In Southern Ontario the Twelfth Fret has a great assortment of mandolins by many different makers. I love Eastmans (men?) and think they far outshine Michael Kellys, Kentuckys, Epiphones or Fenders, but I've played Oliver Apitius mandolins and, though I'll never afford one, if I had $3000, I'd sure check him out. As far as F vs A models go, I'd rather have the beautiful flamed maple back, sides and neck on my Eastman 605 than the scroll I'd have gotten on a F model for the same price.