F4 vs F5; or, how do you like your oval holes?

[Jim Garber]

I am a big fan of mandolins. I think mandolins are the most beautiful musical instrument ever produced. I don't know if anyone on these forums agree with me...

I have owned a F-4 many years ago but never an F-5. As of now all my non-bowlbacks/non-flattops are A models and I still love the way they look. The only exception is my Monteleone Grand Artist Mandola but that is a variation on the "true" f-model, so that doesn't count.

My favorite F-4s tho, are the rarer finished Cremona brown (like the F-5) finished ones. I have a friend who owns 2 of them. They are also from 1921, my favorite year for Gibson oval holes.

I am in the Fatt-Dad corner, with my preference for shorter-necked, transverse-braced, non-hybrid, oval holed A-models like my Brentrup A4C.

[fatt-dad]

Nice Pair, CBGC!

f-d

[Mark Miller]

There is some serious eye candy in this thread.

[red7flag]

[QUOTE=ColdBeerGoCubs;1564103]As an owner of both and someone who thoroughly enjoys both, I would say the commonalities far outweigh the differentials. Sure, the Collings is a raised fretboard and it's one fret off at the neck join, 13th fret vs 12th, but the sound is very reminiscent.

Just for conversation, I find the the Gibson type and Collings ovals to be totally different animals to play. While I can pull a Gibson like tone out of my Collings, the technique playing is different. The tone that I can get is still sharper and less rounded than the Gibson tone and listening closely, I can spot the difference. To get a similar tone, I have to pull way back on the pick attack and really focus on each note. I really appreciate that they are different and fit different musical temperaments.

[JEStanek]

The first mandolin I was seriously crazy over looks wise was a Weber Bridger F-style with a D Hole. I love Hans Brentrup's 3 point oval hole recreations and Gail Hester's F4 work.

I'm kinda like Jim, I just love looking at and hearing nice mandolins played well.

Jamie

[JeffD]

Don't rule out the three pointer F2, especially in blacktop. One of the most beautiful mandolins in the world.

[Mark Wilson]

I've never played a vintage F2/F4 but they are very cool to look at
For looks alone I'm also keen on the Weber D hole - dunno why but it does it for me

[Luna Pick]

That's a nice sounding F2 at Fiddler's Green. Cool looking too.

[Mark Miller]

oooh, I'll be in Austin later this week...don't think I'll have time to make it out there though...sigh

[mandopops]

Jeff, yes gotta love the 3point, black top F2. I would love to add one to my collection.

Joe B

[fidlplr1979]

Am I alone in the world in liking the looks of an F4 more than those of an F5? My only mandolin is an A-style with F-holes. I love it, and I love the way those look. But in an F-style, there's something about the oval hole...it just looks ancient and exotic. I don't have enough experience playing different mandolins to comment on the sound, I'm just talking about the look. Anybody else?

When I first got serious about mandolin 15 years ago, I bought an Oval-hole f-style Eastman 314. I bought it from the Mandolin Store based on looks alone (as I'd never played one) but when I unpacked it and got it set up I was not a huge fan of the sound. I had only played f-hole style mandolins and did not like the lack of attack (I play bluegrass)
BUT..all that said, now I just love my 314 for what it is. It has a different sound than f-holes and I like it for certain styles of music i.e. celtic, Eastern European,etc.

[red7flag]

When I first moved to the Nashville area, I used to have open picking parties. This was when I was primarily a, cough, banjo picker.
A mandolin picker would come with an assortment of Gibson mandolins, all F5 except for one F4. He would A/B each. Every time he asked me which tone I like best, I would pick the F4. Larry, being a hard core Monroe disciple, was always disappointed. I am not sure what drew me to the F4 even then. I really like the sweet sing songy tone and the antique look. Not much has changed since then as far as my taste.

[Verne Andru]

I do love the tone and play-ability of mine.

[Mark Miller]

Very cool. I bet that's what Darth Vader's mandolin looks like.

[Bad Monkey]

Don't rule out the three pointer F2, especially in blacktop. One of the most beautiful mandolins in the world.

I would love to have a three point. especially one with the inlaid pickguard

[MikeZito]

I really like Darryl's collection - even if there is nothing expensive in it. As a matter fact, many years ago I did an album called 'Cheap Mandolins and Old-Time Country Music.' I think I used a ply-top Morgan Monroe F-style for those sessions. I especially like his two-point pieces.

I'll be the fist person in line if he ever has a yard sale!

[jimmy powells]

I've always thought the F4 to be the most beautiful mandolin ever. I've had 7 and always sold them when I realised they could never do what an F-hole mandolin can do in a band or session situation. I nearly always regretted selling them shortly after. Even a cheap £150 Savannah F-hole projects more. However I am now hankering for an F4 just to play at home. Should never have sold the last one or a couple of others. I sold my last one to buy a Northfield BigMon F5 and it is the most wonderful mandolin for all purposes and I was lucky and got a fabulous one second hand. I love everything about it but not having the F4gets to me every day.

Having said that I think that, when the colour and cosmetics are 100% right, the F4 and the F5 are both beautiful instruments and I would be hard pressed to say that the F4 is more beautiful than a gorgeous F5 such as a mid 20s Gibson F5 which a friend Phil Alexander in London had.

The pity is that, to get a good copy at say £500 wuld be great but all the copies are extremely well made but pressed tops etc and sound very poor and no volume/carrying power. Ashbury, Pilgrim, Barnes & Mullens etc . They make them beautifully but why not just put the carved tops and backs in and sell them for £750-£1000. They can do all the rest.

- - - Updated - - -

I had two Eastman F4 style and both sounded very poor.

[MikeZito]

In the year since this thread was started, I sold all of my f-hole mandolins, and bought four ovals . . . that should pretty much tell you my thoughts.

[Todd Bowman]

As many others have said, I like them both for different reasons. The 5 is loud and can hold its own in a bluegrass band, but it will never sound as sweet and beautiful as the 4. I try to pick up all my mando-family instruments equally, but I tend to goto the F4 just to pick up and play for fun, relaxation, and solving world peace.

The wall next to my desk is adorned with both:

[Mark Miller]

If that were the wall next to my desk I would never get anything done.

[Pete Martin]

A good mechanic has a lot of tools that let her/him do that job the most efficient. So do a number of musicians.

To my ears, some music styles sound better on f hole instruments and some styles sound better on oval hole instruments. I'm very happy to have great instruments in both camps (plus electric 4 and 5 stringers). Allows me to pick what tool I like best for that job.

[Tom Coletti]

I'd also love to see the 3-point F2 design make a comeback in new builds, they're so elegant.

[yankees1]

I prefer an A style mandolin with an oval and a long neck !

[Bob A]

I like 'em just fine.

My first quality mandolin was a 1921 F4, bought under the influence of Ry Cooder's first album. It remained my only mandolin until I needed an H4 mandola.

After a while, MAS kicked in, and delivered a Unicorn F5 and a 1923/4 A2Z. A Lyon&Healy Style A completed the assemblage of carved-top mandolins. Each one is different enough from every other one that it's not possible to say whether one is better than another. I've moved some instruments out in the meantime, but these will probably hang around until I'm dead.

[Cochiti Don]

Love my Collings MTO