octave mandolin , mandocello

[craig.collas]

Hi
What are the sound differences between the a models and f models advantages and other beneficial knowledge.

[Charlieshafer]

Ugh! I hate to be the bearer of unbeneficial knowledge, but all I can say is that I prefer oval holes myself, and after that it's all builder and individual instrument dependent. The well built A styles, however, are absolutely as good sounding as any F style. I think the size of the body cavity sort of equalizes things out, but that's just guessing on my part. I do have an F style mandocello, but whenever I play an A style Sobell or maybe a Campanella two-point, it's pretty clear that shape doesn't matter. If cost is an issue, don't even worry about shape of instrument or sound hole shape. You won't be missing anything. Just as an aside, when Weber was building the 'cello, and we were discussing the sound hole shape, they mentioned that on the big-bodies, they like the sound of an oval hole better, too. Look at Monteleones or some other rare birds, and they go oval on big instruments. So there you go, get what you can afford and don't worry about the traditions that haunt regular-sized mandolins.

[G7MOF]

I've played an oval hole and it sounded and played great, I wouldn't have thought an F hole would have been of any advantage as there is no real likelyhood of needing chop etc, IMHO...

[Terry Allan Hall]

Prefer oval-holes, both for the mellower tone and the looks...have only played a couple f-holed mandocellos, but really see no advantages, and one was pretty nasal sounding (the other was acceptable, though).

OM/mandocellos strung as OMs, pretty much the same, but then I'm just an oval soundhole guy on mandolins and mandolas, as well, as I don't need the chop/cutting power of an F-holed mandolin, as I play relatively little traditional bluegrass, and almost never perform "unplugged".

[allenhopkins]

Own two mandocellos (mandocelli?), both carved-top. One has a guitar body and f-holes (Eastman), the other a "big mando" body and an oval hole (Gibson K-1 from the 1920's).

Differences are pretty much what you'd expect -- talking about differences in sound, not scale length, neck width, body shape. The Eastman sounds sharper, more percussive, immediate attack, fairly quick decay. Gibson is boomier, rings longer, has a "hollow" quality.

Of course, I'm a bit conditioned by playing f-hole and oval-hole mandolins, so to some extent I'm hearing what my experience has led me to hear. But if you think about the (general) differences between f-hole and oval-hole mandolins, I've found similar variance between my two instruments.

Now, I'm assuming this is what you're asking about in terms of differences...? When you say "a-models and f-models," you're talking about body shapes, which don't make as much difference as soundhole configuration and top construction (flat top vs. carved top). Putting a scroll and points on a "big mandolin" has no more effect that putting them on a "regular" mandolin -- ornamentation rather than acoustic effect.

[Chip Booth]

My favourite 'cellos have been all oval hole instruments. My favourite octaves have all been F hole instruments. I think the lower register of the 'cello benefits from the oval design, more emphasis on the fundamental low octave and less overtones, while the octave mandolin still has enough going on in the higher register to really take advantage of the pop, midrange and overtones of the F hole design. The style of music to be played would certainly have an impact on which design you would choose.

As for A vs F style body shape, generally speaking I would say that is a matter of aesthetic taste rather than tonal consideration. (I have to admit I have had a rather profound experience recently with a particular builder that makes me question the general wisdom that the body shape doesn't matter, but still my evidence is highly anecdotal and is confined to the specific designs of only one builder. I may have to start a new thread on this one...)

[craig.collas]

Thanks Allen and Chip that is exactley what I am trying to get my head around. My plan is to do some research first and them present a plan to the Fin dir.

[mandroid]

Mandocello is an Octave lower than a Viola tuned mandola, which itself is a 4th lower than a Mandolin.
so a mandocello is a 4th lower than a Octave mandolin.. CGDA..

[Charlieshafer]

As for A vs F style body shape, generally speaking I would say that is a matter of aesthetic taste rather than tonal consideration. (I have to admit I have had a rather profound experience recently with a particular builder that makes me question the general wisdom that the body shape doesn't matter, but still my evidence is highly anecdotal and is confined to the specific designs of only one builder. I may have to start a new thread on this one...)

Start it. I'd love to hear what folks think of the body styles of Fletcher's. I'm going 'cello crazy anyway, as the little guys are hurting my my hands due to arthritis and stiff fingers from too many years of cabinetry. I'm liking fat frets and big strings.