Best Mandolins for Folk 2025

Perfect mandolins for folk - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Bluegrass For Folk For Celtic For Classical For Country For Traditional Music

BRANDS: Harley Benton Ortega Ibanez Richwood Gold Tone Gewa

Epiphone F-5G Mandolin Cremona Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Epiphone F-5G Mandolin Cremona Burst

by Epiphone

Classical Traditional Music Bluegrass

Key Feature:

• Great for melody and rhythm

✓ PROS

• Bright, cutting high-end tone
• Great for melody and rhythm

✗ CONS

• String tension can be high
• Needs frequent tuning

Epiphone F-5G Mandolin Cremona BurstF-Style MandolineInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionTop: sitka...

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 588321

$1,704

Buy at Thomann View Details

Richwood RMF-80-Nt Mandoline - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Richwood RMF-80-Nt Mandoline

by Richwood

Celtic Classical Bluegrass

Key Feature:

• Bright, cutting high-end tone

✓ PROS

• Versatile across many genres
• Essential bluegrass instrument

✗ CONS

• String tension can be high
• Small size may be challenging

Richwood RMF-80-Nt Mandoline8-String F-style MandolinBuilt completely out of solid woodNeck: Indonesian mahoganyTop:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 523936

$494

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gewa VGS Mandoline F-1 Select - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Gewa VGS Mandoline F-1 Select

by Gewa

Celtic Country Folk

Key Feature:

• Great for melody and rhythm

✓ PROS

• Bright, cutting high-end tone
• Versatile across many genres

✗ CONS

• Limited low-end frequency range
• String tension can be high

Gewa Mandoline F-1 SelectMandolinSpruce topF-holesBack and sides: MapleBound fingerboardNut width: 30 mmScale: 350 mm24...

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 558725

$408

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ortega RMFE30-WB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Ortega RMFE30-WB

by Ortega

Traditional Music Folk Classical

Key Feature:

• Great for melody and rhythm

✓ PROS

• Versatile across many genres
• Bright, cutting high-end tone

✗ CONS

• String tension can be high
• Requires specific playing technique

Ortega RMFE30-WBMandolin with PickupType: F-StyleBody depth: 50 mmTop: SpruceBack and sides: MapleNeck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 556968

$365

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez M700S-AVS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Ibanez M700S-AVS

by Ibanez

Traditional Music Celtic Country

Key Feature:

• Bright, cutting high-end tone

✓ PROS

• Essential bluegrass instrument
• Versatile across many genres

✗ CONS

• Requires specific playing technique
• Small size may be challenging

Ibanez M700S-AVSMandolinDesign: A-style with carved topBody: Flamed mapleTop: Carved spruce3-Piece neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 617266

$824

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ortega RMAE40SBK-L - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Ortega RMAE40SBK-L

by Ortega

Country Celtic Traditional Music

Key Feature:

• Great for melody and rhythm

✓ PROS

• Essential bluegrass instrument
• Versatile across many genres

✗ CONS

• Needs frequent tuning
• String tension can be high

Ortega RMAE40SBK-LMandolin with pickupLeft-handed modelConstruction: A-StyleTop: spruceBack & sides: MapleNeck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 513789

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez M522S-BS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Ibanez M522S-BS

by Ibanez

Celtic Folk Country

Key Feature:

• Great for melody and rhythm

✓ PROS

• Versatile across many genres
• Compact, portable size

✗ CONS

• Needs frequent tuning
• String tension can be high

Ibanez M522S-BSMandolinDesign: A-style with carved topBody: MapleTop: Carved spruceNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 617261

$505

Buy at Thomann View Details

Richwood RMA-110-VS A-Style - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Richwood RMA-110-VS A-Style

by Richwood

Folk Country Classical

Key Feature:

• Bright, cutting high-end tone

✓ PROS

• Great for melody and rhythm
• Essential bluegrass instrument

✗ CONS

• Limited low-end frequency range
• Requires specific playing technique

Richwood RMA-110-VS A-Style8-String MandolinSolid A-style MandolinNeck: Flamed mapleTop: Solid spruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 519457

$472

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez M510-DVS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Ibanez M510-DVS

by Ibanez

Celtic Country Bluegrass

Key Feature:

