Best Vintage Mandolin (2026): 4 Picks Compared

Updated Nov 4, 2026 · By Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank

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The Kentucky KM-670 leads this search for a vintage mandolin: it is an F-model mandolin with a solid spruce top, a maple back, and a vintage sunburst finish. It also comes with a protective gig bag.

The picks at a glance

#	Pick	Product
1	Best Overall	Kentucky KM-670 Standard Oval Hole F-Model Mandolin	Check on Amazon
2	Runner-Up	Ibanez M510EOVS A Style Electric/Acoustic Mandolin Open	Check on Amazon
3	Also Great	Washburn M108SWK-D Americana Series F Style Mandolin	Check on Amazon
4	Also Great	Ibanez M510OVS Acoustic Mandolin in Vintage Sunburst	Check on Amazon

Which one should you buy?

Players who want a solid spruce top and maple back: Kentucky KM-670 Standard Oval Hole F-Model Mandolin See pick 1
Players who want an A-style mandolin body: Ibanez M510EOVS A Style Electric/Acoustic Mandolin Open See pick 2
Players who want an all-solid F-style mandolin: Washburn M108SWK-D Americana Series F Style Mandolin See pick 3
Players who want an acoustic mandolin with 20 frets: Ibanez M510OVS Acoustic Mandolin in Vintage Sunburst See pick 4

Want the full range? Best Mandolin ranks the top mandolins for every buyer, or browse all 14 guides.

The 4 picks, ranked

1Best Overall

Kentucky KM-670 Standard Oval Hole F-Model Mandolin

Solid top
Case or gig bag included
1-year warranty stated

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Best Overall as an F-model mandolin with a solid spruce top, a solid maple back, and an oval soundhole.

Who it suits

Players who want a solid spruce top and maple back
Players who want a mandolin that weighs 1.5 lb

Skip it if

You want an A-style mandolin body
You want F-holes instead of an oval soundhole

The KM-670 is an F-model mandolin with a solid German spruce carved top and a solid Alpine maple back and sides. A slim, one-piece Alpine maple neck and a radiused rosewood fingerboard with polished nickel silver frets are on the mandolin. It comes with a protective gig bag and carries a 1-year warranty. The high-gloss vintage sunburst finish gives it a classic look.

2Runner-Up

Ibanez M510EOVS A Style Electric/Acoustic Mandolin Open

Solid top not stated in the listing
Body style: A Style

9.3Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Runner-Up as an A-style electric and acoustic mandolin with a mahogany body and a rosewood fingerboard.

Who it suits

Players who want an A-style mandolin body
Players who want a mahogany body and mahogany neck

Skip it if

You want an F-style mandolin body
You want a low-weight mandolin for carrying

The M510EOVS is an A-style electric and acoustic mandolin in an open pore vintage sunburst finish. It has X bracing, a mahogany body, a mahogany neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. It weighs 5 lb.

3Also Great

Washburn M108SWK-D Americana Series F Style Mandolin

Solid top
Body style: F Style
Lifetime warranty stated

9.3Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Also Great as an all-solid F-style mandolin with a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides.

Who it suits

Players who want an all-solid F-style mandolin
Players who want a mandolin that includes a hardshell case

Skip it if

You want an A-style mandolin body
You want an oval soundhole instead of F-holes

The M108SWK-D is an Americana Series all-solid F-style mandolin with F-holes. It has a solid carved European spruce top and carved solid mahogany back and sides. It has a vintage matte finish with distressed open gear tuners and distressed hardware, and it includes a hardshell case. It carries a lifetime warranty and uses D'addario J73 light gauge mandolin strings.

4Also Great

Ibanez M510OVS Acoustic Mandolin in Vintage Sunburst

Solid top not stated in the listing

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Also Great as an acoustic mandolin in vintage sunburst with X bracing and 20 frets.

Who it suits

Players who want an acoustic mandolin with 20 frets
Players who want ivory binding and a rosewood saddle

Skip it if

You want an electric and acoustic mandolin
You want more than 20 frets on the mandolin

The M510OVS is an acoustic mandolin in vintage sunburst. It has X bracing, ivory binding, a rosewood saddle, and 20 frets. It weighs 3 lb.

Side by side

Product	Solid top	Built-in pickup / EQ	Case or gig bag included	Tuner included	Body style	Weight	Warranty
Kentucky KM-670 Standard Oval Hole F-Model Mandolin	Yes	Not stated	Yes	Not stated	Not stated	1.5 lb	1-year
Ibanez M510EOVS A Style Electric/Acoustic Mandolin Open	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	A Style	5 lb	Not stated
Washburn M108SWK-D Americana Series F Style Mandolin	Yes	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	F Style	Not stated	lifetime
Ibanez M510OVS Acoustic Mandolin in Vintage Sunburst	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	3 lb	Not stated

How we ranked these mandolins

Every pick ranks in Amazon's best-seller list for its category and has a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.

Solid top weight 2
Built-in pickup / EQ weight 1
Case or gig bag included weight 1
Tuner included weight 1

Buying advice: vintage mandolin

Choose between F-style and A-style bodies

Body style changes the shape of the mandolin. The Kentucky KM-670 is an F-model mandolin, the Washburn M108SWK-D is an F-style mandolin, and the Ibanez M510EOVS is an A-style mandolin. Compare the body style on each pick, and choose the shape you want to play.

Check for a solid top before you buy

A solid top means the top wood is solid rather than laminate. The Kentucky KM-670 has a solid spruce top, and the Washburn M108SWK-D has a solid carved European spruce top. If a solid top matters to you, start with a pick that has one.

Look at what case comes with the mandolin

A case protects the mandolin when you carry it. The Kentucky KM-670 comes with a protective gig bag, and the Washburn M108SWK-D includes a hardshell case. Choose between a protective gig bag and a hardshell case.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a mandolin vintage in this guide?

Vintage here refers to the vintage sunburst finish on the picks. The Kentucky KM-670, the Ibanez M510EOVS, the Washburn M108SWK-D, and the Ibanez M510OVS all have a vintage sunburst finish.

Is a solid top better for a mandolin?

A solid top is a top made from solid wood rather than laminate. The Kentucky KM-670 has a solid spruce top, and the Washburn M108SWK-D has a solid carved European spruce top.

Do these mandolins come with a case?

The Kentucky KM-670 comes with a protective gig bag, and the Washburn M108SWK-D includes a hardshell case.

What is the difference between F-style and A-style?

The style names the body shape of the mandolin. The Kentucky KM-670 is an F-model mandolin, the Washburn M108SWK-D is an F-style mandolin, and the Ibanez M510EOVS is an A-style mandolin.