A mandolin with a sunburst finish hangs in the foreground, with a vintage television and other musical instruments in a warmly lit, rustic room in the background.

F-Style Mandolins

Q: What is the difference between A-Style and F-Style mandolins?

The main difference is aesthetic. A-Style mandolins are pear-shaped, while F-Style mandolins feature an ornamental scroll and points. Tonally, they are very similar, though F-Styles are traditionally preferred by bluegrass players. Because F-Styles are harder to build, an A-Style often gives you more mandolin for your money.

Q: Does my mandolin come with a professional setup?

Yes! Unlike big box stores, every mandolin from The Acoustic Shoppe undergoes our exclusive 23-Point Professional Setup. We adjust the truss rod, nut height, bridge position, and fret leveling to ensure your instrument plays easily and sounds its best.

Q: Do you include a case with your mandolins?

Most of our mandolins come with a hard shell case or a high-quality padded gig bag. Please check the individual product listing for specifics. If a case is not included, we stock a full selection of TKL and Travelite cases.

Q: What is the Dread-Not Guarantee?

Our Dread-Not Guarantee includes free shipping on most orders, a generous return policy, and our promise that your instrument has been inspected and set up by our team of pros.

Dread-Not Certified Used

A close-up of a light brown mandolin with black f-shaped sound holes, metal tailpiece, and six tuning pegs, lying on a textured, dark surface.

Hear The Difference: Mandolin Demos & Advice

A-Style vs F-Style: Who Wins?

Comparison: Every F-Style in the Shop

We Played Every Eastman Mandolin

Battle: Loar LM-700 vs Eastman MD315

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between A-Style and F-Style mandolins?

The main difference is aesthetic. A-Style mandolins are pear-shaped, while F-Style mandolins feature an ornamental scroll and points. Tonally, they are very similar, though F-Styles are traditionally preferred by bluegrass players for their "cutting" power. Because F-Styles are harder to build, an A-Style often gives you "more mandolin for your money."

Does my mandolin come with a professional setup?

Yes! Unlike big box stores that ship factory boxes, every mandolin from The Acoustic Shoppe undergoes our exclusive 23-Point Professional Setup. We adjust the truss rod, nut height, bridge position, and fret leveling to ensure your instrument plays easily and sounds its best the moment you unbox it.

What is the best mandolin for a beginner?

We recommend starting with a high-quality solid-wood instrument that won't hold you back. The Eastman MD305 and Kentucky KM-150 are widely considered the gold standards for entry-level mandolins. They offer professional tone and build quality at an accessible price point.

Do you include a case with your mandolins?

Most of our mandolins (including Eastman and Weber) come with a hard shell case or a high-quality padded gig bag included in the price. Please check the individual product listing for specifics. If a case is not included, we stock a full selection of TKL and Travelite cases to protect your investment.

What is the Dread-Not Guarantee?

We want you to be 100% happy with your purchase. Our Dread-Not Guarantee includes free shipping on most orders, a generous return policy, and our promise that your instrument has been inspected and set up by our team of pros. We also offer a 1-year trade-up policy on select instruments.

Four people sit around a wooden table with microphones, laughing and talking in a cozy, rustic studio. Musical instruments and vintage decor are visible in the background, including a large sign that reads TAS.