Here in this guide, we’ll explore some of the best F-style mandolins we could find currently on the market. The F-style has the most sophisticated design compared to other mandolin types, and because of that, some F-style models are more expensive to produce, giving it an elevated price tag.
Quick Look: Best F-Style Mandolins
★ #1 Best F-Style Mandolin Overall: Washburn M118SWK ★
- Best Cheap F-Style Mandolin: The Loar LM-520 F-Style
- Best F-Style Mandolin Under $1,000: Washburn Package Program
- Best F-Style Mandolin Under $500: Ibanez M522SBS F-Style
I’m a professional composer and music producer with several years of experience creating music for various media. I own several acoustic instruments, including the mandolin, which never stops surprising me with its unique sound and beautiful design.
Join me as I explore some of the best F-style mandolins and the brands behind them.
What is an F-Style Mandolin?
F-style mandolins are one of the two main types of archtop mandolins. This type is more expensive to produce than the A-style, as it has a more sophisticated design.
The difference in tone and sound is really minimal, as the main differences between A-style and F-style are mainly aesthetic.
Things to Consider When Choosing an F-Style Mandolin
Some things to consider when buying a new F-style mandolin are the overall dimensions, sound type, and price range. Let’s explore them in more detail.
Size
The overall size of the typical F-style is slightly bigger than most A-style mandolins. The bigger body frame gives this mandolin a higher volume and better sustain, as it needs to compensate for those small f-shaped sound holes.
The Overall Tone & Sound
The sound of the typical F-style mandolin could be defined as bright and clean, which makes this type perfect for bluegrass and country.
Price
The price range can vary a bit depending on the model and brand. The cheapest option can go from a few hundred to several thousand dollars for professional mandolins. Don’t worry if you are low on funds, as there are several low-budget brands that sell quite accessible instruments.
10 Best F-Style Mandolins
Let’s take a closer look at the best F-style mandolins we could find on the market. Ibanez, Kentucky, and Washburn are some of the brands you’ll find on this list.
The Loar LM-520 F-Style
- Size: 27 x 12 x 2 inches
- Weight: 2.91 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, vintage sunburst finish
- Sound: Rich and bright
- Best for: Intermediate and beginners
The Loar LM-520 F-Style is one of the most popular mandolins for intermediate and beginner players. This mandolin has an elegant design and hand-carved body, which produces its signature sound and tone.
✅ Hand-carved solid body
✅ The rich and vibrant tone
✅ Beautiful design and finish
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
This mandolin comes from a long series dedicated to reviving the old classic designs such as Gibson F-5. If you’re looking for a classy instrument for a decent price, this one is a perfect match for you.
Ibanez M522SBS F-Style
- Size: 27 x 3 x 10.5 inches
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, maple back, and sides, brown sunburst high gloss
- Sound: Rich and warm
- Best for: Intermediate
The Ibanez M522SBS F-Style is a very popular model from the Ibanez brand. This mandolin is a trusted workhorse for any well-respected musician, as it delivers a high-quality build with great tonality.
✅ Great tonality
✅ Robust construction
✅ Comfortable to play
✅ Loud volume
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
This mandolin is very accessible compared to other F-style mandolins. This model was able to combine a great price with high-quality materials and construction.
Washburn M118SWK
- Size: 31.4 x 15.7 x 6.5 inches
- Weight: 9.85 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, natural vintage finish
- Sound: Clean and bright
- Best for: Intermediate and professionals
Washburn M118SWK is one of the most visually stunning mandolins on this list. But it’s not only the pretty design and finish, as this instrument has an all-solid wood body, which gives this model great tonality and harmonics.
✅ High-quality construction
✅ Carved solid body
✅ Great tonality
✅ Elegant design and finish
❌ Requires some setup to play
Why I Recommend It
I personally find this mandolin especially beautiful. Its classic design gives the instrument a unique look, and the solid construction of this mandolin provides the best sound you can find.
Ibanez M700 AVS F-Style
- Size: 35 x 14.1 x 7.3 inches
- Weight: 5.15 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, antique violin sunburst
- Sound: Clean and bright
- Best for: Intermediate
Ibanez M700 AVS F-Style is a high-quality instrument made of solid spruce and maple. With great projection and bright tone, this mandolin is a powerful tool for any musician or artist.
✅ Solid wood body
✅ Bright tone
✅ Comfortable to play
✅ Good projection
❌ Requires some setup
Why I Recommend It
This mandolin comes in a beautiful antique violin sunburst finish and is quite comfortable to play. I tried this model in a store once, and it has a uniquely loud and bright sound, perfect for bluegrass and country.
