Tonal qualities of wood

[Robismi]

Redwood top mahogany back maple rim delivers the darkest sound?

[billhay4]

No. An expert luthier delivers the darkest sound.
Bill

[fscotte]

Straight up question gets a straight up answer.

[Robismi]

If you were building a mandolin that you would not want a shrill piercing sound like an f5l or others proclaiming a bluegrass sound, would you use different woods and how would you apply your skills to attain a different sound?

[fscotte]

Generally speaking the typical F and A model mandos are going to sound bluegrassy. That's just their nature. You can take a slight detour from that sound by making the top and back stiffer or less stiff, altering the arching, distance between f-holes, tuning the air chamber by f-holes size, and changing depth of the rim etc.. lots of choices depending on what slightly different sound you want. Someone made a balsa mando once... guess what, it sounded like a mando.

[Tobin]

If you were building a mandolin that you would not want a shrill piercing sound like an f5l or others proclaiming a bluegrass sound, would you use different woods and how would you apply your skills to attain a different sound?

The A5 and F5 style mandolins are generally going to produce that sort of sharp sound. Woods can have some effect, yes, but I think the major changes you're looking for are going to be in the body design. Going away from f-holes to an oval hole will make a big difference in mellowing out the sound. Going away from an arch-top design to a flat-top design will have an effect as well. The types of bracing designs will also play a part. These are huge compared to differences in tone woods.

[billhay4]

An expert player can produce sounds on any mandolin that are not shrill and piercing.
That being given, Tobin has it nailed. Different designs than the traditional F5 will get you a more mellow sound.
An expert luthier can advise you best on what design changes you might want to consider.
Bill

[Marty Jacobson]

Ebony is the darkest tonewood. Anyone care to disagree?
Seriously, though, the design and geometry of the instrument will determine much of the tone, at least as much as the materials used to build it.

[j. condino]

Ebony is the darkest tonewood. Anyone care to disagree?....

I'll disagree. It maybe dark in color but tonally it is actually fairly bright and reflective; not one of my favorites...

[ajh]

With all respect...if you need to ask that question divert directly to mandola. Or Tenor guitar.
Took me a long time to realize how much I disliked playing that e string. I really tried to like it.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Quote - "It maybe dark in color...". I think that's what Marty actually meant - has it ever been used as an actual 'tonewood' ?.
I've only ever associated Ebony with fingerboards,nuts,bridges & finger rests - but, my personal knowledge of building is zilch !,
Ivan

[pheffernan]

Quote - "It maybe dark in color...". I think that's what Marty actually meant - has it ever been used as an actual 'tonewood' ?. I've only ever associated Ebony with fingerboards,nuts,bridges & finger rests - but, my personal knowledge of building is zilch !

Andy Poe built one of his Scout flattops with an ebony back and sides:

[Jeff Hildreth]

"With all respect...if you need to ask that question divert directly to mandola. Or Tenor guitar.
Took me a long time to realize how much I disliked playing that e string. I really tried to like it. "

Agreed.

I much prefer mandola, and with a 17" plus scale.

As to mellowing out a mandolin..
Size may enter here.

Specifically depth.

[jdchapman]

That Poe sounds good!

Having sanded ebony, though, I think maple has nothing to worry about.