Carved mandolin tops ~~~~ #One thing that I haven't found much about, though, is how thick (or thin, really) to carve the top and back. #The drawings don't show thickness contours for the top and back. Inside is partially carved leaving enough wood for hand graduation/tap tuning. For the reasons that others have described, any arched-top mandolin under $1K is going to be made on the western shores of the Pacific. As Gibson mandolins go there are not many more hallowed instruments than a St All original instrument with a perfectly straight neck and low action, all original finish and parts. $25 - $45. My carved top is on a 22 1/2“ scale (similar to a tenor banjo of 19 frets) while the flat top has a 23 1/2” scale. Pre-carved F5 mandolin “kit”. Procured from salvage sourced old-growth Sitka Spruce. 00 i talke to will parsons about the differnces in sound between the two, he seemed to think that the flat-tops mandolins were ideal for tone production (like sweetness of tone), but that the carved tops went alot farther as far as volume and strength go. 00 + shipping Gibson A-4 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1928), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 84005, red sunburst top, dark stained back and sides finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. $45 Mandolin Top. g. Does hand carved mean a person stood with chisels and knives, took a block of wood and ended up with a finished product or does it mean someone took a piece that had been roughed out on a duplicator and finished the work with chisels and knives? Sep 17, 2024 · Was $6,500. Many of the less expensive Asian mandolins (Kentucky KM-150,m e. Oct 30, 2024 · Monteleone Grand Artist Model Carved Top Mandolin (1982), made in Bayshore, New York, serial # 76, sunburst finish, curly maple back and sides, spruce top, maple neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. However, unlike a carved top mandolin, with a flat top mandolin the distribution of the stiffness of the plates is mostly determined by the braces, similar to a flat top guitar. Note: F5 Carving is based on Gibson F5 “Lloyd Loar” measurements. Excellent Grade-10-20 grains per inch but less even-may be minor color or dark grained areas-appearance still very good. Back Plate. Note that an alternate top is available that would be suitable if an oval sound hole is planned instead of F style sound holes (See photo showing alternate top). The top provided with the kit needs to be carved to it's final shape and dimensions, graduating smoothly from something like 5mm in the centre to less than 3mm thick around the edges. The 2-piece top is hand joined using hot hide glue. A fully-carved top involves a lot of work. Pre-carved F5 mandolin “kit”. 00 + shipping Summer sale priced at $5,950. Like some, I had also heard rumors of breaking in issues with cedar, cant prove it by me. 00 + shipping Gibson F-4 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1913), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 20814, sunburst varnish finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. These are the most common failure points of a mandolin top. What he was actually feeling was the gauze glued to the underside of the holes. Whatever your mandolin construction, including carved and flat-plate tops or backs, Timbre Tonewood will cut to your specifications. #I found a reference in the Siminoff book that he likes the "minimum area" (recurve, I gather) to be about . The frequencies can change quite a lot but the shapes remain pretty much the same. Common grade mandolin tops may have uneven grain, grain that is not straight, and/or color variation, but is generally the same quality as the more expensive grades with respect to tone. Hi gang, #I've "aquired" a big plank of WRC. By programming curtate cycloid curves in 0. Carved in a similar manner to (2) above except mirrored to properly align the scroll and points below the top. Includes a Red “Adirondack” Spruce top, curly (Red) maple back (2 piece) (Partial Kit does not include neck block, sides or tone bars). In a carved top mandolin, the shape of the modes does not change much at all. (Ref: M1KIT04) Dec 2, 2024 · The Eastman MD305 A-Style Mandolin is a meticulously crafted instrument designed to cater to left-handed musicians. Are you an experienced player? If you can currently play the mandolin you will know in about 10 seconds if it has a pressed top because it will sound bad (dull and lifeless). Includes a Red “Adirondack” Spruce top, curly (Red) maple back (2 piece) with sides, curly maple neck block, and Red “Adirondack” spruce for tonebars. 00 + shipping Gibson Style A Model Carved Top Mandolin (1922), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 67097, Sheraton brown top, dark stained back and sides finish, birch body, spruce top, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case. Extra Wide Code: 8495. There is no one "correct" method or "best" dimensions, although we recommend the blueprint specifications. Make a fine F-style mandolin and save hours of work! We created this kit in our own shop under the guidance of Don MacRostie, creator of renowned "Red Diamond" mandolins. Glad you brought this up. Pre-carved A5 mandolin “kit”. I'm THINKING about a carved top instrument, maybe a mando, maybe an archtop guitar. Gibson F-5 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1951), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # A-8593, sunburst lacquer finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; maple neck with ebony fingerboard, original brown hard shell case. this is very watered-down and paraphrased version of what he told me as it was a few months ago, i can't remember all the reasons that he told The last carved mandolin I built, I purchased CNC'd plates and I am happy with the outcome. 