Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 32

Thread: Help me choose a back

  1. #1
    Registered User MandoMN18's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    73

    Default Help me choose a back

    Hi! I have narrowed my mandolin back choices down to three. I’ve never had a mandolin built for me before so I’m a little indecisive about these and how they will look with color. I’d appreciate any help! And yes, I will ultimately choose the one I like the best...it would just be interesting to hear some feedback from folks with more knowledge than me!Click image for larger version. 

Name:	77BF00B9-72FB-4783-9AE1-8F19A815AA36.jpeg 
Views:	422 
Size:	1.17 MB 
ID:	168657Click image for larger version. 

Name:	721ED79A-68C8-44AB-AA83-DAA8D2E7B621.jpeg 
Views:	477 
Size:	1.18 MB 
ID:	168658

  2. #2
    CP Mandolins
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Stockport, England
    Posts
    23

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    653 is nicer than 648, but I have a thing about one-piece backs so I'd go for that.

  3. The following members say thank you to Chris Pritchett for this post:


  4. #3
    Registered User MandoMN18's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    73

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    Let me know if those pictures are easily viewed...I haven’t posted pictures here before.

    For those that like one piece backs... this one to me doesn’t have a lot of figuring... am I wrong? Will it look like it has more character once it is finished?

  5. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    S.W. Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,507

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    Definitely 653, the way the pattern is in the middle where it will show most will look great.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  6. The following members say thank you to pops1 for this post:


  7. #5
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI.
    Posts
    7,487

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    Yep, 653!
    But, the one piece is pretty nice too!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  8. The following members say thank you to Timbofood for this post:


  9. #6
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    7,635

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    I'm confused by the earlier replies. Looks like 648 is a two-piece back and that's the one I like!

    Have fun!

    f-d
    ¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

  10. The following members say thank you to fatt-dad for this post:


  11. #7
    Registered User Walt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    West Monroe, LA
    Posts
    414

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    +1 for 653. What color are y'all going for?

  12. The following members say thank you to Walt for this post:


  13. #8
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Bozeman, MT
    Posts
    1,252

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    The book matched ones will have the symmetry and eye draw to the middle, but the one piece will look like a topo map to a magical kingdom.
    A one piece back will never have a glue joint failure...even if that's only a benefit for a future owner in 100yrs.
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
    Several nice old Fiddles
    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
    Deering Classic Open Back
    Too many microphones

    BridgerCreekBoys.com

  14. The following members say thank you to MontanaMatt for this post:


  15. #9
    Registered User MandoMN18's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    73

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    Quote Originally Posted by fatt-dad View Post
    I'm confused by the earlier replies. Looks like 648 is a two-piece back and that's the one I like!

    Have fun!

    f-d
    653 and 648 are two piece. 649 is a one piece
    Last edited by MandoMN18; Jun-16-2018 at 10:15am.

  16. #10
    Registered User MandoMN18's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    73

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    Quote Originally Posted by Walt View Post
    +1 for 653. What color are y'all going for?
    .

    No idea on color yet. I’ve seen some darker red ones that I like and I’ve also seen some that are more of a caramel color that I like. I have a lot of decisions to make!

  17. #11

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    One piece, I can always see the seam in a 2 piece back and just don’t care for it.
    Northfield F5M #268, AT02 #7

  18. #12

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    I don't see a 677 but rather a 649 one-piece back. That is the one I would go for. Symmetry is so overrated.
    "Those who know don't have the words to tell, and the ones with the words don't know so well." - Bruce Cockburn

  19. #13
    Registered User MandoMN18's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    73

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    Quote Originally Posted by Teak View Post
    I don't see a 677 but rather a 649 one-piece back. That is the one I would go for. Symmetry is so overrated.
    Oops! Should have said 649. Updated!

  20. #14
    Registered User Cheryl Watson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    St. Augustine, Florida, USA
    Posts
    1,508

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    653 is the most symmetrical, 648 is fairly symmetrical (but has more flame than 653), and one piece back, 649 is not symmetrical.

    So are you drawn to symmetry? My choice would be #653, because I like symmetry but also like some variation.

