Dry/woody vs. deep/hollow

[flatwound]

I went to the Gibson store a couple weeks ago and there were 2 differnt sounds of mandolins. The F9, Alan Bibey, Fern, and other less expensive Gibsons had the deep hollow sound while the Master Models and the Distressed Master had the Dry/Woody sound.
Can someone give me some more names of some dry/woody mandolin builders? I know people that have played both will understand.
How about Collings?
How about Weber Cedar topped mandolins?
thanks for input

[fiddler59]

Buckeye mandolins definantly fall in the dry and woody camp ...

David B

[Grandude]

Although generalization are not always correct, the type of top wood used has a significant impact on the tone of the instrument. #The dry/woody sound is often associated with Red (Adirondack) Spruce top wood, and the deep hollow is commonly Sitka Spruce. #Engelmann Spruce often creates an even more deep/balanced/sweet sound.

Also, the tone bars can be placed/shaped to get more mid-range, which produces the dry/woody sound. #Sitka Sprice is often used by Gibson for top wood. #Although their Master Models may use something other.

[bluegrassjack2]

Try Ratcliff up in Kentucky

[Kevin Briggs]

My red spruce Weber Fern has a great dry, woody sound. It's also pretty amazingly deep. I'm delighted with the way this instrument turned out. It's only about two weeks old right now, but it's good in ways I never would have anticipated.

[nkellstadt]

I'll second the Ratcliff, my teacher said mine was dry as toast (meant as a compliment).

[Kevin K]

The Master Model and DMM Gibson's you played have the red spruce top. Very noticeable of that wood choice.

[gospelman]

I have a spruce-top alvarez with a spruce top that is definitely dry/woody. I always thought it was because of the satin finish instead of the heavy lacquer. I guess the wood is more important.

[Kevin Briggs]

This conversation will inevitably return to the carving issue. I think most good luthiers will say the tone has less to do with the type of spruce, and more to do with the carving.

If you are looking for a particular sound in a mandolin, and you have the money to have it made as a custom order, you should interview luthiers. Get a list of luthiers who you "think" can do what you want for the price you want, and then actually interview them, the same way you'd interview for a job, because guess what... they are trying to get a job too.

Most of them will say they can do what you want, just like a person who wants a job will be agreeable to all kinds of job duties. Just make sure you have questions pertaining to details. Ask them what you're asking this board. Ask if wood matters, or if carving matters, etc.