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Your cart is empty.With standard E-E tuning this guitar just stayed in the dryer a bit too long. This guitar is built using a larger “Artist” or F-Style Mandola type body to increase the resonant air chamber providing more volume, better low-end response, and adds just the right amount of timber in its voicing. Compared to our previous manditar models, the newer F-6 and F-12 uses an extended 15” scale allowing for more hand room. Barre chords are even possible near the nut. The Zero Glide nut is very effective at maintaining tuning stability and allows for the lowest possible action alleviating the string tension which is common with short scale instruments. The fretboard is radiused for comfort and the ebony bridge contains a built-in pickup for easy plugged-in playing. Bottom line is this guitar is another voicing to add to your recording studio, band, solo gig, or just to jam with. If you’re looking to achieve a mandolin sound without learning to play the mandolin this does the trick (although, we think you should learn mandolin too)! With the shorter scale length, it lends itself to opening tuning so you can focus more on single or harmonic notes while strumming. Whether you’re looking to add color to songs that you have been playing for years or looking for new sounds, this will definitely spark your imagination. Comes with a soft case!
mykittyiszeke
2025-09-03 14:58:45
Overall I'm very pleased with the quality, tone and playability. I especially appreciate the pick-up and for me the action was great right out of the box. However, the tuning machines are not very good quality. I've only had the instrument a few weeks and I've already had to have one tuning machine replaced. I'm planning to replace them all with better quality tuning machines soon. I purchased replacement string sets directly from Gold Tone. I'd purchase Gold Tone instruments again in the future.
GEORGE ELLIS
2025-06-28 16:52:36
THIS IS A FINE INSTRUMENT!!! GREAT WORKMENSHIP!!! FUN TO PLAY!!! GREAT JOB DONE BY GOLD TONE!!!
Ira R.
2025-06-03 16:52:53
1) Mine came intonated perfectly right out of the box. Hope you’re lucky like me.2) Satin finish is one step above horrible, so don’t expect much in this regard. Not only fairly ugly, but whatever stain they used on this wood, every time you touch the top, you’ll see fingerprint oil stains that have to be wiped off. Binding around the F scroll is abysmal and amateurish.3) No onboard pickup controls, a passive pickup, which is just fine. I prefer it like this. Just be aware that to change volume or tone, you’ll have to have the amp right next to you (basically impossible in performing situations), or have the appropriate pedals/controls situation inline before the amp.4) Received it (last week) with corroded strings, and ordered new ones string by string from one of the companies that sell by string, and I did phosphor bronze, except for the high E and B which are only available in unwound steel or nickel. Be aware that the G strings, and another octave string, are not wound, and GT suggests .018 for the strings designated .018. Instead, I replaced with .017 WOUND phosphor bronze. Huge difference having wound for the G.5) Incredibly neck heavy, but that’s just the nature of the beast. On the strap near the bottom strap button, I rigged a cord and clip that attaches to my belt loop. This keeps the neck up, and really makes it easier to play.6) I contacted GT about specs in case I wanted to replace the tuners with better quality on-a-plate. The rep was beyond clueless, couldn’t tell me the size of the drilled holes, nor post to post distance. His answer was, “Don’t know. We just use what we use.â€What incredible knowledge about their gear! I figured it out myself…Kluson 6 on a plate (left and right).7) As I said above, intonation was beyond perfect right out of the box. It sounds like a mandolin, BUT, there are some guys buying this thing with the intention of modifying the nut so the pairs of the low E, A and D strings are in the same octave, and not an octave apart. This is more mandolin sounding and not like a 12-string guitar.I say forget this idea, because the BRIDGE slots are also cut to accommodate all these different gauges. It would take a special kind of luthier and a lot of money to make this major mod.8) Sound is outstanding, and you can accomplish stuff on this that you couldn’t trying to learn mandolin and its different positions, if you’re a guitar player. Oh…frets are narrower than a standard guitar of course, but since you already know your positions on guitar, it’s not a huge leap to properly finger this baby.9) Despite my negative comments, I highly, HIGHLY recommend it. It will bring you song and tonal opportunities that you’re gonna just love. But make sure you use a high quality MANDOLIN pick, which aren’t that cheap. Just don’t lose them!
j
2025-05-30 11:21:11
I got this as a travel guitar with the advantage of having an instrument that didn't just duplicate the sound of my main guitar. It does sound much more like a mandolin than a guitar but tuning plays like a regular guitar, one octave higher than a regular 12-string guitar. Size is perfect for travelling - much smaller than a traditional travel guitar. Action is a bit high on the upper frets but bridge can be lowered which i haven't done yet. It did come with a broken E string but Goldtone replaced the string and even gave me new set of strings. Both Goldtone and Instrument Alley were great to work with. They were very responsive, both to my questions pre-purchase and to my issue with the broken string.
d'Assisi
2025-05-11 15:27:51
A good instrument. Needs adjustment before playing - fret buzz, a tendency for one of the top E strings to get caught on a fretwire and get stuck off the fingerboard. Happened on an orchestra concert last night with very gentle playing. Has good volume, easy to play. Stays in tune well. Pickup is nice, neutral, Case is good for general use. One tuning machine (5 string) is already very loose in its turning.Other musicisns, conductor are very complimentary of the tone. Two weeks old.
Bradford J Jarrell
2025-05-04 13:59:21
I love it! I didnt even have to set up the bridge the action and intonation was on point straight out the box! I been playing guitar for 30 years and have tinkered around with mandolin and always felt limited but not now with the mandotar I can shred speedgrass like its nobodies buisness!
Robyn Renae Wells
2025-04-18 17:08:02
I play guitar so this is a great instrument if you want a mandolin type sound. The biggest thing I had to get used to is the frets are really close together compared to a regular mandolin or guitar...but, once I got the hang of it , it really is fun to play and gives me a different sound. I'm not crazy about the satin finish , but, that's just a personal choice. It was set up nicely right out of the box and the case is pretty nice. I think over-all its a great instrument for the price.
Customer
2024-11-16 20:37:34
Quality instrument that sounds and plays great! Any guitarist that has played it instantly smiles. Sounds like a mando but plays like a guitar. No complaints
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