Hello everyone! My name is Blake and I'm from the Thumb area of MI (originally from Preston County, WV). I'm new to the forum here, and couldn't be happier to have found this great community on the interwebs! I've been perusing the forums for a week or two now and figured it was time to ask the almighty question: What should I buy??
I have been playing mandolin on and off for the last 6-7 years, but the last 2 years I have been full time mandolin (started as a guitar player in my teens, and am now 28). I learned the mandolin basics through my own personal study on a very low end epiphone A body, and the transition came from guitar to mandolin came fairly quickly for me, but I knew I needed a higher quality instrument to improve my skills. I didn't want to spend a ton of money (and didn't have a ton to spend) so I landed a deal on a brand new Michael Kelly FS-E. Not a bad instrument to get my feet wet. This was purchased back in mid '07 and it's been my mando ever since.
Now that I am full time mando player, and gaining more experience I'm noticing how this instrument is holding me back, and I'm just not bonding with it anymore (though i get surprised by people telling me that they're shocked it's a michael kelly because the tone is decent)... but the playability of it is not to my liking and I know if I spend the coin on something of high quality it will lead me to a whole new wave of inspiration, tones, and technique.
I have been shopping around and I have come to two options... so here they are: 1) Keep trying to find a deal on a quality used mandolin (gibson, weber, collings, etc...) or 2) just keep saving the coins until i have enough for a Grady mandolin (Grady Jones shop is like 35 min from my house!!!) or another brand new hand carved mandolin from a diff luthier (Northfield, etc....) as there seem to be so many now a-days?
SO that is my basic assessment as of now... is there a third option that I'm missing? What do you all think? I'm looking forward to hearing from you and I'm thrilled to have found this place! Happy holidays to all in advance!