Here in this article, we’ll explore some of the best mandolins for the money. Some of the models I present here are quite popular and are sold in great numbers. They have numerous positive reviews. Most of these mandolins come from several renowned music brands that specialize in the production of this instrument.
Quick Look: Best Mandolins for the Money
★ #1 Best Mandolin for the Money Overall: Kentucky KM-150 ★
- Best Beginner Mandolin for the Money: Rogue RM-100 A-Style
- Best Intermediate Mandolin for the Money: Kentucky KM-150
- Best Professional Mandolin for the Money: Kentucky Km-500
- Best F-Style Mandolin for the Money: Ibanez M522SBS F-Style
- Best A-Style Mandolin for the Money: Rogue RM-100 A-Style
My name is Anthony, and I’m a musician with several years of experience playing folk, rock, and music for soundtracks. I love adding the mandolin to my productions, as it gives a natural and unique sound to any song or track.
Follow me to explore some of the best mandolin models and the brands that create some of the best sounding instruments for a good price.
About the Best Mandolins for the Money
What makes a good mandolin for the money? I’d say that it’s the wood quality and overall construction of the instrument.
But each model has its own style and sound, and each brand brings its own traditions and methods of construction.
Choosing a Great Value Mandolin
When you’re choosing the best mandolin for your money, you might look for a sturdy body and solid tone and sound. I’d personally choose from well-known brands that specialize in mandolins or other string instruments.
Types of Mandolins
There are several types of mandolins, such as bowlback, flatback, doubleback, and archtop. Each type brings different features to the table, and each one requires different methods of construction for its body.
The two main types you’ll find are the F-style and A-style. Both are a sub-type of archtop mandolins.
Archtop
The archtop style appeared at the end of the 19th century and rapidly became the most famous type of mandolin used in the modern day and age. This style was created in America by the Gibson Company as a substitute for classic European bowlback mandolins.
The original flatback mandolin made by Gibson evolved into two different sub-styles named F-style and A-style.
Archtop A-Style
The A-Style is the most common type of archtop. This type has a pear-shaped body and an overall simpler design than F-style archtops. The A-style normally comes with a single oval sound hole in the middle, although you can find some models with double F-shaped sound holes, similar to the violin.
Archtop F-Style
The F-style brings more style and decoration to the table. With a wood-carved head scroll near the neck and on the headstock, this mandolin archtop type is maybe one of the best looking mandolin types you can find.
Taking great inspiration from classical mandolins and violins, this archtop type comes with double F-shaped sound holes on each side of the instrument.
Flatback
This typically Spanish and Portuguese mandolin type is made in a similar way as an acoustic guitar, meaning that the back is made of a thin sheet of wood with bracings. This type of mandolin is very popular in Latin America and Europe.
Bowlback
Bowlback is the oldest type of mandolin. Its unique bowl form comes from a back made of curved wood strips that resemble a bowl, which gives it the name. Although not so common in the modern day, you still can find some luthiers that create this traditional type of mandolin.
Top 10 Best Mandolins for the Money
Here we’ll explore the actual models and brands that fabricate the best mandolins for the money. Each model has its own unique features and sound qualities, and each brand has its own methods of construction and wood treatment.
1. Kentucky KM-150
- Size: 29 x 13 x 4 inches
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Body shape: A-style
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, high-gloss sunburst finish
- Sound: Crisp and bright
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate
Kentucky KM-150 is the model with which the Kentucky brand started its rise to become one of the best-valued brands for the mandolin. This model became quite popular, as it offers a great value for the price tag. A robust body in addition to the bright and rich tone make this mandolin a no-brainer for any beginner or intermediate player.
✅ Great tonality
✅ Robust construction
✅ Comfortable to play
✅ Adjustable bridge
❌ Requires some setup
Why I Recommend It
I personally really like this instrument, as it has its own unique look and sound, which is very distinctive from other mandolins.
Kentucky Km-150 is a solid choice for anyone struggling to find the right mandolin. This all-American instrument will give you hours of joy with its vibrant tones and harmonics.
