Here in this guide, we’ll explore the best electric mandolins and the brands behind them. The mandolin is originally an acoustic instrument, but nowadays you can find several models with an electric input.
My name is Anthony and I’m a professional musician and sound designer. I’ve produced numerous tracks with the mandolin throughout my career, and I must say that the unique sound of this instrument never gets old.
Quick Look: Best Electric Mandolins
★ #1 Best Electric Mandolin Overall: Oscar Schmidt OM10E A-Style ★
- Best Electric Mandolin for Beginners: Vangoa Acoustic-Electric
- Best Intermediate Electric Mandolin: Washburn M3EK F-Style
- Best Electric Mandolin for Professionals: Kentucky KM-300E Electric
- Best Cheap Electric Mandolin: Vangoa Acoustic-Electric Mandolin
- Best Electric Mandolin Under $1,000: Washburn M3EK F-Style
- Best Electric Mandolin Under $500: Gold-Tone GME4 Electric
- Best Acoustic Electric Mandolin: Ibanez M510E Acoustic-Electric
Although quite rare, the electric mandolin is a useful tool for playing with a band or in a live show, as you might need extra volume to be able to hear yourself play. The electric mandolin will help you get that extra punch of volume for your music.
What Is an Electric Mandolin?
The electric version of the mandolin first appeared in the United States in the late 1920s. With new developments in electric pickups and new ways to amplify acoustic instruments, the traditionally acoustic mandolin started to evolve.
The new electric mandolin branched out with two new types: acoustic-electric and electric.
Types of Electric Mandolins
As I mentioned before, there are two main types of electric mandolins, but you can certainly find some experimental instruments with a strange mix of body types and hardware.
The most common body type for an acoustic-electric or electric mandolin is the archtop A-style, although there are some models with a body shape similar to an electric guitar.
Electric
The purely electric mandolin can be quite similar to the electric guitar in appearance, but with that signature double-stringed sound. The fully electric mandolin offers solid sound output with a better set of pickups.
Acoustic-Electric
Acoustic-electric is probably the most common type of electric mandolin. This type is basically an acoustic mandolin with some internal pickups built in. This way you get that classic acoustic sound with some subtle amplification.
10 Best Electric Mandolins
Here I’ll go into more depth on each model of electric mandolin and the different features they provide. Ibanez, Kentucky, and Oscar Schmidt are some of the brands you’ll find on this list.
1. Ibanez M510E Acoustic-Electric Mandolin
- Size: 5 x 43 x 20 inches
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Material & finish: Spruce top, mahogany back and sides, open pore vintage sunburst
- Sound: Bright and clean
- Best for: Beginners
The Ibanez M510E Acoustic-Electric Mandolin is a solid budget-friendly instrument made with high-grade electronics. It has a decent sound and tone for this price range.
✅ High-quality construction
✅ Easy to set up and play
✅ Beautiful finish
❌ Case not included
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
Like all instruments made by Ibanez, this electric mandolin is a solid choice for any beginner who needs extra volume for their music performances. I personally love the unique finish of this model, as it gives an interesting natural look to this mandolin.
2. Stagg M50 e BLK Acoustic-Electric
- Size:29 x 5 x 13 inches
- Weight: 3.29 pounds
- Material & finish: Nato wood top, back and sides, black finish
- Sound: Bright and clean
- Best for: Beginners
The Stagg M50 e BLK Acoustic-Electric is a robust beginner-friendly instrument with a simple but elegant black finish. The Stagg brand is quite famous for creating simple instruments for students and beginner musicians.
✅ Very affordable
✅ Easy to play
✅ Durable construction
❌ Some models have wiring defects
Why I Recommend It
This electric mandolin is a great choice because of its durability and decent tone. It’s quite recommended for any musician who wants to learn to play the mandolin for a reasonable price.
3. Washburn M3EK F-Style
- Size: 41 x 16 x 5 inches
- Weight: 5.14 pounds
- Material & finish: Spruce top, maple back and sides, tobacco sunburst finish
- Sound: Clean and natural
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate players
The Washburn M3EK F-Style is one of the best electric models on this list. This instrument has a unique design and great tone all around. This is the highest quality electric mandolin you can find at this price range.
