Ibanez M510E-BS

Good budget instrument

I wanted an electro mandolin, but didn’t want to spend loads as it’s not one of my main instruments.

It is good for the price and massively improved with a decent set of strings.

Good instrument

they always say for the money a good instrument but this one is a really good instrument with a pickup

Versatile companion, good value

I have had this mandolin for many years now, so it’s about time I write a review about it!

The mandolin arrived in a very good state in its nice and handy hard case. I brought it to a luthier to set it up as the action was quite high and could not play barre chords. The quality of the material did not seem excellent to me (I still struggle with the tuners) but all in all in line with the price tag.

In general it is an easy to play instrument, I found myself quite comfortable from the beginning although I am mainly a guitar player. The acoustic sound is a bit thin, normal for a mandolin but probably worse than a purely acoustic model. When plugged in it sounds much better, as with a bit of gain it is easy to increase sustain and fatten a bit those high notes.

Overall it has been a faithful companion for tens of rehearsals and gigs with our band, and I definitely cannot complain of its value for the price I paid. Definitely recommended for a beginner or for someone who plays in a band! Maybe less for a purely acoustic or solo player

I had my first Ibanez guitar almost 40 years ago, which was fun. But I deeply deeply regret having bought this mandolin. Painfully thin and dry sound. New strings did not help. Using the pick-ups is a help, but not much. Enough said!

Not delivered usable

The acoustic sound is flat and dull, managed to get an ok electric sound, but it required some restringing, nut and bridge sanding and tinkering with the electronics. I'd send it back, if I hadn't invested so much labor in it. It's became somewhat usable as an electric.

Sounds great, high quality performance.

A good entry level instrument

This is a well made mandolin which came nicely setup. Sound is okay both acoustically and plugged. Nicely cut nut, and a good bridge height. It is a better than -starters- instrument overall.

Good value for money

I am not a professional mandoline player, I use it only in some songs (usually I play guitar), therefore it perfectly fits my needs for acoustic (unplugged) use and also for small gigs.

No hum from pick-ups, overall good sounding instrument, but bass frequencies could be more fat, but maybe it is a matter of taste.

Ibanez has always good quality products and this is one of them. Good value for money. Maybe not enough for professional, but perfect for beginners and I guess quality and sound is totally enough if you use it as your second or third instrument.

Really nicely made Instrument

Great value mandolin - came complete with hard case. Has a built-in pickup and really nice finish. Great sound and well set up. Good materials and construction quality. Good quality case and very good value for money.

Can't recommend this

Cons:

Needs tuning after every number

Difficult to tune

Electrics are appalling - permanent buzzing and humming, especially when not on full volume.

I have two Ibanez basses, and an Ibanez guitar, and thought that, even though it was cheap, the name might count for something - I was wrong.