Difference's in shape vs tone

[DLS1]

Is there a large difference between the A style mando's compare to an F ? I have a Eastman 615, but saw a cool 805 two point and wondered if these models generally share the same tone qualities ? or if it's just a different look ?
Dave

[JEStanek]

While this is debated often, I believe the difference is in looks only. If there are any differences they are very subtle. Not as pronounced as the difference between an oval hole or f holed mandolin. That being said, Eastman has some variability across their line, i.e., not all of their f hole mandolins sound the same. Some people say their 505 sounded better than the top of the line scroll models.

Soooooo, the 2 pointer may sound different but no more different than any two f hole Eastmans may sound from each other.

Jamie - Eastman 805D owner.

[Mike Bunting]

If you found a sonic difference between those two, I'd say it's because the 615 is an F hole and the 805 is an oval hole.

[man dough nollij]

If you found a sonic difference between those two, I'd say it's because the 615 is an F hole and the 805 is an oval hole.

No, I think an 805 is a ff hole "A" body. An 804 would be an A body oval, and an 814 would be an F4 repro (F body oval).

[Mike Bunting]

Oops, right, the '5s are F holes, 4 oval holes, the 0 in the model# means A shape and the 1 in the middle means F shape. Too much for my feeble noodle to handle! Thanks. So, I don't believe the A style is inherently any different from an F style.

[JEStanek]

The Eastmans with the X05D are the two pointers in either 805D or 905D. The 905D has the F style headstock and wooden binding. I prefer the look of the 805D to then 905D. I'm a big fan of the asymmetric 2 point too.

Jamie

[Red Henry]

I cannot see why there should be any difference in the sound potential of A-bodies compared to F-bodies. However, the three greatest mandolins I have played (for my own bluegrass fingers and ears) were, in order, an F-5 copy, an F-5, and another F5 copy.

Red

[Ken_P]

I cannot see why there should be any difference in the sound potential of A-bodies compared to F-bodies. However, the three greatest mandolins I have played (for my own bluegrass fingers and ears) were, in order, an F-5 copy, an F-5, and another F5 copy.

Red

I would guess this is because of demand in high end mandolins is almost exclusively for F styles, not because of some inherent superiority. I would think if you're going to spend >$10k on a mandolin, the extra money for the scroll just doesn't matter anymore. I'd be willing to bet that a Gil or Dude A style (if there are such things) would be just as amazing as the F counterparts.

[JEStanek]

Steven Gilchrist is making plain-jane styled A oval hole mandolins. Also the Dude has made at least one A style.
http://www.mandolincafe.com/images/luthiers/dudea.jpg Dude A from the eyecandy page
http://www.mandolincafe.com/images/luthiers/gilchrista.jpgGilchrist from the eyecandy page.

I firmly believe the allure to the F style and the market at the high end comes from the Loar instruments and the F5 copies. I don't see anything wrong with it. I just wouldn't expect two instruments built out of the same materials by the same builder at the same time to sound very different if the only difference is the body and headstock style.

Jamie

[mandozilla]

If a good luthier built an exquisite F model, and an exquisite A model to the exact same specs sans scroll and points, how different would they sound really? :confused:

:mandosmiley:

[desaljs]

I own both of the Eastman models you asked about, a 615 and an 805. They both sound about the same. I really like the vibe of the 2 pointer!