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Mandolins for Sale

Made in Romania by Hora, our mandolins are easy to tune, easy to play and budget-friendly. Choose a traditional Portuguese mandolin in solid wood, or the laminate-body Modern Mandolin. A matching soft case is available separately in our Accessories section.

  • portuguese mandolinPortuguese Mandolin I Hora M1085 $199.97
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  • portuguese mandolin eqPortuguese Mandolin I Hora M1085-EQ $219.97
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  • portuguese mandolin p2Portuguese Mandolin II Hora M1086 $199.97
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  • Sale! portuguese mandolin p2Portuguese Mandolin II Hora M1086-EQ Original price was: $229.97.Current price is: $219.97.
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  • Sale! modern mandolin horaModern Mandolin Hora M1278 Original price was: $179.97.Current price is: $159.97.
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What Is a Portuguese Mandolin?

The Portuguese mandolin (or bandolim) has a flat back and a teardrop-shaped body, unlike the round, bowl-backed Italian mandolin most people picture. Because of its flat back, it sits comfortably against your body, and it is tuned GDAE, one octave above a mandola, in four courses of two strings each.

Portuguese Mandolin I vs. Portuguese Mandolin II

Both models share the same solid spruce top, solid maple back and 33.2 cm scale, so the choice comes down to body size and tone.

Portuguese I (M1085)Portuguese II (M1086)
Body width27 cm20.5 cm
Weight1.20 kg1.00 kg
Acoustic price$199.97$199.97
With pickup (EQ)$219.97$219.97
Best forA broader, fuller-bodied feelA narrower, lighter build

Since both models share the same wood and scale length, the main difference is how the instrument feels in your hands: Portuguese I has a wider body, while Portuguese II is narrower and about 200g lighter.

Also Available: The Modern Mandolin

If you want a more affordable option, the Modern Mandolin (M1278) is built with a spruce plywood top and linden plywood back, rather than solid wood, so it costs less at $159.97. It has a slightly longer 35 cm scale and shares the same GDAE tuning as our Portuguese models.

What You Get with Every Hora Mandolin

  • Made by Hora luthiers in Romania
  • Tuned GDAE and ready to play out of the box
  • Matching soft case available separately in Accessories
  • 12-month guarantee, plus our 30-day return policy
  • Worldwide shipping, and for U.S. orders, customs duties are added to the shipping fee at checkout

How Much Does a Mandolin Cost?

Our mandolins range from $159.97 to $219.97, depending on the model and whether you choose the acoustic or EQ version.

  • Modern Mandolin: $159.97
  • Portuguese Mandolin I or II (acoustic): $199.97
  • Portuguese Mandolin I or II (with pickup): $219.97

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Portuguese mandolin?

A Portuguese mandolin, or bandolim, has a flat back and a teardrop-shaped body, and it is tuned GDAE in four courses of two strings, unlike the round-backed Italian mandolin.

What's the difference between Portuguese Mandolin I and II?

Both share the same wood and scale length. Portuguese I has a wider, 27 cm body, while Portuguese II is narrower at 20.5 cm and around 200g lighter.

How is the Modern Mandolin different from the Portuguese models?

The Modern Mandolin uses a plywood top and back instead of solid wood, so it costs less. It has a slightly longer scale but shares the same GDAE tuning.

What is the difference between the regular and EQ versions?

The EQ versions add a built-in pickup, so you can plug straight into an amp or a PA. Both versions share the same wood, scale length and tuning.

How much does a mandolin cost?

Our mandolins range from $159.97 to $219.97, depending on the model and whether you choose the acoustic or EQ version.

Is a case included?

A soft case is not included, but you can add a matching Mandolin P1 or Mandolin P2 Soft Case from our Accessories section.

Do you ship to the USA, and are customs duties included?

We ship worldwide, and for U.S. orders, customs duties are calculated and added to the shipping cost at checkout, so there are no surprise fees on delivery.