A lot of people are interested in playing the strings, the guitar is probably the most famous. If you want to play something different, then mandolin is a good choice. In fact, my today’s article will cover all the information about the best mandolins under $300.
Have you ever tried mandolin?
If not then you should give a try to mandolin. Mandolins are rare and different. They are small and unique. They are traditional. This will soothe your heart. This sound is perfect for any kind of music.
Portability is a unique feature of the mandolin. Because of its portability, you can carry this mandolin wherever you go. If you are a travel lover then a mandolin can be a good companion for you. So, if you are done with guitar, ukulele, or with other instruments, give a try to mandolin.
The mandolin is a unique way to give your song an old-time flavor. But the fact is choosing a good one. And if it’s about a limited budget then this is really a big deal. When you go for buying a perfect budget-friendly mandolin you will be confused. There are various brands with impressive features and each brand has cons too. But you can find the best mandolins under $300 if you are aware of some common facts.
Well, if you’re looking for the best mandolin under $300 then you go through my article.
Comprehensive reviews about the best mandolins under $300
It’s always right to look at some reviews of the product which you are planning to purchase. Considering this I have researched the best mandolins available on the market nowadays.
But it’s not mandatory to purchase a costly one. So, my top picks are the best mandolins under $300.
Table of Contents
Kentucky KM-150 A-style Mandolin
Kentucky, widely known as one of the top entry-level mandolin brands.
If you want great traditional sound quality at an affordable price, the KM-150 is a classic entry point. Its nice finishing will attract you more.
At about $300, the investment is justified by the credible structure of this model. This solid mandolin is pleasant to the ear and very playful.
Product Specifications:
Pros
- Top with solid spruce
- Adjustable truss rod
- Premium quality
- Sweet tone
Cons
- Less creative
- Easily breakable
Rogue RM-100A A-style Mandolin
It has some of the lowest prices available and is often the starting point for those who want to try new equipment on a tight budget.
A typical A-style mandolin for beginners, the RM-100A price tag is an easy choice for many beginners. Everything you need to start with a mandolin.
Nobody can write about the excellent sound quality of the RM-100A, but it provides a good starting point for beginners and a good mandolin.
Product Specifications:
Pros
- Rich in materials
- Perfect for beginners
- Constructed sturdily
- Accurate tuning
Cons
- Blended design
- Tinny tone
Ibanez M510 A-style Mandolin
Ibanez has become one of the world’s leading instruments. Surprisingly, with an amazing range of guitars and other instrument malls and models, this brand is known for its low to mid-range price point and its innovative design.
The M510’s focus period is far from its only attractive standard for beginners. The M510 offers a solid balance between fur quality and affordability.
While some of these materials are better than others, their unique shape and satisfying sound make them a great choice on a low budget.
Product Specifications:
Pros
- A truss rod
- Adjustable neck
- Qualityful construction
- Warm Sound
Cons
- Lackings of professional setup
- Typical dimensions
Roots Collection G9310 New Yorker Supreme
Gretchen is known today for its range of quality drums and Madrid electric guitars. But in the 1950s, Gretchen had a remarkable array of mandolins and more recently reborn sound instruments. Applying his classic American design to modern manufacturing techniques, he has created a line of thin and inexpensive retroactive mandolins.
The New Yorker Supreme is Gretsch’s flagship mandolin based on a 1950s classic. With a vintage mahogany finish, two F-holes, and typical Gretsch aesthetics, this A-style mandolin goes with any model. in its price range. While some avid bluegrass fans may wish for a clearer sound, the G9310 is the perfect learning tool.
Product Specifications:
Pros
- Constructed with premium quality materials
- Classy and unique design
- Balanced warm tone
- Mahogany wooden
Cons
- Unsturdy pickguard
- Lack of consistency
Kentucky KM-272 Artist A-Style Mandolin
Kentucky’s focus on traditional American instrumental design means it can produce some interesting classics like the KM-272. While this may not be appropriate for every aspiring player, it may be appropriate for others.
With enough A-style mandolins for two F-holes in the soundboard, the KM-272 returns to the roots of the mandolin construction with a single, oval-shaped hole.
Kentucky KM272 Artist A-Style Mandolin’s vintage style, unique accent, and much more is a difficult option for beginner mandolin players who want to differentiate themselves from the pack.
Product Specifications:
Pros
- Combination of vintage design and visual beauty
- Crisp subtle tone
- Holds balanced between tone
- Premium quality materials
Cons
- Bad sizing
- Can’t carry the tone of banjo
Buying Guide
Before wondering about which mandolin to choose, there are some general style and quality decisions you should make to make sure that your mandolin will suit your goals and budget.
Buying Tips
Maybe you are looking for the best mandolin for under $300. You can find or you can look for a high-quality handmade tool. In either case, there are some important things you can do to limit your decision.
Let’s dive into the following tips:
Patterns of body
Modern mandolins generally have one of three body shapes:
- Bowl
- Style – A
- Style – F
The best shape for you depends on the style of music you want to play, the style you prefer, and your budget.
