The Best Mandolins 2025

1. Kentucky KM-300E 4-String Electric Mandolin Traditional Sunburst

The Kentucky KM-300E 4-String Electric Mandolin offers a modern twist on a traditional instrument. Designed for guitar and mandolin players alike, this electric mandolin expands your tonal possibilities with its dynamic single-coil Lipstick pickup. Whether you're playing blues, jazz, country, or rock, the KM-300E delivers a unique sound that cuts through the mix with clarity and precision. Solid Basswood Body and Vintage-Style Pickup The KM-300E features a solid basswood body with an arched back for added comfort while playing. Its one-piece maple set neck enhances tone and sustain, while the classic Lipstick pickup provides a vintage single-coil sound. The traditional sunburst finish adds beauty and durability to this electric mandolin, making it perfect for stage performances. Built for Performance and Reliability Equipped with die-cast tuning machines for easy, accurate tuning, the KM-300E ensures you stay in tune no matter how hard you play. Paired with a ProTour BV-2520 Mandolin Gig Bag, this instrument is designed to offer reliable performance and exceptional playability for any musician.

The Kentucky KM-300E 4-String Electric Mandolin offers a modern twist on a traditional instrument Designed for guitar and mandolin players alike, this electric mandolin expands your tonal possibilities with its dynamic single-coil Lipstick pickup Whether you're playing blues, jazz, country, or rock, the KM-300E delivers a unique sound that cuts through the mix with clarity and precision Solid Basswood Body and Vintage-Style Pickup The KM-300E features a solid basswood body with an arched back for added comfort while playing Its one-piece maple set neck enhances tone and sustain, while the classic Lipstick pickup provides a vintage single-coil sound The traditional sunburst finish adds beauty and durability to this electric mandolin, making it perfect for stage performances Built for Performance and Reliability Equipped with die-cast tuning machines for easy, accurate tuning, the KM-300E ensures you stay in tune no matter how hard you play Paired with a ProTour BV-2520 Mandolin Gig Bag, this instrument is designed to offer reliable performance and exceptional playability for any musician

2. Personnel: Clarence Bucaro (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica); Tom Beardslee (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Eliza Gilkyson (vocals); Steve Fox (mandolin, upright bass, washtub bass, background vocals); Peter Harris (violin); Brian Newman (trumpet); Geoff Sullivan (drums, percussion); Anders Osborne (background vocals). Recorded at John Schab Recording Studios, Columbus, Ohio; Dam Recording, Chicago, Illinois; Universal's Groundstar Lavatory, Nashville, Tennessee.

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Personnel: Clarence Bucaro (vocals, guitar, banjo, harmonica); Tom Beardslee (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Eliza Gilkyson (vocals); Steve Fox (mandolin, upright bass, washtub bass, background vocals); Peter Harris (violin); Brian Newman (trumpet); Geoff Sullivan (drums, percussion); Anders Osborne (background vocals). Recorded at John Schab Recording Studios, Columbus, Ohio; Dam Recording, Chicago, Illinois; Universal's Groundstar Lavatory, Nashville, Tennessee.

3. Kentucky Standard A-Model Mandolin

Saga Kentucky Standard A-Model Mandolin - Spruce, Maple Body - Maple Neck - Rosewood Fingerboard

Traditional Kentucky A-model mandolins offer players that big sweet tone and easy playability, all priced within the reach of any budget-conscious musician. Saga has now raised the bar even further by upgrading the features of the KM-140 to include a solid top - making this already runaway best-seller even better!

