Mandolin Glossary

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Flatback
The back of a flatback mandolin will be made of a flat plate of hardwood.

Fleur-de-lis
"Flower of the lilly" is the translation of this French term, and the symbol is a popular design found on many early Gibson mandolins as shown here.

Florentine
F-style ("Florentine") mandolins applies almost exclusively to arched or rarely to flat instruments. F-style generally describes an instrument sporting a curlicue ("scroll"), lobe, or prominent horn on the bass side of the body near the neck joint.