00 + shipping Collings MF5 Model Carved Top Mandolin (2003), made in Austin, TX, serial # 333, Cremona Brown Sunburst finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; maple neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case. Beyond that, the concept of doing minimal work so you can call it what is isn't is and was commonplace among the American guitar builders in the not too distant Gibson F-5 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1941), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 97418, sunburst lacquer finish, maple back, sides and neck, spruce top, ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. The one I'm building now - CNC'd plates purchased from a different source. The F-5 has always been Gibson's top-of-the-line mandolin and the standa Even flat topped mandolins sound pretty good, so I don't think it's as critical as the violin, or you might see some flat top violins too! You might be right about the presses used to form the mandolin tops/backs into the "carved" shape-it makes perfect economical sense to do it if you can. Oct 17, 2024 · $8,500. US$ 27. The edges are the correct thickness for the bindings, and there is ample top wood for graduating. Oct 31, 2024 · Gibson A-3 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1917), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 41376, natural top, cherry stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, tweed hard shell case. The Shawnee Creek model made in Missouri that Allen mentioned comes the closest to the $1K threshhold, but its scale length is only 15 5/8", which is pretty short for a mandola --- meaning that that C string is . Don MacRostie heads our R&D team, and his Red Diamond mandolins have earned a reputation as among the finest available. This is a generally nicely preserved example of a very late pre-War F-5, Gibson's perennial top-of-the-line mandolin. By the way, the Pacrim mandolin builders weren't the first manufacturers to call a pressed top a carved top, that distinction resides here in the US and it happened 70 or 80 years ago. We carefully process our mandolin components for: Grain, texture and color. The thickness of a pressed solid top will be even throughout the top. From my stand point cedar is all good. Backs Nov 12, 2024 · $3,750. Nov 13, 2024 · $7,250. $50 Mandolin Top. A "Flattop Mandolin" has a a uniform top thickness, usually with additional bracing underneath, more or less like the way a flattop guitar is built. Gibson F-5 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1955), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # A-21802, sunburst lacquer finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; maple neck with ebony fingerboard, original brown tolex hard shell case. Oct 30, 2024 · $3,200. A carved top will vary in thickness, even in different areas of the edge of the f-holes. Gibson F-5 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1938), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 95361, sunburst lacquer finish, maple back, sides and neck, spruce top, ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. European Spruce (Carpathian) Top for carved mandolin – First quality $ 59. Mar 1, 2011 · Before I started this project, I thought a millimetre was very small - it turns out a millimetre is loads. The F-5 has always been Gibson's top-of-the-line mandolin and the standard by w As I've stated in other posts, I'm working on my first instrument--an F5 style mandolin. There's no plywood in this kit: curly map Gibson Style A Snakehead Model Carved Top Mandolin (1925), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 78022, black top, dark stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. A "Carved Archtop" mandolin has a top plate resembling that of a violin, with (usually) some recurve or thinning near the edge, and (usually) a thicker center section. Gibson Style A-1 Snakehead Model Carved Top Mandolin (1925), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 78901, black top, dark stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. Mandolin Flamed Maple Sides for F-model Mandolin $ 25. Features include highly flamed solid hand-carved maple back & sides, ebony fretboard & bridge, bone nut, fully bound body,fretboard & headstock. The MD815PGE-HB has a high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish. 00 + shipping Gibson F-4 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1914), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 24132, sunburst finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, brown tolex hard shell case. #Its about 6" wide, 2" thick and 4 feet long. 1939 Regal Custom Mandolin- Carved Top- Two Point- Oval Hole I mentioned this mandolin in the thread about the Martin for $6,000 plus dollars in the regual thread about wishful thinking on ebay by sellers. 00 + Quick View. Excellent match between the patterns of the backs and sides. A nicely induced-arch top, or a top with a canted (creased) top probably involve less work. 125 increments very little roughing is required to achieve a perfect curved surface. This is an amazingly well-preserved example of a pre-WWII F-5, Gibson's perennial top-of-t Contact Us Get In Touch (623) 933 - 8319 sales@themandolinstore. Final shaping shall be done by hand. Includes a Red “Adirondack” Spruce top and Red “Adirondack” spruce for tonebars. Limited supply. 00 Mandolin Top, or Viola Top, Spruce. The time and energy saved in joining and rough carving is being used to focus on other details, so it is not saving production cost but, in my case, is allowing for even more Nov 16, 2024 · $2,950. US$ 67. Curly (Red) maple back (2 piece). com 110 S Broadway St. I believe if it's made after 2012 you don't have to worry about it being a pressed top. 3. 00 + shipping Gibson Style A Snakehead Model Carved Top Mandolin (1925), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 78022, black top, dark stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. My guess is that, based on the quality of the headstock, this one is carved. The second top plate is similar to the (1) above with the exception of elimination of the f-holes. Like any type of mandolin top wood, if carved, tuned and tone bars shaped and positioned correctly, should sound even and responsive and warm. 4. 