Good Day eh! New mandolin player from Canada here that switched over from banjo. The Gold Pick Membership is so awesome that it allows for a variety of instruments. I have a very entry level Denver A Style that is about $150 CAD. I need to get something else as this one is ok, but not great and I want to get an F Style. The Gold Tone and Epiphone are in my price range but I’m not sure what to get. I looked in the General Store first but there isn’t really anything there in my price range at the moment and I can only imagine the extra costs in delivery, taxes and duty when it would get delivered to me. Thanks!
Gold Tone GM-35F or Epiphone F-5 Studio
I know this doesn’t answer your question but the General Store offers free shipping on all orders over $49.
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I’m in 
. The least expensive in the General Store is the Kentucky KM 650 coming in at $1796.00 US which is $2453.00 CAD.
Something doesn’t seem right there. I just went to the store and I think it might already upconverting due to your location or something. The KM650 shows for me at $1295. Also, the cheapest in stock mando is the KM140 at $495. The cheapest F is a (sweet looking) Eastman MD315 at $1099. I have no idea about taxes etc and shipping to Canada.
Best of luck in the hunt!
In answer to your original question, I don’t have experience with either mando. I do have a gold tone instrument and I am very happy with it. It s very value oriented. I’d try to find a store you trust or play the instruments before purchasing them.
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If you’re going to buy a Gold Tone mandolin, wait for a bit for the new models to roll out. They are upping their mandolin game but it hasn’t hit our shores quite yet.
You can’t really go wrong with a Kentucky or Eastman mandolin, whatever model you can afford. I would advise these over Epiphone or current Gold Tones.
Since you’re a gold pick member, I’ll work with you all I can. Yes we do ship free to the US over $49 so I will credit a typical US shipping cost of the mandolin toward your shipping costs.
All of these mandolins require a setup to play correctly, so I caution you buying used or from a place that has no reputation of setups. Call and ask questions!
If you want to try and work with us, shoot an email to generalstore@banjobenclark.com
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Thanks for the info. I will look for an Eastman here in Winnipeg where I live. There is a store that is reputable for setups and that is the only place I am looking.
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Thanks for the responses. I ended up going with the Epiphone F5 Studio. Really like how it felt and sounded and this way I have an excuse to upgrade if/when I get better. So far I am really enjoying it. The community here is very helpful and the lessons are great.
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