• Bright, cutting high-end tone

✓ PROS

• Essential bluegrass instrument
• Versatile across many genres

✗ CONS

• String tension can be high
• Small size may be challenging

Ibanez M510-DVSMandolinType: A-StyleBody: MahoganyTop: SpruceNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: LaurelScale: 350 mmNut width:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 617254

$263

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gewa VGS Mandoline A-Antique - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Gewa VGS Mandoline A-Antique

by Gewa

Classical Bluegrass Country

Key Feature:

• Versatile across many genres

✓ PROS

• Great for melody and rhythm
• Compact, portable size

✗ CONS

• Needs frequent tuning
• String tension can be high

Gewa VGS Mandoline A-AntiqueMandolinTop: solid spruceF-holesBack and sides: MapleFlamed backWooden rim on top and...

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 558723

$389

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gewa VGS Mandoline F-2 Premium - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Gewa VGS Mandoline F-2 Premium

by Gewa

Folk Bluegrass Traditional Music

Key Feature:

• Essential bluegrass instrument

✓ PROS

• Great for melody and rhythm
• Bright, cutting high-end tone

✗ CONS

• Requires specific playing technique
• Limited low-end frequency range

Gewa VGS Mandolin F-2 PremiumMandolinTop: solid spruceF-holesBack and sides: solid flamed mapleFingerboard and bridge:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 558726

$549

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton BendolinE Vintage Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.4/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton BendolinE Vintage Sunburst

by Harley Benton

Country Bluegrass Celtic

Key Feature:

• Great for melody and rhythm

✓ PROS

• Bright, cutting high-end tone
• Great for melody and rhythm

✗ CONS

• Small size may be challenging
• Needs frequent tuning

Harley Benton BendolinE Vintage Sunburst12-String E-MandolinConstruction: Solidbody T-StyleBody: BasswoodNeck:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (6 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 528752

$215

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez M522S-DVS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Ibanez M522S-DVS

by Ibanez

Celtic Classical Bluegrass

Key Feature:

• Great for melody and rhythm

✓ PROS

• Bright, cutting high-end tone
• Compact, portable size

✗ CONS

• Small size may be challenging
• Requires specific playing technique

Ibanez M522S-DVSMandolinDesign: A-style with carved topBody: MapleTop: Carved spruceNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 617263

$494

Buy at Thomann View Details

Epiphone F-5 Studio WR Satin - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.8/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Epiphone F-5 Studio WR Satin

by Epiphone

Celtic Traditional Music Country

Key Feature:

• Compact, portable size

✓ PROS

• Compact, portable size
• Versatile across many genres

✗ CONS

• Small size may be challenging
• String tension can be high

Epiphone F-5 Studio WR SatinF-Style MandolineInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionTop: SpruceBack and...

⭐ 4.8/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 588392

$703

Buy at Thomann View Details

Gold Tone GME-5 E-Mandoline - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.6/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Gold Tone GME-5 E-Mandoline

by Gold Tone

Country Folk Classical

Key Feature:

• Essential bluegrass instrument

✓ PROS

• Versatile across many genres
• Great for melody and rhythm

✗ CONS

• String tension can be high
• Needs frequent tuning

Gold Tone GME-5 E-MandolineElectric MandolineBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Maple20 FretsScale: 349 mm...

⭐ 4.6/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 512099

$659

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Mandolins

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced mandolins typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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TOP

Best Mandolins for Folk 2025

Epiphone F-5G Mandolin Cremona Burst

Richwood RMF-80-Nt Mandoline

Gewa VGS Mandoline F-1 Select

Ortega RMFE30-WB

Ibanez M700S-AVS

Ortega RMAE40SBK-L

Ibanez M522S-BS

Richwood RMA-110-VS A-Style

Ibanez M510-DVS

Gewa VGS Mandoline A-Antique

Gewa VGS Mandoline F-2 Premium

Harley Benton BendolinE Vintage Sunburst

Ibanez M522S-DVS

Epiphone F-5 Studio WR Satin

Gold Tone GME-5 E-Mandoline

How to Choose the Best Mandolins

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying mandolins?

How much should I spend on mandolins?

Are expensive mandolins worth the investment?

What are the best brands for mandolins?

Should I buy mandolins online or in-store?

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