The Best 7 Electric Mandolins – Top Models + Buyers Guide!

Check Out The Best Electric Mandolins Available On The Market!

A mandolin is among the oldest fretted instruments and is an ideal way of adding an old touch to your music. There are several different choices with electric mandolins including acoustic/electric mandolins, solid-body electric mandolins, and acoustic/electric mandolins made for amplified use.

Apart from these options, there are also numerous brands and models of electric mandolins that make selecting the most effective for yourself pretty complicated.

Because of that reason, we reviewed the best electric mandolin models available on market. Some of the key elements we considered in our detailed product reviews have building materials, style, type, sizes, and weight. All of them decide the mandolin’s overall performance, ease of use, and sturdiness.

The building materials have an effect on the mandolin’s sturdiness, while its type, dimensions, and weight affect its ease of use and portability. As for style, it’s a matter of personal choice but the mandolin’s style has to match your style of music. You’ll be able to choose any of the 3 mandolin styles: A-style, F-style, or bowl-back mandolins.


1. Vangoa A Style Acoustic Electric Mandolin

We guess you haven’t heard of Vangoa before and you are not alone because this company and brand are still new in this business. It started in 2017 and they are focused on making low-budget instruments. This mandolin is considered one of their gems that show you don’t need to decimate your bank balance to get a musical instrument with excellent sounds.

This Vangoa mandolin holds a premium place among the many great acoustic-electric mandolins available on the market with its striking red-stained wood product. The deep hues and shiny finish make it much more engaging.

It has a sturdy mahogany build and its closed gear tuners are chrome plated to hold it in tune and make string adjustments very easy.

You’ll be able to play the Mandolin acoustically or when plugged in. Its stainless steel strings are strong enough to resist frequent use and they produce lovely clear tones with a high response frequency.

It is difficult not to suggest this mandolin to anyone searching for their maiden mandolin. It is incredibly durable, transportable, and classy for its price point, plus it comes with plenty of extras like a digital clip-on tuner, a padded gig bag, and additional strings. Additionally, it is super easy to use. Quite simply, this is hands down one of the best acoustic-electric mandolins under 300$ out there.

Features

  • 8 strings traditional a style mandolin.
  • Glossy red sunburst finish can be suitable for all styles of music.
  • Mahogany Body and solid wood bridge bring a warmer and brighter sound.
  • Chrome plated closed gear tuners and tailpiece.
  • Comes with guitar picks, Vangoa sticker, digital clip-on tuner, extra strings, strap, and padded gig bag, perfect for beginners!
  • Comes with a full one-year warranty that protects against any damage or defects.

Vangoa A Style Acoustic Electric Mandolin

2. Oscar Schmidt OM10E A-Style

When the tune needs to be correct, you need to consider and look for the right instrument. This Oscar Schmidt is the cream of the crop regarding top-performing mandolins on the market. It is a favorite among seasoned mandolin players because of the unmatched comfort it provides in its build.

The A-style acoustic-electric mandolin boasts solid mahogany and ovangkol construction. Its neck, sides, and back are products of mahogany while its fretboard is made from ovangkol.

The mandolin owes its unique and engaging look to its spruce top which has a high-gloss end. Plus, its hardware is chrome plated giving it a classic look and making it immune to corrosion. On top of that, there is a 3-ply pickguard that not only improves the tonal quality of the mandolin but in addition, protects it from scratches.

You will be able to play the Mandolin without any problem because of the dot inlays on the fretboard. The passive pickup system that has tone and volume controls will make your work a lot easier and you will be able to make changes based on your preference.

The best thing about this mandolin is that it provides sweet, warm, and rich sound quality. Its strings are made with strong steel to resist frequent use they usually give off articulate tones with high response frequency.

The mandolin isn’t only efficient musically but additionally, fashionable and sturdy in its build. It also won’t weigh you down because of its incredible 2-pound build.

Features

  • Select Spruce top.
  • Mahogany sides and back.
  • Mahogany neck.
  • Ovangkol Fingerboard and distinctive long horn bullet Bridge design.
  • Passive electronics.

Oscar Schmidt OM10E A-Style

3. Ibanez M510E Electro Acoustic Mandolin

The Ibanez M51 OE is an electro-acoustic mandolin made from Sapele and spruce materials.

This model includes a spruce top, mahogany back, and sides, in addition to a maple neck. The bridge and fingerboard are products of rosewood, hence its slightly darker brown hue. It has a magnetic pickup within the mouth position, formed like an A, but with openings in F in the style of the violin.