✅ High-quality build
✅ Great tone and projection
✅ Adjustable bridge
❌ Requires some setup to play
Why I Recommend It
The Washburn M3EK F-Style is an amazingly affordable electric mandolin with durable construction and great quality overall. If you’re looking for a really high-quality electric mandolin, the Washburn M3EK F-Style is a perfect match for you.
4. Seagull S8 Electric Mandolin
- Size: 27.15 x 8.75 2.5 inches
- Weight: 2.85 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, maple back and sides, sunburst finish
- Sound: Clean and bright
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate players
The Seagull S8 Electric Mandolin is a great mid-range mandolin with solid wood construction and a unique visual design. This beautiful mandolin is inspired by classic folk instruments, and its design tries to imitate that interesting vintage look.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Great tone
✅ Solid wood body
✅ Case included
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
This model is highly praised, as it gained numerous positive reviews from satisfied customers. The Seagull S8 is a solid choice for anyone looking for something really unique and special. I personally played it several times and I must admit that this unique look and feel never gets old.
5. Oscar Schmidt OM10E A-Style
- Size: 25 x 12 x 5 inches
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Material & finish: Spruce top, mahogany back and sides, tobacco sunburst finish
- Sound: Rich and natural
- Best for: Beginners
The Oscar Schmidt OM10E A-Style is a great instrument for beginners and entry-level musicians. With high-quality construction provided by Oscar Schmidt, this electric mandolin has a great tone and projection, with or without an amplifier.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Great sound and tone
✅ High-quality pickups
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
This mandolin is an excellent entry-level instrument with some great features to enjoy. The Oscar Schmidt OM10E A-Style has some of the best electronics and pickups, giving that loud and clean sound when amplified.
6. Vangoa Acoustic-Electric Mandolin
- Size: 30.3 x 12.7 x 4.5 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Material & finish: Mahogany top, back, and sides, vintage red sunburst finish
- Sound: Bright and clean
- Best for: Beginners
The Vangoa Acoustic-Electric Mandolin is a beautiful instrument made with high attention to detail by the Italian brand Vangoa. This mandolin is a bestseller in the entry level, and it delivers a great tone with an elegant finish for a reasonable price.
✅ Lightweight
✅ Great sound and projection
✅ Beautiful red finish
✅ Easy to play
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
I personally own one of these, and it’s quite good for this price tag. Easy to play and with a vibrant red finish, this mandolin is one of the best mandolins for beginners and students.
7. Rogue RM-110AE Acoustic-Electric A-Style Mandolin
- Size: 27.3 x 13.3 x 4.25 inches
- Weight: 2.9 pounds
- Material & finish: Rosewood fingerboard, maple neck, high-gloss sunburst finish
- Sound: Clean and bright
- Best for: Beginners
The Rogue RM-110AE Acoustic-Electric A-Style Mandolin is an electric version of the bestseller RM-100A, which is one of the most popular budget-friendly mandolins on the market. This mandolin is very easy to set up and play, offering a great tonality and action range.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Great tone
✅ Professional finish
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
This is a great electric version of the well-proven RM-100A by Rogue. If you need an all-around solid and affordable electric mandolin, this model might be exactly what you need.
8. Kentucky KM-300E Electric Mandolin
- Size: 26.75 x 9.88 x x 2.38 inches
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Material & finish: Basswood top, solid basswood back and sides, high gloss tobacco sunburst finish
- Sound: Clean and bright
- Best for: Professionals and intermediate players
The Kentucky KM-300E Electric Mandolin is a great fully electric instrument with a unique configuration of four strings, instead of the eight strings of the typical mandolin. This instrument is very comfortable and has a great tone and projection, which makes this model one of the best fully electric mandolins on the market.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Great tonality
✅ Four strings
✅ Solid-body construction
❌ Requires some setup to play
Why I Recommend It
If you need a durable and great sounding electric mandolin, Kentucky’s got you covered with this unique model. And let’s not forget that those four strings are much easier to play, which is a big positive, of course.