00 + shipping Gibson Model A-3 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1919), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 54994, white lacquer top, dark stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. Oct 10, 2024 · $3,750. Up to now, my rule of thumb was: if a mandolin was listed as "solid spruce top," but not "carved," that it had a solid, pressed top. Dec 1, 2024 · $4,500. Either the top sinks, or the top breaks or bends under the tailpiece. Mar 3, 2013 · Dixie shows us how she measures the thickness of mandolin tops Pre-carved F5 mandolin “kit”. How to Build a Carved-Top Mandolin. Our 2-disc DVD set is a course in craftsmanship with master mandolin maker Don MacRostie. The flat top is louder and much better for chording behind a soloist while the carved top instrument is better at solo work. Tools for Carving the Top: Rough Carving the Outside: Routing Edge to Thickness: Carving Outside of Scroll: Carving Inside of Scroll: Shaping Scroll with Scraper: Finish Shaping Top: Roughing Out Inside of Top: Graduating: Scraping Down to Tap Tone: Building the Tone Bars: Locating and Fitting the Tone Bars: Tone Bars Installed: Gluing Top to Sides I would guess that your mandolin has a carved top. The problem with a term like hand carved is that there is nothing that governs the use of the term. 00 + shipping Gibson F-2 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1914), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 22444, black top, dark stained back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. A detailed course from a master mandolin craftsman. 110", but other than this, I haven't found much guidance. I intend to build at least three mandolins using different soundholes/bracing/arching so I'll be doing a good bit of carving. 2. When I go from one to the other, the carved top sounds really pinched and nasal after the more open sound of the flat top; but the flat top can sound thin and weak after the carved. This is our “Common” grade. 00 + shipping Gibson A-4 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1909), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 9077, black top, natural back and sides finish, birch back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, period black hard shell case. Pre-carved F5 mandolin back only. ) are spec-ed this way. Gibson F-5 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1941), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 97418, sunburst lacquer finish, maple back, sides and neck, spruce top, ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. Ancient Sitka Carved top mandolin sets are produced with the finest tonewood fiber in the world. Dec 11, 2024 · The bracing of a floating bridge mandolin needs to resist the tendancy of the bridge to sink into the top, and also to resist the tendancy of the tailpiece to rotate into the top. Great looking carved spruce top model with a two-point body, flamed maple back and sides, ebony fingerboard and bridge. One difference is building difficulty and, thus, cost. Re: Mandolin Tops - Pressed, Carved, Graduated a good friend of mine once thought that feeling inside the f holes you could tell that it was hand carved because he could feel the grooves. G Graduate the carved mandolin top to final contour and thickness, using sandpaper, finger planes, chisels or scrapers. The outsides of the plates need only final scraping or sanding. I just carved the outside arching for the first mandolin top using red spruce and I can manage that, but the maple back is just more than I want to handle. I understand that the shaping of the plates--particularly the spruce top plate--is crucial to obtaining the best possible sound. We use all top-quality woods and workmanship to make every kit a potential heirloom. Rover RM-35B Mandolin "Festival Series" A-Model Black Mandolin The Loar LM-700-VS Hand-Carved F-Style Solid Mandolin Nitrocellulose Finish - Sunburst Gold Tone GM-10 "Frying Pan" Mandolin with Gig Bag Rover RM-50 Mandolin All-Solid A-Model Player Series Mandolin Dec 14, 2004 · I have both a carved top OM and a flat topped Zouk, the difference being the scale length. Truly a much better carved mandolin vastly superior to the bent top models common from Martin. This is a great-playing and sounding, n In general the flat top instruments will have a more diffuse sound, the carved will be punchier, more focused. Photo shows examples of Common grade red spruce mandolin tops. Includes a Red “Adirondack” Spruce top, curly (sugar) maple back (1 piece) with sides, curly maple neck block, and Red “Adirondack” spruce for tonebars. We harvest this maple from selected trees locally in West Virginia. The b&s are stained so dark you can't see a thing, but neither the top or back has a recurve. Violin Top Semi-carved Oval, Simple Quality Code: 8228. Some carved tops seem to have some end-grain showing on the sloped part, but my top shows no end grain. According to Saga's materials, my Kentucky K162 has a "Solid, hand-carved and graduated spruce top" as well as back and sides. I thought it might be informative to show the precision of CNC machining of mandolin tops. Top Braces: Bass and Treble braces are contoured to the top plate undercut. Oct 25, 2024 · $2,450. Includes a Red “Adirondack” Spruce top, Red maple back (1 piece) with matching sides, Red Maple Neck Block and Red Spruce Bass Bar. 3A/Master grade one piece Mandolin front, produced from the finest tonewood fiber in the world. Gibson F-4 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1925), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 77537, sunburst varnish finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. A delight for the eyes and ears! The Eastman 815PGE-HB features a solid hand-carved Adirondack spruce top for outstanding volume and tone. With a carved solid spruce top and carved maple back and sides, the MD305L produces a resonant and well-balanced tone. xvz zqjcx ggv txzl nzkptj mepg zyvxre aypoc iyjxsly oobrny