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Thread: oval vs. round hole

  1. #1

    Default oval vs. round hole

    for those exalted few amongst us who actually make mandolins, does the oval sound hole have characteristics which the round hole lacks - and vice versa?

  2. #2
    Registered User TDMpicker's Avatar
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    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    I make both round and oval hole flattops, and to me, the round hole seems to have a little more volume.
    area wise (Sq In) they are pretty much the same size. Others may have their own thoughts.
    Terry
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  3. #3
    Registered User Nonprophet's Avatar
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    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    Don't forget the D holes like on the Weber Bridgers and others.......


    NP
    2002 Bussmann F4
    1999 Weber Bridger A
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    "There's three kinds of people in this world, those that are good at math and those that aren't."

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    aka aldimandola Michael Wolf's Avatar
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    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    I always thought that round or oval wouldn´t make any difference in tone, but James D´Aquisto seemed to think that a oval hole adds some projection compared to a round hole: D´Aquisto flat-top guitar deluxe model from 1980

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    Registered User Nonprophet's Avatar
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    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    I love the tone and volume I get from my Weber Bridger with the D hole. For an A/Celtic style body that puppy is LOUD! To me it still retains the warmth of an oval hole as well......


    NP
    2002 Bussmann F4
    1999 Weber Bridger A
    1917 Gibson Alrite D

    "There's three kinds of people in this world, those that are good at math and those that aren't."

  6. #6
    Café habitué Paul Hostetter's Avatar
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    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    I always think there are two ways to regard the sound: 1) how it sounds to the player, and 2) how it sounds 20 or 30 feet out front. They're extremely different, and 9 out of 10 people only talk about how they sound to themselves when they're playing them. How different those two shapes (precise area being equal, of course) might sound in either configuration is pretty subjective and difficult to evaluate for that reason. There's usually more difference from instrument to instrument, attributable to a host of factors, than two fairly similar design features like those.
    .
    ph

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  7. #7
    Registered User Lou Giordano's Avatar
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    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    Sounds like the first stages of MAS, heh Bill

  8. #8

    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    Quote Originally Posted by Lou Giordano View Post
    Sounds like the first stages of MAS, heh Bill
    no-no ... more like the mature reflection of one who has gone before ... been there and done that ... credit card statements securely in the hand of the wife ...

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    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    I doubt the shape of the hole makes much difference. Not as much difference as the location of the hole or something like f holes, which enables a different kind of vibration.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

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  10. #10
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    When someone asked me why I used the round sound hole on my bell mandolin, I replyed " because thats what size hole cutter I have in the shop." Actually the instrument I used for inspiration has a round sound hole. I think it sounds great. However I think that oval holes look better on a lot of mandolins, I shudder at the thought of an F-4 with a round sound hole.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  11. #11

    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    This makes me think of the 'joke' that did the rounds when I was a teenager and that, thirty-odd years later, still makes me smile, I think:

    Q: What's the difference between a rabbit?

    A: One leg's both the same

  12. #12
    Café habitué Paul Hostetter's Avatar
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    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    .
    ph

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  13. #13
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    Can't go wrong with that.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  14. #14
    Café habitué Paul Hostetter's Avatar
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    Default Re: oval vs. round hole

    It's Alright!
    .
    ph

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