Flatiron Pancake v. Sawchyn Beavertail v. Poe Scout

[timacn]

Anybody ever do a realtime comparison between these? If so, could you please share your insights regarding tone, volume, playability, etc. etc?

Thanks!

[pheffernan]

Anybody ever do a realtime comparison between these? If so, could you please share your insights regarding tone, volume, playability, etc. etc?

I can only answer two-thirds of your query, as I have not yet had the good fortune to play a Beavertail. But I bought a Flatiron as my second mandolin, and I really loved the way it sounded, with a strong fundamental tone and a loud voice. I didn’t love the way that it played, though, with its flat board and tiny frets, and I especially despised the clamshell tailpiece that asked me to change strings around a corner. So after I had progressed through a couple of others — including a Mid-Missouri, a Gypsy, and a pair of Redline Travelers (which should perhaps be in your comparison) — I custom ordered a Poe Scout modeled on the earlier Gibson Alrite:

https://www.poestrings.net/poe-74-scout-mandolin

I have posted about it elsewhere (https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...Alrite-Tribute), but the short form is that it’s the best flattop I’ve ever played or owned. It combines the pancake tone of the Flatiron with modern playability features (compound radius, adjustable truss rod and bridge, stainless frets, etc.) and best of all a Waverly Cloud tailpiece that doesn’t ask me to change strings around a corner. Andy simply does wonderful work when he’s doing work. Highly recommended.

[timacn]

Thanks, pheffernan. I missed buying that Poe Scout on the 'cafe yesterday. I'll keep looking. They don't come up too often.

[pheffernan]

Thanks, pheffernan. I missed buying that Poe Scout on the 'cafe yesterday. I'll keep looking. They don't come up too often.

Yeah, you won’t be seeing mine any time soon.

[bruce.b]

If you’re looking, I’d expand your search. There are a lot of nice flattops being made. The Northfield Calhoun sounds wonderful on the video of Sharon Gilchrist playing it. She could make almost any mandolin sound great, but still. Red Valley Mandolins are very nice, as are Travellers. I think I’m going to get a Hobo to go with my Beavertail. Maybe this spring. I love how they look, and I know the build quality, playability and sound ate going to be excellent. https://m.facebook.com/SawchynGuitar...type=3&theater

[Tyler Craig]

If you’re looking, I’d expand your search. There are a lot of nice flattops being made. The Northfield Calhoun sounds wonderful on the video of Sharon Gilchrist playing it. She could make almost any mandolin sound great, but still. Red Valley Mandolins are very nice, as are Travellers. I think I’m going to get a Hobo to go with my Beavertail. Maybe this spring. I love how they look, and I know the build quality, playability and sound ate going to be excellent. https://m.facebook.com/SawchynGuitar...type=3&theater

I'll second considering a hobo as well. I couldn't be happier with mine.

[soliver]

That Sawchyn FB link reminds me that I've always been curious how the flattops with F holes sound relative to the Oval holed ones... can anyone speak to that?

[bruce.b]

Another one that the builder sells in the classified section here is the Morris flattop. The price is right, and the reviews I’ve seen are excellent. I haven’t played one but would love to. There are a bunch made overseas too.

[pheffernan]

That Sawchyn FB link reminds me that I've always been curious how the flattops with F holes sound relative to the Oval holed ones... can anyone speak to that?

My curiosity is piqued as well . . .

Another one that the builder sells in the classified section here is the Morris flattop. The price is right, and the reviews I’ve seen are excellent. I haven’t played one but would love to. There are a bunch made overseas too.

One that I’d still consider is an Arches. I don’t believe Chris to be building currently, due to a shop fire, but his FT-O models both look and sound great.

[Tyler Craig]

My curiosity is piqued as well . . .

I havent played an oval flattop so I can't tell you the difference, but this is what it sounds like when I play the hobo.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A3x9YwqlJ5c

[bruce.b]

Tyler, your video was followed by David Grisman playing the same tune. I personally liked the tone of your Hobo better than the F style that he was playing. It’s a fuller, richer tone, a more resonant sound, not that midrange focused tone he’s getting. That is probably a perfect example of why I like flattops so much. I owned a much more expensive archtop F hole mandolin at one time, and while I liked it, I preferred the flattop I had. My Beavertail is even better than that one was. My personal opinion and nothing more, of course.

[bruce.b]

That Sawchyn FB link reminds me that I've always been curious how the flattops with F holes sound relative to the Oval holed ones... can anyone speak to that?

The Sawchyn Beavertail and Hobo would be a fair test, particularly if we could compare several of each model. The only differences between the two, that I’ve read, are a sitka top for the Beavertail vs a red spruce top for the Hobo. There is a mention of hot hide glue for the Hobo, no mention for the Beavertail. Otherwise, same instruments except for the top. Both are X braced with an induced arch. Too bad we don’t have Peter Sawchyn’s opinion.