9. Gold-Tone GME4 Electric Mandolin
- Size: 25.75 x 10.5 x 3 inches
- Weight: 6 pounds
- Material & finish: Alder body, maple neck, beige and white finish
- Sound: Clean and warm
- Best for: Beginners
The Gold-Tone GME4 Electric Mandolin is a great instrument with many positive reviews from satisfied customers. This fully electric mandolin has a great set of pickups and a quite robust construction.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Great tonality
✅ Beautiful finish
❌ Requires some setup to play
Why I Recommend It
This particular model has a unique design and finish, reminiscent of electric guitars. With a warm and clean tone, this electric mandolin offers solid performance and great comfort.
10. Ortega Guitars RMFE40SBK F-Style
- Size: 27.5 x 12.5 x 5 inches
- Weight: 2.7 pounds
- Material & finish: Spruce top, maple back and sides, black satin finish
- Sound: Clean and bright
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate players
Ortega Guitars RMFE40SBK F-Style is a high-quality mandolin with a great sound and tone. The simple but elegant finish of this mandolin makes it quite unique compared to other electric mandolins.
✅ High-quality construction
✅ Comfortable to play
✅ Elegant finish
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
This model is a perfect match for any beginner or even intermediate level musician, as it offers a great balance between quality and price.
Best Electric Mandolin Brands
Each brand brings a set of unique traditions and methods of construction. Some of the best ones are Ibanez, Kentucky, and Washburn, as they always deliver high-grade instruments in the acoustic or electric category.
Washburn
Washburn is one of the oldest brands with a great tradition and dedication to the wood treatment and body construction of string instruments. This certainly is applicable to the mandolin, as Washburn creates some of the best mandolins in the world, some of them electric also.
Ibanez
Created in 1959 in Nagoya, Japan, the Ibanez brand rapidly became a world leader in creating acoustic and electric instruments. Their attention to detail and numerous innovations in electronics and wood treatments made this company one of the most trusted musical brands in the world.
Kentucky
Although quite young, this American company creates some of the highest quality instruments out there. With a dedication to the mandolin, this company produces some of the best acoustic and electric mandolins on the market, all of them with traditionally American flavor.
Best Beginner Electric Mandolins
Here I’ll revisit some of the best electric mandolins for beginners and entry-level musicians. I’ll include the most affordable and easy-to-play instruments, as these are always a positive when you’re learning to play the mandolin.
- Oscar Schmidt OM10E A-Style: This model is very popular, as it comes with solid construction and great tonality for anyone to enjoy.
- Stagg M50 e BLK Acoustic-Electric: This robust mandolin has a great quality-price ratio with some unique design choices.
- Vangoa Acoustic-Electric Mandolin: This beautiful mandolin is one of the bestsellers in the budget-friendly category, as it delivers high-grade construction for a very low price.
Best Intermediate Electric Mandolins
Need something better than a low-level instrument for your recordings and live performances? Then you certainly need to spend some more money on your instrument.
Down below I’ll revisit some of the best mid-range electric mandolins I could find.
- Ortega Guitars RMFE40SBK F-Style: This electric mandolin is a high-quality beauty, which is highly valued as an instrument and a collector’s item.
- Seagull S8 Electric Mandolin: The Seagull S8 is a unique folk-inspired instrument that provides great tonality and projection for any intermediate player.
- Washburn M3EK F-Style: Washburn is one of the most important brands when it comes to the mandolin. This model is another gem made by this famous company, which is now made much more affordable for anyone.
Best Electric Mandolins for Professionals
If you’re looking for a high-grade instrument for your world tours and platinum albums, here I’ll revisit some of the best professional electric mandolins on the market.
- Kentucky KM-300E Electric Mandolin: As always with Kentucky, they deliver one of the most unique and beautiful instruments I could find. This model takes the solid base of Kentucky acoustic mandolins and transforms it into this unique high-grade electric mandolin.
- Washburn M3EK F-Style: This mandolin is a high-class tool for any professional musician that needs a robust and great sounding instrument for their music.
- Seagull S8 Electric Mandolin: This unique mandolin is a strange mix of traditional and modern ideas. With a great tone and projection, this instrument is a great choice for any type of musician.
Best Cheap Electric Mandolins
Here I’ll review some of the best and cheapest electric mandolins I could find. If you’re low on funds, this list is for you!
