Re: Requesting input about Collings MFO and MF5O and other ovals.
Julie, not to contradict any previous suggestions but projection and what I think of as a cutting voice treasured by the Grassers is mostly in the realm of F hole design. That is the very reason it was added to Gibson's 1920's top of the line models and advertised as a revolutionary improvement in mandolin volume and projecting tone. The very best ones have the smoothness(sweetness) of an oval for their voice but still cut. I've never encountered an oval hole mandolin that could do this only F hole mandolins. The thing your looking for is an F hole with a less harsh , more balanced sweet voicing than what you have now. This is no easy task but they do exist but to the best of my experience your looking in the wrong place with any oval hole design. I love my 23 F4 but consider her a parlor mandolin. To my way of thinking I don't want a loud cutting voice playing at home when I'm not alone and am trying to not be abrasive to non enthusiast listeners.
Many may not agree with me and know of new hybrid examples I'm not familiar with but as a general rule if your playing in a group without amplification oval holes can't be heard.
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