Need a flat mandolin top(just the top to replace one)

[Dave Harbst]

I have a flattop mandolin the needs a new top. I'm hoping to find someone who can build me one, hopefully for under $100. I am able to install it myself. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Bill Snyder]

You should post this in the classified section or contact a luther or three directly.

[Tavy]

I can't help thinking that if you're able to install it yourself, then you're able to make one yourself - just joint up the two halves then find a local joinery shop that will thickness it for you.

[Dave Harbst]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll read up on how to get the proper thickness and bracing and build the top myself.

[CES]

In addition to the above suggestions, you could contact one of the luthiers who sell kits to inquire about purchasing a top only. That said, building yourself could be a very cool experience!

[Dave Harbst]

Thanks, Chuck. The more I read about building a flattop, the more I feel I can do it myself. I guess my main concern was getting the proper radius on the top, but I'm pretty sure I can figure it out now. I have two flattop mandolins that have tops that sunk and I thought I'd like to try to make new tops, rather than trashing the mandolins. Once I get the projects done, I plan to give them away or sell them for just the cost of materials to someone who is just getting started at playing and can't afford a fancy instrument.

[Tavy]

If the tops are OK (other than sinking), then they probably only need re-bracing rather than replacing. BTW you don't radius the top as such - just sand some arching into the braces and glue the top on

[Dave Harbst]

Tavy,
The tops are really too badly sunken(as well as cracked) to be re-braced. Thanks for your help.

[Rodney Riley]

Tavy,
The tops are really too badly sunken(as well as cracked) to be re-braced. Thanks for your help.

Couldn't be any worse than Bill Monroe's. And it was fixed. Take the top off. Glue and cleat cracks. Replace/repair bracing and glue top back on. Cheaper than new top and refinishing it.

[Dave Harbst]

Rodney,
Thanks for the advice and encouragement. Now I'm rethinking the project and maybe I'll just repair the tops.