Mandolin Makers

HQ3551, HQ3351, HQ3151

Paul Hathway makes plain but strong sounding flat top instruments, and we usually have several examples of his work on display.

GR3531, GR3331, GR3131

Fylde Guitars make an excellent range of Mandolin, Octave Mandola, Bouzouki & Cittern, in the style of their well known acoustic guitars. All models have a dark cedar top, and the distinctive pear shape mahogany body. Andy Irvine often plays a Fylde Bouzouki.

GR3322, GR3321, GR3521

Musikalia and Gremlin instruments are made in Italy to our own design for an affordable instrument with a big sound. All solid wood construction with spruce top, purfled edges, mahogany neck and body.

Mandolin Background

The Mandolin evolved from earlier lute family types of fretted instrument, in Italy during the last century, and reached a peak in popularity around 1895. Most of these examples were made in Naples, and the Neapolitan style mandolin has a deep bowl back constructed from thin ribs of wood.

In the late 19th century, American instrument makers developed the flat backed style of mandolin. Gibson's carved models, and Martin's flat tops are the best known of these. These designs give a more open sound, which projects well, and they also have the advantage of being much more comfortable to hold. Most modern styles of mandolin playing use these flat back instruments.

Occassionally seen are twelve string mandolins, sometimes favoured because the tremelo is easier, sometimes tuned with a set of strings sounding one octave below the rest.

Mandolin Styles

The mandolin is becoming increasingly popular in many styles of music. It is very often used in Irish and English folk music, while pop musicians such as Rod Steward and Paul McCartney along with many others have been bringing the mandolin into the limelight through their music over the last few decades. The mandolin is also strongly associated with bluegrass and country music, and has been making a comeback in this area, as well as getting used occasionally in classical music. All this goes to show that the mandolin is an extremely versatile instrument which appeals to a huge range of people.

Mandolins are tuned to G,D,A,E, like a fiddle, with two strings to each note, which helps to give it a really big sound. It's very easy to learn to accompany tunes on the mandolin by learning a few simple chords, but you can also learn to pick out tunes or play more complicated accompaniments.