Came across this forum and read some of the reviews. So I thought I would ask for some advice.

I have no background in musical instruments but decided about 8 months ago to learn to play the mandolin. Picked up a Fender FM100 starter pack and a few books. It has served me well in the learning phase. However, I am starting to find that it is actually rather hard to play chords cleanly.

I was thinking that something with a radius fretboard would do the trick. I don't want to go broke getting a new mandolin, but I don't want to be frustrated either.

I was thinking about getting a Eastman 505 or a Kentucky 254. But have recently seen that Eastman has a 300 series model that has about the same specs as their 505.

Any advice to a beginner that is starting to get frustrated with their current mandolin would be helpful.