I'm sure this has been posted somewhere before. Is there a qualitative sound difference
between and oval hole or f hole mando. I prefer an oval because it sounds mellower to me but maybe it's just me.
I'm sure this has been posted somewhere before. Is there a qualitative sound difference
between and oval hole or f hole mando. I prefer an oval because it sounds mellower to me but maybe it's just me.
Oval more sustain in sound and more decay in sound of F holes whether an A or F mandolin . Bluegrass players normally prefer a F5 or A5 while folk and old time players generally prefer an oval . Not always true however !
I am a big fan of both and have an assortment of each. Personally, except for bluegrass, I prefer the oval hole for most music, as I really like the rounder, fuller tone, especially for waltzes and other slower tunes that benefit from more sustain. The f cuts better in a loud jam or when playing on stage. However, my Collings can cut as effectively as the Ellis even in traditional grass settings, but does not have that G chord growl of the Ellis. The Hester F4 is more gentle, but just as loud as the Collings. Having said that, I did a blind test of all my mandolins playing a number of genres. The Ellis, at least that day, won that test by all three judges, in all genres. My response was all over the place, but depending on my mood or playing on a particular day, my evaluations of instruments change.
Also...neck length is different. When switching from my "f" holes to the oval it always takes me a few minutes to adjust.
"It doesn't matter how much you invest in your instrument until you invest in you and your ability..."
Kentucky KM-150
Eastman MD-404
Eastman MD-305
Morgan Monroe MFM-300 (passed on to a new player)
Rover RM-75
I am more of a melodic player (if you want to call it 'playing') than someone who 'chops' or plays straight chords - and I find that oval holes are much more likely to give me the tone and sustain that I am looking for . . .
The answer is, has always been, and always will be, to have both. If you can’t have that, my advise is get a Silverangel with f holes and a redwood top.
Silverangel A
Arches F style kit
1913 Gibson A-1
The length of the neck is pretty standard. Older Gibson styled oval holes have a neck body joint around the 12th fret while Gibson styled F hole models join around 15th fret. This shifts the bridge towards the tailpiece on ovals and towards the top of the mandolin on the F holed mandolins. Hybrid ovals have a neck body join around 15th fret and have a sound between an f hole and oval hole.
Jamie
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OK, neck fret position...
It is different "feeling" as if shorter is what was meant.
"It doesn't matter how much you invest in your instrument until you invest in you and your ability..."
Kentucky KM-150
Eastman MD-404
Eastman MD-305
Morgan Monroe MFM-300 (passed on to a new player)
Rover RM-75
Collings ovals are joined at the 13th fret, one longer than a Gibson oval.
Gunga......Gunga.....Gu-Lunga
F holes have a more percussive and direct sound. Oval holes have a smoother fuller sound with more sustain. Both can be used to play anything, including bluegrass. Just listen to Peter Ostroushko, Red Rector, Nolan Faulkner, and Jethro Burns to get an idea of what can be done with an oval hole. Don Julin uses his Snakehead to play some pretty progressive stuff. I love and own both types, but prefer the oval hole and use it almost all the time. I hope this helps.
My perspective, from a 63 year old with impaired hearing, I can clearly hear what comes out of my f-hole. I’ve played a few oval hole mandolins and struggle at times to hear them. Something I guess about the pitch that makes it hard to hear.
Have been slowing moving over to f hole mandolins more in the past year. Works better in both my full band and duo. Still love my oval hole, but the f holes have been getting the playing time this year.
Oh, and for neck length differences, both my 1935's (Gibson A-50 and Kalamazoo KM-21) have the same short necks as an oval hole. The Collings has a longer neck, but never seems to be a problem switching between any of them.
Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Flatiron 1N, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
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I wear hearing aids, but I am still looking for hearing aids that really sound like music did before some hearing loss! Anyway, I think there are some mandolins being made with a side hole portal aimed at the player. I have this on some classical guitars and it is really nice. I would like to see a maker like Collings consider such an option.
My take on things:
RESPONSE TO A TUNE PLAYED WELL ON F HOLE MANDOLIN: Oh what brilliant playing. Nailed it.
RESPONSE TO A TUNE PLAYED WELL ON AN OVAL HOLE: Oh what a lovely tune. Just beautiful.
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