Ibanez M522S-BS
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
The Ibanez M522S-BS is a surprisingly capable mandolin for the budget-conscious player. Its carved top and mahogany neck deliver a pleasant warmth and comfortable feel, making it great for beginners or players wanting an affordable, decent-sounding instrument for folk or Celtic tunes. Don't expect a bluegrass powerhouse, but it's a solid starting point.
Product Description
- Ibanez M522S-BS
- Mandolin
- Design: A-style with carved top
- Body: Maple
- Top: Carved spruce
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Laurel
- Scale: 350 mm
- Nut width: 30 mm
- Plastic nut
- Frets: 24
- Height adjustable bridge: Laurel
- Golden mandolin machine heads with acrylic buttons
- Strings: .010/.014/.024/.034
- Tuning: 1E
- Colour: Brown Sunburst high-gloss
- Includes Allen key
PROS
- • Carved spruce top offers surprising resonance and projection for the price.
- • Mahogany neck provides a warm, comfortable feel with good sustain.
- • Laurel fingerboard is smooth and fast, a nice upgrade from basic rosewood.
- • Golden machine heads provide stable tuning and a touch of visual flair.
CONS
- • Plastic nut can be a limiting factor; upgrading is a common first step.
- • 30mm nut width might feel narrow for players accustomed to wider mandolin necks.
- • High-gloss finish can be a fingerprint magnet and potentially affect the acoustic tone.
Product Video
Key Features
Body Style
A-Style
Top Wood
Carved Spruce
Back & Sides
Maple
Strings
.010/.014/.024/.034 Bronze
Scale Length
350 mm
Weight
1.3 lbs (estimated)
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Frequently Asked Questions
The carved top generally adds a bit more complexity and a slightly warmer tone compared to a flat top, though the maple back and sides will still contribute a bright character.
The mahogany neck has a fairly standard 'C' shape profile; while 30mm is relatively narrow, it’s generally comfortable, but players with very small hands might prefer a thinner neck.
The strings are standard mandolin gauge and easy to replace; for a beginner, sticking with the included .010-.034 set is a good starting point, but experimenting with lighter gauges can ease finger pressure.
