The sound of a driving mandolin solo brings to mind the Appalachians and the bittersweet melodies of generations past. Ibanez offers its flagship M522S acoustic mandolin, an incredibly affordable F-style mandolin that delivers warm, rich sound.
This fancy 8-string bluegrass machine is an ideal instrument for its price, ready to hit up the jams right out of the box. This beautiful F-style Ibanez mandolin starts with a solid spruce top and a flamed maple body for crisp, bold tones from top to bottom. The mahogany neck and the rosewood bridge and fretboard offer lasting tone and sustain, while the gold/pearloid tuners keep the mandolin holding the notes in key. With a high gloss finish, the wood's natural beauty shines through with a shimmering veneer, while the gold hardware stands out in striking fashion.
Case sold separately.
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Though this mandolin is sold under the Ibanez label, it's made in China and drop shipped to various sellers including musician's friend. The mandolin is not the same color as the picture, more yellow and black rather than the brown sunburst as advertised. The slots in the bridge weren't spaced correctly, so I had to take it to a luthier. The strings were rusted and need to be replaced. Although it has a solid top, it sounds tinny and muted. The tailpiece is crooked. I kept it despite it's limits and issues just to practice on, but I wouldn't purchase it again. Hopefully, it will improve in tone when the strings settle in and it gets played on, but we'll see. Absolutely expect to take it to a luthier for a set up. Probably better to buy an all solid wood A model for the same price, ( and not buy "Ibanez" ).Ibanez M522S F-Style Mandolin Dark Violin Sunburst
.Once set up properly, this insturment is great sounding, attractive and a good value. Nice action and great playability. I have owned many guitars and I always consider Ibanez when making a purchase.
Ibanez M522S F-Style Mandolin Dark Violin Sunburst
. Can't go wrong with this mandolin. If you are just getting into playing mando's and are lusting after an f-style, this will get you into the bluegrass state w/out having to re-mortgage your home.
Pretty standard features: Solid Spruce top - It's a carved top that has been heat pressed into shape. Maple neck with rosewood board. The fingerboard is flat, not radiused, so it's a little more of a challenge to fret notes/chords. The bridge is rosewood and is adjustable via two small thumb wheels. The bridge slots are cut great. Nut is also cut and set up well. Block inlays run the length of the net. Finished in a brown sunburst. Finish is done well but there are some finish flaws around the f-holes. Not easily noticeable but they are there. Some minor rough spots on the inside radius of the upper scroll. The bracing and tone bars let the top sing. Tuners work well - They are old style open gear tuners. Not the most precise but they work and keep the mando in tune pretty well. Not the best but they work. The plastic tuner buttons look a little cheap when you see them up close but for the money...not too shaby. Tailpiece is nicely done and sustains great.
Top notch. This instrument is solid. They skimp on the heat pressed solid top, and plastic tuner knobs. This keeps the cost down and enables Ibanez to give you a solid instrument at a decent price. Finish is a little rough around the upper scroll and f-holes.
Great value. This is not a top notch picker -definately a Gibson/Kentucky/Collings. If you want something along those lines start you budget at $400+ and start going into 4 figures quick. That said, this will get you pickin' and a grinnin' for under $300. It's well made and can be upgraded.
Ibanez M522S F-Style Mandolin Dark Violin Sunburst
.i have been playing it for about 3 months now, it goes out of tune every now and then but its not that big of deal. you just need to be mind-full of the action on it when you first get it, the strings can be kind of high up. that being said, its a great mandolin, VERY LOUND if you want it to be, i have gone down the halls of my school playing it and had people come out of classrooms to ask about the sounds they were hearing. its a great thing and worth the buy. so long as you can do without the pickups, this guy does not come with pickups and they need to be installed. if your like me and dont care for it then its great but if you want the pickups expect to pay a bit more. thats the catch really its an amazing mandolin for the price but there are no pickups
Ibanez M522S F-Style Mandolin Dark Violin Sunburst
.After playing guitar for years, I wanted a mandolin, because of my interest in bluegrass music. I had a six string acoustic Ibanez which has FANTASTIC, so I chose this mandolin, over others. I am very satisfied! It has the iconic F-style body with good fit and finish. The tone, in my opinion, is equivilant to much more expensive makes. I put on Elixer strings and adjusted the intonation and action, and purchased a Fender gig bag. I would recommend a headstock electronic tuner (e.g., Delta Lab) to keep it in perfect tune, which gives it a sweet and beautiful tone.
Ibanez M522S F-Style Mandolin Dark Violin Sunburst
.I've been playing guitar for over 40 years, professionally and semi-pro, and decided to teach myself the mandolin. Started with the Rogue A style- not bad for the price. But onto the Ibanez 522- First, hey it looks good in the photos- but in your hand it looks and feels cheap. The tuners are horrible- they may be the worst tuners I've had on any instrument I've owned since that cheapo Silvertone my folks got me back in the '60s. Truly bad. The intonation- yeah, with the bridge set up- is very poor and inconsistent across the neck. Sound? Sad to say the Rogue holds up pretty well next to the Ibanez.
Here's the bottom line- this is a barely playable mandolin that sells for 3 times what it's worth. It's not a step up and it's not a good beginner mandolin. Did I mention the tuners?
My advice would be to start with the Rogue and if you decide to pursue the mandolin save up for an Eastman or something comparable. But you definitely don't want to throw your money away on the Ibanez 522.
Ibanez M522S F-Style Mandolin Dark Violin Sunburst
.Ok f style for the money. Just like guitars your not going to get a fine instrument for under seven bills so don't expect a lot from it. It plays ok and sounds ok. Very good starter for anyone looking at a f style mandolin.
Ibanez M522S F-Style Mandolin Dark Violin Sunburst
.I bought this mandolin and all I can say is to go to a place that works specifically on acoustic instruments. Before I got this setup it sounded good up until the fifth fret, every fret after that was flat. After the setup at a local violin/ acoustic instrument music store, every single note is in tune, and the action was perfect as well. This instrument is amazing, I am no professional, but I have to say, go for solid wood and go get it set up! This is the best deal on an f style in this price range. GET IT SETUP, you'll love it!
Ibanez M522S F-Style Mandolin Dark Violin Sunburst
.Great Instrument!! Yes you MUST "set it up" and adjust the bridge,But you do not have to take it to a professional for this,You can learn how to do this in about 5 minuites of search on-line,And you really should learn how to do this your self or you will need it re-set every time you change strings!!! Beautiful sound,looks Great,only took me 1/2 hour to set the bridge.
Ibanez M522S F-Style Mandolin Dark Violin Sunburst
.A beautiful instrument that I am still setting up. Intonation is wonderful and the inlay work is very nice. The case I ordered with it (recommended by musician's friend) was a little too small for the mandolin, so I placed an object in it to stretch it out slightly (like a shoe horn to a shoe) and now it fits perfectly. The only down side was that there is a dead spot on the E string for the 11th fret. If the action is higher, the 11th fret speaks, when I place the action to where I like it, it becomes dead. It is interesting, it is only the E string and not the A, D, or G string. I'll keep working with it as I am sure this can be corrected. Overall a very nice value for the price and I am enjoying playing this Ibanez Mandolin. I would definitely recommend it. Also, my thanks to the great staff at Custom Guitars Friend who were extremely helpful and made ordering this a very pleasant experience.
Ibanez M522S F-Style Mandolin Dark Violin Sunburst
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