Mandolins

Collings makes both F-style and A-style mandolins. Their top of the line F-model mandolin is the MF5. It comes with either f-holes or an oval soundhole (MF O). The MF is their satin finish F-model with simplified appointments. The Collings top of the line A-model mandolin is their MT2. It comes with either f-holes or an oval soundhole as well (MT O). The MT is their entry-level satin finish A-model with simplified appointments.

Gibson builds many models of mandolins, including the Gibson Ricky Scaggs mandolin model, the Gibson Sam Bush model, the Gibson Jam Master A- & F-Style mandolins, the F-5 and F-9, and many others. Gibson also offers their Epiphone line of mandolins, including the Epiphone Electric Mandobird IV and the Electric Mandobird VIII.

Fender mandolins come in three models. The Fender FM-52E is an acoustic electric mandolin. The Fender FM-53S features a solid spruce top, nato neck/back/sides, a rosewood fingerboard and gold-plated hardware. The Fender FM-63S mandolin is their top of the line model with a solid spruce top, solid maple back, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, f-holes, Sunburst finish and gold-plated hardware. Fender also offers a mandolin pack for beginners.

Weber offers over 20 different models of mandolins in three different styles: the F style, the A style and the Flat style. The F-style Weber mandolins come in a variety of models, including the Fern, Yellowstone, Bitterroot and Gallatin. A-style Weber mandolin models include the Bighorn, Fern, Bridger, Yellowstone, Bitterroot, Gallatin and Hyalite. Flat style mandolin models include the Aspen and the Sweet Pea. Octave mandolins are also available.

Kim Breedlove developed his mandolin line over a decade ago. Breedlove mandolins offer ease of playability with radiused fingerboards and generous string spacing. Their Master Class Mandolins are individually voiced by master luthiers and represent the top of the Breedlove line. The Premier Mandolins represent the original Breedlove designs. The American Series Quartz Mandolins are handmade and offer exceptional value.

Washburn offers five F-style mandolin models and three A-style mandolin models. The M 6SW f-model features a Florentine cutaway, a carved AAA spruce top, and a AAA Flamed maple back. The Washburn M 118SW f-model mandolin offers a "distressed" stained/matte finish, a spruce top, and Flamed maple back and sides. The M 3SW f-model has a sunburst finish, spruce top and maple back/sides. The M 116SW A-style mandolin from Washburn features a "distressed" stained/matte finish, a spruce top, and Flamed maple back/sides. The M 1S A-style body design offers a spruce top with maple sides/back in a sunburst finish.

Allan Beardsell offers his 6A mandolin combining elements of traditional archtop models with contemporary design elements. Allan has been building mandolins for the past 15 years. The 6A is available with oval hole and side ports or edge ported J-holes.

Kay offers three styles of mandolin. The Kay "All Maple" mandolin features a maple top, back, sides and neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and F-style sound holes. The Kay "Bound Oval Soundhole" mandolin is made of the same woods but offers an oval sound hole instead of the F-holes on the "All Maple" model. The Kay "F Style" mandolin is their top of the line model, featuring a solid spruce top with a maple body. Other features include gold machines, F-holes, and a bound neck and body.

Bob Altman offers his F-5 mandolin, handcrafted from the finest tonewoods. Standard features include a Red spruce soundboard, Curly maple back, sides and neck, and a Tobacco brown sunburst varnish finish. Options, such as an Englemann spruce soundboard, are available. All instruments are guaranteed for life to the original owner.

Epiphone, owned by Gibson, offers a half dozen mandolin models. The most popular mandolin in the Epiphone lineup is the MM-30S. This is an affordable A-style instrument with a solid spruce top and mahogany back/sides. The Epiphone MM-50 mandolin is modeled after the great Lloyd Loar F-5 from 1922. It features a spruce top, figured maple back/sides, and some nice appointments. Epiphone offers two electric mandolin models as well; the Electric Mandobird IV and the Electric Mandobird VIII. Rounding out the rest of the Epiphone mandolin line is the MM-20 and MM-30SE models.

The Eastman 500, 600, 800, and 900 Series of mandolins all feature spirit-varnish finish or a rich lacquer finish. Nearly every series offers both F-style and A-style models, with oval sound holes or F-holes.The Eastman 500 Series mandolin has a maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and nickel plated fittings. The 600 Series is handcrafted with a solid Famed maple back and sides with an aged spruce top. The Eastman 800 Series mandolin is similar to the 600 Series but has gold or nickel plated hardware, highly Flamed maple back and sides, and 3 ply binding on the headstock, body, and sides. The Eastman 900 Series mandolin features highly Flamed maple, gold plated hardware, multi-ply maple wood binding on the headstock and body, and is available in a blonde finish. The Eastman Dawg Series are highly carved and beautifully appointed instruments based on David Grisman's personal collection.

Ibanez offers a half dozen mandolin models to choose from. All mandolins in the Ibanez line feature maple necks and rosewood fingerboards. Their top of the line model is the Ibanez M522SBS F-style mandolin, featuring F-holes, Flamed maple back/sides, a spruce top, gold hardware and a brown sunburst high gloss finish. The Ibanez M510E mandolin features a magnetic pickup and tone controls, making it an acoustic electric mandolin. The latest additions to the Ibanez mandolin lineup are the M510-DVS and the M510E-DVS, both featuring a dark violin finish.

