A-5 vs f-5 tone

[Skin it Back]

While most people prefer the look and feel of an F-5, I have heard many argue that A-5s sounds better.

What are your thoughts and post an audio link that best demonstrates the sound you most covet.

[f5loar]

Only and only if you compare the one and only A-5 from 1923 against any F-5 of any year would the A-5 win out.
No doubt some fine A-5 copies are being built today that can favorly compare to the F-5s but better than is more subjective then you think. You would have to do a blindfold test(so you won't see those fancy scrolls)for a fair comparision. To me the F-5 just plays better, feels better and really does look better.

[Jerry Byers]

This is an old topic. There are several in the archives with the most recent one here.

[MikeEdgerton]

To me the F-5 just plays better, feels better and really does look better.

I should hope so, otherwise you might have to change your name

[JEStanek]

I think when built by very talented luthiers the differences between an A5 and an F5 tonally are no different than typical mandolin to mandolin variation. Very subjective. In terms of balance from a holding the instrument and A5 may be less neck heavy due to the smaller headstock... Tim O'Brien doesn't seem to need an F5.

This has been discussed many times before. From the same builder and same trim levels the F5 will be a fair bit more expensive due to complexities of the scroll and headstock for carving, binding etc. while no substantial difference in tone is delivered, in most cases.

Jamie

[mythicfish]

What's better ... steak or lobster? Tofu?

Curt

[Jerry Byers]

Lobster with or without a claw?

[Lane Pryce]

What Tom and Jamie said. Lp

[Eric F.]

Stone crab.

[Rick Cadger]

i can hear no real difference between the two, no more than i could between two F5s or two F5s. sorry.

[DryBones]

What's better ... steak or lobster? Tofu?

Curt

depends on if the lobster is from the cold waters of Maine or the warm waters of Florida. I'll take mine drowning in butter either way!

[Jerry Byers]

Actually, the best lobster is from Iceland.

[mythicfish]

Sorry for the generality on the "surf & turf" analogy.
Maine Lobster
Kansas City Beef
Just for the sake of simplicity, I'm keeping it domestic. No Kobe beef need apply.

Curt

[Ted Eschliman]

Ah, nothing more pleasing to my ears than the sound of a really good scroll...

[bradeinhorn]

mr owl - how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll tootsie pop?

[Jerry Byers]

Just for the sake of simplicity, I'm keeping it domestic. No Kobe beef need apply.

Sounds like another "Made in the USA" discussion.

Nothing beats a good slice of Kobe beef.

[otterly2k]

Jerry-
I"m fairly certain that our curmudgeonly friend Curt had his tongue firmly planted in cheek on that one...

[Santiago]

Koby Beef may be PAC Rim, but it's top quality. :-)

[Jerry Byers]

Jerry-
I"m fairly certain that our curmudgeonly friend Curt had his tongue firmly planted in cheek on that one...

As was I.

[Nolan]

I was just up in Canada and they sure seem to like A's a LOT up there.... it's all they talk about!

[fatt-dad]

Just to weigh in. . . .

You have to first spec the two with otherwise similar construction. Tone bar v. X-braced, sitka versus red spruce, varnish v. lacquer, dovetail v. m&t, bound v. unbound, etc. Then, I doubt there'd be too much to set them apart. But, others may not agree.

f-d

[Santiago]

In Canada they start out with F's, but they freeze their scrolls off up there in Winter. :-)

[fwoompf]

Serious lack of Flying-V Mando representation in this thread

[MikeEdgerton]

I was just up in Canada and they sure seem to like A's a LOT up there.... it's all they talk about!

That may be why the call the key of A the Canadian key.