Best Flat Top Mandolins? [Archive]

timacn

Dec-17-2016, 6:00pm

Joey Anchors

Dec-17-2016, 6:04pm

Terry over at http://crystalforestmandolins.com builds high quality flattop mandos.

Before I found my MD404 I was going to have Terry build me a custom flattop using a redwood top.

JeffD

Dec-17-2016, 6:23pm

It seems that most discussions focus on arch top mandolins: F Hole versus Oval Hole, the relative merits of this builder or wood versus that builder or wood, etc.

How about flat top mandolins? I know Flatirons and Mid Mo/Big Muddys and Gibson Alrights are highly regarded. Any other flat top builders past or present that knock players' socks off?

So many choices. (http://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/builders/flattop.html)

The three flatties I have owned have all been stunners. Big Muddy M-11, and the Weber Aspen II, and a pre-Gibson Flatiron pancake mandola the 3MW.

I have played quite a few pancake mandolins, pre-Gibson Flatirons and Gibson Army Navy, and found them to be excellent. And I do love the beautiful sound of the Martin flattops and cant tops.

Bill Kammerzell

Dec-17-2016, 6:30pm

Though I have never played one of his Flat tops, I have a Sonny Morris A-4 that is a fine sounding, fine looking, well built instrument. He has a couple of Flat Tops for sale here. If they are anything like the A-4 they would would have to be nice mandolins. (NFI)

dustyamps

Dec-17-2016, 6:32pm

I'm real happy with my Gibson C-1 and Kalamazoo KM-11, both from 1933.

JeffD

Dec-17-2016, 6:33pm

I have heard some clips of the Morris flatties, very very nice.

pops1

Dec-17-2016, 6:39pm

Andy Poe builds some nice flattops also. Some real lookers to.

timacn

Dec-17-2016, 7:00pm

I forgot to add Keith Newell to the list of prime flattop mandolin builders. They have a great reputation for good reason.

Bill Kammerzell

Dec-17-2016, 7:16pm

Has anyone played a Redline Acoustics, Traveler mandolin? I believe that is a US made Flattop by Steve Smith, of Cumberland Acoustics. Under $1000.00 I think?

Jim Garber

Dec-17-2016, 7:34pm

Brazilian bandolims are all flattops, FWIW.

JeffD

Dec-17-2016, 7:56pm

Has anyone played a Redline Acoustics, Traveler mandolin? I believe that is a US made Flattop by Steve Smith, of Cumberland Acoustics. Under $1000.00 I think?

I haven't played one but I seem to recall a video of one which sounded really nice.

atbuckner21

Dec-17-2016, 8:27pm

Don't forget Bid Muddy Mandolins! Mike Dulak builds some beautiful instruments that sound wonderful :) Plus, he is a great guy!

Joey Anchors

Dec-17-2016, 8:32pm

Here is a Crystal Forest flattop being played.. it sounds extremely good in this video!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d5rmqMc9U38

For being custom made they are very reasonable priced!

PH-Mando

Dec-17-2016, 9:23pm

Red Valley Mandolins made by James Wilson have my vote. Check out the various videos on Youtube for examples of how they sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTbxvxV3ybo

Bob Clark

Dec-17-2016, 10:19pm

Terry over at http://crystalforestmandolins.com builds high quality flattop mandos.

Before I found my MD404 I was going to have Terry build me a custom flattop using a redwood top.

+1 on the Crystal Forest A/N Flat-tops. I've had one for a few years and it's a real keeper. I love it and it gets a lot of play time. Look it up on Terry's website. It's his #14.

Bob

derbex

Dec-18-2016, 4:07am

For completeness, as he's in the UK, Paul Hathway (http://www.paulhathway.com/) makes very good flat-tops.

Petrus

Dec-18-2016, 7:32am

I'm real happy with my Gibson C-1 and Kalamazoo KM-11, both from 1933.

Good gods, was a previous owner really bad at trying to hit the strings? :disbelief:

trabb

Dec-18-2016, 7:47am

I'm in no position to comment on the "best." Especially given what I paid for it, I could not be happier with the mandolin Tom Fellenbaum built for me a couple years back. http://celticmandolins.com. (with the obligatory NFI clause)

Steve L

Dec-18-2016, 7:52am

Fylde and Jimmy Moon make very fine flat tops if I'm not mistaken. I don't know if Chris Baird still builds them, but his Arches flat top/induced arch mandolins are really, really good.

James Rankine

Dec-18-2016, 7:58am

For completeness, as he's in the UK, Paul Hathway (http://www.paulhathway.com/) makes very good flat-tops.

Yes, we have a great selection of flat top builders here in the UK. Here's a selection of mine.

