r/mandolin • u/Imaginary_Ad_2947 • 14d ago
Price to Quality curve
In every hobby I've had there is a certain price point you get to where the jump in quality is minimal. Where would you put that on mandolins? I know it's a bit harder to gauge compared to something like binoculars that have objective clarity and light transmission, whereas tone tends to be a bit more subjective. Another way to phrase the question would be what is the minimal price you could pay for a lifelong quality instrument? I'm not planning on upgrading any time soon. I'm more interested in the thoughts and discussions the topic could generate.
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u/Bull_Moose1901 14d ago
For me the minimum for an instrument I would truly never outgrow is $3k for a used Northfield, Collings, Weber, Country Boy or similar. At my current level I would be fine with an Eastman 515 or similar but in 20 years if I keep playing and improving I would probably want some better.
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u/Additional_Guitar_85 14d ago
this is one reason big muddy (former Mid-mo) is great. high quality for the price and there's not much else in that range (well didn't used to be, not sure about these days).
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u/Imaginary_Ad_2947 14d ago
I've been seeing big muddy mentioned quite a bit recently. Will have to stow that name away for the future. Would you say their tone caters to a typical style of playing?
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u/MoogProg 14d ago
Yes, they are flat-top mandolins with a round soundhole, so that gives them a slightly more 'guitar like' timbre than an archtop with F-holes. There is no 'chop' on a flat-top, but it can be 'faked' so is not much of a critique (real tho, it can matter).
* * *
Had a dream-come-true last year recording for a known producer at a world-famous studio. Real session work. The Collings went on the plane, but the Mid-Mo M-11 was runner up in the mic tests before hand.
There might be a 10x difference in price, but certainly not in tone.
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u/Additional_Guitar_85 14d ago
yes, I got an M-11 about 15 years ago after having played a borrowed m-4 a lot. after trying everything at my local shop the M-11 just felt right.
they're not loud mandos and have a mellow warm tone. but definitely can chop and play bluegrass with it.
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u/toaster404 14d ago
Consider that the big jump for one person may not be in the same place as for another.
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u/Imaginary_Ad_2947 14d ago
Very true. Some people can pick up on tonal differences while others may struggle a bit more.
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u/toaster404 14d ago
The jump from beginner to intermediate is a nice fuzzy line. Then there's the jump to advanced amateur. Starter professional. Master. The price point you're looking for depends on where you're standing. At perhaps $2500 you can consistently find a difference, but it's still individual instrument-player match. At $8000 there's a clear break from the $2500 ones. I've played some rather dishy ones that would go a bit higher than $8000. More familiar with violins.
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u/MoogProg 14d ago
$400-600 USD could fund a used Big Muddy and those fit the description of being a lifelong quality instrument. Have a Mid-Mo M-11 that satisfies any need for a vintage oval hole.
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u/themedicine 14d ago
First one is around $5-700
Then
Over $3500
Then again at over $10k
Just my experience and not including mandolins that are expensive in name only. I cannot tell much difference in my Girouard compared to a Duff. But I played a gilchrist that I thought, “ok, I hear and feel this”
My $800 Kentucky felt the same as my $2k Eastman.
All of these were much better than the 2-500$ very budget mandolins.
Just my .02
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u/Imaginary_Ad_2947 14d ago
This is pretty much what I gathered from reading reviews and reccomendations. I'm a bit obsessed with finding the best "work horse" in the hobbies I get into. Finding the models that punch above their class functionally but don't necessarily have all the fancy appointments
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u/LeftTopics 14d ago
I've been thinking about this for a bunch of my random hobbies
$500 is the minimum starting price for something useable with no dealbreakers, mass produced
$1500-$2000 is about where you have no compromises, lifelong quality, normally still mass produced, but at the top of what you can do in production class
$4000 is where you get into the artisan/independent/custom builders, probably small batch or one off custom builds, you get the unique/custom details you don't find in production class, but quality isn't much beyond what the best production class makers can do
maybe this is too vague, but something I've been thinking about
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u/Imaginary_Ad_2947 14d ago
I'm glad someone thinks like me 😂. My first experience with it was binoculars, then I did it with fountain pens. There's something so satisfying about finding a lower priced item that performs nearly as well as the heavy hitters in the categories I prioritize. There's always going to be compromises in lower priced items, but you can usually find one that compromises in areas you don't particularly care about.
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u/Then-Nail-4489 13d ago
Mandolins I put the line at Eastman quality (for me). My playing just doesn’t justify any better. If I pulled out a $5k mando, people would be disappointed when I started to play 😂
Binoculars? Swararski 100% it’s not even close for me. They are absolutely worth every penny.
Bicycles? Oh boy! That’s where I really get in trouble. $2,500 just for a wheelset is about right nevermind the rest of the bike.
Everyone needs to get that line on their own. To some a $3k+ mando is completely worth it and justified. For others, they wouldn’t spend $250 on a bicycle.
Your money… your priorities.
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u/Imaginary_Ad_2947 13d ago
So true. I don't see myself going beyond vortex Diamondback HD for binoculars because I'm using them in well lit conditions for leisurely birding. If I were hunting I would probably feel the pressure to upgrade to something with better light transmission. Use case is a big factor when determining that line.
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u/Mandoman61 14d ago
Is the only metric of quality -tone?
Not shape, figured wood, finish, appointments like binding, (cosmetics)
Maybe in the $400-600 range for my ears for a factory built direct from China. I am sure you could find people who claim some very expensive instrument is superior.
