Buying a Mandolin

• 1). Decide the type of mandolin you want to purchase. There are flat-backs, bowl-backs, eight-string, five-string, F-style, A-style and so on. Many bluegrass mandolinists play the F-style instrument, while many orchestral musicians choose between the A-style or F-style design. If you are a beginner to the mandolin, you may want to start out with a flat-top, teardrop-shaped instrument that's affordable and comfortable to play.
  
  
• 2). Choose where you would like to buy your mandolin. Mandolins are sold in most music stores and are sometimes found in pawn shops. If you want to purchase your mandolin from a store, head to a music shop that specializes in acoustic string instruments because it will have a wider selection of mandolins. If you want a custom, high-quality mandolin, then you should contact a private luthier to make one for you.
  
  
• 3). Check the physical condition of the mandolin. Make sure the joints, bindings and glue seams are nice and tight. Check to see if the neck is straight or bent (a bent neck makes the mandolin difficult to play.) Make sure that the mandolin doesn't have any cracks and that the soundboard (the top of the mandolin) isn't warped or caved in.
  
  
• 4). Find out what kind of wood the mandolin is carved from. Most mandolin soundboards are made from spruce, but some varieties use laminated tops. Some mandolinists believe a mandolin made from spruce sounds better than one with a laminated top. However, customers on a budget may want to consider the laminated mandolins, since they tend to be cheaper.
  
  
• 5). Play the instrument. After you've checked over the mandolin, play the instrument to assess its playability. If the mandolin is difficult to play, then keep looking until you find one that suits you.