Question:
With or without a pickup.
I need one for this collaboration-ish, project-esque thing I'm doing. :p
Whatcha' got for me? :D

Answer:
I've got the rogue acoustic/electric moel off of MF. It sounds ok, no amazing, and amplifies pretty succesfully without any feedback, but I have to admit, it sounds a little more like a capo'd 12-string hollowboy electrically, but for under $200, it's decent.

Answer:
Define "cheap". You can get a Rover for about $150 (Indonesian made). Epiphone puts out a pretty nice one for about $500. Some people like the Michael Kelly's and lower priced Kentuckys. Fender puts out a mandocaster type thing.
Having bought a cheapo Rover, learning a bunch of two fingered chords and etc., and now having played good ones, I think mandos are certainly in the category of spending more not less. I think Freeman Keller once said that his homemade mando is a third the the size of his home made guitars but took four times longer to build (or something close to that) and I can see why. I played a Breedlove the other day in the $1400 range that was ethreal sounding. I'm not suggesting that you spend a fortune, but I think going the cheap route with mandolins works against you. They can be difficult to play, the difference in playability between my Rover and even the Epiphone was pretty dramatic.
Just my $.02.

Answer:
IMO.....you can get a pretty decent starter anywhere from $39 (Rogue from MF) on up. Understand, it's not a great instrument but it can be a decent little starter for messing around on. The single biggest thing to ensure it's playable is a pro setup.
I bought a Washburn M4 mando from Ebay and had a pro setup done on it and it turned out to be a VERY nice little mando. I recently purchased a Washburn M-1SDL solid topped, oval hole for $199 that came already setup but was still a little difficult to play. A visit to my Tech resolved that issued.
Bottom line.....whatever your budget......a pro setup is worth every penny and will make it a much better experience.
Good luck!

Answer:
Solid wood Kentucky As for the low end.
Then, Mid Mos.
Then Eastmans.
Vox Classic Custom?
Vintage v100 LP: before and after trev wilkinson?
NGD (WARNING: Gold & Quilt Content)?
Nitrocellulose Lacquer snobs?
Stripping the finish off the neckquestions.?
Hey d-mack?
Guitar Balsphemy?
1964 Vintage Fender Strat - $2900 (United States) Craigslist?