Pancake Mandolin

Based on the Gibson Army Navy/Flatiron flat top mandolins

Description

These mandolins are based on a Gibson Army Navy mandolin I restored.  They are very simple mandolins but have the typical Coombe sound.  Much louder, sweeter, clearer and cleaner sounding than the original I restored.  I have come across a few of these old Gibsons over the years, and have not been impressed with the sound, but these Coombe pancake mandolins do impress.  The sound is on another level.  Listen to the sound clips, I am not kidding.  I really like them, they are fun to make, and I intend to make many more because with that lovely sound they are incredible value for money.  In terms of wood choices, just about anything is possible.

The Pancake is available unbound and stained a dark brown like the originals, but are also available in the natural wood colours with the top and back bound.

Note that these instruments are made to a price.  Thus any changes that involve additional material costs or labour will incur an additional charge.

Note: There have been some changes to the Pancake mandolin that makes them sound a lot better (Now in the 4rd generation), but does move them further away from the original Gibson design and they are a bit heavier.  I have incorporated the technology developed for the Classical Flattop mandolins into the Pancake mandolin and the results are astonishingly good.  The bridge has also been moved forward so it sits closer to the center of the top and the neck is longer with the fingerboard having one more fret.  They are now fan braced with carbon fiber reinforcement, and are much stronger so can now take medium gauge strings.  The sound is much cleaner, clearer and smoother, and also a lot louder. Very resonout and responsive mandolins.  Sorry, but there are sound clips yet of a 4th generation Pancake.

Two 4th generation Pancake mandolins



For more information see specifications or contact me.