Some thoughts.

I happened on a good sounding A style Washburn, solid top, but with lousy tuners I intend to replace. This replaced a very good F style that belonged to a friend but which I played for years. I prefer the A style and someday would like to get an old Gibson. This Washburn was leagues better than many other practically identical models and I believe I simply found the best of an otherwise so-so lot. It pays to test-play many virtually identical instruments because the woods are never identical and the construction on some is much better than on others. Wait for the magic one to appear, you'll not regret it. Trust your ears.

You're right Willie, more folks should play mandolin.

Second hand is just as good as new (think old fiddle) and the real deals are often just a result of constant vigilance.

Check out frets.com for tips about how to improve the sound, but I did wonders by tweaking the nut and bridge and intonating the thing properly. Set up on lesser expensive instruments is often lacking, and not all shops will look after that before they put it out for sale.

Peace, Mooh.