Cant figure this out.

[357mag]

If I play notes on my Eastman. A melody, like Rank Strangers, for instance,the volume is what I consider low.When I do the same thing on one of the MKs, the volume is higher. BUT! When I strum the Eastman, like just running through chords, the volume is dramatically higher and much more so than either of the MKs.?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif??
Is this typical of an oval hole? Or have I slowly lost my mind? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[RichM]

I can't attest to the status of your sanity, Howard, but the enigma that you are observing is not unusual when comparing an oval hole mandolin to an f-hole mandolin. What you are hearing may not be so much a difference in volume, but a difference in tone. On average, f-hole mandolins tend to have a more "focused" tone that really favors single note playing and that percussive "chop" that bluegrass players like so well. Oval hole mandos (again, on average)tend to have a more open, resonant sound, which may favor chord playing, and generally doesn't have the same "piercing" quality that many f-holes have.

[gnelson651]

I assume the MK is a f-hole so yes there is a difference in sound. The f-hole has more projection and is aimed out from you while the Eastman A oval fills the room with more sound and surrounds you. Which is why f's (hole) are preferred for BG chops and ovals in a classical sitting.

But it has has been agrued on this board both can be interchanged with acceptable results.

Try to have someone play both for you as you stand in ffont of each mandolin. Also, a trick I use to hear what the audience might hear is to stand in front of a blank wall about 3-4 feet while I play.

[357mag]

Rich, I think you can attest to my sanity after I didnt buy that Eastman A, a few months ago. I must be nuts. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
Anyway, thank you gentlemen for putting this in perspective for me. I feel a little bit "saner now and a better feel for what to expect from the Eastman.