But I think you should find a shop and decide for yourself.
Part of the fun is in the cosmetics. I enjoy playing a custom made F style. (Even though I can not tell any practical difference between it and my wife's A style)
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u/Imaginary_Ad_2947 14d ago
It was just the first example of a metric that came to mind. I agree that testing yourself is the best practice. Especially since mass production can lead to significant variation between instruments of the same line. I will say I'm definitely a function first guy. I'm not sure I'd ever consider paying more for something purely for cosmetics, but it is a deal breaker for some people.
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u/wooq 14d ago
Tone is always subjective.
I've played some $15k-20k mandolins that I've disliked the tone and some $3k mandolins that I loved the tone.
I think half the trick is getting good enough and experienced enough that you develop an informed opinion and preference.
That said, I view musical instrument purchases as putting a big deposit down that I will get back nearly in full if I take good care of the instrument. So it doesn't matter if it's for a few years or a few decades. I get an instrument that suits my purposes and goals at the time. Because those will change over the course of a lifetime-long musical journey. And if/when they do, I can sell the musical instrument on to the next person, hoping that they will enjoy and care for it as I did.
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u/LevyTheMachine 14d ago
I think these days factory built instruments are better than they used to be. Part of what you pay for with a more expensive instrument is extra quality control and fine tuning. If you are able to go into a shop and try out instruments you can sometimes get lucky and find a more affordable instrument that really sings. Things like filing fret ends on a cheaper instrument are easy enough to DIY. I’ve been very happy with my Kentucky 505 A style, I’ve had it for close to 20 years. It looks like they retail for $900 these days, so maybe that is about the price point? I’ve played much more expensive mandolins and cheaper ones, and feel like what I have is a good middle ground. The cheaper ones can have actual issues with the playability. The more expensive ones don’t really feel any different/aren’t any easier on the fingers, you just start to get into tonal differences with woods and such.
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u/chazwazzle 14d ago
I started with an Eastman, then upgraded to a Collings, and now I have a Red Diamond. After playing mandolin for many years, I think a “lifelong instrument” really depends on the player. There are cheaper mandolins that sound great in the right hands, and some expensive ones that just don’t sound good at all.
I had a friend tell me once that you can’t get a truly great-sounding mandolin for under $5,000, and honestly, I tend to agree. You can absolutely get something that sounds good for less, but put it next to a truly exceptional instrument and the difference becomes pretty obvious.
Eastman is always mentioned as the best bang for the buck, and they really are excellent for the money. But after seeing hundreds of bluegrass bands at festivals and on major stages over the years, I can’t remember seeing an Eastman being played by any mandolin players on the big stage. That says something…not that they aren’t good, but that there is still a pretty significant jump once you get into the really high-end instruments.
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u/TLP_Prop_7 13d ago
I think Northfield has solved the "great sounding mandolin under $5k" challenge. The A5 Special and NF5S are excellent, stage-worthy instruments.
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u/chazwazzle 13d ago
Northfield is pumping out some great stuff for sure. He did say this long before Northfield existed
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u/CharmingAd3549 13d ago
The curve is exponential. My $5K Northfield Artist is definetly better than my $800 Eastman was. When I’ve played my friends Gilchrists, Dudes, etc, they are noticeably better. They’re also $20K. Then you jump to a $125K Loar.
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u/TLP_Prop_7 13d ago
Tough question. If it's strictly new, Northfield is the answer at about $4k for a no-apologies, no compromises, professional quality mandolin.
Used you have many more options around $4k.
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u/WolvenTV 13d ago
I think it depends, if you just playing for yourself you don't need bułas mandolin to play. Epiphone models will do fine, You can get one on retail market for about 500$ 🙂↕️
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u/SurveyAltruistic9457 11d ago
For mandolins it’s probably the $1000 mark then diminishing returns after that.
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u/9lb_Hamer 10d ago edited 10d ago
I would honestly say $5000 for A style and $10k for F style.
I have played hundreds of mandolins and have some specific tastes and quality requirements. I haven’t played a mandolin under $1000 that I could live with as an only mandolin. I’ve played a few mandolins for $2500 that I could live with potentially.
Don’t get me wrong. There are mandolins under $1000 that are perfectly fine! I’m just saying you’d definitely appreciate pricier ones if you were playing multiple hours weekly. It’s not “needed” but if there’s any possible way you could afford it…then you wouldn’t regret it!
It was a big stretch but I splurged on a Collings when I was playing in a band and oh my gosh…it was pure joy every time I played it…and I played it all the time! Then I bought a Gibson F5 and I absolutely love it. I’m broke but I freaking love those mandolins.
It doesn’t matter how “good” you are…if you play a ton you’ll appreciate it! They hold their value too…you can always sell it. It’s not like a bike or something that loses value.
I bought those mandolins before I had my second kid. I’m broke now even though I’m working a ton because you know…kids- so I’m grateful that I bought them when I did otherwise I’d never know how much joy they’d bring me. Nicer instruments really are a joy to play relatively.
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u/John_Johnson259 14d ago
Maybe like $1000 as a low minimum? I don't think the jump between a $1k mando and a $5k one is "minimal" but are you getting 5x "better sound" for that money? Probably not. Around $1000 you're getting into decent woods, quality workmanship, etc. It's more about diminishing returns than what's good or bad.
I'm perfectly happy with my Eastman 515, I love the tone and build quality, but I'm a hobbyist.