Big Muddy: M-11 Jumbo (standard nut)

Submitted by NinaBlanche on 4/19/2025

Where Purchased: Big Muddy Mandolin website

Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

The all-mahogany M-11 offers a Jumbo body option, that provides a Mandola sized box with the tuning of a mandolin. It sounds fantastic, deep and warm and with more deep volume than the standard mandolin body. Big Muddy offers a wide or standard fretboard, and I chose standard on my Jumbo model. My teenagers like the sound of it, while gritting their teeth during my playing of models that are not the all mahogany and Jumbo body size. It’s a wonderfully easy playing instrument and the combination of the earthy mahogany with the larger box, is a winning combination.everything seems to sound more profound When played on this mandolin.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Came ready to roll!

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Very light sheen, well sealed, natural look. Handsomely appointed with black wood bridge and I think Izombe fretboard. against the rich mahogany face. Its larger body size is attractive and rests nicely in the lap for play. Handsome and simple look.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

It’s well made, nicely sanded and finished, and has a craftsmanship of it’s small American shop, handmade origin.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Mike Dulak, the owner, has his signature, authentic approach on every aspect of the company. He is there building the instruments or supervising the builds his partner, Connor. They care and I’d expect that they’d stand by to assist with repairs or customizations. They have such great customer service, offering so much thoughtful customization for large hands, Jumbo sizes, specially stained finishes, selection of components and tailpieces, and left-handed options, it’s a very personalized experience to design your best instrument with them.

Customer Service: 10

Components

All the components have worked great for me, and are aesthetically pleasing. Custom choices are available. I didn’t need a cast tailpiece, but those who want one could choose one, and antiqued brass is offered as well as polished chrome. Not the fanciest out there, I suppose, but the components are quality and I’m fully satisfied.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

The opportunity to customize an mandola body on a standard mandolin neck, with standard tuning, gives both volume and depth of tone advantages over a standard sized mandolin. The all mahogany wood M-11 model, amplifies the woodsy depth and mellowness of the tone, to make the sound accessible to those who aren't crazy about tinni-ness or twangy sharpness. I just love mine, and it's fun to play to picky teenagers, without incessant complaints. The mellow sound calms the savage beasts!...and they wouldn't pretend to like it, to be polite. That's the highest of compliments , that they like the sound of this one mandolin; and my Big Muddy, all mahogany Octave Mandolin, as well, which takes more movement along the longer neck, and also sounds like a dream. 

Overall Rating: 10