A Different Hole?

**yankees1** · Dec-25-2010, 9:11am

Have you heard of any luthier that has experimented with building a mandolin with different shapes of holes other than a f or oval opening ? I was just wondering if a different sound might be projected with different type of openings. This is sort of far out but I wonder what a mandolin would sound like if it had an oval hole and f openings both on same mandolin? A hybrid oval/f !

**Jim Garber** · Dec-25-2010, 9:33am

The first is a one of a kind Gibson, nicknamed L'il Pup. The second is a French made JTL Violaline.

**yankees1** · Dec-25-2010, 9:38am

Originally Posted by Jim Garber

The first is a one of a kind Gibson, nicknamed L'il Pup. The second is a French made JTL Violaline.

Are these yours Jim? If so how would you describe the mandolin sound?

**Jim Garber** · Dec-25-2010, 9:49am

Neither is mine. I think the Gibson is owned by Lowell Levinger. more info and pictures here. The other is an oddball french invention.

**Murphy Slaw** · Dec-25-2010, 10:11am

Wow, that Gibby has a pretty back.

**emitfo** · Dec-25-2010, 10:17am

Originally Posted by yankees1

.... I wonder what a mandolin would sound like if it had an oval hole and f openings both on same mandolin? A hybrid oval/f !

Would a hybrid, rectangular hole/g(f)-hole count?

I have Gypsy Renegade which started life with an emg pup on it which I have removed. I don't have camera/phone nor a way to record it. I haven't tuned it back up to standard tuning since I tuned it down a m3 then tuned it up 1/2 step from that.

**AW Meyer** · Dec-25-2010, 11:29am

Check out some of Alan Beardsell's offerings: http://www.beardsellguitars.com/mandolin/mandolin.html

**Jim Garber** · Dec-25-2010, 12:07pm

I love Beardsell's designs. Has anyone played one?

**swinginmandolins** · Dec-25-2010, 1:26pm

Steve Holst(website link in my signature) has done some different designed sound holes. Including my asymmetrical 2 point, which there is a thread around here with pics and soundclips. I have Youtube videos(link in signature) of my 2 point which has "S" holes and the asymmetrical. Both mandolins sound different from each other but that was by design more that by the shape of the holes. The asymmetrical has larger holes but I feel it has just as good if not better projection and also more volume. I think the asymmetrical with the different holes is a bit more versatile as the tone ranges from f hole sound to oval hole sound depending on how and where you pick it.

**Chip Booth** · Dec-25-2010, 2:46pm

Here are a couple of Lawrence Smart's offerings, all built for Cafe members:

I had the chance to play the two comma hole instruments, and they have unique sounds, but there are other construction elements that contribute greatly to their unique tone.

**mandroid** · Dec-25-2010, 2:55pm

Side sound holes are an interesting way of making the instrument better heard
by the player . an Acoustic Monitor..

Some builders, seen before on this site, had it displace one of the F soundholes
to keep same hole size, overall.

**Chip Booth** · Dec-25-2010, 7:09pm

mandroid, the blonde comma hole mandolin above has one comma hole and one side hole facing the player. It has an F hole sound, but with a distinct midrange character I don't know how to describe that sets it apart. Unlike many F hole instruments the tone is very similar sounding from the different perspectives, whether playing or listening.

**D C Blood** · Dec-25-2010, 8:32pm

Some of Ken Ratcliff's older mandolins had a small soundhole in the middle, just below the end of the fingerboard. Mine gives a great sound (at least to my ears).