Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: oval hole tops?

  1. #1

    Default oval hole tops?

    Do oval hole F styled mandos not have carved tops due to the oval hole? I was looking at specs on oval hole vs. f holed mandos and all listed carved tops in that price range but the round hole version.

  2. #2
    Registered User Tavy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Tavistock UK
    Posts
    4,438

    Default Re: oval hole tops?

    All F-style mandolins have carved tops.

  3. #3
    Registered User bruce.b's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Lebanon, Ct
    Posts
    506

    Default Re: oval hole tops?


  4. #4
    Teacher, repair person
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southeast Tennessee
    Posts
    4,077

    Default Re: oval hole tops?

    A more correct answer would be that all the old Gibson F style oval hole mandolins had carved tops.

    Some imports may have pressed tops, and occasional experiments have been made with flat tops.

  5. #5
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Auburn, Washington
    Posts
    1,553

    Default Re: oval hole tops?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tavy View Post
    All F-style mandolins have carved tops.
    That is not true.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Boulder, CO & Chesterfield, MO
    Posts
    2,562

    Default Re: oval hole tops?

    Quote Originally Posted by courier View Post
    Do oval hole F styled mandos not have carved tops due to the oval hole? I was looking at specs on oval hole vs. f holed mandos and all listed carved tops in that price range but the round hole version.
    What models are you looking at? It depends on the maker, but most good F style oval mandolins will have carved tops. Not all do however.

  7. #7
    Registered User QCS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Pacifica, Calif.
    Posts
    90

    Default Re: oval hole tops?

    I’m with Al, depends on which builder you are interested in. I have a Pomeroy F4 that has a carved top, and a beautiful one piece back. Good look with the search.

  8. #8

    Default Re: oval hole tops?

    I can't write anything short here that would be useful except that maybe, yes, oval holes come in carved and flat-top versions.

    Carved-top are more common, every major manufacturer makes carved-top oval holes of some sort.

    Oval holes are more varied in sound, traditional ones are made by Eastman, the classic dark, tubby oval hole sound, others make hybrids (like Collings and Northfield), that sit somewhere in between the dark traditional oval hole sound, and the bright barky tone of an f-hole.

    Flat tops are less than half the price to make, and I don't know where in the sound spectrum they sit yet, but I have one on order from Red Valley, who only make flat-top oval-hole mando variants.

    In no way do I have exhaustive knowledge, there are many oval holes I wish I could try, but can't.
    Davey Stuart tenor guitar (based on his 18" mandola design).
    Eastman MD-604SB with Grover 309 tuners.
    Eastwood 4 string electric mandostang, 2x Airline e-mandola (4-string) one strung as an e-OM.
    DSP's: Helix HX Stomp, various Zooms.
    Amps: THR-10, Sony XB-20.

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    1,971

    Default Re: oval hole tops?

    Not all arched tops are carved. What specs are you referencing?
    Steve

  10. #10
    Moderator JEStanek's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Pottstown, Pennsylvania, United States
    Posts
    14,284
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Re: oval hole tops?

    There are several types of tops. Carved (machined), Hand Carved (implies that some to all of the top was shaped by hand), flat, induced arch (kind of bent over the support braces, and pressed (wood is steam bent to an arched shape. There are costs, benefits, and disadvantages with each to varying degrees.

    Any of the above can sound fine but the sound may not be what you're after. In answer to your most basic question, F style mandolins with oval holes can be arch topped. In general, most F style mandolins have an arched top as that is the expectation for the shape. There are exceptions. In the US, most of the mandolins sold are arched somehow from high end mandolins to inexpensive imports. Other countries have more flat and cant topped instruments. It depends on what the predominant music style being played and the cultural traditions are. In the US, for mandolins (already a small niche instrument in the stringed instrument world) bluegrass is the largest musical style being played and folks really want something that fits that look (but not everyone).

    Jamie
    There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946

    + Give Blood, Save a Life +

  11. #11
    Teacher, repair person
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southeast Tennessee
    Posts
    4,077

    Default Re: oval hole tops?

    Perhaps this is a good time to translate the "codes" currently being used in catalog descriptions by large manufacturers.

    "Spruce top" generally means a top made out of laminated wood [plywood].
    "Maple back" usually also means laminated.
    "Solid top" indicates a solid piece of wood.

    "Arched" top or back means that the wood has been pressed over a form and bent to shape.
    "Carved" means machine carved.
    "Hand-carved" does indicate that at least some hand carving was employed.

    "Lacquer" can mean almost anything.
    "Nitro-cellulose lacquer" means that at least the top coats are traditional nitro-cellulose lacquer.

    At least some manufacturers are currently applying one coat of nitrocellulose lacquer over a thick polyurethane base, and conveniently omitting any mention of polyurethane in their description.

    "Varnish" might indicate anything from polyurethane varnish or "conversion" varnish to true spirit or oil varnish.

    In other words, the description must say "hand carved and graduated solid spruce top," AND "hand carved and graduated solid maple back" to indicate a fully hand carved solid wood instrument.

    The same principles apply to catalog descriptions for guitars, banjos, and violin family instruments.
    Read manufacturers' descriptions very carefully, and assume nothing if it is not spelled out.

  12. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to rcc56 For This Useful Post:


Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •