Suggestions for Neapolitan &/or flat top mandolins for classical

[Lochness]

Hey guys! New to the forum. I currently own a "The Loar" LM-600 VS. Love it, fantastic mandolin. However, I do two different styles of playing (jazz and classical), and I need a good Neapolitan or a flat top for chamber music/solo music (my more "jazzy" mandolin just doesn't have the tone I'm looking for, for that style). However, I don't have too much money (under a thousand is my price range, though I can go up to a thousand).

I'm looking for a almost guitar-like sound.

Caterina Lichtenberg's mandolin in this video is something close to what I'm looking for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHmh1yZhLnc


Still a little bit much on the metallic-sounding, though (this could be due to metal strings).

Bonus points for extremely good-looking mandolins. I like me something that has a bit of flair in its design that makes it stand out (avi avital's mandolin is a fantastic example of subtle-yet awesome design that I look for in mandolins).

Also, if anyone knows how I can get a sound sample of this mandolin here (and if it is well built) I'd greatly appreciate it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handmade-cretan-mandolin-flatback-case-/181597683234?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4810be22
Thanks for your time

-Lochness (I live in the USA, if that is relevant)

[pheffernan]

My first thought for a guitarfish flattop with a bit of flair in its design would be a Kuhlman-Wolf collaboration from Gypsy's Music: http://www.kuhlman-wolf.com.

[DavidKOS]

Also, if anyone knows how I can get a sound sample of this mandolin here (and if it is well built) I'd greatly appreciate it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handmade-cretan-mandolin-flatback-case-/181597683234?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4810be22
Thanks for your time


That Cretan instrument looks interesting, it seems to combine elements of Greek instruments with Italian and Portuguese mandolin designs.

I'd like to hear it too. Not a bad price, although the shipping may not include any import fees or duty.

I have a friend that makes mandolins that may work for you,

http://www.institutefortraditionalstudies.org/elf_music_history.htm

http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/builders/searchdb.cgi?uid=default&view_records=1&keyword=ELF%20Soundworks

Not all of them have the colorful artwork!

http://www.institutefortraditionalstudies.org/elfsound/workshop.gif

I played the one with the diamond soundhole, it's finished since the picture was taken, and it has a great Italian style tone that would be lovely for classical music.

[Bob Clark]

My first thought for a guitarfish flattop with a bit of flair in its design would be a Kuhlman-Wolf collaboration from Gypsy's Music: http://www.kuhlman-wolf.com.

I second this suggestion. I have a mandolin Walt Kuhlman custom made specifically for nylon strings. It might have the sound you are looking for. Why not talk to Walt about it? I love mine!

[Lochness]

Hey bob! Do you happen to have a sound sample of your mandolin?

@David, I sent him an email

[Jim Garber]

I'm looking for a almost guitar-like sound.

Caterina Lichtenberg's mandolin in this video is something close to what I'm looking for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHmh1yZhLnc


Still a little bit much on the metallic-sounding, though (this could be due to metal strings).


Caterina's is a top of the line German-style bowlback. Those mandolins are usually strung with flatwound strings, usually Thomastik. Her baroque mandolin is strung with nylon or gut-tyoe strings but those are not tuned to GDAE tuning:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htvHZAhrYyo



Bonus points for extremely good-looking mandolins. I like me something that has a bit of flair in its design that makes it stand out (avi avital's mandolin is a fantastic example of subtle-yet awesome design that I look for in mandolins).


The Kerman mandolins that Avi and other of the Israeli mandolins play cost also about 5 or 6 times what your budget is. Those are also strung with steel strings.

[Bob Clark]

Hey bob! Do you happen to have a sound sample of your mandolin?

I'm sorry, but I haven't yet recorded it. My workload has been unbelievable through the summer and fall, but in the next few weeks, I expect it to diminish a little. Once that happens, I will take some time to record and post a sound clip. I need to get a friend to help me because I really don't know how to record well at all. In the meantime, here's a link to an old thread about it, which I bumped when I bought it in July.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?65709-Gypsy-s-nylon-string-mandolin&highlight=gypsy+nylon

As happy as I was with it back in July, I have become even happier with it over these last several months. I play it a lot! Changing strings is more of a nuisance than with metal, as they stretch quite a bit for the first two weeks or so. But once they settle down, it is stable and the tone is very different from a metal-strung mandolin. It is similar to the differences you'd hear between guitars strung with nylon vs steel.

I'll get a sound sample up as soon as I can manage it. In the meantime, I think Chris Acquavella has done some recording on a nylon strung mando. You might want to search him and see what you can find.

Best wishes,

Bob

[Jim Garber]

Also, if anyone knows how I can get a sound sample of this mandolin here (and if it is well built) I'd greatly appreciate it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Handmade-cretan-mandolin-flatback-case-/181597683234?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4810be22


Why not write to the seller of that mandolin and ask for a sound clip?


I'll get a sound sample up as soon as I can manage it. In the meantime, I think Chris Acquavella has done some recording on a nylon strung mando. You might want to search him and see what you can find.


I believe that Chris' mandolin is a baroque style built by Brian Dean. That one would be similar to Caterina's in the video above.

[peter.coombe]

Expecting a sound like Caterina's within the budget you have is likely to be somewhat optimistic. As already mentioned, she plays a high end German made mandolin and it is expensive, way above your budget, as are most of the other suggestions. I make a "classical" flat top mandolin that might be suitable (24 frets, clean sweet sound), but unfortunately I don't have any sound clips with Thomastic strings. That would also be above your budget at around $1492 USD plus shipping at current exchange rates, but it does sound nice. It has the same shape as a L&H model C, but is a flat top.

By the way, I repaired a mandolin that used to be Caterina's not long ago. It was bought from Caterina and was dropped, causing some ribs to separate. It looks identical to the one she is playing in the video, and in fact looking at the date on the video it probably is the exact same mandolin.

[Walt Kuhlman]

I can hit your budget, with both, a clean look and sound.

Walt

[lflngpicker]

I an convinced that the "Big Muddy" flattops are a well made, all solid woods, great sounding USA made mandolin in a very affordable price range. They are somewhat guitar-like in tone from what I understand. The previous name builder Mike Dulak sold these instruments under was "Mid-Missouri". I just bought a very nice Mid-Mo in the classifieds on this forum from one of our highly regarded members. I look forward to playing it next week.

[Lochness]

thanks for the help you guys! I think I found something that I'm looking for, and it's going to be awesome (and within my budget!)

[lflngpicker]

Good for you, Lochness. Glad you found what you were seeking. I hope it brings years of enjoyment!

[Bob Clark]

thanks for the help you guys! I think I found something that I'm looking for, and it's going to be awesome (and within my budget!)

When you get it, please let us know what it is. I am sure that many of us are curious to know what you selected.