Morgan Monroe offers a dozen mandolin models to choose from. The MAM-200 is an all mahogany A-style instrument with a very warm sound. The Morgan Monroe MFM-300 is an F-style mandolin with an all mahogany body. The MDM-1 Distressed is an F-style mandolin with a "distressed" finish over a spruce top and Flamed maple back/sides/neck. The Morgan Monroe MM-100-SB mandolin features a sunburst finish over a F-style body with a spruce top and maple back/sides. The MMA-150c is an A-style instrument with a spruce top, maple body, and a dark violin finish. The Morgan Monroe MMS Series of mandolins are F-style instruments and represent their top of the line. The MVA-1 model features an oval sound hole.

Michael A. Lewis offers a variety of mandolin models. The Ritz Series mandolins have the body shape of an arch top guitar, but smaller. The F model is closely based on the Gibson 5 models that were made from 1922-1924. The DS model mandolin is a symmetrical 2 point body design that is made with a slim snake head headstock. The DC model is an asymmetrical 2 point body design. The custom octave mandolin is trimmed with high contrast ivoroid bindings. Top woods are available in redwood, Sitka spruce, Engelmann spruce, and Red spruce. Woods available for the backs, sides and necks are maple, walnut, rosewood, mahogany and bay laurel.

Fletcher Brock Stringed Instruments builds F5 and A-style mandolins. For these instruments, Engelmann spruce is typically used for the top wood with Red or Sitka spruce tone bars. The backs and sides are typically Curly Eastern Red maple but Western Big Leaf and Eastern Sugar maple are options. Mandolin necks are Eastern Sugar maple with radiused ebony fingerboards. Color schemes range from blond to sunburst with a French Polished spirit varnish finish. Fletcher Brock also builds octave mandolin models.

Stefan Sobell Instruments offers large and small bodied mandolins. These instruments feature European spruce soundboards, maple back and sides, ebony fingerboards, Brazilian mahogany necks, and Indian rosewood bindings. Rosewood back and sides are available by special order. Stefan can build you a four course octave mandolin with carved and x-braced arch-tops and curved backs as well.

David Dart makes mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, and octave mandolins. He offers three basic styles of mandolin: F-4, A-5 and F-5. The F-4 has an oval soundhole with Flamed maple back and sides, a spruce top, an ebony fretboard, a peghead overlay and a sunburst finish. The a A-5 has a triple layer binding on the body, fingerboard and peghead. The F-5 has a spruce top, maple back and sides, and diamond pattern fret markers. David's octave mandolin can be made in any style body, such as A-style or F-5.

Sawchyn offers nearly a dozen mandolin and mandola models, including the S-5 Sawchyn scroll model mandolin, featuring traditional design with bound ebony pickguard and cast tailpiece. The O-2 Scroll model has an oval sound hole and is a very elegant, sweet sounding instrument. The AN-84 "Beaver Tail" is a great entry level flat top mandolin with solid wood construction, an "X" braced top, a round sound hole, and a beautiful satin lacquer finish. The AO-2 is an octave mandolin.

Two-man Utah-based manufacturer of flat-top and archtop mandolins. Website has mp3 sound clips of each available mandolin. Image galleries on the site include pictures of back and side wood options in addition to finished A-style and F-style archtop models and flattop octave mandolins.

Jonathan Mann offers acoustic and electric mandolins. His acoustic instruments come in three mandolin models; the A-7, the F-7, and the Two Point. They all incorporate his “neck-thru” patented construction technique. Standard features include hand graduated tops and backs, banjo size frets and ebony fretboards. Top woods include Sitka, Engelmann or Red spruce, and Curly or straight grained redwood. Back and side woods include Curly maple and Quilted mahogany. Jonathan's electric mandolins come with 4, 5, or 8 strings. They all have hollow bodies and are made with only the finest woods. Standard features include an ebony fretboard and bridge, gold hardware and abalone line style position markers. The top wood is Flamed maple and the neck woods are either Curly maple, walnut or maple. He also offers special features to his electric mandolin models such as a wrap around tailpiece.

Offering six mandolin models, including 5-string and 8-string "Les Paul" style electric mandolins. Other models include the Alrite, a reproduction on the early "Gibson Alrite" mandolin with scalloped X bracing, and a reproduction of the "Loar Era" K-5 Mandocello with a spruce top and paralell bracing. Website offers players' feedback on all lines of instruments.

Only one model is available, the Veillette Journeyman Mandolin. This electric mandolin allows players to experience the same responsive acoustic sound, rugged dependability, and total feedback resistance that guitarists enjoy. This electric mandolin comes with a classic scale length, a floating bridge, small fretwire, and classic position markers so that any mandolinist will feel comfortable playing it.

Ozark offers over a dozen mandolin models. Styles include A, F, and Portuguese, with oval soundholes or f-holes. The model 2252 is an acoustic electric cutaway mandolin with a molded black back. Ozark uses solid maple, natural spruce, and mahogany for the body woods with mostly rosewood being used for fretboards.

Johann D. Brentrup handcrafts mandolins using Italian, German, West Virginia Red and Engelmann spruces, and maples varying from well-flamed to finest old tonewood. He offers a variety of models, including the Model 21, Brentrup's rendition of the "A" style mandolin. The standard models are bound using tortoise shell celluloid. For that traditional style, Ivoroid binding is available. The website includes sound samples with demos of five mandolin models.

All Proulx mandolin models feature high grade, solid woods throughout, stainless steel frets for unmatched wear and smooth playing, a slightly shorter than standard scale length of 13-3/4" (unless the +2 option is chosen), custom handmade bridges, elevated pickguard/finger rest, and a 2 piece tailpiece with custom, matching wood cover. Mandolins are available with Flamed maple and spruce, but there are endless other wood combinations to be had as well.