Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Is it possible to get a secondhand US-made f-style mandolin for under $1,000?

I had a quick look on eBay, but with my limited knwoledge, it's pretty hard to tell what's what. I assume that every mandolin that does not explicity specify that it is made in the US is probably not. Many auctions state the instrument is hand crafted by a master luthier, and have brand names like "Montana" and "Kentucky", but I'm assuming that because it doesn't say "MADE IN USA", then they are almost certainly made in a Korean factory, and the master luthier is actually a CNC machine.

I realise some of these are still great quality instruments, but I trying to buy an ideal here, not simply a functional instrument. It's tax return time,the Aussie dollar is the highest I've seen it, and a mandolin is smaller than 108" total girth!

Anyone know where to begin, and how much to pay? Trying beforehand is not an option from 15,000km away.

PS - I've never played, or even held a mandolin, but they look fun, and easier to take on vacation than a full-sized acoustic guitar..

At a quick glance I didn't see any but have a look here as they always have quite a few in stock. http://www.elderly.com/

Here are two new mandolin ideas.

If you would be willing to go A-style, the Mid Missouri/Big Muddy Mandolin Co. is located in Columbia, Mo, a 3 hour drive away from us. I own an M-1 Model that is a very good starter/intermediate mandolin.
http://franklinguitarcompany.com/

If you really want F-style, Gold Tone puts out quality products that are assembled in the USA. The parts are made somewhere in the orient.
http://www.goldtone.com/

As to playing a mandolin, you can get some basic chord shapes down in a day or two. They are tuned like the bottom four strings of a guitar, only backwards, so your E and G chord shapes will work when reversed. These are both easily movable as well.

Matthew