Re: Decision Time for wood type - Is the difference big?
In general if the same experienced builder were to build f style mandolins one all mahogany and one spruce over maple the sounds would be different. The mahog would be darker and warmer and the spruce maple would be brighter. Frankly, the kind of music you intend to play on it should push your decision making. If you want to play bluegrass, I would go with the spruce maple. Same maybe for classical. If you want to do folk or celtic or non-bluegrassy kinds of things I might consider the all mahogany. I prefer a darker warmer sound (you can get some of that using flatwound strings instead of normal roundwound ones).
They will both still sound mandolin like. Think of it like burgers. You can get one that has spicier toppings or you could get one that has more savory toppings. Both are burgers but each has a different palate.
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
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