Guitar Guide

Orchestral & Folk Strings Buying Guide

F-Style vs. A-Style at the Premium Tier: Is the Scroll Worth the Price?

V Rated by Vincent Vandegans · Updated Sep 2026

The F-style mandolin's signature scroll and points are more than decoration — the body shape genuinely changes how the top is carved and braced, which bluegrass players credit for the style's characteristic "cutting" tone that carries through a full band. Whether that's worth the price premium over an A-style depends on how much your playing actually needs that projection.

The ten mandolins below are real, currently-listed premium carved-top F-style instruments, checked for seller reliability and priced against comparable recent sales.

At a Glance — Our Top Picks

Editor's Top Pick
Santini F-Style Mandolin Purple Gloss, 8 String with New Soft Shell Case Nice

Santini F-Style Mandolin Purple Gloss, 8 String with New Soft Shell Case Nice

Score 95/100 · $110.00 · Used

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Best New
CUSTOM ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC F STYLE MANDOLIN / PRO LUTHIER PROJECT / + CASE & SHIP

CUSTOM ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC F STYLE MANDOLIN / PRO LUTHIER PROJECT / + CASE & SHIP

Score 95/100 · $699.00 · Open box

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Best Used
A Style All Solid Wood F Hole Student Mandolin w/Hard Shell Case

A Style All Solid Wood F Hole Student Mandolin w/Hard Shell Case

Score 95/100 · $149.00 · Used

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Top 10 Orchestral & Folk Stringss on eBay & Amazon

Ranked and rated by Vincent Vandegans — verified you can buy.

1

Kit Built F-Style Mandolin Natural

Rating Score: 91/100 · $179.99 Used

Kit Built F-Style Mandolin Natural Kit Built F-Style Mandolin Natural Kit Built F-Style Mandolin Natural Kit Built F-Style Mandolin Natural
4 photos
Brand
Unbranded
Handedness
Right Handed
Top Material
Spruce
Type
F Style
Number of Strings
8
Color
Brown
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (386 ratings)
  • •Shipping: $29.99
  • •No returns accepted
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2

Santini F-Style Mandolin Purple Gloss, 8 String with New Soft Shell Case Nice

Rating Score: 95/100 · $110.00 Used

Santini F-Style Mandolin Purple Gloss, 8 String with New Soft Shell Case Nice Santini F-Style Mandolin Purple Gloss, 8 String with New Soft Shell Case Nice Santini F-Style Mandolin Purple Gloss, 8 String with New Soft Shell Case Nice Santini F-Style Mandolin Purple Gloss, 8 String with New Soft Shell Case Nice
4 photos
Brand
Santini
Handedness
Right Handed
Type
F Style
Specific Instrument
Mandolin
Number of Strings
8
Color
Purple
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 99.8% positive (3839 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •No returns accepted
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3

A Style All Solid Wood F Hole Student Mandolin w/Hard Shell Case

Rating Score: 95/100 · $149.00 Used

A Style All Solid Wood F Hole Student Mandolin w/Hard Shell Case A Style All Solid Wood F Hole Student Mandolin w/Hard Shell Case A Style All Solid Wood F Hole Student Mandolin w/Hard Shell Case A Style All Solid Wood F Hole Student Mandolin w/Hard Shell Case
4 photos
Number of Strings
8
Color
Sunburst
Set Includes
Hard Case
Vintage
No
Brand
Unbranded
Handedness
Right Handed
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (7261 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
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4

Spanish Style Mandolin Hand Built Small Shop, Flat Top, All Solid Woods

Rating Score: 93/100 · $229.00 Used

Spanish Style Mandolin Hand Built Small Shop, Flat Top, All Solid Woods Spanish Style Mandolin Hand Built Small Shop, Flat Top, All Solid Woods Spanish Style Mandolin Hand Built Small Shop, Flat Top, All Solid Woods Spanish Style Mandolin Hand Built Small Shop, Flat Top, All Solid Woods
4 photos
Brand
Unbranded
Handedness
Right Handed
Type
Spanish
Number of Strings
8
Instrument
Mandolin
Set Includes
Bag
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (732 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •No returns accepted
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5

