Ibanez M510E A-Style Acoustic-Electric Mandolin
A quality mandolin for a beginner-friendly price, the Ibanez M510E boasts a single-coil pickup, so you can rock this mando acoustic or amplified.
Overall User Ratings (based on 38 ratings)
Submitted February 17, 2011 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Excellent instrument for the price."
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As a fairly new Mandolin player, I expect this to last at least a couple years before I look for an upgrade, and only then if there is a compelling reason to do so.
Sound
The sound with the original factory strings wasn't too bad, but once they were replaced with some Elixirs, the clarity was much improved.
Ease of Use
As an acoustic-electric Mandolin, there has to be compromises. It took a bit of experimentation with the volume/tone controls to get it to sound okay. Once set, it is pretty decent (considering the price)
Quality
Fit and finish are excellent, the only complaint I have (and this is common for a stringed instrument in this price range) is the poor quality tuners. Quite a bit of play in the peg/bushing area which makes tuning a challenge. I am in the process of replacing them.
Value
There aren't alot of acoustic-electric mandolins in this price range to compare the Ibanez too. I did alot of "Googling" for reviews prior to purchase and this fared better than most.
Manufacturer Support
N/A
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Comtemporary Christian, Bluegrass, Celtic
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Submitted February 6, 2012 by Dean Kesler in Oconto Falls, WI
"First Mandolin In 30 Years...She's A Keeper!!!"
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I got my first Mandolin for Christmas at age 18. I learned to play on it and then, I stepped on it and broke it! It took me nearly 30 years to buy a new Mandolin and I did a lot of research before making a purchase. I knew it didn't make sense to buy a thousand dollar Mandolin but, I also didn't want a $39.99 beginner! This Mandolin fit nicely into my pricing comfort zone and, my research revealed results satisfactory enough for me to buy the Ibanez M510E.Thanks in no small part to zZounds 4-Easy Pay plan, I ordered Th Mandolin and it arrived safe and sound however, I live in Wisconsin and it is winter time here. I am always nervous about shipping instruments in the winter but, if you are patient enough to wait several hours to a day before opening the shipping box, there should be no weather damage! There was no damage and in fact, all I needed to do was make a very minor bridge adjustment and she was ready to go!Step 1: I opened the box and the first thought was, "She sure is a "looker"! Step 2: I tuned her up and it was time to see if I remembered anything I had learned as a teen about playing the mandolin. I was rusty but, like the old cliche' says, "It's just like riding a bike"! She looked good, she felt good and, she played pretty darn good too!Step 3: Now it was time to change the strings as I always do when I get a new instrument. Now she sounded much better! Not that is was bad right out of the box but, the new strings did bright up the sound quite a bit!Nice, bright, ringing sound and what I consider to be an instrument of quality beyond it's pricing! The neck was straight, no "splinters" in the F-holes heck, no physical flaws at all!If you buy the M510E or, any instrument for that matter, they may need minor adjustments if they are being shipped to you. If you are too nervous to do any adjustment yourself, take it to a pro, it's not expensive! And remember, the weather can be a huge factor in the condition of an instrument upon it's arrival. Don't be too hasty in opening your new treasure, give it a chance to acclimate to the conditions in your home, studio, wherever you are opening the shipping box.
Sound
Excellent!
Ease of Use
Easy as can be if you know how to play it.
Quality
Superb.
Value
Worth every penny!
Manufacturer Support
Didn't need it.
The Wow Factor
The wow factor? WOW!!!
Musical Background:
36 years, turned pro at age 18. Guitar, Bass, Drums, Mandolin, "Swinette"
Musical Style:
Is "Soup to Nuts" a musical style? Traditional Country to Metal...I don't like to be pigeonholed into one category.
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Submitted February 21, 2011 by a customer from netutah.com
"Great electric mando for the stage."
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I am a beginer on the mando. I imagine if I continue to play, I might look for another acoustic/electric that has a solid wood top and sounds equally nice without plugging in.