It has chrome tuners and volume and tone commands. This mandolin is in our opinion one of the best models as it’s cheap – under $300 the product produces nice sound, has excellent workmanship, and can be used for recording. Relating to the sound, the mandolin sounds full and good, unamplified and amplified, when mandolin chords are played. However, this doesn’t apply to solo play: The a and e strings sound completely different, and the single coil is also not as loud as the g and d.

The mandolin could get out of tune even after the strings have been played. The tuning of the strings may be very delicate. That means it needs a little more time than with the guitar.

However, the price-performance ratio of the mandolin is great. The workmanship isn’t the trump card, but a solid spruce top and back and sides made of mahogany wood, plus a single-coil pickup, are simply a great starting point.

A beginner can also use this mandolin. The sound without amplification is nice, and the mandolin is also loud enough in smaller rooms. There is nothing mistaken with the quality of the instrument. You will have smooth mechanisms, trouble-free rotary knobs, and a secure, and stable bridge.

In case you want to boost the mandolin electrically, you need to know that a magnetic pickup hardly ever reproduces the brilliance of an acoustic instrument as one hears it in nature. As compensation, you can and should edit the sound with effects.

There are so many models on the market, including less expensive ones, however, the Ibanez mandolin is highly recommended. Guitarists do not need to be afraid of the violin tuning and the fifth row, as mandolin fingerings are simple to find on the Internet.

Features

  • Body shape: A-Style drop shape.
  • Top: Spruce.
  • Bottom and sides: Sapele.
  • Fretboard and bridge: Purpleheart.
  • Nut width: 30 mm.
  • Magnetic pickup.
  • Volume and tone controls.
  • Colour: Brown Sunburst.

Ibanez M510E Electro Acoustic Mandolin

4. Gold-Tone GME-4 Mandolin – Premium Pick

This is the cat’s pajamas of all the solid-body electric mandolins on the market. It packs a punch with a myriad of convenient and superior options that make it sound amazing. It is additionally super-easy to use.

The Gold-tone mandolin is made to face the test of time and look the part. Its cream gloss finish offers it a beautiful appeal and since its hardware is chrome plated you can trust it to keep up its shine after several uses. Also featured is a multi-layer pickguard that saves the mandolin’s body from scratches and also it improves its tonal quality.

The mandolin’s strong body consists of a maple and alder construction that can withstand regular abuse. Its neck and fingerboard are made from maple while its top, back, and slides are made from Alder. The slim maple neck includes a fretboard that has standard black dot fret markers that make playing a tad easier for you.

As if that’s sufficient, the Mandolin’s bridge is made from cast metal and it has individual string adjustments for height and compensation in addition to volume and tone controls.

What makes it stand out? The distinctive double-cutaway mandolin has an impressive set of options that make it good for different sounds from hillbilly jazz and Texas swing to rock’s roll. In case you are in the market for something between a guitar and a Mandolin this is a solid option. This instrument is sturdy, portable, and well-made.

Features

  • Dual-Rail Mini Humbucker.
  • Volume and tone control.
  • Maple neck and fingerboard with dot inlay.
  • Sealed Diecast tuners.
  • Magnetic pickup.
  • Padded gig bag included.
  • Stacked humbucking Pickup.
  • Sealed diecast tuners.
  • Stacked humbucking Pickup, volume, and tone control.

Gold-Tone GME-4 Mandolin – Premium Pick

5. Stagg M50 E BLK Acoustic-Electric Bluegrass Mandolin

This mandolin model is another great beginner selection. It is not the instrument with the greatest quality but it can do the job pretty well, especially in case you’re still new to playing Mandolins.

The mandolin has an impressive solid construction of rosewood, maple, and Nato. Its top, back, and sides are made from Nato while its fingerboard is made with rosewood. It features an adjustable black-stained bridge that is a product of maple. The f-shaped sound holes elevate it aesthetically and its engraved tailpiece provides it with an authentic classic look.

This mandolin model isn’t the lightest in the industry, however, it won’t break your back. Using it is a breeze, because of its 8-geared nickel tuners that offer precise and defined tuning. Its maple bridge additionally contributes to its ease of use by allowing you to regulate intonation.

You will be able to use the mandolin for a lot of different music genres because it offers superb playability and fantastic crisp, deep and sweet tones that are enjoyable. Its single coil pickup produces a bright warm tone that is projected excellently through the f-shaped sound holes.

This mandolin will be a pure delight for every beginner because of the instrument’s simplicity and ease of use. Its subtly elegant style and ultra-durable construct additionally place it high among the best-performing mandolins available on the market.

  • Nato wood top, back, and sides.
  • Rosewood fingerboard.
  • Adjustable black-stained maple bridge.
  • 1 single coil pickup, volume, and tone control.
  • F-shaped sound holes.