Jimmy Moon mandolin and Tom Buchanan Bouzouki. Sweet ringing flat top sound from the mandolin

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Tom Buchanan Mandola - lots of warmth and again ringing sustain

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Cedar top Paul Hathway Octave - can cope with a bit of belting it out

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pheffernan

Dec-18-2016, 8:01am

Has anyone played a Redline Acoustics, Traveler mandolin? I believe that is a US made Flattop by Steve Smith, of Cumberland Acoustics. Under $1000.00 I think?

I have owned two. In my experience, pancakes have more of a fundamental mandolin tone than teardrop flattops like a Mid-Missouri or Gypsy, which strike my ear as more like a lute or guitar. My Flatiron 1N is the best sounding flattop I've played but left something to be desired from a playability perspective with its little frets, flat board, and lack of an adjustable bridge or truss rod. The Redlines, particularly the second one, got close on sound and far exceeded it in playability. I sold both to fund hopefully my last flattop purchase from Andy Poe, one of his Scouts modeled on the original Gibson Alrite. It is set to arrive next month, in celebration of its forebear's 100th anniversary, and I suspect that it may well provide a definitive answer to this thread's title!

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fscotte

Dec-18-2016, 8:13am

Poe. Makes me want to build one of these flat tops as soon as I find out how he does it.

https://youtu.be/a6Phjzkn9Sk

Northwest Steve

Dec-18-2016, 11:54am

I forgot to add Keith Newell to the list of prime flattop mandolin builders. They have a great reputation for good reason.

One of Keith's flat tops passed through my hands. fit and finish was top notch. Most of the flat tops are pretty basic, the one I had and a few pictures I have seen are right up there with Collings. Neck profile, ease of playing and sound were also top notch.

I also like the sound of the mandolins from Sonny Morris that I have heard.

JimY

Dec-18-2016, 1:25pm

Mojo to the Max, by the look of them. Great picture!

fatt-dad

Dec-18-2016, 2:11pm

I kept the Flatiron 1N over the Kalamazoo KM-11. So, for me, it's the 1N!

f-d

soliver

Dec-18-2016, 7:41pm

Thanks so much for this thread. I've been wanting an oval hole flattie and am so glad to read about the difference between all of them and to hear some of the first hand experiences. It will be a little while yet until I can afford to get one, but I'm glad for all this info!!!

rgray

Dec-18-2016, 9:07pm

Love my Redline Traveler.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=104206&d=1373185724

Sheryl McDonald

Dec-18-2016, 9:58pm

Has anyone played a Redline Acoustics, Traveler mandolin? I believe that is a US made Flattop by Steve Smith, of Cumberland Acoustics. Under $1000.00 I think?

Yes ... I have. And yes, it is a very good (terrific) sounding flat top. They are made by Steve Smith. Nice instruments.

Jim Garber

Dec-18-2016, 10:17pm

I love the concept of a flattop mandolin, have owned a few and love the way they sound, but do we have to call them "flatties"? The only thing worse to me is someone calling an Army-Navy mandolin a "Gibby Flatty." :)

fifths

Dec-18-2016, 10:44pm

Does a vintage Martin canted top count as a flat top? I'm no mando expert, but the 1929 style B I bought a while back and I have been developing a torrid relationship. It has taken me some time to adjust to it, but it's quite a thing.

Jacob

Dec-19-2016, 12:20am

Fyldes (http://www.fyldeguitars.com/) are outstanding.

Dave Hanson

Dec-19-2016, 2:59am

second that, I have always regreted selling my Fylde, great mandolins.

Dave H

Shelagh Moore

Dec-19-2016, 4:26am

Gary Nava must be added to the list... outstanding flat tops! Here are a few photos of mine...

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derbex

Dec-19-2016, 4:30am

Sterling

Dec-19-2016, 8:08am

Really like my #20 Crystal Forest. It's louder than you would think!

Sleet

Dec-19-2016, 8:37am

I love the Redline Traveler I got second hand through the classified. The best mandolin dollars I've spent. Love the tone of my Big Muddy M-11 too. The neck profiles on the two are quite different, with a deeper U shape on the Big Muddy. The Traveler is a little easier for me to handle and a lot of fun to play.

JeffD

Dec-19-2016, 8:53am

Frankdolin

Dec-19-2016, 8:56am

Another flat-top lover here! I have a 54' Martin cant-top,early Tacoma M-3,a new Sonny "Morris" oval hole flat-top.
The Martin was my first mandolin and has the sweetest tone of the 3. Not very loud and doesn't cut in a jam but by itself I'd put it against most. But it's tiny neck always gave me problems with my right wrist and hand cramp,and I got this when I was 6. Could have been bad form but even today it's a problem, and I can play my others for hours...
The Tacoma M-3 is my always in tune, grab and play solid performer.I love the bigger frets. The size and shape of the neck is perfect for me.It's tone is different from any other mandolin I've played, with the odd hole placement,large soundboard . It's focused,pretty loud and I think it's beautiful unique voice stands out in a crowd.
My Morris is my favorite right now. It's tone, and the volume of tone you get from a fine instrument is unmatched in my collection including 2 carved tops.Great build quality,and the fret board feels great.Oh and did I mention Tone! When I tune this thing and get to pitch it just kinda explodes.I am not a paid....:mandosmiley:

JeffD

Dec-19-2016, 8:56am

Fyldes (http://www.fyldeguitars.com/) are outstanding.