- Rogue RM-110AE Acoustic-Electric A-Style Mandolin: The electric version of the famous Rm-100A is a solid choice for any beginner or entry-level musician.
- Vangoa Acoustic-Electric Mandolin: This particular model is becoming quite popular, as it brings a unique red finish with decent construction and overall great tone.
- Stagg M50 e BLK Acoustic-Electric: Stagg M50 is a well-respected instrument tailored for beginners and students. This robust and easy-to-play instrument is an easy choice when you need a starter mandolin.
Things to Consider When Choosing Electric Mandolins
One of the things you might need to consider is your level of expertise. Some professional models are quite demanding on new players, so you should choose the correct instrument for you.
Level of Experience
Each level has its own pros and cons, and we’ll explore them down below. Here we’ll explore different levels of expertise so you can find the correct spot for you to start.
Beginner Electric Mandolins
The best beginner mandolin is comfortable and easy to play with some minimal features that will help you to start learning to play. At this entry level, you’ll find several cheap instruments that come in useful bundles with some extras in them.
Intermediate Electric Mandolins
In this category, you’ll find more robust and reliable instruments with great sound qualities. Most of the instruments at this price range come with some high-grade tuners and other accessories.
Professional Electric Mandolins
The best professional mandolins are made of the best wood and with unique methods of construction, which make them one of the best-valued instruments and collector’s items on the market. Here you’ll find several models made by some of the most famous brands that create unique and powerful tools for any well-respected musician.
Size
The size of electric mandolins vary quite a bit. Most acoustic-electric mandolins have a similar size to typical A-style mandolins, but some fully electric ones have much bigger dimensions.
Wood
There are different wood types compared to classic acoustic mandolins. Wood used for electric mandolins is quite similar to what is used to create electric guitars. This includes basswood, alder, mahogany, maple, and spruce.
Finish
The most common type of varnish used in the production of the electric mandolin is nitrocellulose. This type of varnish gives decent protection with some tone dampening.
Commonly found in guitar finishes, this varnish is mostly used for the fully electric types. Acoustic-electric mandolins usually have more traditional types of varnishes.
Color
Here we have a great variety, quite similar to the electric guitar. Black, white, green, grey, and many variations on the sunburst finish are some of the many different colors you can find for the electric mandolin.
The Overall Tone & Sound
The overall sound and tone of the electric mandolin is clearer and louder than a traditional acoustic mandolin. The electric input gives you more volume and tone control, so you can regulate the precise amount with your knobs.
Price
The price tag is one of the most important things to consider, as not everyone has a fortune to spend. Here we’ll explore some of the different price ranges you can find for the mandolin.
Budget Electric Mandolins
The cheapest model normally comes in starter bundles with a gig bag, basic tuner, and some extra accessories. At this price range we’re looking at instruments that can cost from $100 up to $500.
Mid-Range Electric Mandolins
The mid-range electric mandolin provides better sound qualities, higher-grade materials, and a better overall construction. At this price range, several instruments cost from $500 up to $1000.
Top-End Electric Mandolins
In the top-tier are some of the best mandolins you can find. Most of them are from world-famous brands like Kentucky, Ibanez, and Washburn. At this price range, we’re looking at instruments that cost from $1000 up to several thousands of dollars.
New vs Used
With a new instrument, you’ll get some extra accessories and a warranty. But if you’re low on funds, you can always try to look for a used one. There are some hidden vintage gems for a very low price.
What’s in an Electric Mandolin Box?
When buying an electric mandolin, you can find several useful accessories in the bundle.
Here we’ll explore some of them.
Tuner
Most packages come with a basic tuner, so you can tune all eight strings of your mandolin with precision. Some of the most expensive models come with high-tier tuners like Snark or Fender.
See more: Best Mandolin Tuners Buyer’s Guide
Set of Strings
In most mandolin packages, you can find a basic set of strings for you to use. Most sets are of the lowest quality, but some models come with their own signature string sets.
Set of Picks
Many mandolins come with a basic set of picks. These are quite useful, as you’ll always lose some picks every time you play.
