Best Mandolins for Traditional Music 2025

Perfect mandolins for traditional-music - 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

Richwood RMF-100-VS Mandoline - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Richwood RMF-100-VS Mandoline

by Richwood

Celtic Traditional Music Folk

Key Feature:

• Versatile across many genres

✓ PROS

• Essential bluegrass instrument
• Versatile across many genres

✗ CONS

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

Richwood RMF-100-VS MandolineMandolinSolid F-style modelTop: solid spruceBack and sides: solid flamed mapleBody...

⭐ 4.6/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 561876

$527

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

⭐ 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

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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

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

⭐ 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

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

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Gibson Custom F-5G Dark Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Gibson Custom F-5G Dark Burst

by Gibson

Traditional Music Celtic Folk

Key Feature:

• Essential bluegrass instrument

✓ PROS

• Bright, cutting high-end tone
• Essential bluegrass instrument

✗ CONS

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

Gibson Custom F-5G Dark BurstF-Style MandolineTop: Sitka spruceTop binding: Ivoroid/Black/Ivoroid"Tone Bars"...

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 567183

$7,259

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fender PM-180E Mandoline ACB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Fender PM-180E Mandoline ACB

by Fender

Bluegrass Country Traditional Music

Key Feature:

• Great for melody and rhythm

✓ PROS

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

✗ CONS

• Limited low-end frequency range
• Small size may be challenging

Fender PM-180E Mandoline ACBMandolin with PickupStyle: A-StyleTop: Laminated spruceBack and sides: Laminated...

⭐ 4.8/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 537616

$402

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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

Ibanez M522S-DVS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 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

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

#10

⭐ 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 M522S-BS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 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

Harley Benton HBMA-100 VS w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton HBMA-100 VS w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Classical Folk Traditional Music

Key Feature:

• Compact, portable size

✓ PROS

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

✗ CONS

• Limited low-end frequency range
• Needs frequent tuning

Harley Benton HBMA-100 VS w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HBMA-100 VS*Mandolin*Bluegrass SeriesBody...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 539232

$176

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ortega RMAE40SBK-L - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 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

Epiphone Mandobird Vintage Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Epiphone Mandobird Vintage Sunburst

by Epiphone

Folk Classical Traditional Music

Key Feature:

• Great for melody and rhythm

✓ PROS

• Compact, portable size
• Essential bluegrass instrument

✗ CONS

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

Epiphone Mandobird Vintage Sunburst4-String Electric MandolinInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionBody:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 588323

$366

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez M510E-DVS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.9/5 (46 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Ibanez M510E-DVS

by Ibanez

Bluegrass Traditional Music Classical

Key Feature:

• Versatile across many genres

✓ PROS

• Bright, cutting high-end tone
• Essential bluegrass instrument

✗ CONS

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

Ibanez AS510-BSMandolin with pickupType: A-StyleTop: SpruceBack and sides: SapeleFingerboard and bridge: Pau FerroNut...

⭐ 4.9/5 (46 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 557610

$235

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 Traditional Music 2025

Richwood RMF-100-VS Mandoline

Gold Tone GME-5 E-Mandoline

Richwood RMF-80-Nt Mandoline

Epiphone F-5 Studio WR Satin

Ibanez M700S-AVS

Gibson Custom F-5G Dark Burst

Fender PM-180E Mandoline ACB

Epiphone F-5G Mandolin Cremona Burst

Ibanez M522S-DVS

Richwood RMA-110-VS A-Style

Ibanez M522S-BS

Harley Benton HBMA-100 VS w/Bag

Ortega RMAE40SBK-L

Epiphone Mandobird Vintage Sunburst

Ibanez M510E-DVS

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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