4. Kentucky KM-855 Artist F-Style Mandolin Amber Burst

The Kentucky KM-855 Artist F-style mandolin is designed for the professional musician who demands both exceptional tone and playability. Handcrafted from hand-selected German spruce and flamed alpine maple, this mandolin delivers the rich, bright tone needed to cut through any mix. With its high-gloss amberburst finish and elegant design, the KM-855 is as beautiful as it is powerful. With Handcarved Tonewoods for Rich Sound The KM-855 features a solid-carved German spruce top for crisp articulation and solid flamed alpine maple back and sides for extra punch. The slim alpine maple neck ensures smooth action, while the premium radiused ebony fingerboard offers durability and striking looks. Whether you're playing bluegrass, folk or jazz, this mandolin provides the tone and performance you need. Built for Stage and Studio Paired with a padded ProTour BV-2520 mandolin gig bag, the KM-855 is designed to withstand the demands of any performance. Whether you're performing live or recording in the studio, this mandolin will inspire your best playing.

The Kentucky KM-855 Artist F-style mandolin is designed for the professional musician who demands both exceptional tone and playability Handcrafted from hand-selected German spruce and flamed alpine maple, this mandolin delivers the rich, bright tone needed to cut through any mix With its high-gloss amberburst finish and elegant design, the KM-855 is as beautiful as it is powerful With Handcarved Tonewoods for Rich Sound The KM-855 features a solid-carved German spruce top for crisp articulation and solid flamed alpine maple back and sides for extra punch The slim alpine maple neck ensures smooth action, while the premium radiused ebony fingerboard offers durability and striking looks Whether you're playing bluegrass, folk or jazz, this mandolin provides the tone and performance you need Built for Stage and Studio Paired with a padded ProTour BV-2520 mandolin gig bag, the KM-855 is designed to withstand the demands of any performance Whether you're performing live or recording in the studio, this mandolin will inspire your best playing

5. Kentucky KM-900 Master A-Style Mandolin Vintage Sunburst

The Kentucky KM-900 Master A-Style Mandolin is inspired by the only A-model mandolin ever created by Lloyd Loar during the classic era of American mandolins. This legendary instrument combines premium tonewoods with meticulous craftsmanship to deliver unmatched clarity, projection, and playability. With its high-gloss sunburst finish and traditional appointments, the KM-900 is a true tribute to vintage mandolin design. With Handcarved Tonewoods for Superior Sound The KM-900 features a solid carved spruce top for superior note clarity and solid, highly flamed maple back and sides for extra punch. Its slim maple neck provides comfortable action, while the premium ebony fingerboard ensures durability and striking good looks. Whether you're playing on stage or in the studio, the KM-900 delivers professional-level tone and performance. Built for Musicians Who Demand More Paired with a padded ProTour BV-2520 Mandolin Gig Bag, the KM-900 is built to meet the needs of serious players who demand both vintage tone and modern reliability.

The Kentucky KM-900 Master A-Style Mandolin is inspired by the only A-model mandolin ever created by Lloyd Loar during the classic era of American mandolins This legendary instrument combines premium tonewoods with meticulous craftsmanship to deliver unmatched clarity, projection, and playability With its high-gloss sunburst finish and traditional appointments, the KM-900 is a true tribute to vintage mandolin design With Handcarved Tonewoods for Superior Sound The KM-900 features a solid carved spruce top for superior note clarity and solid, highly flamed maple back and sides for extra punch Its slim maple neck provides comfortable action, while the premium ebony fingerboard ensures durability and striking good looks Whether you're playing on stage or in the studio, the KM-900 delivers professional-level tone and performance Built for Musicians Who Demand More Paired with a padded ProTour BV-2520 Mandolin Gig Bag, the KM-900 is built to meet the needs of serious players who demand both vintage tone and modern reliability

6. Kentucky KM-500 Artist A-Style Mandolin Vintage Sunburst

The current product design team at Kentucky has over 150 years combined experience in developing and refining Kentucky Mandolins. Every new model goes through an extensive process of R&D to determine which wood, construction and dimensional elements will best serve its intended use and every Kentucky Mandolin is designed to have a playability and feel that is equal to its looks and tone. With a carved spruce top, maple back and sides and a rich nitrocellulose lacquer finish, these instruments produce the rich woody tone that is sure to please the most discerning eyes and ears. It's for these reasons that the new Kentucky KM-500 compares in terms of tone and playability to any A-model mandolin available today!

