Thomann Europe Mandola M1088-P

This instrument became my personal pet from very start. As a endorsee of L.Cohen songs and also music of renaissance and ethnic (greece, Armenia), I like the darker mandolin-like istrument sound as oud, bass-mandolin etc.. This instrument is about halfway between tenor-sound mandolins and them.
THIS INSTRUMENT IS:
- a nice look,
- fine materials (with some minor exceptions),
- a very good sound and factory stringing;
- a very good tunning mechanics of steel
- average electronic with undersaddle sensor and three colour corrections and - WITHOUT a TUNER (!) , but - a fine distance between rumours nad sound (THD) - YOU SHOULD USE it for DIRECT RECORDING - not like chinese instruments of other TH. offer.
- it is a very good at hand and (almost) easy to play - if youre mandolinist
- as a HORA Music instruments - product of Romania - a real Balkan taste
FINAL VERDICT about this one Iˇve got :
A VERY GOOD INSTRUMENT for: BEGINNERS, TOURING MUSICIANS and HOME RECORDING. NOT ONLY for its awesome price, the lowest at the market.
I can only recommend - happy to have !
( A suitable, fine bag: Thomann Nr. 396739 )

The strings that it comes with are the only complaint I could say about this mandola for the cost of it, I haven't yet changed them but think they'd make a nice difference, the open G string seems a big lose but I've never played any mandola before so maybe on open tuning it might sound better. Altogether a nice finish, nice action and feel to it, the tuners are ok quality and the pickup on it is all you could ask for. Great value if you want a new instrument to start on. Haven't gigged it yet but looking forward to maybe adding it to a new recording.

Nicely finished from nose to tail,
At this money and performance ready, perfect action, holds tune too.
I connected with this instrument straight away.
Frett spacing is similar to guitar, it's easy to swap between the 2 while performing and the electrics really bring this instrument alive, no need for much eq.
I already play violin so this mandola is the same tuning (some are different).
I just love the rosette thing, almost modern art but certainly attractive.
I cannot complain about the strings as I change them at least every 3 weeks.
Yes, this will be used plenty for dance music and stage performances,
A nice instrument, made in Europe, Romania, thomann brand too. 3 year guarantee! Can't go wrong.