F-Style Mandolin

F-style mandolin: the phrase evokes a sense of nostalgia among musicians and fans alike.  But there is nothing old-fashioned about these great instruments; “classic” would be a better way to describe them.

F-Style Mandolins are here to stay

Gibson f-style mandolin

A beautiful Gibson F-style Mandolin

It’s been said that form follows function.

And it’s true. When you take a moment to examine a beautifully-crafted F-style mandolin, you see a musical instrument that dazzles the eye. But you also see a form so perfect that it’s remained unchanged for more than a century.

Every part of an F-style mandolin shares a common purpose: to contribute to the playability of the instrument.

  • The oversized headstock balances the rest of the instrument, ensuring playability.
  • The scroll offers a handy attachment point for a strap, but doesn’t get in the way when you’re resting the mandolin on your knee.
  • The pick guard is replaceable. It protects the soundboard from over-zealous strumming when you’re playing chords fast and furiously. And since it isn’t glued onto the soundbox, it allows the top to resonate freely, for great-sounding tone and sustain.
  • The point makes it easy to rest the madolin on your leg so you can play sitting down.
  • The distinctively-shaped bridge helps you adjust the action, while serving to transmit vibration from the strings to the soundbox for a deep, rich sound.

F-style mandolins are versatile

Play them sitting down with the instrument on your knee, or standing up hanging from a strap: either way works great.

Enjoy an acoustic mandolin — just the way people have for many, many years — or get an acoustic-electric F-style mandolin and plug in so you can be heard along with the rest of your band. Whatever your reasons for making music, this mandolin will serve you well.

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