there I likely would have never found or considered. Right now I'm liking the looks of the Weber Gallatin A with F holes. Starting my search for a used one of those. Thanks again!

I found a used Weber Gallatin A for a little over 1K. I was looking at higher end imports and I'm really glad I held out for what I consider entry level for a quality US product. It's a killer mando and I highly recommend it.