The Kentucky KM-500 Artist A-Style Mandolin offers exceptional tone and playability, with a design informed by over 40 years of Kentucky mandolin craftsmanship Built using solid German spruce and Alpine maple, this handcarved mandolin delivers a rich woody tone that will satisfy even the most discerning musicians The high-gloss sunburst finish adds to the instrument's vintage appeal, making it a beautiful choice for performers of all levels Premium Tonewoods and Refined Craftsmanship The KM-500 features a solid carved German spruce top for clean articulation and a crisp, bright tone The solid carved Alpine maple back and sides add punch, while the slim Alpine maple neck ensures smooth playability The radiused ebony fingerboard offers durability and a striking appearance, making this mandolin a versatile instrument for a variety of musical styles Ready for Performance Complete with a padded ProTour BV-2520 Mandolin Gig Bag, the KM-500 is built for both reliability and beauty Whether you're a professional musician or a dedicated hobbyist, this mandolin offers exceptional value and performance at an affordable price

7. Kentucky KM-650 Standard F-Style Mandolin Vintage Sunburst

The Kentucky KM-650 Standard F-style mandolin offers professional features at an affordable price. Redesigned with premium tonewoods and meticulous attention to detail, this mandolin is perfect for musicians looking for world-class tone and effortless playability. Available in a tobacco sunburst finishes, the KM-650 combines a vintage aesthetic with modern craftsmanship. With Premium Tonewoods for Superior Sound The KM-650 features a solid German spruce carved top for clean articulation and a solid Alpine maple back and sides for added punch. The slim one-piece alpine maple neck provides comfortable playability, while the Santos rosewood radius fingerboard offers silky smooth action. The high-gloss sunburst finish adds traditional beauty and luster to this professional-grade instrument. Built for Players Who Demand More Complete with a padded ProTour BV-2520 mandolin gig bag, the KM-650 is built for musicians who demand both style and performance. Whether you're playing live or recording in the studio, this mandolin will inspire your best playing.

The Kentucky KM-650 Standard F-style mandolin offers professional features at an affordable price Redesigned with premium tonewoods and meticulous attention to detail, this mandolin is perfect for musicians looking for world-class tone and effortless playability Available in a tobacco sunburst finishes, the KM-650 combines a vintage aesthetic with modern craftsmanship With Premium Tonewoods for Superior Sound The KM-650 features a solid German spruce carved top for clean articulation and a solid Alpine maple back and sides for added punch The slim one-piece alpine maple neck provides comfortable playability, while the Santos rosewood radius fingerboard offers silky smooth action The high-gloss sunburst finish adds traditional beauty and luster to this professional-grade instrument Built for Players Who Demand More Complete with a padded ProTour BV-2520 mandolin gig bag, the KM-650 is built for musicians who demand both style and performance Whether you're playing live or recording in the studio, this mandolin will inspire your best playing

8. Tone Poems II: The Sounds of the Great Jazz Guitars, Mandolins, Mandolas & Mandocellos

Tone Poems II: The Sounds of the Great Jazz Guitars, Mandolins, Mandolas & Mandocellos

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9. Trinity River Guitars Drifter A-style Ma

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Trinity River Guitars Drifter A-style Ma

10. Trinity River FM4AS Florentine F-Style Acoustic Carved Solid Top Mandolin

The Trinity River FM4AS is a well-built mandolin being offered at a price far below any other f-style mandolin on the market. The FM4AS mandolin looks and plays great and comes with an inlaid headstock and a compensated rosewood bridge. Your friends will think you paid twice the price! Trinity River FM4AS F-Style Mandolin Features: ⢠Traditional Florentine Style ⢠Carved Solid Spruce Top ⢠Head-stock Inlay ⢠Pick Guard ⢠Open Tuners with Plastic Buttons ⢠Mahogany Back & Sides ⢠F-Holes ⢠Gold Hardware ⢠Compensated Rosewood Bridge ⢠Rosewood Fretboard

Trinity River FM4AS Florentine F-Style Acoustic Carved Solid Top Mandolin