2. Ibanez M522SBS F-Style
- Size: 27 x 3 x 10.5 inches
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Body shape: F-style
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, maple back and sides, brown sunburst high gloss
- Sound: Warm and rich
- Best for: Intermediate
The Ibanez M522SBS F-Style is one of the most popular F-style mandolins on the market. This bestseller made by the Ibanez company is a high-quality instrument with a rich tone and beautiful design. As always with Ibanez, this mandolin is a durable and high-quality instrument with its own unique personality.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Simple but elegant finish
✅ Durable construction
✅ Great volume and projection
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
If you’re looking for an accessible F-style mandolin, this model is the best option for you. This model is an easy decision for players looking for a beautiful instrument with a great sound.
3. Rogue RM-100 A-Style
- Size: 27.3 x 13.3 x 4.25 inches
- Weight: 1.9 pounds
- Body shape: A-style
- Material & finish: Rosewood fingerboard, maple neck, high-gloss sunburst finish
- Sound: Clean and bright
- Best for: Beginners
The Rogue RM-100 A-Style is a champion among all the budget-friendly mandolins. This model is quite popular, as it offers almost professional levels of quality for a very low price. It’s highly recommended for a student or beginner who needs a decent instrument for an accessible price.
✅ Great tonality
✅ Professional finish
✅ Easy to play
✅ Adjustable bridge
❌ Hard case sold separately
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
This mandolin is very comfortable to play and has a great tone and harmonics. I personally played it numerous times and I can give testimony on how good this instrument is for the price it’s sold for.
4. The Loar LM-520 F-Style
- Size: 27 x 12 x 2 inches
- Weight: 2.91 pounds
- Body shape: F-style
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, vintage sunburst finish
- Sound: Bright and rich
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate players
The Loar LM-520 F-Style is an all-solid hand-carved beauty made to satisfy even the most demanding musicians. This mandolin has an elegant finish and a beautiful F-style design made with meticulous attention to detail.
✅ Beautiful finish
✅ Great tonality
✅ Hand-carved body
❌ Some strings might be of low quality
Why I Recommend It
This model is a unique instrument with its own sound and personality. The Loar LM-520 F-Style is praised by many musicians and mandolin lovers all around the world.
5. Washburn M118SWK
- Size: 31.4 x 15.7 x 6.5 inches
- Weight: 9.85 pounds
- Body shape: F-style
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, natural vintage finish
- Sound: Bright and clean
- Best for: Professionals
Washburn M118SWK is a world-class instrument with a great tone and projection. This mandolin has a beautiful design and finish in addition to a carved solid body, which makes it a great instrument for any player, intermediate or professional.
✅ All-solid carved body
✅ Great tone and projection
✅ Robust construction
✅ High-quality materials
❌ Requires setup
Why I Recommend It
Highly inspired by the classic Gibson F-5 Mandolin, this model has a classic feel and sound with new modern construction technologies and techniques. It’s a perfect mandolin for anyone looking for a high-grade instrument with a great sound.
6. Kentucky KM-500 Artist A-Model
- Size: 26.25 x 10.25 x 3.25 inches
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Body shape: A-style
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, maple back and sides, Amberhurst finish
- Sound: Deep and rich
- Best for: Professionals
The Kentucky KM-500 Artist A-Model is a professional mandolin made of carefully selected wood that delivers a deep and rich sound loved by many musicians. This particular model is quite popular nowadays, as it gives you the best quality-price ratio for your money.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Robust construction
✅ Beautiful classic design and finish
✅ Great tone and projection
❌ Requires some setup to play
Why I Recommend It
If you’re looking for something high-tier, the Kentucky KM-500 Artist A-Model is a perfect fit for you, as the robust construction and great tone of this mandolin won’t disappoint even the most professional and demanding musicians.
7. Eastman MD305 A-Style
- Size: 31 x 20 x 6.5 inches
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Body shape: A-style
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, maple back and sides, classic finish
- Sound: Warm and punchy
- Best for: Beginners
The Eastman MD-305 A-Style is a classy and elegant mandolin that takes inspiration from the old classics with its design, sound, and finish. With its woody and warm sound, this mandolin is quite popular and is sometimes considered the best A-style mandolin in this price range.
