Most importantly this instrument seems very good. This was going to be my first mandolin, so I am not an expert, but it sounds very good, and I think this is the cheapest solid wood mandolin you can get.
It has a nice warm sound, and the intonation is also pretty good. I think these are the most important things with an entry level instrument.
Unfortunately I had to send it back due to fret problems at the 7th and 8th fret on the A and E srings. But the new one I got didn't have that problem, so hopefully it's not usual.
Unfortunately I had to send back the new on too because of other reasons, but I wish I could have kept it...