Someone over on Mandolincafe is selling a Fullerton Gloucester with a Gator case for $325.
This is a fabulous F-style mandolin at a terrific price. Music 1-2-3 (or some other online dealer) had a closeout special on them about 6 years or so ago and I was lucky enough to snag one of the very last ones at a killer low price. I love this mandolin. I've played mine up against mandolins costing MUCH more and come away preferring mine consistently.
If you've ever considered taking up mandolin, jump on this one. You won't be sorry.I have no financial interest in this whatsoever.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/cla ... =retrieval

Thanks Paul, my wife's birthday is coming up.

Jump on it. It was still there a few minutes ago, unless the seller has neglected to remove the ad, but these really go fast.

He sold it to someone else earlier this afternoon.
I thought that he was selling it to me since I emailed him early last night and agreed to the asking price.
Maybe he had a local buyer, and didn't want to hassle with shipping it cross country.
(I did see the same add in the Vermont Craigslist.)
I'm little POd at the moment, no way I'm going to find something as nice for the wifes 50th birthday.
I did appreciate the heads up though.

Head over to the forum at Mandolincafe and check out the postings such as "best mandolin under $500". There are a lot of choices. Take a look at the other classifieds there too.

Consensus is that you'll get the best bang for your buck with an A style rather than an F, and used is a good way to go. In the new category, people like Eastman and The Loar. If you opt for a new one, get it from one of the advertising dealers on Mandolin Cafe who will deliver it well set up which makes a huge difference.

Thanks Paul,
I went through alot of threads now.
We picked a Kentucky KM-550 from Folkmusican as her first mandolin.
It was a little more than we wanted to spend but it seemed like a step or two above the basic starter instrument. And of course those folks are known for good customer service and
a pro set-up.
http://www.folkmusician.com/Kentucky-KM ... fo/KM-550/
Should be a nice gift.

That should take care of her for a good long time, maybe forever. Be forewarned-- MAS is a LOT more expensive than WHOA!

Yeah, a good long time is the idea.

Your warning abouy MAS is too late!!!
I'm already bitten, and I don't even play stringed instruments!
We don't even have one in the house yet and I'm haunting the classified adds at Mandolin Cafe and looking at custom builders eye candy. I may have to build myself a kit like you did.

The kits by Don Kawalek are of great quality. I bought an octave mandolin kit and had a friend getting into into luthiery build it for me.
Let me know if the link doesn't work for you, since it goes to Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 603&type=1

Thanks. I'll look at them.
But I think I'll save some then try to find another Fullerton Glouster, Mid-Mo Big Muddy, or some other highly regarded low price instrument on the classifieds. The hunt is half the fun, right?