Eastman MD315 F-Style
- Size: 30.7 x 13.8 x 6.1 inches
- Weight: 4.81 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, classic finish
- Sound: Bright and crisp
- Best for: Intermediate
Eastman MD315 F-Style is a best-selling mandolin made by the Eastman brand. This unique instrument has a classic design and finish, as it is inspired by classic mandolins of the 1900s, like many other instruments made by Eastman.
✅ The bright and vibrant tone
✅ Solid wood body
✅ Comfortable to play
❌ Require setup to become playable
Why I Recommend It
Eastman mandolins always offer the best quality-price ratio for any intermediate or beginner players. This model is no different, and it offers these qualities with a beautiful classic design.
The Loar LM-310F-BRB Honey Creek F-Style
- Size: 27.5 x 10 x 2 inches
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, maple back and sides, satin brown burst finish
- Sound: Bright and clean
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate
The Loar LM-310F-BRB Honey Creek F-Style has its own feel and look, which make this instrument stand out among other mandolin models. Inspired by classic vintage mandolins, this model blends the old with the new, creating a unique mandolin in the process.
✅ Hand-carved solid wood body
✅ Robust construction
✅ Elegant design and finish
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
This hand-carved model is made with great attention to detail, which gives it a great tonality and projection. It’s a solid choice for any intermediate and beginner players.
Kentucky KM-1500 Master F-Model Mandolin
- Size: 28 x 13 x 3.75 inches
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Material & finish: Adirondack spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, classic sunburst finish
- Sound: Clean and bright
- Best for: Professionals
Kentucky KM-1500 Master F-Model Mandolin is a great example of the high level of craftsmanship of the Kentucky brand. This professional model stands as the crown jewel of high-tier mandolins, as it delivers a high-quality build with the cleanest and brightest sound you will hear.
✅ High-quality construction
✅ Easy to play
✅ Professional design and finish
✅ Durable materials
❌ Requires some setup to play
Why I Recommend It
If you are looking for a mandolin that gets closest to the classical Gibson F-5, this model is right down your alley. This elegant and unique mandolin delivers the high-quality sound and design we all expect from a world-class company like Kentucky.
Gold-Tone GM-35 F-Style Mandolin
- Size: 12 x 4 x 28 inches
- Weight: 2.8 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, maple back & sides, tobacco sunburst finish
- Sound: What’s it made of? What is the finish?
- Best for: Intermediate and beginners
The Gold-Tone GM-35 F-Style Mandolin is a great affordable instrument for any student or beginner. You won’t find any cheaper solid-body F-style mandolin on the market, which means this model has a great quality-price ratio.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Affordable
✅ Adjustable bridge
❌ Require some setup to play
Why I Recommend It
This mandolin is a great option for any musician with a low budget who needs a quality instrument with robust construction and good tonality.
The Loar LM-700-VS Supreme F-Style Mandolin
- Size: 27 x 9.9 x 2.5 inches
- Weight: 6.5 pounds
- Material & finish: Solid hand-carved spruce top, solid hand-carved flamed maple, classic sunburst finish
- Sound: Sharp and bright
- Best for: Professionals
The Loar LM-700-VS Supreme F-Style Mandolin is a high-tier instrument with top-notch wood, which was carefully selected and worked by the masterful luthiers of the Loar brand.
✅ High-grade wood
✅ Great tonality and projection
✅ Robust construction
❌ Requires some setup
Why I Recommend It
With a beautiful finish and unique design, this mandolin will inspire anyone who plays it with its tonality and overall professional construction.
Washburn Package Program M3EK F Mandolin
- 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: Intermediate and beginners
Washburn Package Program M3EK F Mandolin is a special offer made by Washburn. In it, they offer a high-quality mandolin with a gig bag and some other accessories. This mandolin will deliver the crispest and cleanest tone for any beginner or intermediate player.
✅ Great tonality
✅ Comfortable to play
✅ High-quality materials
✅ Durable construction
❌ Requires some setup to play
Why I Recommend It
This mandolin is just amazing for its quality-price ratio, which makes it the best beginner or starter mandolin currently on the market.
Best F-Style Mandolin Brands
The F-style is more expensive and difficult to produce when compared to the A-style. This is due to the visual complexity of this type.
Not all brands are quite experienced in producing their own F-style, so there are only a few of them who really dare to try it. Here are some of the most important brands when it comes to F-style mandolins.
The Loar
This brand is obsessed with the revival of the old vintage classic mandolins. They take the original designs and shapes of old mandolins like the Gibson F-5 and make them more modern, with new wood types and other technical innovations.
Ibanez
Ibanez is a world-class musical instrument brand with years of experience producing some of the best guitars, basses, banjos, and mandolins. Their unique craftsmanship and attention to detail make their products some of the best instruments in the world for any musician or artist.