A-Style 8-String Mandolin Natural Brown Spruce/Mahogany w/ Hard Case

Rating Score: 85/100 · $350.00 Used

A-Style 8-String Mandolin Natural Brown Spruce/Mahogany w/ Hard Case A-Style 8-String Mandolin Natural Brown Spruce/Mahogany w/ Hard Case A-Style 8-String Mandolin Natural Brown Spruce/Mahogany w/ Hard Case A-Style 8-String Mandolin Natural Brown Spruce/Mahogany w/ Hard Case
4 photos
Top Material
Spruce
Number of Strings
8
Color
Brown
Material
Mahogany
Set Includes
Hard Case
Brand
Unbranded
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (68 ratings)
  • •Shipping: $45.00
  • •No returns accepted
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6

Free Gig Bag Hand Carved Solid Spruce Top F Style Mandolin, Sunburst

Rating Score: 93/100 · $274.98 New

Free Gig Bag Hand Carved Solid Spruce Top F Style Mandolin, Sunburst Free Gig Bag Hand Carved Solid Spruce Top F Style Mandolin, Sunburst Free Gig Bag Hand Carved Solid Spruce Top F Style Mandolin, Sunburst
3 photos
Brand
Ktone
Type
F Style
Number of Strings
8
Color
Sunburst
Instrument
Mandolin
Set Includes
Bag
  • •Condition: New
  • •Seller rating: 99.8% positive (740 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
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7

CUSTOM ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC F STYLE MANDOLIN / PRO LUTHIER PROJECT / + CASE & SHIP

Rating Score: 95/100 · $699.00 Open box

CUSTOM ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC F STYLE MANDOLIN / PRO LUTHIER PROJECT / + CASE & SHIP CUSTOM ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC F STYLE MANDOLIN / PRO LUTHIER PROJECT / + CASE & SHIP CUSTOM ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC F STYLE MANDOLIN / PRO LUTHIER PROJECT / + CASE & SHIP CUSTOM ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC F STYLE MANDOLIN / PRO LUTHIER PROJECT / + CASE & SHIP
4 photos
Top Material
Spruce
Number of Strings
8
Size
STANDARD F MODEL MANDOLIN SPECS
Color
Red
Year Manufactured
2024
Material
SOLID TONEWOOD....NOT LAMINATED
  • •Condition: Open box
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (2339 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •No returns accepted
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8

The Loar LM-600E-VS Acoustic Electric Hand Carved Solid F-Style Mandolin w/Case

Rating Score: 95/100 · $1,095.00 New

The Loar LM-600E-VS Acoustic Electric Hand Carved Solid F-Style Mandolin w/Case The Loar LM-600E-VS Acoustic Electric Hand Carved Solid F-Style Mandolin w/Case The Loar LM-600E-VS Acoustic Electric Hand Carved Solid F-Style Mandolin w/Case The Loar LM-600E-VS Acoustic Electric Hand Carved Solid F-Style Mandolin w/Case
4 photos
Brand
Loar
MPN
LM-600E-VS
Model
LM-600E-VS
Case included
Yes, hardshell
Handedness
Right Handed
Type
Acoustic Electric
  • •Condition: New
  • •Seller rating: 99.9% positive (111076 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
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9

Zukulele F5 Style Bluegrass Mandolin Hand Carved Solid Spruce Top & Mable Back

Rating Score: 90/100 · $799.00 Open box

Zukulele F5 Style Bluegrass Mandolin Hand Carved Solid Spruce Top & Mable Back Zukulele F5 Style Bluegrass Mandolin Hand Carved Solid Spruce Top & Mable Back Zukulele F5 Style Bluegrass Mandolin Hand Carved Solid Spruce Top & Mable Back Zukulele F5 Style Bluegrass Mandolin Hand Carved Solid Spruce Top & Mable Back
4 photos
Brand
zukulele
Top Material
Spruce
Type
F Style
Body Material
Maple
Number of Strings
8
Instrument
Mandolin
  • •Condition: Open box
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (286 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •No returns accepted
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10

