Hi all,

So, I've recently decided that I'd like to pick up a mandolin (although I am also very tempted by the Irish bouzouki). I play guitar, not particularly well, and would consider myself a chord strummer who can play bits and bobs of fingerstyle.

The two main shops here in the UK are Hobgoblin and PMT. I've seen quite a few mandolins across both of these websites, but I'd really like to know which are the best. I really like the look of Washburns, Tanglewoods and there is the odd Fender/Ibanez that looks quite nice too. I gather that Kentucky and Eastmans are pretty good, but I wouldn't want to spend that much until I'm totally committed to the instrument.

Would anybody be able to advise? Here are some links to a couple that I like!

Ibanez: https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/ibanez-m510e-electro-acoustic-mandolin (I also like that this is electro)

Tanglewood: https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/tanglewood-twm-t-wr-mandolin-wine-red

Tanglewood: https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/tanglewood-twm-t-bkp-e-electro-acoustic-mandolin-black-gloss

Ozark: https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/ozark-mandolin-a-model-round-sound-hole-pro

Any thoughts on these would be very much appreciated. Merry Christmas all.