How Many Really Like BLACK Top and BLACK Mandolins??

[bart mcneil]

Like bratsche I find the various wood grain patterns used on the fronts of mandos quite interesting and normally study the grain on the top of any mando I am holding. I don't object to sunbursts but they, like black, can hide the flaws or seams in wood tops when lesser grade or narrower boards are used in top construction.

[Zissou Intern]

I like mine and a lot of yours, too!

[kkmm]

I only like black instruments if they are CF ones.

[Bertram Henze]

Black tops are de rigeur for formal occasions. But you had better be wearing a tuxedo as well.

The same applies for all-metal resonator instruments.

[Petrus]

It's not easy being green.

[DylanH]

I just saw this on the Northfield Facebook page, says it has a birdseye maple pickguard.

[dreadhead]

Here's my 2013 Collings MT2.

[Russ Jordan]

Have always liked the look of black topped a models, at least going back to the late 1970's. I do prefer stained wood on back and sides tho. I also agree with some here that black topped f models are not as attractive. Here's my main mando.

Nice, Ken! Who is the builder? Would love to see shots of side, back

[Randi Gormley]

coming late to the parade ... I have two black instruments, my Rogue (now on loan) and my snakehead. I have three blondes and two browns. And no bursts. Both the black topped instruments are also black back and sides; both browns are brown faces, sides and backs, one of the blondes is blonde all over and the others are blonde faces but dark/variegated sides (where they have sides) and backs. I like the variety, I guess!

[Mark Marino]

I really like the look of a black top contrasted by reddish brown sides and back. Maybe I've spent too much time looking at old gibson a but ultimately had to have one so made this simian of kit in that combination and get lots of compliments when I take it out.

[Nalapombu]

That's beautiful!! CONGRATS on building it. In fact that finish on yours is exactly what I want in my next mandolin, or at least something close to it.

Haw hard was it to make that kit I'd like to try one that has the body already put together though. You know, all the heavy lifting already done where all I had to do was getting the body and neck nice and ready for finishing, attaching the neck, all the hardware and finishing it of course with something similar to yours.

Lets see more pics!!

Nalajr

[GKWilson]

I have a few Black mandolins. They're great. I think Mike builds some of the best A's out there.
That said, I wouldn't care what color a mandolin was if it knocked my socks off when I played it.
One of my favorite mandolins is Jenny Lynn's [from Della Mae] black topped Daley. It's an
awesome instrument.
Gary
That F4 'IS' real purrdy Mark.

[pheffernan]

I have a few Black mandolins. They're great. I think Mike builds some of the best A's out there.

And here I only want one . . . an oval . . . preferably with a Virzi.

[Rush Burkhardt]

I had Pete Langdell build an all black G5 for me in '05. It was a wonderful looking, all black w gold hardware and a sylized eagle, drawn many years ago by my Dad, inlaid in the headstock. It looked way better than this photo depicts. Oh, MAS, why did you take her from me!

[Cary Fagan]

Since we're on this, does anyone know what builders use for black dye? Do they use the black version of whatever dye they usually use or something else?

[Michael Wolf]

Here´s a black top A5 by Paul Duff:

[Jim Garber]

ultimately had to have one so made this simian of kit in that combination

I have a feeling your auto-correct did not like Roger's name.



Here's my A2 from 23.

[Timbofood]

That's exactly what I thought too Jim!

[Jim Garber]

Since we're on this, does anyone know what builders use for black dye? Do they use the black version of whatever dye they usually use or something else?

Some answers on this thread, Cary.

[Ken]

Nice, Ken! Who is the builder? Would love to see shots of side, back

Hey Russ, sorry for not keeping up here on the Cafe. The mandolin is one of mine, finished in 2009, glad you like it. Here are pics of the back and side.

[9lbShellhamer]

I like the way the stain on the sides contrasts with the black top...

[Jeff Budz]

I'm so tired and done with sunburst mandolins. I have no idea why everyone wants to have mandolins that look the same. People post pictures of wonderful $10k mandolins on this site and I say to myself, looks like another boring sunburst mandolin, meh.

I love the look of these blacktop mandolins posted on this thread, especially the Duff with contrasting sides in post #68.

Me? I'm dreaming of a mandolin with a transparent tangerine top, something that will really stick out from 99.9% of the mandolins out there.

[Bertram Henze]

...meh.

That's exactly the sound blacktop sheep make

transparent tangerine top

[Pjones3]

If you want to try one out see the classifieds for a nice black top Flatiron Festival A. It's a beauty!

[Nalapombu]

VERY NICE stuff guys and gals!! Thanks for posting the pics.

I know what you mean JBudz, I too like "different" looks than the norm. The other day I came across a BLUE Eastman 615 on Ebay and thought it was very nice, but I know that most wouldn't want it in their house.
I like to see all different colors and finishes on mandolins. It makes things more interesting, I think. I have pics of an F style on my hard drive that is maybe one of the most beautiful mandolins ever, it is a black top and the sides and back are highly flamed with a natural gloss type finish, no staining on it, just the color mother nature gave it. Oh boy, what a beauty. That Duff that is posted is also a very nice mandolin and I too like the contrast between the top and the sides.
If everyone drove the exact same car or motorcycle, things would get pretty darn boring pretty quick. Variety is the spice of life...isn't that how the saying goes?

Nalajr