Help me choose

[JiminRussia]

I really don’t know what I need or what I want. I want to play old time Scotts/Irish fiddle tunes along the lines of “Whiskey Before Breakfast”, “St. Anne’s Reel”, “Fischer’s Hornpipe”, etc. what I think that I want is a Flatiron 1N or something with that sound/tone or whatever you want to call it. Another consideration is price. I can’t justify spending more than about $800. There are several mandolins that seem too fit, but none that I can actually fondle and play, so any input and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

[tmsweeney]

Flat Iron 1N would be in that price range, I would venture a 20s Gibson A or Snakehead would also fit the bill, but a rare find at $800, though I have seen A models under 1500 here and there, with those you have to be careful about cracks and separation. Hopefully a regular music store nearby might have some Eastman oval A models, worth investigating.
I'm sure you can find something you like for around $800, but local access might be challenging.
Might want to wait for the summer festival season and look for gem there.

[Zach Wilson]

I've seen a couple used Big Muddy (formerly Mid Missouri) flat top mandolins on Reverb.com recently for around $500. They are well made in the US and have great reputation. I think a flat top or an arch top would work for the type of music you're interested in playing.

[Sue Rieter]

I think you could still get a brand new Howard (Sonny) Morris flat top for around that, if you like brand new. Nice instruments, too. I have his #450.

[Dan in NH]

Maybe an Eastman or Kentucky oval hole A body.

[JeffD]

I've seen a couple used Big Muddy (formerly Mid Missouri) flat top mandolins on Reverb.com recently for around $500. They are well made in the US and have great reputation. I think a flat top or an arch top would work for the type of music you're interested in playing.

Yes I agree. A flat top sound, to me, is better than a bluegrassy sound (of an arch top), when you mean to evoke something other than bluegrass. A flat top often is a great first rate build quality for for a reasonable price.

The best sounds for trad Irish and Scottish, I think would be something like the Fylde Touchstone. But finding one in your budget may be a challenge.

[Zach Wilson]

You mentioned that you liked Flatiron 1Ns. As do I! And they get a lot of praise... Great little mandos. But they are 30 -40 year old instruments in most cases.

One word of caution I have for you is: buying used saves money, but unless you play the instrument yourself first, then you really don't know how much work might be needed to get something playing easy and true.

My '82 Flatiron needed about 4hrs+ of setup work... new bridge, Sanding, cleaning, new strings... etc. A professional would have been faster, obviously.

Happy hunting!

[Zach Wilson]

https://reverb.com/item/72674321-gol...-mandolin-8115

I did notice that one of our Cafe sponsors has this N1 copy for sale. It looks nice and comes set up to play.

NFI

[rcc56]

Also: Martin A's can be found for $800, also occasionally a good flat back Vega. Also I've seen some pretty good instruments for quite a bit less built by Lyon & Healy, Regal, and Oscar Schmidt under a variety of brand names [Victoria, B & J, American Conservatory, etc.] if you can find one in good shape.

Here's some stuff from reverb if you want to take a gamble [and yes, it is a gamble]:

https://reverb.com/item/71142215-was...3-1924-natural

https://reverb.com/item/70607366-20-...in-from-dealer

https://reverb.com/item/74678103-lyo...andolin-w-case

[pheffernan]

Retro vibes but modern playability features: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/210515#210515

[Zach Wilson]

Retro vibes but modern playability features: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/210515#210515

That ones legit. I don't get my bonus for another month... if it falls to me though 🤷

[Eric Platt]

That Redline Traveler is very nicely priced.

Otherrwise, would recommend either a Big Muddy flat top (the monthly specials can be really great deals) or a Morris flat top.

Would also say that a Flatiron 1N or similar would also work, but it's getting harder to find one.

[keith.rogers]

Northfield Calhoun might work. I have not played one, but they seem to be along the lines of what you're looking for.

https://reverb.com/item/75103426-northfield-calhoun