Need a flat mandolin top(just the top to replace one)

I have a flattop mandolin the needs a new top. I'm hoping to find someone who can build me one, hopefully for under $100. I am able to install it myself. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

You should post this in the classified section or contact a luther or three directly.

I can't help thinking that if you're able to install it yourself, then you're able to make one yourself - just joint up the two halves then find a local joinery shop that will thickness it for you.

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll read up on how to get the proper thickness and bracing and build the top myself.

In addition to the above suggestions, you could contact one of the luthiers who sell kits to inquire about purchasing a top only. That said, building yourself could be a very cool experience!

Thanks, Chuck. The more I read about building a flattop, the more I feel I can do it myself. I guess my main concern was getting the proper radius on the top, but I'm pretty sure I can figure it out now. I have two flattop mandolins that have tops that sunk and I thought I'd like to try to make new tops, rather than trashing the mandolins. Once I get the projects done, I plan to give them away or sell them for just the cost of materials to someone who is just getting started at playing and can't afford a fancy instrument.

If the tops are OK (other than sinking), then they probably only need re-bracing rather than replacing. BTW you don't radius the top as such - just sand some arching into the braces and glue the top on :)

Tavy,
The tops are really too badly sunken(as well as cracked) to be re-braced. Thanks for your help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dave Harbst

Tavy,
The tops are really too badly sunken(as well as cracked) to be re-braced. Thanks for your help.

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Couldn't be any worse than Bill Monroe's. And it was fixed. Take the top off. Glue and cleat cracks. Replace/repair bracing and glue top back on. Cheaper than new top and refinishing it.

Rodney,
Thanks for the advice and encouragement. Now I'm rethinking the project and maybe I'll just repair the tops.