I have both; K-Brands and Luthier-Made.
If you like the Koa, more "Hawaiian sound," a K-Brand is a good choice. Though a Ko'olau is probably outside your price range, even used. Most of them have other wood combinations, but those usually go for more as well. Ko'Aloha, Kanile'a & Kamaka all have base-level all-Koa models that are very nice.
If you like Mahogany: LoPrinzi; Kala Elite; Martin; Romero; Mainland all have very good models within you price range.
Luthier-made gets trickier. Mike Pereira makes some small-batch "Cali" instruments that are terrific. Fred Shields & Bonanza will make instruments to your specs in their standard models. Used "custom" or "spec" luthier instruments will mostly be more expensive that $1K but sometimes you can luck out. Have a list of ones you want that you can pounce on if and when they are listed. True customs are made to a customer's specifications. While a "spec" instrument is a speculative instrument the luthier makes for a show model or he makes it to his own specifications to sell where his markets are.
Personally, I went with K-Brand tenors as my next step up from my Ponos.
Good luck. Do your research. Enjoy the quest.
If you like the Koa, more "Hawaiian sound," a K-Brand is a good choice. Though a Ko'olau is probably outside your price range, even used. Most of them have other wood combinations, but those usually go for more as well. Ko'Aloha, Kanile'a & Kamaka all have base-level all-Koa models that are very nice.
If you like Mahogany: LoPrinzi; Kala Elite; Martin; Romero; Mainland all have very good models within you price range.
Luthier-made gets trickier. Mike Pereira makes some small-batch "Cali" instruments that are terrific. Fred Shields & Bonanza will make instruments to your specs in their standard models. Used "custom" or "spec" luthier instruments will mostly be more expensive that $1K but sometimes you can luck out. Have a list of ones you want that you can pounce on if and when they are listed. True customs are made to a customer's specifications. While a "spec" instrument is a speculative instrument the luthier makes for a show model or he makes it to his own specifications to sell where his markets are.
Personally, I went with K-Brand tenors as my next step up from my Ponos.
Good luck. Do your research. Enjoy the quest.
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