Mandolin Background

The Mandolin evolved from earlier lute family types of fretted instrument, in Italy during the last century, and reached a peak in popularity around 1895. Most of these examples were made in Naples, and the Neapolitan style has a deep bowl back constructed from thin ribs of wood.

In the late 19th century, American instrument makers developed the flat backed style. Gibson's carved models, and Martin's flat tops are the best known of these. These designs give a more open sound, which projects well, and they also have the advantage of being much more comfortable to hold. Most modern styles of playing use these flat back instruments.

Occassionally seen are twelve string instruments, sometimes favoured because the tremelo is easier, sometimes tuned with a set of strings sounding one octave below the rest.

Sherwood Mandolins

The Sherwood style E family of instruments are made for us in England, continuing the existing Sherwood ethic of a good sound, all solid materials, and a simple but attractive design. The Mandolin, Octave Mandola, and Bouzouki are all constructed with a solid spruce top, solid sycamore body and neck, and rosewood fingerboard. The neck is particularly well shaped, and a pleasure to play on. They are very competitively priced, and look set to continue the success of the longer established Sherwood style S models.

Please read the rest of this article, and much more, on our FAQ page.

Blue Moon

Blue Moon Mandolins are amazing value, the lowest priced model has a solid spruce top and high quality tuners. These are the best selling mandolins we have ever had. The perfect way to get started.

Ashbury

Ashbury Mandolins offer something for every style of playing. There are oval hole, A style and flatrion models, great for Celtic music, and a full range of f-hole bluegrass models too. All of these instruments are very well finished and the necks are slim and easy to use.
Electric mandolins are very popular these days, and Ashbury offer several models. One has a solid body and others a traditional hollow body with f holes. The bowl backs have proved big sellers with the oval sound hole and choice of colours. All feature electric guitar type magnetic pickups with tone and volume controls

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