Hola! Music A Style Mandolin Instrument with Adjustable Truss-Rod Model HM-3TS, Glossy Sunburst Finish

I was already familiar with stringed instruments, but I was bored during the quarantine so I thought I'd try something new. I was going to order a better-known brand for more, but I decided to take a flyer on this one after reading the reviews. Also, I really wanted an instrument with a truss rod and this one had one. I was very pleased! It plays really well for an incredibly inexpensive instrument. I've seen and played a lot of budget instruments and this completely blew me away with its quality and sound for what it is. It was playable out of the box with no adjustments. The neck was true (in tune the whole way down), the action was good (the distance between the strings and the neck -- this also determines how hard it is to push the strings down.) The sound was pleasant, although maybe not as fat and rich as it could be, but this is a very inexpesive instrument. It's got a great twang for bluegrass and country. My instrument was badly out of tune when it arrived. You should expect yours to be as well. The strings will also stretch a lot during the first tuning or two... For those of you who've never played a stringed instrument: Do not freak out if a note falls way out of tune at first. Likely the instrument itself is fine, but the string stretched. Expect to tune it a half dozen to a dozen times during the first few days. If, after several hours of playing, it's still not holding pitch, then you may have a problem. A few minor breakdown points -- In the box is just the instrument and an allen wrench to adjust the neck. (Don't play with the neck adjustment unless you know what you're doing...) it doesn't come with a pick or case (or tuner). Not a big deal, but you'll at least want to order picks to play it out of the box. The box is fine as a temporary case. I immediately ordered a cheap bag The strings weren't very good, so I immediately ordered new ones. You shouldn't expect good strings on an instrument of this price. A new set is less than $10 and some music stores will put them on for you no charge. (You can also do it yourself, obviously.) I rated this 5 stars as someone who was prepared for this to be a beginner instrument. It's something to tinker with, an inexpensive instrument for someone who isn't sure if they'll play it, or someone who's younger. It would also work as a practice or travel instrument for someone who already owns a mandolin but wants something to beat around. It's a good enough instrument that a beginner can use it for a year or two without needing something of better quality.

This mandolin is really nice for the money mine came with a case although it didn't say it was coming with one. That is only extra with this mandolin. But the sound is good looks greats etc. I would say if you want a mandolin at low price and to learn this is the one for you well balanced and I'm loving it been wanting to get a mandolin and learn to play for years and this fit the bill on my tight budget. So don't be afraid to buy this mandolin. Now you have to wait about 2 months to get it so be patient it is well worth the wait. They seem to be made to order and I believe they got a lot of orders at this price level so they are doing there best to make a fine quality product and get it to you as soon as they came. I had to wait to but it was worth the wait believe me I would buy this mandolin again. Great mandolin get yourself one or your child or both of you together and start learning a great fun instrument. I would get Alfreds teach yourself the mandolin for a music book, to learn I've found his music books for beginners to be best out there for any instrument. Get one have fun and remember to practice at least 30 minutes a day and it will take you a month to build up calluses on finger tips as long as you practice every day yes they will hurt but after a month your good to go and even if it doesn't sound good till then keep practicing and in 6 months you will be one happy person.

I’ve had a few Hola instruments and all have been solid for sound and workmanship. This mandolin is no different. The workmanship is very good, the finish is nicely done, and, most important, it has a clean sound. I give it good marks all around. I gave 4 stars for craftsmanship and sound for these reasons: 1) You will likely need to adjust the height of the bridge and saddle to keep from getting string buzz*. It’s relatively simple to do by rotating the adjustment wheels (nuts) on each side of the bridge for more clearance between the strings and frets. If you’ve never done this, watch a YouTube video about it before adjusting. 2) No instructions are shipped with the instrument to lead you through setting up the bridge, or anything on proper tuning. 3) You may need to adjust the truss rod (in the neck) to take any bowing out of it. If you cannot get rid of string buzz by adjusting the bridge, this adjustment may be needed. Have it done by a music store. 4) The sound is very good, albeit a bit hollow. I believe this is due to the materials used for this price point. You likely won’t notice. All stringed instruments ship with the strings quite loose. This prevents the neck from breaking in shipping if temperature drops significantly, like in the cargo hold of a plane. Tuning will take several adjustments before string tension stays put and the strings stay in tune. This is NOT a defect, or an oversight. *String buzz is the result of the strings being too close to the frets. The bridge nuts are adjustable to compensate for this. Conversely, if you’re having a lot of trouble getting a clean note, you may need to lower the bridge a bit. That said, if you’re new to stringed instruments, you’ll have some buzz until the muscles in your fretting fingers get stronger. Expect to develop some calluses on your fingertips, too. These stay around and then disappear after your fingers toughen. This mandolin is a very good instrument for beginning and intermediate players. I recommend it, and other instruments from Hola.

This was an amazing find … an entry level mandolin with a truss rod, adjustable bridge, and a great, full sound. It was well set up and playable out of the box. I did change the strings to a set of Daddario nickel bronze lights and the sound was even better. I play fiddle and wanted to experiment with mandolin and for a great price, this instrument was the perfect way to do so.

I work on a lot of guitars and mandolins so I’ve seen about everything brand wise. I was really curious at this price point how the Hola mandolin would compare to other mandolins. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and overall workmanship of the instrument, lots of attention to detail, compensated adjustable bridge, real multi layer binding, fret ends are under the binding for a very smooth comfortable feel. I tuned it up and without even doing anything else the bridge height string spacing was great. The strings sound clear and pure. The only thing I’ll have to do with it is probably file the nut. It sounds just great for an entry level mandolin! It was a long shipping wait but I knew that at the time of purchase as it was clearly stated it would be a month plus, but well worth the wait. Other people have stated they had problems, but not the case at all here, it’s a great playing and sounding instrument especially for the price! I’d put it up against anything.

This was a great starting mandolin. I bought it cause the price was really in my budget. I did not want spend a lot of money because I'm new to the mandolin. I just wanted see if I liked playing the mandolin. I've had it for a couple years now and it's still making music.

I don’t have much experience playing the mandolin but I’ve been playing this one for two months now and these are my thoughts on this product. Starting with the setup, it was very simple. The bridge for the most part came ready, I just had to flip it so it pointed outwards instead of inward. Simple fix. I used the strings it came with at first and they were playable. They already had rusting on them though so I changed them for the only mandolin strings they carried at Guitar Center (Martin & Co.) and the sound was significantly better giving the instrument a better sustain and overall brighter sound. There is a slight buzz when hitting the G string. Even after adjusting the truss rod and action, there hasn’t been much of an improvement. I haven’t tried checking the pick guard or if grommets would help but that is something to keep in mind. Overall, for $50, I think this is a decent instrument to get your foot into the door and your fingers on some frets. I’ve enjoyed playing it and I’d recommend it for a beginner on a budget.

My first ever mandolin! I’m a guitar player and was interested in expanding into another string instrument. It was delivered in great shape, looks cool hanging on my wall as an art piece. It sounds great once I figured out how to tune it. Many online videos to help with that. I spent a few hours the first night I had it and learned to play the opening riff and chords to R.E.M. - Losing My Religion. Also a few online videos to help with learning that song and many other lessons. Very easy to play this instrument , nice action on it. Can’t wait to learn the rest of the song and many others on this instrument. You can’t beat the great price for the quality you get.