At the Acoustic Music Company we aim to offer the best selection of Mandolins in the UK. From the beginners' instrument to the finest hand made works of art by some of the best known Luthiers. Where possible we work with small Mandolin companies making instruments in workshops, not big factories.
The Mandolin Family is as confused as many others. Different members not only have disputed relationships with each other but have different names. The easiest way to define each member is to refer to its scale length.
The most commonly known member of the mandolin family, the Mandolin itself is probably the least contentious. Its scale length varies from 13" up to about 16" (33 - 41 cm).
The Bluegrass Mandolin is based on two Gibson models introduced around the end of the 19th century. Gibson promoted mandolin orchestras that consisted of the Mandolin, Mandola, Mandocello and the Mandobass. The two main mandolin models were the A style and the F style - the A being teardrop shaped and the F having the added scroll (also known as Florentine) - both available at different times and now, with oval or f sound holes. The common nomenclature, following Gibson, is; A4 for A style oval hole, A5 for A style f hole; F4 for F style oval hole and F5 for F style f hole.
The folk Mandolins tend to have a deeper and larger body and normally has a round sound hole as opposed to f holes. Many woods are used, commonly spruce and cedar for tops, rosewood, mahogany and walnut for backs and sides. Tops and backs are most often flat or slightly arched but not carved. Find out more from our Mandolin Help Pages |