The oldest of the three is the bowl mandolin. The shell mandolin with its characteristic rounded bottom and its roots in 18th century Italy has a dark tone that is suitable for traditional folk music, mandolin orchestras, and classical music. Choosing a mandolin bowl for beginners can be a daunting task. While they can be inexpensive, many are of very poor quality. This means that it can be much more difficult to find a good quality mandolin with a decent tone than other types of mandolins.
Therefore, most beginners can find an A or F style mandolin that best suits their needs. Both styles were developed by Gibson and his sound engineer Lloyd Loar in the 1920s.
Many of the differences between the A and F style mandolins are purely cosmetic. But you can also spot differences in tone and style between the two that make a big difference.
Style mandolins have a teardrop or pear-shaped body. To differentiate them from bowl mandolins, they are often referred to as flat-backed mandolins, although they still generally have a slightly rounded back. Style A mandolins can have an “O” hole in the middle of the deck or two “F” holes (they look like holes on a violin), one on each side.
Wood
The difference in body shape of A and F style mandolin has little effect on its tone, but the material from which the mandolin is made is more important to find a good tool.
Different parts of the mandolin are exposed to different loads. This means that mandolins are usually made from different types of wood. Each part of the instrument has more and less selected types of wood that you can use to distinguish between high and low-quality instruments.
When it comes to sound, the top or soundboard of the instrument is the most important part. The best mandolins usually have a soundboard made of solid spruce, light but strong wood.
Spruce is in great demand not only for mandolins, but also for soundboards for guitars, pianos, and other instruments. This means that many medium and budget-level mandolins use mahogany or cedar, which gives the instrument more sound and makes it harder to cut full band sound.
The cheapest mandolin usually has a laminated top, in which several layers of wood are pressed together instead of being carved. The top layer can be decorated, but the interior layers are less like mahogany wood. The top of the laminate has the advantage of being more durable as each layer has different particles and therefore different points from week to week.
The main drawback is that the sound quality of these devices deteriorates, especially over time. However, this may not be the case for many newbies, and laminated tops are the best choice for beginners on a budget.
The best mandolin sides and backs are usually hard maples, a stronger wood than the spruce that has been used by violinists for centuries. Other hardwoods such as mahogany and koa are also common.
Many of the cheaper mandolins prefer solid wood tops but prefer laminate sides and backs. This compromise makes it easier to create sides and backs than a soundboard, so you can lower the price without damaging the sound.
For freight plates, the best tools use smooth-surfaced hardwood. Ebony loading plates are preferred by many manufacturers, but rosewood is also very common. The use of wood in the mandolin neck is important for instrumental quality.
Mandolin is sensitive to neck curvature, which can cause serious gameplay and tuning problems. Maple and mahogany are the preferred forests here for the reason that the neck should be hard.
Unlike the mandolin body, the laminate cutout is actually preferable, as the grain lines that run down the length of the cutout are wooden. Thus, most collars are laminated with two or more pieces of wood at the same time.
Another important factor to consider when it comes to the neck is whether the neck is tightly stretched. The truss rod allows you to fine-tune your throat, which can make a big difference in your ability to get better tuning with your tuning and instrumentation.
The last piece of wood to consider when choosing a mandolin. Mandolins, unlike guitars, are a movable bridge. These bridges are mostly made of Ebony or Rosewood, usually Rosewood. Most of them are trimmed with mandolins, which help protect the tree from damage.
Although some finishes are not an issue, it should be noted that heavy finishes affect the sound quality of the instrument.
Electric / Acoustic
While electric mandolins are generally more expensive than pure acoustic models, your choice should depend on the intended use of the instrument.
Electro-acoustic mandolins generally share the same basic properties as acoustic mandolins. If you buy an acoustic instrument and then decide you need to plug it in, you still have options.
First of all, you can always replace your bridge with a piezoelectric bridge. Another great option is to use magnetic pickups like those used on violins and other string instruments.
Price
As soon as you start your search, you will immediately see how much or more you can pay for the mandolin. The mandolin is a cheap model between $ 50 and $ 100 and is a great tool for anyone on a budget. From there, you can choose to pay more for better quality materials, more attractive cosmetics, and better structural quality. Even if you don’t know how to play something yet, you can listen to the instrument and see what is good, good, and looks good. After all, paying more for a device doesn’t mean it’s right for you or that it sounds better..
FAQ
Q: Are mandolins harder than guitars?
A: When you compare a guitar to a mandolin, it is harder to learn than a guitar mandolin because there are so many strings in it. … However, there are six strings on the guitar (E, A, D, G, B, E) that must be learned; The more strings in the instrument, the more you have to learn the chord.
Q: Do you use any primary option with the mandolin?
A: Proper mandolin choices are important for moderate or advanced mandolin players who care about their sound and communicate with the primary selection response and method when attacking strings for maximum selection and toning. Getting the best option is the cheapest way to make more difference in tone.
Q: Is it lengthy to learn to play the mandolin?
A: Generally, about 3 months, if you have good teachers and are willing to practice 30-60 minutes seven days a week, it takes about 3 months to master this tool, and be relatively skilled at a and a year.
Conclusion
I love all the mandolins that are reviewed today. In fact, all of them are rich in quality. But, you have to choose one from them. My purpose was to give you a total review of the best mandolins under $300 with a buying guide and with their pros and cons. I hope all of you will enjoy this penning.
