Current state of the menagerie

**Miko** · Aug-20-2007, 3:38pm

Here's the state of the menagerie at this point. Left to right: 1914 F2, 1914 H4, 1907 H2, Stahl/Larson mandocello, Stahl/Larson mando, (On Chair) 30s Regal resonator mando, 1964 Fender mandocaster, 1915 Vega cylinderback, Weyman/Wurlitzer mandolute, 1906 A3. What's an f hole?

**SnapCut** · Aug-20-2007, 4:41pm

Very nice

**mandopete** · Aug-20-2007, 5:11pm

Looks like you got the oval-hole thang covered!

**mandolooter** · Aug-20-2007, 5:37pm

Very nice collection! How would you compare the tone and volume of the 1906 A with the F2? Ive got a 06 "A" but lust after a old F style ovalhole!

**pjlama** · Aug-20-2007, 6:38pm

No F holes? Nothing shiney? Just joking, nice collection.

**JeffD** · Aug-20-2007, 7:35pm

Just wonderful collection.

**Bob Wiegers** · Aug-20-2007, 7:45pm

love the lack of F holes. very cool.

**Miko** · Aug-21-2007, 8:25am

Originally Posted by (mandolooter @ Aug. 20 2007, 18:37)

Very nice collection! How would you compare the tone and volume of the 1906 A with the F2? Ive got a 06 "A" but lust after a old F style ovalhole!

The A3 is my wife's mandolin, so its hard for me to say much because A: I rarely play it, and B: I'd like to continue living here. That being said I'd say that volume-wise they're about equal. Tone-wise, although the A sounds real nice, I'd give the edge to my F2. I've never played anything I liked any better. A couple of fours that I liked as well, but none better. I'm probably somewhat prejudiced since the F has been my working instrument for the last 33 years and I'm pretty used to it.

The little guy that amazes me is the Vega cylinderback. It probably weighs half as much as a Gibson, but it puts out an incredible amount of volume and tone. I've come to prefer it for classical music. (I mostly play 'dola with the quartet, but the mando one player and I trade off on some of the Mozart.) The little Larson mado promises to be very similar, but its a recent acquisition and I won't know for sure till I've slapped a set of Argentines on it and banged on it for a month or so.

**Ken Berner** · Aug-21-2007, 8:40am

And you can afford a wife, too? Congratulations!

**mandolooter** · Aug-21-2007, 10:44am

cool, thanks for the reply....and I know what ya mean about the Vega's. I had one for awhile and loved it but a fit of MAS and a offer I couldnt refuse had me giving it up. Such is life! From the prices nowadaze I shoulda got my F2/4 a few years back, lol, I may be stuck with the A style for a long while! Its a keeper tho so Im happy.