Greetings again - what a fund of wisdom and knowledge this site is...

Aine, what's on my mind (in my dream?) is to be able to sit behind some musicians and add a fine descant/harmonic backing - the sort of line I'll whistle along to the radio country programmes. But to do this, I'd want to play also as an unaccompanied instrument so my 'practice' would have some theme... Does this lead me to any particular type / size / other at-present-unknown variant?

Jon, thanks. I've heard/seen pictures of both these makes - Vintage, and Ozark - mostly in the wonderful descriptions in the Mandolin Cafe - so thanks again Mooh for that!

Is this the sort of instrument one should never, never, buy unseen, unheard? Or would you buy from a picture on the Mandolin Cafe site? And is there a reliable second hand market, and what would be the dead-giveaways that it was duff kit?

Any ideas gratefully received!

CT