As I was saying only four years ago, the Martin Mandolins ARE good instruments. But they are not bluegrass mandolins. Rather like flattop guitars that are not dreadnoughts, (and thus lack bluegrass cachet) this cuts down their resale value, but it doesn't mean they aren't great instruments. Sure wish I'd bought one for $300 when my local folklore centre decided to get it off the rack a couple of decades ago. Hesitation is fatal.

W-O