Hi All,
I've been asked what to look for when purchasing a mandolin. This largely depends on your budget, but first and foremost, any prospective mandolin should play in tune and have a string action that won't inflict pain. Usually a simple bridge adjustment will address these issues, but won't help much if there are more serious underlying problems, such as a warped neck. If you're on a budget, the Rover brand is surprisingly good for not a lot of money, and if you're in the enviable position of having $1000 or more to spend, a Gibson A model from the period 1911-1920 is not only a great instrument, but also a solid vintage instrument investment. (When dealing with an older mandolin, make sure you have it checked out to verify that it's in good repair). If you want something brand spanking new, the Collings mandolins are top-notch. There are many other makes and models, but the important thing is to find a mandolin that speaks to you when you sit down and strum it, while still having the goods as far as set-up and intonation. Pretty much the same attributes you'd look for in a guitar, actually.