Stagg M50 E BLK Acoustic-Electric Bluegrass Mandolin

6. Ortega RMFE40SBK Mandolin

Designed in satin black, this stunning mandolin from Ortega is a premium model. It impresses us with its great quality and simple playability.

The black satin end rounds off the looks. A spruce top and maple back and sides give the mandolin a genuine, full sound. The built-in pickup additionally cuts a fine figure on stage or in the studio. In this Ortega model, the price-to-performance ratio is great! Nearly all of the downsides of the Ibanez M510E are inexistent right here.

The mandolin comes with a premium high-quality gig bag, two years of warranty, and a 30-day return-back guarantee, if you find it unsatisfying with your needs or not completing your expectations. This is an F-Style mandolin with a built-in piezo bridge. Its maple and spruce structure provides versatility, bright sound, and an immersive sustain. Also, the elegant satin finish gives it a silky and smooth feel.

The black finish also makes it stand out, especially for individuals who love vintage-styled instruments. The maple physique and spruce top give the instrument a wonderful tonal combination. The neck and fingerboard are made from wood materials. The neck is completed in satin, and the fingerboard is made from rosewood. The nut width measures 28 millimeters, and the inlays have Ortega’s 12th Fret Double Bow.

The scale length of the neck and fingerboard measures around 345 millimeters. The electric mandolin is very compact in dimension and very portable, and transportable. It has dimensions of just 27.5 x 12.5 x 5 inches and a weight of 2.7 pounds.

The instrument has Ortega tuners and is chrome plated. The pickup has an under-saddle piezo. The mandolin makes use of a set of CR2 batteries, which is included in the bundle. The physique of the Ortega Mandolin acts as a resonator. Your sound waves will reverberate across the body, projecting them all out via the holes and into the whole room. This leads to a clear, high-volume, but natural sound.

  • Piezo built-in bridge, satin black.
  • Spruce Top, Black Satin Finish.
  • Maple back (arched) & sides, Black Satin Finish.
  • Maple Neck, Black Satin Finish with Rosewood Fretboard & Bridge.
  • 2-Way Truss Rod, 24 Frets, Built-in Piezo Passive Pickup with Tone & Volume Controls.
  • Includes Free Deluxe gig bag & mandolin strap.

Ortega RMFE40SBK Mandolin

7. Luna Moonbird Mandolin

The Luna Moonbird is a mandolin that is very universal and created for recordings. It is manufactured by Luna Guitars, a brand that makes acoustic and electrical mandolins. The producer is American, and the instruments are good value for your money.

Luna Guitars mandolins are nicely fitted for beginners, and so is the Moonbird. The brand is the idea of Yvonne de Villiers, an artist with a staunch belief in the uniqueness of the instruments of every musician. Yvonne’s mother, Hilda Villers, from whom she took inspiration, was a bassist for up to 40 years.

Luna Guitars strives to create instruments that go well with each type of player, regardless of the ever-changing and diverse world of music. With this instrument, rookies will acquire a branded model that is nicely made and has a great sound. The instrument, which is mostly made from spruce, is obtainable in a beautiful, ornate version. The Moonbird is a cheap A-Style mandolin that comes with a piezo.

The instrument produces tones that are rich and extremely dynamic. The physique is made from spruce and mahogany for balanced and versatile sounds. The neck is F-shaped. The fingerboard is smooth. These, together, provide wonderful playing comfort. It has an arched-top contour, and the bridge is made from black walnut. This instrument has a set neck building and a black satin finish.

The neck is made from mahogany, and the fingerboard is made from black walnut. It has a flat radius of 20 frets. The nut is an OEM element made from polymer plastic, and the width is 29mm.

There are the piezo bridge pickup and volume and tone controls. The hardware is chromed with black open-gear tuners. The piezo pickup of the device captures natural tones when you’re on the stage or in the studio. The Moonbird seizes the nighttime because of its dark finish and aesthetic, illuminated by its sparking tones and chrome hardware.

The physique of the mandolin consists of two materials. It’s crafted with mahogany wood and is completed with the very best quality spruce. These provide you with a dynamic and superbly balanced sound that will blend with any type of musical style and your playing methods.

The Moonbird has nice electronic options that will guarantee that you can perform both on stage and in the studio, with the option of recording your gig.

Features

  • Piezo built-in bridge, satin black.
  • Spruce Top, Black Satin Finish.
  • Maple back (arched) & sides, Black Satin Finish.
  • Maple Neck, Black Satin Finish with Rosewood Fretboard & Bridge.
  • 2-Way Truss Rod, 24 Frets, Built-in Piezo Passive Pickup with Tone & Volume Controls.
  • Includes Free Deluxe gig bag & mandolin strap.

