M(andola)AS

[red7flag]

One of the students at the Mike Compton workshop had a nice Gibson flattop mandola. I found that I went into a dream state playing it. Mike Compton broke through my haze to ask if I had fallen asleep while playing. Without stopping playing, I said I thought so, and went back to playing.
My thought is an F (yes I am an F fanatic that is willing to pay more, knowing there is no, well some, maybe, kind of, difference in sound) with an oval type (could be circular) sound hole. I am not sure about elevated versus not elevated. Any suggestions. My issues are who would build it or built it? Length of scale? Maple or other tonal wood? Any used mandolas that you are aware of that might come close (heresy but would not HAVE to be an F)? This is just the beginning stage.
Tony

[Dave Voyles]

Jeff Coward at mandolins.net has a beautiful Lebeda H-4 model. (Think f-4) 17" scale. I've played it and it is superb. NFI.

[dtb]

and while you're at it........

what is the correct, or maybe the better, mandola to back up bluegrass'ish music, especially mandolin, as to tuning. I see there's different "types" of mandolas, tuned different ways. I've having thoughts. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Lotsa times when we're jamming, there's always that time when more than one mandolin wants in, and I was thinking it would be nice to have another "voice".

oh.....that MAS is so evil......

[Dfyngravity]

I think in general mandolas are just tuned C,G,D,A and sometimes you'll find a 10 stringer with the E on it. Bouzoukis however, you will find several different tunings.

I know the next instrument I am getting is going to be a mandola and maybe my main instrument.