I have a Hondo HMAN20 I bought it for $50 off a friend, I worked and worked trying to get it the tune and chord out right. in the end I did like I used to do on Cheap Guitars that was the same way , I put a Capo on it, and PERFECT ... so, the Top Nut was between 1/8 & 1/4 " in too far... I took it loose dilled small hole in the Top Nut and used a Push Pin to hold it in place and fooled with it till it was right. now it plays like a million bucks. so.... I really think the Mandolins are built ok , and fretted ok , but for some reason , they had a top nut off that much , and untill you fix that , they are just awful to play.