They do a great job. The Touchstone is one of my favorites. It just that sound I imagine a mandolin should have in traditional Irish and Scottish music. When you hear it you say, "oh, yea".

Cary Fagan

Dec-19-2016, 9:36am

For anyone interested in trying to build, a flat-top is a great project. Check out Graham Mcdonald's book 'The Mandolin Project.' With little woodworking experience and not a lot of tools, I've built two, a small one for travel and a regular size one, and I like them both. No carving of top and bottom needed and a bolt-on neck works fine.

Caleb

Dec-19-2016, 10:13am

I built a StewMac campfire kit once. Made excellent wall art but not much more.

John Flynn

Dec-19-2016, 10:34am

I have a Parsons flat-top that doesn't look like much, but it plays well and has a really great sound. I've gotten a lot of compliments on the tone. It was made by Will Parsons in 2001. I bought it from a forum member in about 2006. I use it as a travel/beater instrument. I'm sure I have more hours playing it over the last 10 years than my two more expensive mandolins combined. The Parsons flat-tops are pretty rare, but if you can find one used for around $350 - $450, they are a great choice.
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Steve Baker

Dec-19-2016, 10:37am

Fylde makes excellent mandolins and mandolas (tenor mandola in Fylde-speak) at very reasonable prices. FWIW.
Steve
Currently playing a Fylde short scale bouzouki

mandroid

Dec-19-2016, 12:40pm

Best? obviously opinions differ , typically It's an I got this one and I like it, kind or reply..

Lots of Army-Navy types

In that vein, I'll Tout My flat top .. a David Hodson D'Jangolin ..

Very subject to being mistaken for a Uke, Due to its Selmer guitar like body outline..

I'm still taking it out a lot, in it's very water resistant (rubber gasket edged) red metal flake

thermo plastic , vacuum formed case , with a shoulder strap..

[Living Builders can meet demand for More Sales, the late Mr. Hodson, unfortunately, cannot]

'/,

fatt-dad

Dec-19-2016, 12:53pm

I think the Martin's are 13-in scale and less suited for the more popular bluegrass/old-time/celtic music. I played a great version of a Martin cant-top mandolin in an old-time jam and didn't like it! Not enough horsepower compared to my Flatiron 1N. So, for me the scale length was a turn-off and the projection too! As such, I don't consider them in the same league. I certainly know that folks like them though!

Then again, YMMV.

f-d

CES

Dec-19-2016, 4:30pm

F-D, I agree completely. I love the volume and tone of my 1N, but my daughter recently took it to college, so I was half heartedly looking around for an inexpensive oval hole. A 1974 Style A Martin popped up in the classifieds in as close to new condition as I think a 42 y/o mandolin could possibly be, and it was my birth year, so I bit. I do like it, and the more I play it the better it sounds, but the Flatiron wins in tone and volume, IMO. I'm getting used to the 13" scale, though I still prefer the longer 13.75" scale length. I will admit that I like the way the Martin's neck profile and frets feel better than the 1N, but I like the 1N's tone well enough that I've actually considered having someone radius the neck a little and put on larger frets...but, I only paid $500 for the thing to start with, and so haven't taken the plunge. I will say the Martin is very well built (I had concerns given the '70s vintage), as is the 1N.

BBarton

Dec-19-2016, 4:51pm

Don't overlook Peter Sawchyn's Beavertail line of flat-tops -- similar in appearance to the old Flatiron pancakes. Excellent workmanship and very nice sounding instruments. Optional bling (inlay, lacquer finish, etc.) can be added. The low value of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar could make prices attractive.

Reinhardt

Dec-19-2016, 6:15pm

Joe Foley here in Dublin makes really good flat top mandolins. He's making one for a friend of mine at the moment. A flat top with F holes which is probably a bit unusual. My brother has one of Joe's very early flat top Mandolins ( used to be mine). Its a fantastic instrument made in 1979 I think. Sounds fantastic... Why did i Sell it!!!!!!

I was lucky enough to pick up a lovely Gibson Flat top last year. Army navy style but a bit fancier. Was a custom made instrument made in 1996 signed by Steve Carleson. Got it really really cheap from a good friend of mine.
Levin mandolins can be picked up really cheaply in Sweden ( thats where they were made) . Nice intermediate level mandos.

