Four, five, and eight stringed instruments are all common. In addition to the variation in body styles, mandolins come with different numbers of strings. However, acoustic instruments made electric often do not have has good sound as purely electric mandolins. So, if you purchase an acoustic mandolin and need an electric one later, you can still have both. Understanding the conventions of the mandolin genre you plan on joining will help you choose between electric and acoustic instruments.Īdditionally, acoustic mandolins can be made electric. But, bluegrass and some other folk genres prefer electric instruments. And, if you play in a mandolin orchestra, you will likely need to purchase an acoustic instrument. Most of the mandolins on our top ten list are acoustic. Like guitars, mandolins can be electric or acoustic. F-style mandolins have a more striking tone than A-style’s muted color. Why does shape matter, you ask? Well, the shape of the mandolin determines the timbre (tone color) of the mandolin. But, F-style mandolins are often preferred by bluegrass players. A-style mandolins are usually favored by mandolin orchestras musicians. The sound holes on A-style mandolins are oval. On the other hand, A-style refers to any teardrop-shaped mandolin. Also, the F-style mandolin has a scroll-and-points silhouette. It has f-shaped sound holes-these will look like the sound holes on stringed instruments like the violin. This type of mandolin was developed in Florence, Italy. However, two body styles are the most common: F-style and A-style. Our top ten list represents a large number of mandolin types. Additionally, there are mandolas and mandocellos to choose from. You will find bowl-back, flat-back, flat-top, A-style, and F-style mandolins. The long history of this instrument has meant that comes in a wealth of styles and types. Most importantly, your preferred body style will help you choose between mandolins. So, keep the following features in mind when you are looking for your next mandolin. Therefore, you need to be careful when choosing an instrument.
Also, unlike many other instruments, mandolins vary wildly.
Kentucky mandolin dealers how to#
Now that you know all about our top ten list of the best mandolins, it is time to discuss how to choose between them. This is a uniquely designed and versatile product that will be wonderful for beginners and advanced players alike.
Therefore, you receive the sound benefits of both A-style and F-style mandolins in one instrument. They have united the oval holes found on traditional A-style bodies with F-holes as well. Kentucky gives you the best of both worlds with their KM-256. And, this production process keeps the cost down and the quality up. All of Kentucky’s products are handmade in China. And, the MN-256 represents their best work. An essential resource for the improving picker.The Kentucky Mandolin Company has made a name for themselves producing high-quality, affordable instruments.
Kentucky mandolin dealers archive#
Mandozine a web site for mandolin, which hosts a music archive of almost 3,000 songs, transposed or transcribed for mandolin.įree Bluegrass Backing Tracks A wide range of free bluegrass backing tracks with OR without solos, all at variable speeds. Jazz Mando great resource website for a wide range of styles for mandolin run by Ted EschilmanĮmando the electric mandolin resource page Mandolin Cafe the internet's biggest mandolin website
We're working on our FAQ, got a good idea? Tell us on the stickied thread! Cheers r/mandolin! If you love picking, strumming, listening, crafting, or just plain love the mandolin, this is the subreddit for you! From A-style to F-style, bowl-back to flat-top, bluegrass to metal, differences do not separate us, the mandolin unites us.