I have a small acoustic music store in East Tennesee USA, and I stock about 150 mandolins.
    Most of the Asian stuff is made by Samick, as a contractor far most of the major names.
    The best buy, bar none, are the Eastmans. Their best-selling model is the 615. I sell a lot of of 504 ($750.00 USA List with case)) and 604s, which are oval hole A models. Great hand-carved instruments.
    Stay away from Fender, Johnson, Paris Swing, Alvarez, Bean Blossum, Morgan Monroe, Rogue, Samick, and most of the kentucky.
    A good second choice are the A model from Michael kelly ($450.00) US.
    There is no advantage of buying an F model over an A model; it's all cosmetci.
    For about $300.00 US, look at the Kentucky 160 or 172. This is the best buy in the Kentucky line.
    Any mandoline that retails under $185.00 US will have cheap tuners and incurable set-up problems.

Steve Daugherty
Mountain Music
USA