Accidentally posted this on the wrong forum. sorry. https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...with-flat-back
Accidentally posted this on the wrong forum. sorry. https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...with-flat-back
Would this setup work for a mandolin, or would it be completely off?
Certainly, there have been many arched top/flat back mandolins made. Not the most common configuration, but it works well for classical, Irish/Celtic, and many other styles where sustain is valued over projection.
Stefan Sobell and Paul Shippey in the UK have built this style of mandolin.
Dave H
Eastman 615 mandola
2011 Weber Bitteroot A5
2012 Weber Bitteroot F5
Eastman MD 915V
Gibson F9
2016 Capek ' Bob ' standard scale tenor banjo
Ibanez Artist 5 string
2001 Paul Shippey oval hole
AJ Lucas of Lincoln (UK) did a couple of these as well about 4 years ago. I had the pleasure of playing them both and having one in my home for a week while he worked on my F5.
His had decent chop and were sweet. The one I borrowed worked well for a sit-down, solo, 'potted plant' gig of fiddle tunes and folk music.
I'd be very interested in a mandola (CGDA) of this general design.
Daniel
Northfield‘s octave mandolin is built arch top/ flat back style and sounds just wonderful...
I have heard and played a few by Small Strings http://www.smallstrings.co.uk/availa...ndolin-family/ they are very nice.
- Jeremy
Wot no catchphrase?
I have built about a half dozen Celtic style mandolins with carved spruce tops and 'flat' back bodies (induced arch) of rosewood or similar hardwood. They sound excellent, much more robust than you would think, although I did design the body to be somewhat deeper than a normal A style. Haven't built any lately because there doesn't seem to be enough interest in this style currently.
Historically made by many of the manufacturers. I have a vintage case that was made for an arched top flat back mandolin.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
FWIW I have a flat top / arched back mandola made by Puglisi in Catania, probably in the late '10s / '20s. Canted top, really. Very A style body profile and the maple back is stained a very Gibson-y wine color. Puglisi was an unabashed copyist and seemed to try a lot of things.
Mick
Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
______________________
'05 Cuisinart Toaster
'93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
'12 Stetson Open Road
'06 Bialetti expresso maker
'14 Irish Linen Ramon Puig
Surprised that no one has yet mentioned the Gibson A40, which had a carved spruce top and a laminated flat mahogany back.
Don
2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
2011 Weber Bitterroot A
1974 Martin Style A
Gibson also made the A00 model in the early 30's with a carved top and flat back.
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