✅ Great tonality
✅ Great tone and harmonics
✅ Solid-body construction
✅ Comfortable to play
❌ Requires some setup
Why I Recommend It
If you need a classic mandolin with a unique sound and design, this model will fit right in. I personally really like the overall look of this instrument, as it blends a classic design with the newest ones in a unique mix that makes this instrument so distinctive.
8. Kentucky KM-250
- Size: 26.25 x 10.25 x 3.35 inches
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Body shape: A-style
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, traditional sunburst
- Sound: Crisp and bright
- Best for: Intermediate players and professionals
The Kentucky KM-250 is a high-tier instrument made with great attention to detail. This high-quality mandolin has its own personality and unique sound. The Kentucky brand dedicated countless hours to find the best wood for this model.
✅ Hand-carved solid body
✅ High-quality construction
✅ Great tonality
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
Hand-carved and made of the best wood you can find, this mandolin is a solid choice for any professional or intermediate musician. If you’re looking for a high-grade workhorse for your music, Kentucky KM-250 is a perfect match for you.
9. Ibanez M510DVS
- Size: 27 x 3 x 10.5 inches
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Body shape: A-style
- Material & finish: Spruce top, mahogany back and sides, dark violin sunburst finish
- Sound: Bright and clean
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate players
The Ibanez M510DVS is a great mid-range mandolin made by the Ibanez brand. With durable materials and an elegant finish, this model also has a unique and bright sound and tone. This model contains some professional features in a beginner-friendly mandolin for a decent price tag.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Great tone and projection
✅ Solid spruce top
✅ Durable construction
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
You won’t find any mandolins in this price range that can compete with this model, and the Ibanez brand stands as a leader of accessible high-quality instruments. If you need a solid instrument for a decent price, look no further, as this model will deliver all of that and more.
10. Ibanez M700 AVS F-Style
- Size: 35 x 14.1 x 7.3 inches
- Weight: 5.15 pounds
- Body shape: F-style
- Material & finish: Solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides, antique violin sunburst finish
- Sound: Clean and loud
- Best for: Intermediate players
The Ibanez M700 AVS F-Style is a powerhouse instrument made with incredible care and attention to detail by the Ibanez brand. This bestselling model is a very robust mandolin with quite a loud volume, which is unique for an F-style mandolin.
✅ Solid maple body
✅ A bright and loud tone
✅ Easy to play
❌ Requires some setup
Why I Recommend It
This popular model is a solid choice for any intermediate player, as it brings high-grade quality materials and a unique sound and tones. As always with the Ibanez brand, this instrument is up to the highest standards compared to other mandolin models.
Best Mandolin Brands for the Money
The best mandolins are created by several world-class brands that specialize in the construction of string instruments.
These brands always deliver a high-quality product for any musician who wants a professional instrument for their music.
Kentucky
The Kentucky brand was created in California and later acquired by Saga Music. This company is one of the best-valued brands for mandolin production, as their models are up to the highest standards in the world.
Washburn
Washburn is probably the oldest company that specializes in creating unique string instruments for any musician to enjoy. This brand was founded in 1883 in Chicago, Illinois, and rapidly became a well respected and admired company for its high-grade instruments and professional quality control.
Ibanez
Founded in 1959 in Nagoya, Japan, Ibanez is very famous for its professional electric guitars that are used by numerous artists around the world. This company creates all kinds of string instruments, including the mandolin, and all of them with authentic Japanese craftsmanship and attention to detail when it comes to design and wood selection.
Gretsch
Created in 1883, the Gretsch brand specializes in acoustic instruments that maintain natural and traditional sound qualities. This brand is dedicated to creating the most professional and unique looking instruments for any musicians. You’ll never go wrong with Gretsch, as they always deliver world-class instruments with every model they create.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Mandolin
First of all, you need to think about your level of experience with the mandolin in order to choose the correct one for you, as the most professional ones might be a little difficult to play and get used to.
