Gold Tone GM-35 F-Style Mandolin

We got this to replace a broken Kentucky mandolin that ended up cracked on a fall. My son has 2 GoldTone banjos and has had good luck with their support services. For $200 this thing is really nice. It came with a decent case and was even partly set up. We didn't know how it might sound being a laminate but the sound is bright and loud. It isn't a top shelf mandolin but he likes it better than the Kentucky and his old Rover. It looks expensive and the fit and finish are first rate. It is perfect for the. Traveling musician.

While I am a lefty, there isn't a difference in the price on this at around $300.00. That out of the way its difficult to consider something at that price to be only beginners level. Mine took an additional 3 weeks top arrive because of 'set up'. When it arrived the intonation was way off, I called the dealer (in FL) who explained how I could set the bridge. A bit on the patronizing side, and really, isn't that why it took longer, to set this and other thingup? The neck also needed adjusted, and there 2 buzzing frets (both the 12th and 13th frets were not pushed all the way in)with the strings closer than 1/8" at the 12th fret When it arrived it was in fact perfectly set up, if you want to play slide mandolin that is. It was nothing short of ghastly to play 4 finger chords, and once it went for a 'real' set up, more than 3/16" was removed from the bridge, aside from it sitting at an angle on the soundboard, typical for machined wood parts, and yet again, something that should have been addressed in the initial set up process. On both front and back the tacks (yes that's right, maybe there is glue in there, and maybe there isn't) that hold them to the scroll are visible via indentations, basically identifying these are assemble in quite a hurry, no time for clamps, glue it, shoot tacks to hold it together, and farther down the line someone puts wood filler over the dents, which of course always shrink over time, leaving the dimples. Because it is F style I can understand a price difference, but realistically, a $100 Rogue A style sounds better, projects better, and is built better.Take your time shopping, read reviews, and of course, find mandolin players who know what they are doing to advise you. Lots of forums out there.I am pretty sure this is the only time Gold Tone will ever get any of my money. I will spend the extra money on one that is not plywood. My next purchase is an Eastman MD 515 lefty, and will likely be the last mandolin I will ever need to buy, simply leaps and bounds ahead of goldtone.