Customer Kudos
"I recommend zZounds to everyone all the time, not just friends. The payment plans are a blessing & help to to many up n coming young musicians needing/wanting good gear & the Play as you Pay will help them grow faster & better."
February 22, 2024
All-Star Gear: Folk Instruments
Top picks from you fine folks
When they're not singing ballads and protest songs, our folkie customers are singing the praises of their favorite gear! So, whether you're into Kentucky bluegrass, Hawaii vibes, or Delta blues, we've got a wide selection of mandolins, ukuleles, banjos, resonators and more folk instruments you can strum, pluck, or slide on.
We've assembled the best of the best folk gear in this All-Star Gear list, along with quotes from happy owners. Check out the gear and you may just find a new partner for your next gig!
See more All-Star Gear Guides »
We've assembled the best of the best folk gear in this All-Star Gear list, along with quotes from happy owners. Check out the gear and you may just find a new partner for your next gig!
Ibanez M510 A-Style Mandolin
Our Customers Say...
"This thing sounds really good -- a nice woody sound and fairly loud...stays in tune after a few tunings over a day or two."
- Larry in Norfolk, VA
"The tone is much richer than other entry-level mandolins I've tried."
- Randy in Hammtramck, MI
"I am pleased with the overall quality, finish, attention to detail, and sound."
- Walt
"This thing sounds really good -- a nice woody sound and fairly loud...stays in tune after a few tunings over a day or two."
- Larry in Norfolk, VA
"The tone is much richer than other entry-level mandolins I've tried."
- Randy in Hammtramck, MI
"I am pleased with the overall quality, finish, attention to detail, and sound."
- Walt
Hohner The 64 Chromonica Chromatic Harmonica
Our Customers Say...
"I bought this harmonica from zZounds a few months ago and just love it. It plays beautifully, feels nice when you hold it, and has a bright tone in the higher register which I like."
- Hans
"The Hohner 64 Chromonica is very well made and extremely reliable. My Chromonica has lasted me for ten years now. It is still in perfect tune and looks as nice as the day I bought it."
- A Happy Owner
"I thought I knew how to play the Harmonica until I played on this dream. The amazing things you can do with this harmonica will allow even the most experienced player to grow and learn. Simply an amazing tool of music."
- Tyson in Chubbuck, ID
"I bought this harmonica from zZounds a few months ago and just love it. It plays beautifully, feels nice when you hold it, and has a bright tone in the higher register which I like."
- Hans
"The Hohner 64 Chromonica is very well made and extremely reliable. My Chromonica has lasted me for ten years now. It is still in perfect tune and looks as nice as the day I bought it."
- A Happy Owner
"I thought I knew how to play the Harmonica until I played on this dream. The amazing things you can do with this harmonica will allow even the most experienced player to grow and learn. Simply an amazing tool of music."
- Tyson in Chubbuck, ID
Epiphone Les Paul Acoustic-Electric Ukulele
Our Customers Say...
"Epiphone has done it! AWESOME quality and perfect sound, this is one GREAT item, solid construction that made Epiphone famous. I love the Les Paul look!"
- Don in Seven Hills, OH
"Epiphone is known for its quality craftsmanship, but this ukulele is a heart stopper. It sounds great, it plays greater, and the fit and finish is the greatest I have ever seen in a brand new instrument. One of these should be in the Louvre Art Museum in Paris, it is that beautiful."
- Steven in Anderson, CA
"I played several ukuleles in the $200-$500 range, and the Epiphone Les Paul uke was by far the best sounding, best feeling, and best looking one of all. If you're a guitar player, like me, this instrument will feel totally familiar."
- A Happy Owner
"Epiphone has done it! AWESOME quality and perfect sound, this is one GREAT item, solid construction that made Epiphone famous. I love the Les Paul look!"
- Don in Seven Hills, OH
"Epiphone is known for its quality craftsmanship, but this ukulele is a heart stopper. It sounds great, it plays greater, and the fit and finish is the greatest I have ever seen in a brand new instrument. One of these should be in the Louvre Art Museum in Paris, it is that beautiful."
- Steven in Anderson, CA
"I played several ukuleles in the $200-$500 range, and the Epiphone Les Paul uke was by far the best sounding, best feeling, and best looking one of all. If you're a guitar player, like me, this instrument will feel totally familiar."
- A Happy Owner
Deering Goodtime 2 Banjo with Resonator, 5-String
Our Customers Say...