The wood, finish, and sound qualities are some of the most important factors too.
Level of Experience
Each mandolin model is better suited for a certain level of experience, as every mandolin has its own unique features which make it more or less comfortable.
Best Beginner Mandolins for the Money
The best beginner mandolin for your money is a relatively simple instrument that’s easy to play and doesn’t require much setup. Look for a sturdy instrument, as it’ll receive some damage while you’re learning to play it.
Best Intermediate Mandolins for the Money
The best intermediate mandolin is a mid-range priced instrument with some extra features that low-budget mandolins cannot deliver. At this level, you’ll get an almost professional mandolin with solid construction and great sonic qualities.
Best Pro Mandolins for the Money
The most professional mandolins might require some setup to start to play, but after that, you’ll get the best instruments possible with the best materials on the market and a unique and professional sound.
Size
Almost every mandolin has a similar size but some models, mainly the F-style, might have bigger dimensions. The bowlback and doubleback are some of the biggest types of mandolin. These two types might require specialized hard cases to fit those dimensions.
Wood
Each wood type brings a different set of features to the table. Maple gives a warm and natural tone, while spruce has a brighter and crisper sound. Although those are the two most popular types of wood used in the mandolin, you can find many models that use mahogany or rosewood in their construction.
Finish
There are two main types of varnishes used in the finish of the mandolin. Oil varnish gives low protection but maintains the natural tone of the instrument. Spirit varnish, on the other hand, gives better protection but sacrifices some sound qualities.
Color
You can find as many different color configurations as for the guitar, such as black, green, red, or white. There are thousands of different color palettes for the mandolin. Although this instrument has a great selection of colors, the most common type is sunburst with numerous variations such as high gloss, antique, dark brown, and classic.
The Overall Tone & Sound
Each mandolin model has its own sound and tone qualities. The F-style, for example, has a bright and crisp sound, and the A-style, on the other hand, has a warmer tone. To know which type of sound you really want, you might want to listen to and try as many different models as you can.
Price
Price might be an important factor, as most people don’t have too much money to spend on things they may not use. The mandolin is an expensive instrument, so you should take your time and choose wisely which model you really need.
Best Budget Mandolins for the Money
Budget-friendly mandolins normally come in a starter bundle with a gig bag and some extra accessories. In this price range, we’re looking at instruments that cost around $100 and up to $200 to $300.
Best Midrange Mandolins for the Money
Mid-range mandolins have a better sound quality than budget-friendly ones, and they have a better construction overall. These instruments are perfect for intermediate players and might cost around $300 and higher.
Best Top-End Mandolins for the Money
The most professional mandolins might take time to set up and be playable, but soon after that, they’ll become an indispensable tool for any well-respected musician. Top-end mandolins are sold for $1000 and higher, reaching several thousands of dollars with some models.
Extras
You might want to be an extra set of mandolin strings, as the default ones that come in the package are normally of the lowest quality. The other must is a hard case, as you might want to protect your expensive mandolin from humidity and unnecessary hits to its fragile body.
New vs Used
With a new mandolin, you’ll get a complete package that includes a new instrument and some extras like a warranty and several accessories.
But if you’re looking for something less expensive, you can try used instruments, although it might be a gamble, as some of them might have defects and hits made by the previous owner. But the gamble might pay off if you find a good instrument in perfect condition.
Mandolin Parts & Accessories
Most mandolins require some maintenance, and from time to time you might need to replace some parts of your instrument when they break.
Bridge
The bridge is one of the most essential parts of the mandolin, as the position of the bridge can make it easy or nearly impossible to play and enjoy this instrument. From time to time it might break, or you just might want to buy a better one. There’s a big stock of bridges in every music store for those emergencies.
Pickguard
The pickguard is used to protect the paint job and finish of your mandolin from your pick hits. This part is quite important too, as it will help maintain the beautiful aesthetics of your mandolin.
Tuning Machine
The tuning machine, which is located on the headstock of your instrument, is an essential part of the mandolin. It helps to maintain the tuning during your performances. Sometimes you might need to buy a new one, as some models come with low-quality tuning machines.
What’s in a Mandolin Box?
Most of beginner and intermediate bundles come with some useful extras like a tuner, set of strings, and the mandolin strap.
Tuner
The tuner is the best friend of every mandolin player, as it helps to get the tuning right every time you need to play. Most packages and bundles come with a simple, low-tier tuner, but some might come with high-end tuners from brands like Snark and Fender.
See more: Best Mandolin Tuners Buyer’s Guide
Set of Strings
Most mandolin models come with an extra set of strings. These sets are normally a basic set in the mid and low range of quality.
Set of Picks
Many mandolins come with an extra set of basic picks for you to use. Some brands might include special picks with their logo on them. An extra set of picks is always useful, as you lose some almost every day.
Mandolin Strap
The mandolin strap is a useful accessory when you need to perform while standing. This accessory gives you a comfortable experience with full security that your precious mandolin won’t fall during the performance.
How Much Do the Best Mandolins for the Money Cost?
There’s a great range of prices when it comes to the mandolin. As I mentioned before, the budget-friendly ones go from $100 and higher, mid-range ones can rise up to $500, and the most professional ones are sold around $1000 and higher.
Don’t worry if those prices are too high for you, as you can always find a perfect instrument for you and your wallet. Nowadays there are thousands of different models for you to try and enjoy.
What Are the Best Mandolins?
Here I’ll revisit some of the best models I presented on this list. From Kentucky Km-150 to Rogue RM-100 A-Style, these are the best mandolin models for your money.
Rogue RM-100 A-Style: Best for Beginners
The Rogue RM-100 A-Style is the best beginner mandolin that money can buy. This model is made with incredible care and attention to detail, and the sound and design might impress even the most demanding musicians.
Kentucky KM-150: Best for Intermediate
The Kentucky KM-150 is the first mandolin model made by the Kentucky Company. This instrument rapidly became a legend among all mid-range mandolins, as Kentucky KM-150 is one of the best sounding instruments on this list.
Kentucky KM-500: Best for Professionals
The Kentucky KM-500 is a professional workhorse that will impress anyone who dares to buy this beast. This mandolin is made with high-grade materials, and its unique tone will make you appreciate this beautiful instrument even more.
Where Are the Best Mandolins for the Money Made?
The best mandolins are made in the countries that have the oldest tradition of making string instruments. This includes European countries and the USA. You’ll find that most world-class companies are based in these two areas.
What Is the Best Sounding Mandolin for the Money?
I personally recommend the unique sound of the Kentucky KM-500, as its beautiful harmonics and tones will impress any listener. But remember that sound and tone is a subjective matter, and you might find that other mandolins on this list have a better sound.
Where to Buy the Best Mandolins for the Money
Nowadays you can find numerous options for buying instruments. This includes online retailers such as Amazon and your local music store. Each one has its own cons and pros, and here we’ll explore some of them.
Amazon
Each year, Amazon gains more and more popularity, as their fast delivery and great prices are hard to compete with. On Amazon, you can find thousands of unique instruments for a good price, all of them with detailed descriptions and useful customer reviews.
Online Music Retailers
If you want to buy an instrument in a specialized store, you can always try online music retailers, and they will help you decide which instrument is the best match for you.
Here in Into Strings, we recommend GuitarCenter.com, Fidlershop.com, and Sweetwater.com, as they have the best selection of high-grade instruments.
Your Local Music Store
In your local music store, you’ll be able to try and play your future instrument. This, in addition to the salesperson’s advice, will certainly help you decide on the best option for you.
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In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed our journey through the best mandolins for the money. In this article, we explored some of the best models I could find on the market, all of them with a unique sound and visual features.
In this modern day and age, we have too many options, as each year there is a new brand or mandolin model. Hopefully, with this article, I was able to help you decide which one is the best match for your music.
Feel free to share and comment on this article, and I’ll answer any questions or doubts you may have.
Stay safe, and as always, good luck with your sonic adventures!