John

John

Chip Booth

Dec-19-2016, 9:52pm

Gary Nava must be added to the list... outstanding flat tops! Here are a few photos of mine...

I was just about to type the same thing. I have never played one, but those two pointers make me do the happy dance every time I see one.

ollaimh

Dec-19-2016, 10:44pm

Yay for sawchyn, his are the best sounding flat tops I've played, but equal would be flydes. Does a Vega canteen top count? They are also great

Don't overlook Peter Sawchyn's Beavertail line of flat-tops -- similar in appearance to the old Flatiron pancakes. Excellent workmanship and very nice sounding instruments. Optional bling (inlay, lacquer finish, etc.) can be added. The low value of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar could make prices attractive.

bratsche

Dec-20-2016, 5:56pm

My Sawchyn Beavertail mandola (left) is definitely a keeper, as are my MidMo M16 and Flatiron 1N mandolas. But my absolute favorite flat-top is my mandola (right) made by John Weisberg here in South FL. Unfortunately, though, it's a one-off instrument. (I so want him to make me an octave to match....)

bratsche

astein2006

Oct-01-2017, 10:24pm

So many choices. (http://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/builders/flattop.html)

The three flatties I have owned have all been stunners. Big Muddy M-11, and the Weber Aspen II, and a pre-Gibson Flatiron pancake mandola the 3MW.

I have played quite a few pancake mandolins, pre-Gibson Flatirons and Gibson Army Navy, and found them to be excellent. And I do love the beautiful sound of the Martin flattops and cant tops.

I know this is an old thread but what was it about the M-11 that you loved? I've been considering getting a flat top. I already own a Kentucky A style ff-hole so I'm looking for something a bit different. What made you choose the M-11 versus something like the M-4 etc.? Thanks!

DavidKOS

Oct-02-2017, 9:35am

I am very pleased with my Fischbach flat-top mandolin:

http://www.institutefortraditionalst...ic_history.htm

http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/...arch=flat+back

ebony fingerboard, rosewood back and sides, and a giant sequoia top

Everyone that has heard it is amazed at the tone and volume.

http://www.strat-talk.com/media/new-mandolin.26824/full?d=1483190816

Russ Donahue

Oct-02-2017, 11:50am

161212

I owned an Arches FT-O for a while. Great sound, and I have missed it since it found a new home in New Zealand. It is the one instrument I would love to recover some day - or acquire another!

Jim Garber

Oct-05-2017, 10:13am

DavidKOS

Oct-05-2017, 11:37am

I would love to hear it, David. I don't think either of those links work tho. I get error messages for both.

Try this, Jim:

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

https://skinnygirlsandmayo.com/tag/ernest-fischbach/

pics of the back and front

http://www.institutefortraditionalstudies.org/elfsound/elfwebpage/elfimages/davids-mando.jpg

hitting those high notes

http://www.institutefortraditionalstudies.org/elfsound/elfwebpage/elfimages/david-mando.jpg

Jim Garber

Oct-05-2017, 1:41pm

That works. It looks like Fischbach is not listed in the Builders Database.

Elliot Luber

May-05-2019, 7:17pm

Has anyone played a Redline Acoustics, Traveler mandolin? I believe that is a US made Flattop by Steve Smith, of Cumberland Acoustics. Under $1000.00 I think?

Here's one. Haven't played one, but would like to. https://cumberlandacoustic.com/product/redline-traveler-112/

Chuck Leyda

May-06-2019, 10:13am

Don't forget Davy Stuart! He makes wonderful flat top mandolas and mandolins. Great value.

JeffD

May-06-2019, 10:21am

I know this is an old thread but what was it about the M-11 that you loved? I've been considering getting a flat top. I already own a Kentucky A style ff-hole so I'm looking for something a bit different. What made you choose the M-11 versus something like the M-4 etc.? Thanks!

Missed this. Sorry.

Yes - and still love the M-11. I played only a few Big Muddy mandolins before I chose the M-11. All the Big Muddy mandolins have an authoritative sound. What attracted me was it's relative warmth. Likely due to being mahogany.

Though not a conscious factor, an M-11 smells magnificent. I have to say it.

rcc56

May-06-2019, 4:06pm

The strongest cant top mandolins I have played were made by the Larson brothers.

ollaimh

May-06-2019, 4:38pm

that fischbach looks fantastic. there are some very nice old european makers, especially the right portuguese mandolins(with the weird tuners) but the right ones have brazillian rosewood back and sides and italian or german spruce tops. but i still say terry sawchynn makes the best flat top i have ever heard. the beaver tail. i recently heard a very plain looking moon mandolin flat top and i have to give that a close second. then there are the gibson army navy mandolins. they aren't quite as good but they have a woody vintage tone that is very enjoyable to noodle around on.