"The workmanship is flawless. It is apparent to see the Deering Banjo company takes real pride in their instruments."
- Dennis in Pittsburgh, PA
"This is a solid little banjo. Plays very good. Sounds good. No frills."
- Steve in Graham, NC
"Great banjo. Hand-made quality, beautiful sound."
- JK in Piqua, OH
"The workmanship is flawless. It is apparent to see the Deering Banjo company takes real pride in their instruments."
- Dennis in Pittsburgh, PA
"This is a solid little banjo. Plays very good. Sounds good. No frills."
- Steve in Graham, NC
"Great banjo. Hand-made quality, beautiful sound."
- JK in Piqua, OH
Epiphone Dobro Hound Dog Deluxe Roundneck Resonator
Our Customers Say...
"This is my first dobro...It is loud and proud when you lay into it and it has nice subtle qualities when you get your Piedmont on."
- Stuntman Mike in Olympia, WA
"Picked up guitar, tuned to open G and didn't put it down for hours. Was easy to play; even with my limited play of resonator and slide I sounded pretty good."
- Dan in Cottleville, MO
"This is a great sounding and looking dobro resonator worth every cent you pay for it."
- Lowell
"This is my first dobro...It is loud and proud when you lay into it and it has nice subtle qualities when you get your Piedmont on."
- Stuntman Mike in Olympia, WA
"Picked up guitar, tuned to open G and didn't put it down for hours. Was easy to play; even with my limited play of resonator and slide I sounded pretty good."
- Dan in Cottleville, MO
"This is a great sounding and looking dobro resonator worth every cent you pay for it."
- Lowell
Luna High Tide Ukulele
Our Customers Say...
"I can't believe how good this sounds, looks, feels -- it's the total package. Everyone you know will be jealous of the fit, feel, and finish of this."
- Jason in Asheville, NC
"The High Tide is very attractive. The dark wood grain and abalone inlay work is sexy. Great tone and stays in tune well. Sounds great plugged in too. That's a cool feature in itself but the pickup is quality too."
- Justin in Visalia, CA
"Beautiful instrument. I immediately replaced Aquila strings with D'Addario Titanium strings. Wow! What a difference!! This ukulele is a keeper."
- Poorna
"I can't believe how good this sounds, looks, feels -- it's the total package. Everyone you know will be jealous of the fit, feel, and finish of this."
- Jason in Asheville, NC
"The High Tide is very attractive. The dark wood grain and abalone inlay work is sexy. Great tone and stays in tune well. Sounds great plugged in too. That's a cool feature in itself but the pickup is quality too."
- Justin in Visalia, CA
"Beautiful instrument. I immediately replaced Aquila strings with D'Addario Titanium strings. Wow! What a difference!! This ukulele is a keeper."
- Poorna
Ibanez B200 Banjo
"It is an awesome banjo after it is fully setup. I tightened the head set the intonation and bam, it sounds just like a Gibson flathead; great tone and sustain."
- Steve in Howe, TX
"This is an excellent banjo for the cost. The tone ring is as good as they come. It's also beautiful."
- Mark in Tahoe, NV
"The fit and finish were fantastic. Sounds as good as my [Gibson Mastertone] banjo but 1/3 the cost."
- John in Collins, IA
- Steve in Howe, TX
"This is an excellent banjo for the cost. The tone ring is as good as they come. It's also beautiful."
- Mark in Tahoe, NV
"The fit and finish were fantastic. Sounds as good as my [Gibson Mastertone] banjo but 1/3 the cost."
- John in Collins, IA
Martin C1K Concert Ukulele
"The wood is pretty if not stunning, the sound, feel and craftsmanship, not to mention the delicious smell are indeed stunning though."
- Edward in Doylestown, PA
"It's bright, open, and sounds great. I realize it's built in Mexico, and the finish is not quite as beautiful as the Kanilea, but in the end I went with the sound. You won't regret it."
- Mark in Lafayette, CA
"This is a nice little ukulele. Very nice wood and it smells great."
- Ron in Beulah, CO
- Edward in Doylestown, PA
"It's bright, open, and sounds great. I realize it's built in Mexico, and the finish is not quite as beautiful as the Kanilea, but in the end I went with the sound. You won't regret it."
- Mark in Lafayette, CA
"This is a nice little ukulele. Very nice wood and it smells great."
- Ron in Beulah, CO
