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?
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?
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.
Don't forget the D holes like on the Weber Bridgers and others.......
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."
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
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."
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.
Sounds like the first stages of MAS, heh Bill
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.
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
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
Can't go wrong with that.
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
It's Alright!
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