NMD Sawchyn Hobo Flat top

Hi everybody, new member here. I started playing the mandolin about a year ago after playing bass since I was a teenager. I spent that year playing on a hundred dollar Chinese F style. It was surprisingly nice and easy to play for the price but it was time for an upgrade.

I settled on a flat top since it seemed they were the best quality mandolins I could get for around 1000 dollars. I was planning on a beaver tail, but they were sold out so about 2 months ago (so not really new mandolin day) I bought this wonderful instrument.

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There's not much online about these so I thought I should make a post. It has a fairly chunky v neck that took some getting used to, but now I think I really prefer it, it helps to get my hand into the proper "down the strings" finger position. Craftsmanship is as perfect as you'd expect from a small builder. I think f holes on a flat top are pretty rare, but I think it's a unique look that's really cool.

Sound wise, it definitely favours the highs and mids, but it's never shrill. It sort of rings like a bell. It's also very loud, at least compared to my old mando. I played for a couple hours with an acoustic guitar and had no problems keeping up, I actually had to tone it back. Since I don't play bluegrass and mostly play solo, I thought the sounds was much nicer than the several (much more expensive) arch tops I played in the store.

If anyone is interested I can figure out how to post on video of me fumbling through a tune.

Congrats! Looks great. I'd love to see a video

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Originally Posted by Tyler Craig

I think f holes on a flat top are pretty rare, but I think it's a unique look that's really cool...If anyone is interested I can figure out how to post on video of me fumbling through a tune.

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I am a huge fan of flattops — have owned six of them — but I’ve never played a Sawchyn or any make with f-holes. I would definitely be interested in any audio/video clips that you’d be generous enough to share.

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Originally Posted by Gunnar

Congrats! Looks great. I'd love to see a video

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Originally Posted by pheffernan

I am a huge fan of flattops — have owned six of them — but I’ve never played a Sawchyn or any make with f-holes. I would definitely be interested in any audio/video clips that you’d be generous enough to share.

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No problem! Here's a song I learned from Pegheadnation that I think suits the sound well. It's only a cell phone recording but it gets the point across.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3X8Mcw1rcWE

Nice! Both the photos and video. Great playing. Like the tone. Beautiful looking and sounding instrument. Congrats!

Nicely played!

Sounds great! I have a Beavertail and it’s a wonderful mandolin. I’d love to play or hear a Hobo and Beavertail side by side. The Hobo is such a unique, cool pancake mandolin.

Here is a little blurb about them.......

http://www.folkwaymusic.com/new-inst...hyn-hobo-0418/

I find this much more enticing then a Waterloo or Calhoun mandolin.

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Originally Posted by Charles E.

Here is a little blurb about them.

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I find the blurb interesting: “As compared to a Beavertail, the Hobo has a darker, deeper, warmer, and slightly lo-fi tone. It’s a fun solo instrument, with less projection and horsepower, but more overtones, and richness.” Isn’t that the exact opposite of traditional contrasts between oval and f-hole archtops?

Nice sound! Which instructor at peghead did you learn that tune from?

Nice playing. Enjoy!

Thanks for sharing with us!

Thanks everyone!

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Originally Posted by bruce.b

Sounds great! I have a Beavertail and it’s a wonderful mandolin. I’d love to play or hear a Hobo and Beavertail side by side. The Hobo is such a unique, cool pancake mandolin.

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Originally Posted by pheffernan

I find the blurb interesting: “As compared to a Beavertail, the Hobo has a darker, deeper, warmer, and slightly lo-fi tone. It’s a fun solo instrument, with less projection and horsepower, but more overtones, and richness.” Isn’t that the exact opposite of traditional contrasts between oval and f-hole archtops?

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That's actually where I bought it. They didn't have any beaver tails in stock so I didn't get to compare, but the guy at the store told me they have a pretty similar sound. I definitely agree with the richness and overtones, but it seems to project really well to me.

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Originally Posted by RobP

Nice sound! Which instructor at peghead did you learn that tune from?

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Aaron Weinstein's chord melody course. I recommend it, it's only 4 songs so far but they are great for playing solo.

Nice picking! I'm not really into jazz, but it sounded good!

Big fan of flat-tops. This seems like a real beauty. Great choice. I hope you and it are vey happy together!

Great looking mandolin and I really like the name.