Is a flat top a good "campfire mandolin"?

[Paul Merlo]

Well here's what I went and did:

Instead of waiting for a good deal on a used flat-top that's a little beat up, I went and bought a new one from Terry at Crystal Forest. I got all excited about flat tops yesterday (particularly the pancake style) and once I saw how nice his are (and really well priced!) I had to have one. So anyway, I probably won't want to take that one camping either so I'm still in the same boat.

Sweet! Now you can still pick up a laminate wood top mandolin for camping and not worry about it. The first mandolin I ever bought was a laminate Alvarez and I loved it. I actually thought it sounded pretty good too. I don't know if your campfire attracts a similar crowd as Carnegie Hall, but they probably won't mind if you're not playing a Strado-varius.

[Br1ck]

Life is too short to play an unsatisfying instrument anywhere. About as cheap as I'd go at least has to be a solid wood instrument. My Michael Kelly fits the bill. For me two hours playing a laminate top is two hours too many.

[Rob Meldrum]

Here's a different take. Go Rogue! Ignore the "I hate plywood" folks and buy a mandolin that you can take camping without fear or regrets. My go-to purchase is the musiciansfriend.com two-fer. Guitar and mandolin for $99, delivered. How do they sound? Glad you asked.

https://youtu.be/CB3hj3Ev38Q

And

https://youtu.be/BirHNmE4xD0

Serious value! Email me for the ebook on how to set up the mandolin. Email to Rob.meldrum@gmail.com and put Mandolin Setup in the subject line.

[Bill McCall]

They're great. Pile the banjos on top for added warmth

[Stevo75]

I'll probably pick up a used Eastman 305 as my camping mandolin.