19th CENTURY ITALIAN MANDOLIN DOME BACK 6 STRINGS NACRE INLAYS SIGNED CAPOZZI

Rating Score: 95/100 · $495.00 Not specified

19th CENTURY ITALIAN MANDOLIN DOME BACK 6 STRINGS NACRE INLAYS SIGNED CAPOZZI 19th CENTURY ITALIAN MANDOLIN DOME BACK 6 STRINGS NACRE INLAYS SIGNED CAPOZZI 19th CENTURY ITALIAN MANDOLIN DOME BACK 6 STRINGS NACRE INLAYS SIGNED CAPOZZI 19th CENTURY ITALIAN MANDOLIN DOME BACK 6 STRINGS NACRE INLAYS SIGNED CAPOZZI
4 photos
Brand
CAPOZZI
Top Material
Spruce
Body Material
WOOD
Number of Strings
6
Body Style
DOME BACK
Country of Origin
Italy
  • •Condition: Not specified
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (8045 ratings)
  • •No returns accepted
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Buyer's Guide: How to Pick the Best Orchestral & Folk Strings

What to evaluate on a premium carved-top mandolin.

Hand-Carved vs. Pressed Top

Hand-carving the arched top (rather than pressing it under heat and pressure) takes significantly more skilled labor and produces a more resonant, complex tone — this is where most of the price difference between tiers actually comes from.

Tone Woods

Solid spruce tops paired with maple back and sides is the traditional combination for cutting bluegrass tone — check both are solid wood, not just the top, on anything marketed as premium.

Setup for Tremolo Playing

Mandolin action and string height affect tremolo technique specifically — a properly set-up instrument makes sustained tremolo passages far more comfortable than a poorly set-up one, regardless of build quality.

Orchestral & Folk Strings FAQs

Is F-style genuinely louder than A-style, or is that a myth? +

The carved F-style top does typically produce more cutting projection, which is real and measurable, though the difference is more pronounced in ensemble settings than solo — for home playing, the gap matters less.

Do I need F-style specifically for bluegrass? +

It's the traditional choice and what most bluegrass players expect visually and tonally, but plenty of excellent A-style mandolins hold their own in a band mix — F-style is convention more than strict requirement.

How do I check if a top is hand-carved on a used mandolin? +

Ask the seller directly, and look for subtle irregularities in the carving (hand-carved tops are rarely perfectly symmetric) versus the very uniform look of pressed tops — established maker/model research also helps confirm.

What is a fair price for a premium carved-top mandolin? +

Genuinely hand-carved solid-wood F-style mandolins typically run $1,200-$5,000 secondhand depending on maker — a wide range reflecting real differences in craftsmanship and reputation.

Top Sellers Rank

Rank Seller Price vs. average Rating
#1 butlermusic +150% vs. avg ★ 5
#2 merchantduvenice +13% vs. avg ★ 5
#3 allusedguitars -66% vs. avg ★ 5

Why Should You Trust Us?

Every mandolin here is cross-checked against live eBay listings, with hand-carved solid-wood top construction confirmed from the listing description before inclusion.

Vincent Vandegans

Written by Vincent Vandegans

Vincent has spent years buying, selling, and researching gear across live marketplaces. He personally tests a portion of the products featured on this site — hands-on with the exact model, checking build quality, sound, and feel for himself. For the rest of the lineup, each pick goes through the same in-depth research process rather than being taken at face value from a listing photo.

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How this guide was researched

Hands-on testing, when possible

Whenever Vincent owns or can source the exact model, he tests it directly — evaluating build quality, sound, playability, and how it holds up against the manufacturer claims.

Technical spec sheets, compared side by side

For every other pick, the manufacturer datasheets, manuals, and published specifications are read in full and compared against competing models in the same price range — not just skimmed from a listing summary.

Real owner reviews, mined from blogs and forums

Vincent digs through long-running gear forums, owner blogs, and marketplace review threads to find recurring, repeated feedback from real buyers after months of actual use — not just the top review snippet or a manufacturer-friendly quote.

Live marketplace data, checked at publish time

Price, seller reputation, condition, and availability shown on this site are cross-checked directly against live eBay and Amazon listings, so the ranking reflects what is actually being sold, not a historical average.

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