Big Muddy vs Red Line Traveler

[red7flag]

Was wondering how these two brands compare? While I have played Red Lines, I have not played Big Muddies.

[mandroid]

Big muddy has a less fancy looking finish and somewhat different body shape ,
as opposed to the use of a army-navy gibby derived pattern, .. BM, a has bit more almond seed outline .

but like me, you could probably see that. both will use a variety of woods if you ask them to...

reading the travel mandolin thread I learned you can get a deluxe model red line and adding a little more rim width/body depth in the build gets a bit more bottom to the sound..

And you can talk to both builders on the phone.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Both are great instruments and excellent values, but IMHO, the Traveler gets my nod for looks, tone, bottom end, and options/customizability (I think I just made the latter work up) -- plus the Traveler neck shape feels better in my hands. I've no first hand experience working with Mike (Big Muddy, whom I've read nothing but good about here on the boards), but from first hadn experience Steve (Red Line) is a pleasure to work with.

[Bob Grieco]

I am the proud owner of a 'soon to be at my door' Big Muddy Mini-Mo.
(Mike the builder just happened to choose the name after the "mini me' character during the Austin Powers movie time period)
There's nothing Mini about it except it has a bolt on mahogany neck & it's a 1/2 inch thinner than the maple, mahogany, rosewood or walnut 2 inch thick Mid Mo sized models that have standard glued on necks.
It's still available & still the most inexpensive (around $300) handmade mando in America in a traveler/backpacking sized style - featuring a flat rosewood fingerboard, large frets, rosewood bridge, all solid matte finished walnut back and sides, w/ a Sitka Spruce top.
A great quality, great sounding, customizable, flat top.
The website is temporarily down (10/23/2010) so you have to call 573-698-3300 and speak to Mike in person for info and ordering.
I have no financial interest in the BigMuddyMandolin company - just paying it forward to the Cafe members via useful information.
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[red7flag]

I just bought a Red Line from Big Joe. It is the delux model (larger body with deeper sound), walnut sides and back, and carpathian spruce on top. Has deep fine sound worthy of a mandolin with additional zeros. Am very pleased. Big Joe continues to be a great person to work with. Put pictures in the Pictures section.

[schubs]

I am getting a big muddy soon like the one showed above. I played with one in a store. I am really excited to get it.

[Bob Grieco]

Did you get it yet and if so, how is it? I'm messing w/ string gauges to get the action just right - how's yours?

[billkilpatrick]

never played a traveler but i've seen photos - i suspect it and a comparable mid-mo/muddy will sound pretty much the same. it's a style consideration but i find the rectangular, slightly tapered tuning platform mike chose is more elegant than the splayed-end, canoe-paddle shape chosen by redline. i also find redline's pancake, full-moon sound box isn't as pleasing as mike's classic almond shape. imho - humble, mind! - mike makes a more beautiful looking instrument.

[bratsche]

Your aesthetic tastes are much like mine, Bill. In addition to my three Dulak instruments, I have two pancake shaped, paddle headed mandolas (Flatiron and Sawchyn), and while I like the sound and playability of them both, I often secretly wish they had the almond shape and tapered head. Classic, indeed!

bratsche