    This is a great burst, IMO:

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...light=sunburst
    Last edited by Cheryl Watson; Jun-16-2018 at 12:20pm.

  21. The following members say thank you to Cheryl Watson for this post:


  22. #15
    Registered User G7MOF's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Lancashire/UK
    Posts
    1,411

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    653 is a lot nicer book match, (IMHO)
    I never fail at anything, I just succeed at doing things that never work....


    Fylde Touchstone Walnut Mandolin.
    Gibson Alrite Model D.

  23. #16
    Registered User MandoMN18's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    73

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    Thank you everyone!!! I think I’m going to go with 653. As much as I would like a one piece back, I’m just not sold on that particular piece. It’s going to look great! Thanks for helping me pick! I have a lot more decisions to make yet!

  24. #17
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    What is confusing to me is that 649 has a reversed outline on it (compared to the two-piece samples). I would think you (or whover chooses that one) needs to see the other side of it with the same outline. Unless it is meant for a lefty I would think that figuring would show up inside the mandolin. Of course, I assume that the figuring might be close to that on the other side, but maybe not exactly the same.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  25. #18
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Manchester - Lancashire - NW England
    Posts
    14,187

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    653 looks lovely - but,the horizontal 'waves' ( Flame ?),or whatever you want to call them, add some real 'drama' to 648. That would look anything but 'ordinary'. I think it's stunning. I've seen backs like the others before,but not one like that !,
    Ivan

    PS - For me,the grain in 648,looks more like ''waves on the surface of water'' over a 'quilt' grain,than 'Flame' as i know it.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Mando.Photos - Lebeda back. 002.jpg 
Views:	108 
Size:	262.7 KB 
ID:	168676
    Weber F-5 'Fern'.
    Lebeda F-5 "Special".
    Stelling Bellflower BANJO
    Tokai - 'Tele-alike'.
    Ellis DeLuxe "A" style.

  26. The following members say thank you to Ivan Kelsall for this post:


  27. #19
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    3,563

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    One piece back ! The only two piece back I like is when my wife walks away from me !

  28. The following members say thank you to yankees1 for this post:


  29. #20
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Kernersville, NC
    Posts
    2,593
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    A one piece back with some figuring is more interesting to me than a dramatic 2 piece back

  30. The following members say thank you to Mark Wilson for this post:


  31. #21
    Registered User EvanElk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    Portland, Oregon
    Posts
    428

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    I think it comes down to the question of whether you like symmetry vs. the more organic, assymetrical look of a one piece back. 653 is easily the more interesting of the two 2-piece options. I agree with Cheryl and Mark that the one piece back has a really interesting look with lots of depth and areas with examples of the kinds of figuring that Maple can give you. I don't know if anyone mentioned that a 1-piece back may give the mandolin more value if years from now you decide to sell or trade.
    2003 John Sullivan F5 "Roy"
    2015 Heiden F Artist
    2019 Ruhland F5 #35

  32. The following members say thank you to EvanElk for this post:


  33. #22
    Registered User MandoMN18's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    73

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    Well once I decided on the color for my mando I changed my mind..... 1 piece back is the way I’m going now! I decided on a maroon face and natural sides and back. Since the back is going to be natural, I don’t want a noticeable split down it. I’m shooting for something like this but it will be quilted sides and back instead.Click image for larger version. 

Name:	A0B832EE-0CA9-4BE4-8124-A52D38D8A97D.png 
Views:	127 
Size:	4.66 MB 
ID:	168713

  34. #23
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Davison Mich.
    Posts
    450

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    i like 653 but would not throw any of them out. where did you gt your wood from? I want to build a quilt, but some folks have told the sound is sofer then curly, not sure
    Mike Marrs

  35. The following members say thank you to Martian for this post:


  36. #24
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Helena, Montana
    Posts
    2,872

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    I rather like the two piece back on my Yellowstone.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Backside..jpg 
Views:	134 
Size:	104.0 KB 
ID:	168714  

  37. #25

    Default Re: Help me choose a back

    I really like the symmetry of 653, even with the seam!

    EDIT: Also hello from a fellow Minnesotan!

  38. The following members say thank you to Ian Young for this post:


Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •