Mandolin
Mandolin Quick Look
What type of Mandolin would you like to play?
Latest Mandolin Posts
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An expert musician and a mandolin player shares his personal experience in this Big Muddy M-11 Mandolin Review.
The Loar LM-520-VS Mandolin Review (Hands-On & In-Depth)
An expert musician and a mandolin player shares his personal experience in this The Loar LM-520-VS Review.
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Types of Mandolins
Best Mandolins Overall
In this ultimate buyer’s guide you’ll find the best s to purchase this year. We have done the research so you don’t have to!
From budget options to professional instruments, we list all of the best on the market for all different budgets and playing styles.
Don’t miss this full guide to the best overall. For the best instruments of individual types, scroll down.
Bowlback
Also called the roundback mandolin, bowlbacks are the most popular kind of mandolin. This mandolin gets its name from the shape of its body.
The bowl form of the main body is created by gluing several pieces of curved wood strips together.
You can find many variations of the bowlback mandolin including Lombardic, Genoese, Neapolitan and Milanese.
Archtop
The archtop mandolin is another instrument named for its shape, but this time it’s the shape of the top of the instrument that lends it its name.
This instrument was made popular by the Gibson Company who first manufactured the unique design when inspired by the curved back and top of the violin.
You’ll find two variations of the Archtop Mandolin, the F-Style and the Florentine.
Flatback
Tenor banjos were first developed in the early 20th century when jazz music started adding them into songs in place of the electric guitar.
These are 4 string banjos, but the overall length of the instrument is quite a bit shorter than 5 string banjos.
Double Top Mandolin
These are the most intricately designed and expensive mandolins you can buy. Normally you won’t order these online and you’ll be going direct with a custom builder.
The wood structure offers a much less metallic sound that started becoming popular in the 21st century. These have a beautiful, full sound… one that you’d expect from such an expensive instrument.
Electric
As the name suggests, the electric mandolin is simply a mandolin that has a pickup inside that can be hooked up to a speaker source to amplify the sound.
These mandolins are typically made by popular mandolin brands like Musoo and Valee.
Mandolin Banjo
The Mandolin Banjo is a hybrid instrument that is becoming increasingly popular in modern music. It’s nice and small, making it very travel-friendly.
Like so many modern mandolins, these were made popular in the early 20th century. They have 4 nylon strings and an open back and are tuned in the same pattern as a standard ukulele.
A-Style Mandolin
A-style is probably the most popular shape for this instrument. Its smooth and clean sound, as well as the great affordability.
this mandolin an easy choice for any musician.
F-Style Mandolin
The F-style has the most sophisticated design compared to other mandolin types.
F-style mandolins are one of the two main types of archtop mandolins.
Best Mandolins By Price
Mandolin Brands
Mandolin Reviews
Mandolin Strings
Best Strings For Strumming
A guide to the best mandolin strings for strumming on the market today!
Best Strings For Bluegrass
A guide to the best mandolin strings for bluegrass on the market today!
Other Mandolin Gear
There is more gear for your mandolin than just the instrument and strings. Below we’ve included buyer’s guides to all of the important equipment and accessories that you might want to purchase to complete your set-up.
Mandolin Lessons
Beginner Lesson 1
Step-By-Step Tutorial
Beginner Lesson 2
Step-By-Step Tutorial
Beginner Lesson 3
Step-By-Step Tutorial
Beginner Lesson 4
Step-By-Step Tutorial