Sound
Recently my bass player gave me his Rogue oval hole mando. Got me hooked and I wrote two new songs on it. Didn’t want the hassle of a mic on stage so I bought the electric Ibanez. Action was really horrible when I got it. Took it in for a set up at my local luthier, and with new strings it plays really nice the whole way up the neck. Plugged in it sounds great through the PA and equally nice straight through my Fender amp. I figured I’d get rid of the cheap Rogue once I got the Ibanez, but the acoustic sound unplugged is not as full as the round hole Rogue. Not sure if this is just the nature of F-holes vs. round holes, but unplugged, the Ibanez really suffers with acoustic projection and has virtually no bass compared to the Rogue. So, I’m happy with the Ibanez as a great playing, very nice sounding electric mando for live shows, but I’ll be keeping the Rogue for recording.
Features
Volume and tone controls work fine.
Ease of Use
Once set-up, the Ibanez plays great. Sounds great plugged in, not so great acoustically. Very little projection, especially in the bass.
Quality
The dark finish looks very beautiful and instrument seems to be very rugged and well made.
Value
Great value.
Manufacturer Support
I have an Ibanez 12-string acoustic guitar as well. Never had problems with that so I’ll assume the mando will be equally reliable.
The Wow Factor
Zero sex appeal
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Alternative
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Submitted June 25, 2013 by Jason Champion in Woodstock, GA
"Fantastic for the price!"
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This is my first mandolin so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on it. That said, I did a lot of research before making a purchase and I'm glad I went with the M510E A-Style. The only issue I have is the strings that it comes with. They are steel (I think) and very hard on my fingers. I play guitar, so my fingers are used to the pressure but these strings are ridiculous. Regardless, the mandolin sounds great even with cheap strings. It sounds good both acoustic and plugged in. The finish is great and it looks like a much more expensive mando. It is worth noting that there is only one peg for a strap so you will need the type of strap that wraps around the neck.
Musical Background:
Working drummer/percussionist/guitar and now mandolin....25+ years
Musical Style:
Rock, country, Christian
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Submitted November 16, 2012 by T.K. A in Austin, TX
"Play before you buy"
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I have had this mandolin for several months now. Pros - she looks really goodC ons - sounds terrible With the latter, nothing else matters. It's impossible to keep this thing in tune. I have tried with the stock strings and even some brand new strings. It's just not happening. This has caused me nothing but frustration. I've tried everything, there is even a nasty rattle that doesn't go away. I would recommend playing on a mandolin in a store before making a purchase.
Musical Background:
Guitar, drums, keys, sing. Been playing for almost ten years now.
Musical Style:
rock/alternative
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Submitted March 10, 2014 by Joshua M in Cherryville, NC
"Decent mando. Good price. Great fun."
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zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I'll start by saying in a fan of Ibanez. I have and have had several of their guitars and anything above their "starter packs" is usually a decent instrument. This mandolin is no exception. Good sound acoustically and surprisingly accurate reproduction of sound when plugged into my Fishman loud box or Peavey Ecoustic. I got the open pore finish, it's nice, but has a few cosmetic flaws. Also, THE STRINGS WILL HAVE TO BE CHANGED IMMEDIATELY AND THE PLASTIC UNDER THE BRIDGE HAS TO BE REMOVED. It sounded really plunkey and flat at first, but afterwards it's a nice sounding, playable, gig worthy instrument. Zzounds gave me a great price on it too!
Musical Background:
making music for 20+ years...keys, guitar, vox, perc, ukulele, mandolin, bass and a little harmonica.
Musical Style:
Any genre...So long as its clever and catchy.
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Submitted October 21, 2007 by a customer from telia.com
"Ibanez´s good value"
Sound
Regarding the prizetag, it's a bargain!
Features
Strings sucks as in most cases, must change them asap.
Quality
Considering the prize, one gets a top mando!
Value
I've played a lot of other brands, must say Ibanez beats the competition.
Musical Background:
Pro Musician
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Submitted January 10, 2010
"Lacking in quality components"
Had I known about the problems with the stock keys, I would not have bought this brand.
Quality
I had to replace the tuning keys immediately with after market keys. The Dealer offered to replace the keys for free, but the replacements provided by Ibanez (?) were the same inferior ones that came on it.
Musical Background:
Active musician
Musical Style:
Irish trad.
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