NMD Sawchyn Hobo Flat top

[Tyler Craig]

Hi everybody, new member here. I started playing the mandolin about a year ago after playing bass since I was a teenager. I spent that year playing on a hundred dollar Chinese F style. It was surprisingly nice and easy to play for the price but it was time for an upgrade.

I settled on a flat top since it seemed they were the best quality mandolins I could get for around 1000 dollars. I was planning on a beaver tail, but they were sold out so about 2 months ago (so not really new mandolin day) I bought this wonderful instrument.



There's not much online about these so I thought I should make a post. It has a fairly chunky v neck that took some getting used to, but now I think I really prefer it, it helps to get my hand into the proper "down the strings" finger position. Craftsmanship is as perfect as you'd expect from a small builder. I think f holes on a flat top are pretty rare, but I think it's a unique look that's really cool.

Sound wise, it definitely favours the highs and mids, but it's never shrill. It sort of rings like a bell. It's also very loud, at least compared to my old mando. I played for a couple hours with an acoustic guitar and had no problems keeping up, I actually had to tone it back. Since I don't play bluegrass and mostly play solo, I thought the sounds was much nicer than the several (much more expensive) arch tops I played in the store.

If anyone is interested I can figure out how to post on video of me fumbling through a tune.

[Gunnar]

Congrats! Looks great. I'd love to see a video

[pheffernan]

I think f holes on a flat top are pretty rare, but I think it's a unique look that's really cool...If anyone is interested I can figure out how to post on video of me fumbling through a tune.

I am a huge fan of flattops — have owned six of them — but I’ve never played a Sawchyn or any make with f-holes. I would definitely be interested in any audio/video clips that you’d be generous enough to share.

[Tyler Craig]

Congrats! Looks great. I'd love to see a video

I am a huge fan of flattops — have owned six of them — but I’ve never played a Sawchyn or any make with f-holes. I would definitely be interested in any audio/video clips that you’d be generous enough to share.

No problem! Here's a song I learned from Pegheadnation that I think suits the sound well. It's only a cell phone recording but it gets the point across.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3X8Mcw1rcWE

[Eric Platt]

Nice! Both the photos and video. Great playing. Like the tone. Beautiful looking and sounding instrument. Congrats!

[Cary Fagan]

Nicely played!

[bruce.b]

Sounds great! I have a Beavertail and it’s a wonderful mandolin. I’d love to play or hear a Hobo and Beavertail side by side. The Hobo is such a unique, cool pancake mandolin.

[Charles E.]

Here is a little blurb about them.......

http://www.folkwaymusic.com/new-inst...hyn-hobo-0418/

I find this much more enticing then a Waterloo or Calhoun mandolin.

[pheffernan]

Here is a little blurb about them.

I find the blurb interesting: “As compared to a Beavertail, the Hobo has a darker, deeper, warmer, and slightly lo-fi tone. It’s a fun solo instrument, with less projection and horsepower, but more overtones, and richness.” Isn’t that the exact opposite of traditional contrasts between oval and f-hole archtops?

[RobP]

Nice sound! Which instructor at peghead did you learn that tune from?

[sgarrity]

Nice playing. Enjoy!

[Denman John]

Thanks for sharing with us!

[Tyler Craig]

Thanks everyone!

Sounds great! I have a Beavertail and it’s a wonderful mandolin. I’d love to play or hear a Hobo and Beavertail side by side. The Hobo is such a unique, cool pancake mandolin.

I find the blurb interesting: “As compared to a Beavertail, the Hobo has a darker, deeper, warmer, and slightly lo-fi tone. It’s a fun solo instrument, with less projection and horsepower, but more overtones, and richness.” Isn’t that the exact opposite of traditional contrasts between oval and f-hole archtops?

That's actually where I bought it. They didn't have any beaver tails in stock so I didn't get to compare, but the guy at the store told me they have a pretty similar sound. I definitely agree with the richness and overtones, but it seems to project really well to me.

Nice sound! Which instructor at peghead did you learn that tune from?

Aaron Weinstein's chord melody course. I recommend it, it's only 4 songs so far but they are great for playing solo.

[Gunnar]

Nice picking! I'm not really into jazz, but it sounded good!

[Bob Clark]

Big fan of flat-tops. This seems like a real beauty. Great choice. I hope you and it are vey happy together!

[Northwest Steve]

Great looking mandolin and I really like the name.