I wonder?

**kudzuklunker** · Jan-23-2008, 9:05pm

I think I originally posted this in the wrong place, sorry. This is probably real dumb but I have to ask. What do you think of a mandolin, F or A, doesn't matter, with F holes AND an oval hole? Is this even possible? What would it do for volume, tone etc?

**fatt-dad** · Jan-23-2008, 9:39pm

Out of the box stuff! Then varnish on the back and sides and lacquer on the top - what else?

f-d

**MikeEdgerton** · Jan-23-2008, 9:43pm

It's been done in the guitar world back in the late 20's or early 30's (I can't seem to find any pictures right now) by both Martin and Gibson. I believe that Gibson made a guitar for Jimmy Rogers that had both that he never used. If I recall it's in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, I could be wrong. I didn't start any trends if you get my drift. It did look a little odd and obviously didn't produce a sound that was overwhelming by anyone's standards. I'm sure someone has tried it in the mandolin world as well.

**MandoBen** · Jan-23-2008, 9:52pm

How about a mandolin with one F hole on the bass side and a half-moon shaped hole right under the treble strings... Bluegrass chop with sweet old-time melody!

**cooper4205** · Jan-23-2008, 9:58pm

Originally Posted by (MikeEdgerton @ Jan. 23 2008, 22:43)

It's been done in the guitar world back in the late 20's or early 30's (I can't seem to find any pictures right now) by both Martin and Gibson.

This link has a pic of the type of Gibson Mike is referring to. It was the HG, or Hawaiian Guitar, and like he said, didn't really catch on.

**wascl** · Jan-23-2008, 10:04pm

I don't think it would look very good personally. But the real question is would it help the sound or volume. I don't think so. There are many things that go together to produce volume and tone. The thickness and shape of the top, the tone bars and the air chamber all need to be tuned and balanced to produce a voice that is consistent from low to high notes. Changing the size of the sound holes would change the tuning of the air chamber. Some builders do use different shapes of holes but they need to be tuned for the instrument being built.

**Bill Snyder** · Jan-23-2008, 10:09pm

There is this one.

**MikeEdgerton** · Jan-23-2008, 10:18pm

are those actual f holes or just inlay?

**Steve Ostrander** · Jan-24-2008, 9:56am

Mr. Loar once thought about building one. It existed only in his mind. He was going to call it the F45.

I think I saw one on Ebay, listed as "Imaginary Mandolin". The seller was asking a bazillion dollars. That's a one, followed by a lot of zeros!

**hoffmannia2k7** · Jan-24-2008, 10:10am

how about a mesh mandolin with a bazillion little holes all over it

**arbarnhart** · Jan-24-2008, 10:25am

I think once you cut a large hole in the soundboard between the bridge and the neck block you eliminate the possibility of getting the sound most people associate with F holes. I don't think it is the shape of the holes that makes the sound different as much as it is the layout of the soundboard after you cut the holes. I could be wrong, but I think much of the "F sound" comes off the top rather than out of the sound holes.

**farmerjones** · Jan-24-2008, 12:32pm

i played a pancake style mandolin once with no holes at all on the top, but it was open backed. i wish i knew who made it. it sounded great.

**Bill Snyder** · Jan-24-2008, 2:27pm

Originally Posted by (hoffmannia2k7 @ Jan. 24 2008, 10:10)

how about a mesh mandolin with a bazillion little holes all over it

Not quite a bazillion little holes, but it is a start.

**arbarnhart** · Jan-24-2008, 3:02pm

I made a little travel instrument once similar in design except with no holes and only 4 strings. It was louder than expected until I cut a big round soundhole. That is part of what contributes to my earlier theory.