The lost art of the three point

[jlb]

Many folks consider Lloyd Loar's F-holed redesign of the F-4 mandolin, the F-5, to be the epitome of mando-aesthetics, but I disagree, and propose that the pre-Loar three point F-styles have the greatest eye-appeal.

Are any builders pursuing replicas or variations of this design? Are any building this classic design with f-holes? #Does Gibson have in its histoory any three-point f-holed mandos.

[John Flynn]

John Wynn, who has been building mandos in the Springfield, MO area for decades, has long specialized in F-hole 3-points. He has built them for Jesse McReynolds and I have heard that Jesse's son plays one of them currently. One of these 3-points shows up for sale online every now and then. Here is one currently for sale:
http://www.flatpicking.com/79WynnF5mandolin501698.html

[mandogrouch]

There was a nice looking Hutto that sat in the classifieds for the longest time. I don't know if it finally sold or not. Gibson had 3 pointer oval hole models until 1910 or so. I've never hear of or seen a Gibson f hole 3 pointer. I agree with you jlb, the three pointers really speak to me, even though I'm not a scroll freak.

[Brian Aldridge]

I think the 3 point design can be compared to a beautiful woman wearing jewelry. At some point, there can just be too much. Three points is just too much, to my eye. It no longer has the elegant ballanced look.

[Scotti Adams]

I think Doc Darrow ended up with that Hutto 3 point..

[Jim Garber]

The Wynn 3-point resembles the early Gibsons only in that it has 3 points. Take a look at this F2 (http://www.mandolinarchive.com/perl/show_image.pl?401) from the archives. Aside from the oval hole, the scroll is completely different. I haven't seen many other contemporary three points, tho I think that Bill Bussman might be building one for a friend of mine.

Jim

[mandogrouch]

I'm with jgarber on this one. There's so much more going on with the tops and backs on the Orville F2s/F4s, with regards to the way they are carved and arched. There's nothing like those tops in the modern mando world, and I don't think there will be. The scrolls also have a lot more going on; like the scroll is supposed to be a sound chamber rether than a strap hook like on many modern Fs. I ordinarily don't care much about scrolls but those old 3 pointers are way cool, mainly because of the tops, check 'em out!

[AlanN]

On the other end of the spectrum, I once saw a C.E. Ward F-5 that had NO points - just the scroll. Nice mandolin, the owner told me it was done this way to keep the cost down, and in a minimalist sort of way, it looked and felt real cool.

[Brian Aldridge]

Mitch Simpson has an F2 that only has the rear point. Quite an interesting one of. I checked his website and didn't find a picture of it there, unfortunatly.

[mandogrouch]

I was thinking that the third point would come in handy if one were to slump forward (i.e. passing out from a loud banjo or too much beer, or both), it would jab you in the chest and wake you up. That Orville thought of everything didn't he?