What's The Difference?

[Adare_Steve]

Is there a thread or page on this excellent site where a can get a basic grounding in the various styles, and types of mandolin available?

Why for example, would I choose a 'scroll' model, over an A-style or a 2-pointer (and what are these types anyway). Actually I think I'm fairly OK with spotting the difference, possibly not the A-style though.

Is it all just cosmetic and aesthetic or does a certain model style best fit (or at least are more commonly associated with) certain musical styles?

Thanks,

Steve

[grandmainger]

Hey Steve,
There is a very recent thread about the 'association' of a particular style of mandolin to specific music styles right here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=17808).

The general feeling is that although bluegrass is traditionally played with scrolled F-styles, many mandolins with F-shaped holes are perfectly fit for bluegrass (see above linked thread). Round hole mandolins are traditionally played for more celtic, classical and old-time music. This is a very approximate generalisation!

When it comes to actual design, there are major variations even within a specific style, especially in the scroll, and in the position of the points on a 2-pointer.

[grandmainger]

Here's a standard F-style:

[grandmainger]

Here's an A-style

[grandmainger]

Here's a round/oval-hole F style

[grandmainger]

Here's a round/oval hole A style

[grandmainger]

and here's a pair of 2 pointers

[BBarton]

Hi Steve, A photo of my Randy Wood 2-pointer is included on the A-style eye candy site. This is a more "traditional" 2-point design (supposedly styled after one originally built by Randy for Clarence White, but that could be an urban legend -- anyone know of the history?)

[Eugene]

I tried to clear up many of these issues under the "Mandolin Types (http://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/faq.html#mandolintypes)" heading of the old FAQ. Hope this helps.

[Adare_Steve]

Thanks for the information, website links and photos, guys. I really do appreciate it. You've answered a lot of my questions.

Grandmainger: My eye was really 'caught' by your oval hole A style. Maybe that's because I play mainly Irish music. The oval hole F is a beauty, too!

Steve

[grandmainger]

Grandmainger: My eye was really 'caught' by your oval hole A style. Maybe that's because I play mainly Irish music. The oval hole F is a beauty, too!
Steve
Steve, I wish it was mine ! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

You can see it at Sheba (http://www.sheba.ca/imagegallery.html). If you want one, prepare to part with $3K +

Germain