Other hardwoods such as mahogany and koa are also frequently found. The sides and back of the best mandolins are typically made from solid maple, a stronger wood than spruce that violin makers have used for centuries. The main downside is that you may notice a lesser sound quality from these instruments, particularly over time.įor many beginners, however, this may not be the case, and laminate tops can be an excellent option for beginners on a budget. Laminate tops have the advantage of being strong, since each layer has a different grain and therefore different week points. The top layer may be spruce, but the inner layers will then be made from a lesser wood such as mahogany. The most inexpensive mandolins typically have a top made from laminate, in which several layers of wood are pressed together rather than carved into shape.
This means that many intermediate and budget level mandolins use mahogany or cedar instead, which give the instrument a deeper tone and may make it harder to cut through the sound of a full band.
Spruce is in high demand, not only for mandolins but also for the soundboards of guitars, pianos, and other instruments. The best mandolins generally have a soundboard made from solid spruce, a wood that is lightweight but strong. The top, or soundboard, of the instrument is the most important part when it comes to tone. This means that mandolins are generally made from a variety of types of wood.Įach part of the instrument has more and less preferred types of wood, which can help you distinguish between higher and lower-quality instruments.
The differences in the body shape of A-style and F-style mandolins does have a small effect on their tone, but the materials used to make the mandolin are far more crucial to finding a great instrument.ĭifferent parts of the mandolin are put under different types of stress. The F-style mandolin is far and away the choice of the top bluegrass and country artists today. Typically they have two F holes rather than one O hole, and most have a points sticking out on the lower half of the instrument that make it more comfortable to rest the instrument on your lap when playing sitting down. Most current designs are based very closely on the original F-5 model developed by Gibson. The main difference between A-style and F-style mandolins is that F-style mandolins have a much more ornately carved body. Folk, Celtic, and classical musicians often prefer them over F-style mandolins. Generally speaking, they are easier to build than F-style mandolins and are typically less expensive than F-style mandolins of similar quality. To differentiate them from bowl-backed mandolins, they are often called flat-backed mandolins, although they will typically still have a slightly rounded back.Ī-style mandolins may have either one “O” hole in the middle of the soundboard or two “F” holes (these look like the holes in a violin), one on each side. But you may also find differences between them in tone and style that make a big difference.Ī-style mandolins have a tear or pear-shaped body. Many of the differences between A and F-style mandolins are purely cosmetic. Both of the styles were developed by the Gibson Company and its sound engineer Lloyd Loar in the 1920s. Most beginners will therefore find an A or F-style mandolin better suited to their needs. This means that it can be much harder to find a good quality mandolin with a decent tone than it is for the other styles of mandolin. Though they may be inexpensive, many are of a very low quality. With its distinctive round back and its roots in 18th-century Italy, the bowl-backed mandolin has a dark tone that is suitable for traditional folk music, mandolin orchestras, and classical music.Ĭhoosing a bowl-backed mandolin can be challenging for a beginner. The oldest of the three is the bowl-backed mandolin. The best shape for you will depend on the style of music you want to play, the appearance you prefer, and your budget. Modern mandolins typically have one of three body shapes: bowl-backed, A-style, and F-style. In either case you can narrow your decision down by considering a few major subjects. Maybe you’re looking for the best inexpensive mandolin you can find, or maybe you’re looking for a top-quality, handmade instrument. Choosing The Best Beginner Mandolin In 2021īefore you ask yourself “What mandolin should I buy?” you’ll first need to make some general choices about the style and quality that fits your goals and your budget.
This comprehensive guide gives an overview of how to buy a mandolin, a rundown of some of the best mandolin brands for beginners, and specific mandolin reviews to help you pick the perfect instrument for your needs.