I need to buy a mandolin for a Christmas gift and I have no idea where to start. I am looking for something on the introductory level but not a total piece of junk.

-where should I look to purchase said instrument?
-Any suggestions on brands or models?
-How much am I going to need to spend?

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Mandolins.gc?typeAheadRedirect=true

Musicians Friend had a stupid deal of the day or hour on them recently. I couldn't tell you what's good and what's not.

I could call Nancy Wilson and ask her since she plays one on the Heart cover of Battle of Evermore but if I had her number I would be too much of a big deal to be posting here.

Check out a fellow Ag's website. Kind of a one stop shop for everything. Sales, lessons, battle of the bands. Toured with some well known musicians

https://store.banjobenclark.com/collections/instruments/mandolin?sort_by=manual

Stringfellow Hawke said:

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Check out a fellow Ag's website. Kind of a one stop shop for everything. Sales, lessons, battle of the bands. Toured with some well known musicians

https://store.banjobenclark.com/collections/instruments/mandolin?sort_by=manual

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Username checks out.

this is a good starter Washburn….$250 with accessories…..I've bought from Reverb before with no issues….

Washburn M1K-A Americana

with inspiration from two of the best…..

I have had good experiences with Fiddler's Green. They used to be in Austin but are now in Lockhart. In general, "A" type mandolins are less expensive than the "F" type mandolins. A and F relate to body shape. I play an A shape mandola that I got from Fiddlers Green and they were very helpful on setup and proper strings, etc.

http://www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.com/instrument-type/mandolins

From the minute you buy it, you have 365 days to record and post a You Tube of yourself playing Mandolin Rain.

Stringfellow Hawke said:

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Check out a fellow Ag's website. Kind of a one stop shop for everything. Sales, lessons, battle of the bands. Toured with some well known musicians

https://store.banjobenclark.com/collections/instruments/mandolin?sort_by=manual

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I'm a gold pick member here and have attended a banjo event at his place in Kilgore.

He's an excellent teacher and has great lessons online for you to practice with at your pace

You might try asking questions on a pro guitar players subreddit. At the very least, they can tell you what to stay away from.

mandolincafe.com is a great resource. I bought a custom A-style mandolin and a used flat-top mandolin from their classifieds.

This question is totally dependent on budget, and also on the person you are buying the gift for. I can tell you that you want a solid wood mandolin if you can afford it. Most budget mandolins have "laminated" (plywood) back and sides.

Is the recipient already a musician? Do they really want to learn to play or do they just like the "pretty" mandolins (F style, the one with the "curl"?) What type of music do they want to play?

If they really want to learn the instrument, go to the top of your budget and pay for materials, not style. Eastman and Kentucky make reasonably priced entry and intermediate level instruments. Eastman 505 and Kentucky KM-150 are sort of the border between entry level and intermediate. Here is an Eastman 605 used on mandolin cafe that would be a great value, even has a good pickup.

FS Eastman MD605 Mandolin - $600 - Mandolin Cafe

Another way to go is flat top. I enjoy playing my Flatiron flat top as much or more as my custom A style. See below for example.

Kentucky KM-120 Army-Navy Special Mandolin - Saga Music

Whatever you do, get a good setup on it, get the action as low as you can for a beginner. Have them make it playable as possible.

Stringfellow Hawke said:

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Check out a fellow Ag's website. Kind of a one stop shop for everything. Sales, lessons, battle of the bands. Toured with some well known musicians

https://store.banjobenclark.com/collections/instruments/mandolin?sort_by=manual

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My understanding is that he was on tour with Taylor Swift years ago, and after he went kangaroo hunting during their Australian leg of the tour, she kicked him out.