Washburn
Washburn is the veteran of the industry, as it’s one of the oldest companies that produce acoustic instruments to this day. With decades of experience creating some of the most delicate and professional instruments on the market, this company is a trusted ally to any respected musician.
Kentucky
Kentucky is a favorite brand of country and bluegrass musicians all around the world. Their instrument brings this unique all-American style to every model they produce. If you need a little taste of that classic American prairie sound, Kentucky is a brand for you.
F-Style Mandolins Aesthetics & Build
Some of the most important characteristics of the mandolin are the wood and the finish used, as these attributes will define the sound of your mandolin.
Wood
The most common wood used in the mandolin is spruce and maple, but you can find several different models that use mahogany or cedar for their back and sides. For the top of the mandolin, it’s most common to find spruce, and for the back and sides, each brand uses its own mix of wood types.
Finish
There are two main types of varnishes used in the finish of the mandolin. The most common is oil varnish, as it provides a natural tone with some protection. Spirit varnish, on the other hand, gives better protection but might deteriorate the overall sound quality of your mandolin.
Color
Color doesn’t influence the sound, as it is purely aesthetic. But there is a great selection of different colors and color schemes. From black to red, including numerous variations on the sunburst scheme, there are thousands of different color schemes for you to choose from.
Buying New vs Used
With a new instrument, you’ll get some warranties and a set of accessories, but with used instruments, you might get some defects. It also might be a win, however, as you can get a well-aged instrument with a unique and rich tone for a good price.
What’s in the F-Style Mandolin Box?
In each package, you can find a set of useful accessories for you to use. This might include tuners, strings, and a set of picks.
Tuner
A tuner is an essential accessory for any mandolin player. This device will allow you to have your instrument perfectly tuned every time you need to perform or practice.
Set of Picks
Most mandolin packages will have a basic set of picks for you to use. They are quite useful, as you’ll always lose some picks here and there.
Set of Strings
The strings are probably one of the most used parts of the mandolin, which is why it’s quite useful to have an extra set for any emergencies.
Mandolin Strap
The mandolin strap provides comfort and stability for your band rehearsals or live performances. It’s a useful accessory if you don’t want to accidentally drop your precious mandolin while playing.
Extras
Some of the extras you might consider buying are new strings and some other parts for your mandolin. Some models can have a low-quality bridge or tuning machines, which is why you might consider changing them.
How Much Do F-Style Mandolins Cost?
Many F-style mandolins can be more expensive than the typical A-style, but you can certainly find some low-budget models nowadays, as there are more and more budget-friendly brands currently on the market.
What Are the Best F-Style Mandolins?
Here I’ll review some of the best F-Style Mandolins I presented in this guide.
The Loar LM-520 F-Style: Best for Beginners
The Loar Lm-520 F-Style is a very popular mandolin among students and beginners, as this model delivers some of the best sound quality and high-tier construction at an entry level.
Ibanez M522SBS F-Style: Best for Intermediate
The Ibanez M522SBS F-Style is a well-proven veteran with numerous positive reviews from satisfied customers. This mandolin is a solid choice for any intermediate or even professional player.
Kentucky KM-1500 Master F-Model Mandolin: Best for Professionals
The Kentucky KM-1500 Master F-Model Mandolin is a unique model that has some of the best sound qualities and high-grade wood you can find on the market. This is a fully professional instrument that requires some maintenance and care but provides the best value among F-style mandolins.
Where Are the Best F-Style Mandolins Made?
The F-style, like the A-style, was created in the United States in the late 1920s. This is why this country is currently a leader in the production of this type of mandolin.
What Is the Best Sounding F-Style Mandolin?
The Washburn M118SWK has the most interesting and unique sound, in my opinion. This mandolin has a rich and bright sound that will amaze even the most demanding listeners.
Where to Buy F-Style Mandolins
Nowadays there are numerous websites and online retailers to choose from. Each one has its own different offers and models of mandolins. Let’s explore some of these options.
Amazon
Amazon is used by millions of customers around the world, as they provide some of the best selections of products you can find online. I personally find quite useful their customer reviews and detailed information on features and characteristics.
Online Music Retailers
If you’re looking for specialized online music retailers, here at Into Strings we highly recommend FiddlerShop.com, GuitarCenter.com, and Sweetwater.com, as they provide large selections of high-quality instruments.
Your Local Music Store
At your local music store, you can spend countless hours trying out some of the instruments they offer you. This and the advice from the salesperson will certainly make your decision easier.
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In Conclusion
Thank you for staying until the end in this exploration of the best F-style mandolins I could find on the market. I hope you enjoyed this guide and learned a few things about this beautiful instrument.
If you liked this article, feel free to share or leave a comment, as I will gladly respond to any doubts you may have.
Stay safe and good luck with your sonic adventures!
