10 Best Mandolin For Beginners 2025 in the United States

The Eastman Spruce/Maple A-Style Mandolin is a full-size instrument that could be a great choice for beginners looking for quality and traditional craftsmanship. It features a spruce top paired with a maple and ebony back, which typically offers a bright, clear tone that many players appreciate. The use of alloy steel strings is standard and durable for new players. The neck and fingerboard materials (maple and ebony) suggest good playability and a smooth feel, which is important when you are just starting to learn finger positions.

The Eastman Guitars MD615 F-style Mandolin is a well-crafted instrument that beginners might find appealing due to its quality materials and classic design. It features a solid maple body and back combined with a spruce top, which generally produce a bright and clear sound—helping new players hear their notes distinctly. This model includes alloy steel strings, which are standard and easy to replace, along with tuning machines designed for stable tuning, essential for those still developing their tuning skills.

The Kentucky KM-156 is a solid choice for beginners looking for a quality A-model mandolin. Its body features a solid carved spruce top and maple back and sides, which together create a bright, crisp tone with good projection—ideal for clear sound whether playing solo or with others. The slim maple neck and East Indian rosewood fingerboard make it comfortable to hold and play, especially for newcomers who might be adjusting to finger placement and string tension.