Extras
The most important thing you might need to buy is a new set of strings, as the default ones are normally of very low quality. Some mandolins might require a new bridge too, but it depends on the actual brand and model.
Electric Mandolins Parts & Accessories
Here we’ll go through some of the important parts of the mandolin. Some of them you might need to change with time, as they may break in the most unexpected moment.
Tuning Machine
The tuning machine is that part at the headstock that helps you tense those double strings. Some tuning machines might be quite hard to turn, and the others might not tune at all. This is why you should be careful with your tuning machine or buy a new one if it breaks completely.
Pickguard
The pickguard is an essential part of any instrument, as it protects that beautiful finish from your pick hits. Each pickguard model has a different visual design and level of protection.
Bridge
The bridge helps maintain the tension of your strings. If you need more flexibility, you can try an adjustable bridge, as it will make it easier to find the most comfortable position for you to play in.
How Much Do Electric Mandolins Cost?
The price range varies a lot. But fear not, as there’s a perfect mandolin for you too. With each year there are more and more different models with great prices. With this variety, it’s becoming much easier to find the perfect match for any kind of player or musical style.
What Are the Best Electric Mandolins?
Here we’ll revisit some of the best electric mandolins we explored in this list.
Vangoa Acoustic-Electric Mandolin: Best for Beginners
Vangoa is a popular low-budget mandolin with a beautiful finish and overall great tone. The Vangoa Acoustic-Electric Mandolin is one of the best mandolin models for the money.
Ortega Guitars RMFE40SBK F-Style: Best for Intermediate
The Ortega Guitars RMFE40SBK F-Style is a high-grade instrument with an elegant design and finish. It’s a wonderful mandolin with a unique sound and great quality overall.
Kentucky KM-300E Electric Mandolin: Best for Professionals
The Kentucky KM-300E is a high-tier instrument made by the Kentucky brand. This model has an amazing sound with a simple but effective design and finish.
Where Are the Best Electric Mandolins Made?
The best mandolins are normally made in Europe and the United States. But nowadays you can find great instruments made in Asia, as some countries like Japan and Korea have some of the best electronics and wood treatment methods in the world.
What Is the Best Sounding Electric Mandolin?
Sound is a very subjective thing. It’s hard to decide on the best sound among the many great instruments on this list. My personal choice is Ortega Guitars RMFE40SBk F-Style, as it brings a warm and rich sound to anyone who wants a great sounding mandolin.
Where to Buy Electric Mandolins
Sometimes it might be quite hard to start looking for an instrument, as there are thousands of different offers and retailers. I recommend sticking to the most popular and well-known ones, as they will certainly deliver the best service and quality.
Amazon
Amazon is a world leader when it comes to online retailers and good prices. The great selection of products and helpful reviews makes this site one of the most important tools in the modern age.
Guitar Center
Guitar Center is a specialized retailer that provides a great collection of instruments at quite low prices. On this site, you can find some exclusive offers from world-class music brands.
Your Local Music Store
At your local music store, you might not find the biggest selection of instruments, but you can certainly count on advice from the salesperson and the possibility of trying out your future instrument.
Review This Post
Table of Contents
- Mandolins
- What Is an Electric Mandolin?
- Types of Electric Mandolins
- 10 Best Electric Mandolins
- Best Electric Mandolin Brands
- Best Beginner Electric Mandolins
- Best Intermediate Electric Mandolins
- Best Electric Mandolins for Professionals
- Best Cheap Electric Mandolins
- Things to Consider When Choosing Electric Mandolins
- What’s in an Electric Mandolin Box?
- Electric Mandolins Parts & Accessories
- How Much Do Electric Mandolins Cost?
- What Are the Best Electric Mandolins?
- Where Are the Best Electric Mandolins Made?
- What Is the Best Sounding Electric Mandolin?
- Where to Buy Electric Mandolins
- In Conclusion
In Conclusion
I hope I was able to help you decide which model is the best electric mandolin on the market. We explored some of the most famous brands like Kentucky, Ibanez, and Washburn and their unique electric models.
If you liked this article, feel free to share or leave a comment with any question you have. I’ll gladly answer any doubts you have on this topic.
Stay safe and as always, good luck with your sonic adventures!