Mandolins most responsive to a light touch?

[tkmaze]

For late night playing in the kitchen, on the couch, etc.
Looking for recommendations for instruments that ring and sustain without having to dig in.

[Eric Hanson]

Tkmaze,
I know that Tyler White builds not only a very beautiful mandolin, but also ones that have a sweet tone. He is also very good to deal with.

[lukmanohnz]

I expect you are going to get as many opinions on this question as there are mandolinists. In my 40+ year experience owning multiple acoustic fretted instruments (ukulele, guitar, mandolin and bass) I have found that every single instrument, almost no matter its cost, design or workmanship, has layer upon layer of nuanced tone and expression that can be coaxed by suitably focused technique. Obviously instruments that are constructed from materials with more complex acoustic properties will exhibit commensurately more complex expressive range. If you are looking for sustain and ring first and foremost, you might even consider a solid body electric. My reissue MandoStrat proved a perfect late-night companion on numerous overseas business trips where I wanted a practice tool that would be pleasing to play but not disturb the occupants of adjacent hotel rooms. If that's not your consideration and what you're really seeking is an acoustic instrument that will ring and sustain even at low volume, you may want to consider an oval hole - even some of the non-traditional designs such as Tacoma or Breedlove may offer you what you're looking for at a very affordable price.

[fscotte]

Quite frankly, a mando thats built properly will be responsive and easy to play.

[Bob Clark]

Check out the Phoenix Neoclassical. It is built very lightly and made specifically for light strings (Thomastik Mittles). It has exquisite tone and responds to a very light touch. I agree with the above comments, but think it is worth noting that the Neoclassical was designed and is built to be something a bit different. I think that difference might appeal to you.

[rcc56]

Flat back mandolins such as Martin, Regal, Larson. Also Vega cylinder backs.

[allenhopkins]

Oval-hole rather than f-hole, IMHO, and I'd also get a flat-top rather than a carved-top. My old Martin Style A would fit your description, and I'd look at early-20th-century flat-backs -- Washburn, Regal.

You don't need a really expensive mandolin to meet your needs.

[MikeZito]

Oval-hole rather than f-hole . . . You don't need a really expensive mandolin to meet your needs.

For my 2-cents . . . I always play with a light touch, and most of the mandolins I have owned over the years have not been expensive, so I will fully agree with Allen's statement above. I have absolutely no problems with my $450 Kentucky, and my $200 Washburn just may be the easiest playing mandolin I have ever owned.

(Oh, and all three of my current mandolins are also oval holes!)

[Lane Pryce]

Phoenix Mandolin if money is not a worry. I see Bob has already steered you that way and for good reason. Lp

[CWRoyds]

I have found my Northfield Artist series 5-bar engelmann to be super responsive even when you play very lightly.
You can barely pluck a note and it will have body and sustain.
It is surprising when you first try one.
They are somewhat pricey, but worth it.
I got mine used at a great price.

[JeffD]

Oval-hole rather than f-hole, IMHO, and I'd also get a flat-top rather than a carved-top.

Hadn't really thought about it, but yea, my experience corroborates this.

[Stop]

oval hole Collings MT, used if you can find one.

[August Watters]

Check out the Phoenix Neoclassical. It is built very lightly and made specifically for light strings. It has exquisite tone and responds to a very light touch. I agree with the above comments, but think it is worth noting that the Neoclassical was designed and is built to be something a bit different.

Yes - lighter touch, as you often find with pre-truss rod instruments. There are a lot of vintage instruments built this way -- someone mentioned cylinderbacks, but there are many others. Lighter touch is one reason I prefer the shorter scale (13") -- lower tension + lighter construction can deliver the same energy to the string.

[Jim Garber]

Yes - lighter touch, as you often find with pre-truss rod instruments. There are a lot of vintage instruments built this way -- someone mentioned cylinderbacks, but there are many others. Lighter touch is one reason I prefer the shorter scale (13") -- lower tension + lighter construction can deliver the same energy to the string.

I would put the best of the carved Lyon & Healy mandolin family instruments in that category as well as the upper end Italian bowlbacks. In fact, I would guess that any of the high-end small-shop mandolins should strive for that responsiveness. Volume is definitely a desired quality but the ability to play beautiful notes at a low volume should be desired as well.

[Dacraw54]

The Phoenix Neoclassical. Super-responsive, resonant, and excellent sustain.

[tkmaze]

Thanks all for these comments and suggestions.

[DataNick]

Ellis, Sorensen, Collings...however my sentiments are generalizations as individual examples of a myriad of brands can yield the same characteristics...YMMV

[pops1]

Ellis, Sorensen, Collings...however my sentiments are generalizations as individual examples of a myriad of brands can yield the same characteristics...YMMV

I very much agree with Nick, my Brentrup is wonderful played lightly and is very responsive. I think the difference is you can wail on it and it doesn't much care and still sounds good, just louder. Wailing on a lightly built mandolin that is simply built to be responsive will result in different response.

[fscotte]

Since many brands have been mentioned, I wonder which brands require a hard touch?

[Charles E.]

The Phoenix Neoclassical. Super-responsive, resonant, and excellent sustain.

This one is in the Cafe classifieds........

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/121911#121911

NFI

[Br1ck]

I'd try to find a Flatiron N1. Not because it lacks anything, but has a sweet voice with a light touch. Mandolin is a hard instrument to play when others are sleeping. I'm glad I have a detached mancave to play in.

[Bill Cameron]

Seagull S8. Small comfy body, oval hole, handy for practice or performance. Body is an in-between size, larger than a super-skinny travel mando but still only 8.25” wide. Price a very reasonable $400 or so Cdn. Doesnt need a custom setup, either.

[Capt. E]

My favorite would be a 1927 Martin C cant-top I once owned (stupid! stupid! should not have sold). Very light weight, not a booming sound, but very fine tone. The A model is mahogany back, the B, C, etc are rosewood with progressively fancier appointments. The A's were made into the '60's and are easily found well under 1K.

[fatt-dad]

they're all too loud! You just have to work other technique and learn to whisper.

There are mutes though.

f-d

[Sevelos]

I play all night long my Godin A8 unplugged. The neighbors never complained.