On Choosing an F-Style Mandolin Questions & Answers

Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2003 14:27:03 -0600

Hi Mickey,

Greetings Don,

I'd be glad to assist you:

I am considering upgrading to a better quality mandolin, but I'm too new at this to make an intelligent decision. I bought a used KM 675S last year just to learn on, rather than investing in an expensive instrument. Now that I've gotten hooked I am looking to upgrade. I prefer a good F-style instrument for Bluegrass. The problem is there are too many choices. Where should a hobby player like myself be looking?

You're right...the choices are immense...you can break it down first by budget:

American-Made F-Styles: Very Expensive...
Imports: More Affordable

For imports, you have many to choose from in the F-style range...of ones we carry:
Gold Tone, Johnson, Kentucky, Morgan Monroe, and Michael Kelly.
All of these bring something different to the table...my suggestion would be to listen to our video samplers of some of the above, and look for one that has the tone that best appeals to you...upon isolating one or two that sounds good to your ears, then go to each feature page to further determine which finish and features you're looking for in an F-style.

Keep in mind, FOTW offers a 100% trade-up value...hence, whenever you feel you've outgrown your import mando of choice, you can trade up to one of the following without a loss of initial investment:

For a low-end F-style, made in the US, Weber and Gibson are offering great options...
Weber: Gallatin...not exactly a traditional F, however, a great sounding one...it wouldn't have standard bluegrass features, such as a high gloss finish and maple back and sides...but it is quite alive and powerful...it has mahogany back and sides which seems to bring in more versatility in an F-style...
Gibson F-9...this one is still somewhat expensive...however, it's truly powerful...it offers the maple back and sides which makes it a great bluegrass mandolin...however, it is a matte finish...you'll find it to be quite responsive and resonant as compared to the average high-gloss f style...

For high-end F-styles, made in the US, still, Weber and Gibson are offering amazing values...
Weber Yellowstone...a completely intact f model with traditional features you'd expect to find in a solid, high-end f-style...it does come standard with the X bracing...and can optionally be made with tone-bar bracing. Still an affordable pro-model f mandolin.

Gibson F-5L...the Fern model...wow! This one is a classic bluegrass model through and through...for a bluegrass monster mando, this would be the answer. However, they're quite expensive...

From what I've seen on your website the Morgan Monroe appears to be a rather well made instrument for the money (I'm looking in the, say, 750-1,000 range). I was also curious about the Johnson F-style mando. What would your recommendation be?
Thanks for your input.
Don Babb

Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2002 22:29:15 EST

Mickey:

I realize that you have many manufacturers that you represent.

However, I am interested in a fine quality F-style mando and I want a great value. I have many very high quality instruments and have had very high quality mandos in the past.

I want a fine quality and can certainly pay for it, but I hesitate to spend $3,000 to $5,000 after having read your review of the Kentucky KM1000. Is it really comparable to the higher-end mandos? I remember very well when Saga intro'd that line and had David Grisman endorse and reportedly assist as a tech advisor. I believe that he used to play a Kentucky.

Also, is the current new KM1000 comparable to the old KM1500. Is the KM1000 made in Korea or Japan. If so, is there a quality difference? Should I look for the an older KM1500?

Thank you
Joshua Cale

Greetings Joshua,

The KM-1000, originally made in Korea, and soon to be made in China, was a great mando through and through...it's still a great value but not of the same cut as other higher end F-Styles made in the US. The original 1000 even had silver plated hardware with some beautiful etching. I'm now working with Saga to see if we can have our original KM-1000 back...

Now, if you can find a KM-1500, made in Japan, that doesn't need work, (many used mandos need work...watch for fret wear, loose binding, cracks, neck warpage, etc.), I believe you'll even be happier...the '70s and early '80s Kentuckys were powerfully made mandolins...

My suggestion right now, and if you can afford it, would be to look at the Weber, Breedlove, Gibson or Rigel line...I have full faith in all of these makes...the Kentucky line is still a great value, however, I consider most all of them to be student level mandolins...outside of the original Korean-made 675 & 1000 which we're working to reintroduce.

Sincerely, Mickey
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