Luna Moonbird Mandolin

Best Electric Mandolins – Buyers Guide!

There’s so much to consider when shopping for an electric mandolin and without the appropriate info, you may find yourself regretting your purchase. This part of our article has all the hints and pointers you need to have the buyer’s confidence whenever you go looking for the best electric mandolin.

You will get to know the advantages of owning one and the features that can be found on a good electric mandolin.

Benefits of having electric Mandolin

You will need to know that electric mandolins do share a lot with their acoustic relatives, however, they are more beneficial in many different aspects.

Electric Mandolins are louder

You will need to know that electric mandolins will be heard alongside other instruments that are very loud in a band setting like a saxophone, guitar, piano, or drums among other instruments. Because of this reason, they are highly preferred by onstage performers.

beautiful mandolin

Electric Mandolins are very flexible

Some acoustic electric mandolins might be played both when plugged in or unplugged. This provides maximum flexibility to onstage performers as they can move around with the instrument easily. Most performers choose to use an electric acoustic mandolin instead of a mic because a mic plants them in one spot on stage and causes feedback.

What features to consider when buying Electric Mandolin?

You need to know there are some very important aspects that you will need to consider before deciding to buy the best electric mandolin for you.

Style

Mandolins come in several styles including F-style mandolins, A-style, flat-back, flat-top, and bowl-back. Your choice plays a massive role in selecting a mandolin style however you need to be sure it matches your style of music, especially for those who are playing eight strings mandolins.

Bluegrass players favor the F-style mandolins while the A-style is highly favored by mandolin orchestra musicians. Another factor you should consider is that the form of the mandolin determines its timbre or tone color. F-style mandolins normally have an extra striking timbre than their A-style counterparts.

Material used

This is another important factor to consider because it determines the durability and sound quality of the mandolin. Be sure to purchase a mandolin that is made from materials of superior quality.

For additional durability and nice sound quality, go for a mandolin with chrome-plated hardware like tuning gear and a multi-layer pickguard that defends it from scratches and enhances the tonal quality of the mandolin.

mandolins poster - electric mandolins

Strings Quality and Material

The material used to make the strings will decide if it can hold up nicely to everyday rough use or not. There are different types of string construction materials and they include; stainless steel, chrome steel, nickel-plated steel, phosphor bronze, and coated strings.

For an ideal balance of tonal richness and brilliance go for phosphor bronze strings. They are highly favored by seasoned players because they last more before they start losing their brilliance.

For brighter tones, especially in case you own an electric mandolin, you need to choose nickel-plated steel strings. Stainless steel strings are highly favored by players because of their longevity and bright timbre.

Chrome steel strings produce nice clear sounds without a metallic twang. Coated strings, similar to stainless steel strings are very popular because of their longevity as they resist oxidation.

Mandolin Accessories

Accessories will improve your playing experience and will give your mandolin maximum protection. In case you select a model that comes with several accessories just like the Vangoa Acoustic-Electric Mandolin you will not only get pleasure from using your mandolin but also you will save some pocket change.

mandolin and a gig bag

Some of the must-have accessories include straps, padded gig bags or cases, capos, strings, picks, pickups, and tuners. Mandolin straps are a necessity, especially in case you intend to play while standing they usually come in different styles to fit your tastes.

Padded gig bags or cases come in useful if you are an on-the-go player as they maintain your investment protected regardless of the nature of your travel. You will need capos to play songs in higher keys than those they were written in. They clamp on the fretboard and allow you to raise the mandolin’s overall pitch.

Electric Mandolins Price

Mandolins have varying price tags and since they don’t share the luxury of economies of scale with different widespread instruments like guitars and basses, they can be a bit expensive. However, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg on a quality electric mandolin. You will be able to get affordable electric mandolins like the Vangoa Acoustic-Electric Mandolin.

Alternatively, you have the option to get an inexpensive mandolin and get it set up at a luthier’s especially if you’re a beginner. It’s going to play well and you will be able to learn just as well as on other high-end expensive models.

Last Words

We hope that our article will help you choose your new electric Mandolin and you will use it for a long time and be satisfied with your selection.

In the text above you will find everything you need to know about electric mandolins, their accessories, price ranges, and more.

Felix Sanchez

Felix Sanchez

Felix Sanchez specializes in string instruments and their use in contemporary music. Felix is passionate about music and has studied and played a variety of string instruments including guitars, ukuleles, and cellos.

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