martin mandolins

**ollaimh** · Feb-21-2019, 2:48am

what is the difference between a martin style A or style B mandolin???? i just picked up a martin canted top mandolin in a trade. i am wondering the model.

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**rcc56** · Feb-21-2019, 3:47am

Style A had mahogany back and sides, style B had rosewood back and sides.

They made 1746 style B's between 1914 and 1946. They didn't make them again until the 1980's, when they made 41 more of them.

As best as I can tell from your picture, yours is a style A.

**nmiller** · Feb-21-2019, 4:27am

Yup, that's the main difference. There are also differences in trim; the B has small diamond fret markers instead of dots, a fancier rosette, and a center stripe on the back. There may be other small differences depending on the year.

**brunello97** · Feb-21-2019, 8:24am

Martin As sound very good. Martin Bs sound very, very good.

Mick

**ollaimh** · Feb-21-2019, 11:35am

i was surprised how good this sounds. it's mahagony back and sides , so it's a st. style A. thanks

**Jim Garber** · Feb-21-2019, 12:44pm

Also, the A is the only one with a squared-off headstock. The upper models (B, C, D & E) all have the headstock with a cutout. Here is a Martin style E headstock:

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**ollaimh** · Feb-21-2019, 1:04pm

Originally Posted by Jim Garber

Also, the A is the only one with a squared-off headstock. The upper models (B, C, D & E) all have the headstock with a cutout. Here is a Martin style E headstock:

a beauty