Lightest weight mandolin

[ryder]

Hey,

So there are other threads here and there that touch on this subject,
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...andolin-weight

but I'm wondering

(a) for normal size mandolins, what's the range of weights, (mostly answered here https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/a.../t-105490.html)

(b) for smaller "travel" size mandolins, was are the weights of some of those instruments?


Stoneman Backpack/Hiker Mandolin -

Pocket Mandolin from ArCane Lutherie, 13-16 oz usually

Pocket Mando, 1 lb

Travolin - 1.6 lbs

Mandolin Luthier's Pocket Mandolin - 550g

Selkie Strings Micro Mandolin -

Weber Sweet Pea Traveling Mandolin -

Martin Backpacker Mandolin -

Tin Guitar's Acoustic Travel Mandolin -

I'm wondering if folks owning any of these instruments can help me fill in the missing weights here.


I'm planning on some long-distance bike travelling, quite a bit of it off-road/single-track, and so I'm paying attention to the weight of my kit. I know that a travel/smaller mandolin won't sound nearly the same, but I'd like to know what sort of weight differences there are between it and a full-sized mandolin.

Thanks!

[Pittsburgh Bill]

TAKE CARE OF THE GRAMS AND THE OUNCES WILL TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.
I can't give you the weight of my backpacker becauese we are saperated by 800 miles. You may have people tell you that a mandolin is already small and the tone of a travel mandolin will disappoint so just go with a regular mandolin. My experience has shown me that the people who have told me that were people that were never in a situation where they drilled holes in their utensils and tooth brush to save weight.
True, the tone (especially the bass) and the volume are lacking, but the grams add up to ounces and ounces matter when traveling light.
I think the important thing for compulsive pickers packing light is to have a travel mandolin that plays well up and down the neck. Though it will not sound the best, you get to satisfy your jones and at the same time managed to eliminate a few grams.
"Just my humble opinion".

[Capt. E]

I have always been surprised at how light weight the old Martin bent-top mandolins are. Yet they are well built and good performers.

[Kalasinar]

Don't forget, the pocket mandolins made by Dave Hynds (mandolinluthier.com) are a custom option. So you could arrange to have the lightest build within means. My pocket mandolin with rosewood back and sides by Dave weighs 506g.

I agree with Bill above. I certainly think travel mandolins have their place for those of us who like to adventure. I'm very happy with my pocket, and considering the size, the volume and low end is pretty damn good.

[JH Murray]

Have you considered putting nylon mandolin strings on a ukulele?

[fatt-dad]

'84 Flatiron 1N 27.2 oz. strung. No strap or pick.

f-d

[pops1]

I have an old Supertone bent top that is very light. It is thinner than a Martin and has a little less sound, but way better than a travel mandolin if size is not as much a consideration as weight.

[Hudmister]

2016 Rogue RM100A weighing in at 30.1 oz. $49.95 strung. No strap or pick. Consider the cost to weight ratio.

[colorado_al]

I don't know the exact weight, but my Big Muddy MM-8 Mini Mo is one of the lightest weight full scale mandolins I have ever played.
http://www.bigmuddymandolin.com/store/mm-8-mini-mo

[William Smith]

Well I've been to enough festivals once the moonshine gets out non players begin playing air mandolin or is it air banjo-so thats pretty light with a heavy head

[Charlie Bernstein]

Solid wood weighs less than laminate. Spruce weighs less than hardwood.

[Bruce Clausen]

My old Italian bowlback comes in just under 21 ounces. Probably a typical weight for those.

[BillACK]

My Martin Backpacker weighs in at 1 lb. 8 oz.

[fatt-dad]

My Martin Backpacker weighs in at 1 lb. 8 oz.

So, my pancake is only 3.2 oz more than a backpacker? Interesting. . .

f-d

[Bob A]

Monzino & Garlandini bowlback 568 grams, or ~20 oz.
Giuseppi Vinaccia " 558 grams, 19.7 oz.
Salsedo " 492 grams, 17.4 oz.

[BillACK]

So, my pancake is only 3.2 oz more than a backpacker? Interesting. . .

f-d

The think the Backpacker was designed for small size and sturdiness rather than light weight.

[Chris Daniels]

So, my pancake is only 3.2 oz more than a backpacker? Interesting. . .

f-d

A Backpacker just popped up on my local CL and I gave it some thought but the 1N fills my travel\camping\beach needs so perfectly the MAS spark never caught. This weight comparison fact quenches it even more.

And I can't see the Martin coming anywhere near the quality of tone.

C.

[Steve VandeWater]

No idea of actual weight, but last week I handled a Capek mandolin in a local jam and was blown away at how light it was. So light it felt unnatural. Nice mandolin though, and it sounded great.

[Marty Jacobson]

My carbon fiber mandolin prototype is 720g, but future iterations should easily get it down to 650g or so.