Buying Guides

Mandolin

Buying a Used Mandolin: What to Check

A used-mandolin checklist: top and arching, neck, bridge, frets, setup, prices, depreciation, repair costs and care.

Mandolin

A-Style vs. F-Style Mandolins Compared

A-style vs. F-style mandolins explained: looks, tone, price, weight and comfort, plus archtop, flatback, flat-top and bowl-back builds, style fit, scale and tuning, beginner picks and typical mistakes.

Ukulele

Buying a Used Ukulele: What to Check

Used ukulele checklist: body, bridge, neck, nut, tuners (friction vs. geared), humidity care, string changes, prices and repair costs.

Ukulele

Soprano, Concert, Tenor, Baritone: Finding the Right Size

Soprano, concert, tenor and baritone compared by scale length, tuning, sound and hand fit, plus woods, solid vs. laminate, strings, US prices, myths and typical wrong purchases.

Violin

Buying a Used Violin: What to Check

A step-by-step guide to buying a used violin: condition check, test play, shop versus private seller, warning signs, repair and setup costs, and when an appraisal pays off.

Violin

4/4, 3/4, 1/2: Finding the Right Violin Size for a Child

Find the right violin size for a child: how to measure arm length, size chart from 1/32 to 4/4, signs of a wrong fit, when to size up, renting, buying used and matching bow and accessories.

Violin

Checking Bridge Position and the Sound Post

How to check the bridge and gently straighten it yourself, what the sound post does and why only a shop touches it, plus string height, pegs, chin and shoulder rest fit, humidity and shop costs.