So there is a luthier near my home who has built dulcimers and banjos for a long time, but only recently started building mandos. Their first mando owner seems satisfied, and the woodwork, finish, and the whole instrument really, look quite good. The price is acceptable, maybe a little high for my budget right now, but it's a handmade piece, made close to home. I'll probably drive out and play it this weekend.

I guess what i'm asking is: Is it worth it to take a risk on this over an import with a proven track record? I don't really know a lot about what to look for at this point.

FWIW, this is part of the description:

I built it from the instructions in The Ultimate Bluegrass Mandolin Construction Manual by Roger Siminoff except that I made an A-style instead of the F-style he demonstrates. the soundboard is Englemann spruce and and rest of the instrument is made from black cherry except for the bridge and nut which are made from jatoba and the fretboard which is ironwood(hop-hornbeam). I carved the soundboard and back from 5/8" thick plates to make the arched shape. The carving was all done following the instructions and templates in the book. The finish is Tru oil.