I like Kentuckys in the lower price ranges, or Loars which are higher priced Kentuckys(Saga).
Above that Eastman. Awesome mandos for the price.
Also the old Flatiron or Trinity or Mid Mo flat top army navy styles are great bangs for the buck.
I got a cheapo Rogue mandolin. Actually sounds pretty good.
I love the timbre & tone of a mandolin, but I really cant take bluegrass for very long, so I love finding classical clips like that Chris Thile ^^ Here's another one that I have watched over and over. Ths is what makes me want to play mandolin. (1:25-1:45 , 4:20-6:ish)
Bear in mind, though, that bluegrass legitimacy (if that's what you're after) would be better earned with a name-brand A than a Chinese F.
Actually, that's a decent little mando, for the price.
now we're talking, and the price is right.
Played one for a short while, after my Jaime R Brazos was stolen, until I could afford something nicer. Didn't sound too bad, and once I lowered the nut, found it had a nice neck with really good intonation, so when I got a better acoustic mandolin, I did a little surgery on my Rogue:I got a cheapo Rogue mandolin. Actually sounds pretty good.