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Thread: Arch top with flat back

  1. #1

    Default Arch top with flat back

    Accidentally posted this on the wrong forum. sorry. https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...with-flat-back

  2. #2

    Default Re: Arch top with flat back

    Would this setup work for a mandolin, or would it be completely off?

  3. #3

    Default Re: Arch top with flat back

    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.

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  5. #4

    Default Re: Arch top with flat back

    Stefan Sobell and Paul Shippey in the UK have built this style of mandolin.

    Dave H
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  6. #5
    Mandol'Aisne Daniel Nestlerode's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arch top with flat back

    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

  7. #6
    Registered User pit lenz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arch top with flat back

    Northfield‘s octave mandolin is built arch top/ flat back style and sounds just wonderful...

  8. #7
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    Default Re: Arch top with flat back

    I have heard and played a few by Small Strings http://www.smallstrings.co.uk/availa...ndolin-family/ they are very nice.
    - Jeremy

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  9. #8
    Registered User zookster's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arch top with flat back

    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.

  10. #9
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arch top with flat back

    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."
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  11. #10
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arch top with flat back

    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.

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    Default Re: Arch top with flat back

    Surprised that no one has yet mentioned the Gibson A40, which had a carved spruce top and a laminated flat mahogany back.
    Don

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  14. #12
    Registered User dustyamps's Avatar
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    Default Re: Arch top with flat back

    Gibson also made the A00 model in the early 30's with a carved top and flat back.

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