Buying a new mandolin, need advice.

I'm looking to make my first big upgrade to a better mandolin. Some have radiused fretboards. Is this really helpful in playing or just a gimmick. Also, does anyone have any good or bad to say about Micheal Kelly or Morgan Monroe brands. Those are my two main choices now and want to spend around $800.

Seeing how you are looking at the Morgan Monroe and the Mike Kelly, have you considered an Eastman? Eastmans are one of the truely HANDMADE insturments that are made over seas. You can google "eastman mandolins" and check out their factory tour videos. I have had mine for over a year and really will probably never upgrade to any higher level. I have around $1100 invested in mine and to upgrade to a handmade domestic mandolin would probably cost me anywhere from $5,000 - $25,000.

This is what Matt Flinner has to say on the subject :

"I play a Gilchrist Model 5, 1993.

As far as the Collings vs. Weber, they both seem to me to be consistently very good. I don't think you can go wrong. If it were up to me, I'd pick the Collings because I've liked their tone a little better, but that's subjective. Either one is going to be a really fine mandolin."