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Thread: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

  1. #1

    Default What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    I think I should have bought an oval soundhole mandolin. I got the F hole shape instrument. Purchased an Eastman 505 from the Mandolin store by mail

  2. #2
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    Quote Originally Posted by Minstrelle View Post
    I think I should have bought an oval soundhole mandolin. I got the F hole shape instrument. Purchased an Eastman 505 from the Mandolin store by mail
    Did you call and talk to Dennis at The Mandolin Store ?

    Maybe sell the 505 here and get what you need. If you explain the situation here in the classifieds you may not lose that much money....someone may want a very slightly used 505.
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  3. #3

    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    Quote Originally Posted by Minstrelle View Post
    I think I should have bought an oval soundhole mandolin. I got the F hole shape instrument.
    Don't sweat it. You're in the early stages of discovering that it's not a question of 'either/or'.
    "I play BG so that's what I can talk intelligently about." A line I loved and pirated from Mandoplumb

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  5. #4
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    Keep it, play it and in your mandolin journey you will add to your mandolin inventory ! What genre of music do you play or will you play ?

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    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    Don't worry too much about it. When I got restarted on mandolin, really wanted the oval hole sound. Now, a couple of years later, most of my playing is on f hole instruments. Still love the oval hole, but it just doesn't work best in any of my bands at present.
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    Barn Cat Mandolins Bob Clark's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    Ultimately, you are likely to want multiple voices in your arsenal. Keep it, play it, enjoy it. When you have gained some experience, re-evaluate your needs. Then you may want to add instruments to get those additional voices. It's good to have an f-hole, an oval-hole, a flat-top. . .(on it goes).
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    If you bought the mandolin within the past few days, you may be able to return it, and exchange it for an oval. As Don said in post #2, call Dennis . . . he is very easy to work with.

    Otherwise, enjoy it until you either sell the 505 or purchase an additional oval for your arsenal; (you never know when you may need/want different sounds, and having one of each mandolin will be helpful).

  10. #8
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    let your ears get used to it.

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  12. #9
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    It seems counter intuitive but for me the Fstyle is actually the most versatile. If you're not that opposed, I'd keep it and play it and get used to the tone to see how it can be used. If you're pretty sure about the oval, just send it back for an exchange. You'll loose shipping charges but I'm sure they would take it back for exchange plus any cost difference. Or they'll even credit you toward that Gibson or Ellis that you know you need and all of a sudden you have a store credit.
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    Scroll Lock Austin Bob's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    You can play any style of music on any mandolin. Furthermore, if you ever get to the point to where you are playing live, the audience doesn't care what kind of mandolin you have. I agree with most of the replies above, just play and enjoy what you have.
    A quarter tone flat and a half a beat behind.

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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    Quote Originally Posted by Austin Bob View Post
    You can play any style of music on any mandolin.
    Plus, it's easier to get "round-holeish" tone out of f-holes, by playing more toward the center of the string, than it is to get a cutting, percussive tone out of round-holes, where playing closer to the bridge has more limits on tone & volume. In short, many consider f-holes to be more versatile, even those of us who really like the round-hole sound.

    Remember that the primary determinator of tone is the fingers of the player!
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    I am with the people that suggested you keep it. I have both oval hole and F hole instruments in my collection. Some music need the tone of one and some the other. If you truly find yourself leaning to one or the other after a few years of study make that your choice when you trade up. Also, if you just must, Dennis at The Mandolin store may have a good condition used oval he can swap you even. You will never know if you don't ask. R/
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    Registered User archerscreek's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    Based on past posts, it looks like you're outside the 48 hour approval period The Mandolin Store offers. I suppose you can always ask for an exception. But I'd bet the reason you're not getting the sound you expected out of the instrument is more due to technique than hole shape, especially given that you're only a week or so into playing the mandolin (if I read things accurately).

    I have an MD515. It is extremely sensitive to changes in pic shape, pic density, pic material, fretting technique, string make/material, and to how much the back is covered up. If I tried, I could make it sound thin and cheap. Haha.

    With the necessary practice, you can get the sound you crave from the 505. Play it hard. Open the instrument up. Good luck and don't "fret" about making the wrong choice at this stage.

  18. #14

    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    If this is your first mandolin, it really only matters that it is set up properly. What I found out with my 505 was that after I could play a few fiddle tunes, it was not the type but the quality I found lacking. Mainly it was the richness in the G string. I agree with the posters above. Play your mandolin for a while. Experiment with different strings.

    Over time you will find what ultimately will work for you. In my case, and I suspect many others, I found an appreciation for all kinds. I never really liked the Collings oval sound, until after a long while, I picked one off the rack and tried it. Darn, another mandolin I want.
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  19. #15

    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    Try picking the strings at at around the 15th fret. Many new players don't realize how sweet a mandolin can sound if they move out of the "parking lot" zone of picking right next to the bridge.

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    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    You need the latest innovation from Shmergel Mandolins:

    The Stealth(TM) Soundhole-Switcher!

    The Stealth(TM) has BOTH an oval soundhole and F holes, plus an innovative pair of precision-carved, servo-controlled HoleCaps(TM) that neatly fit together to cover the oval hole, or rotate apart to cover both F holes. Click the hidden button and instantly transform your Stealth(TM) oval-hole mandolin into an F-hole mandolin, and back again!

    The Stealth(TM) also features other Shmergel innovations, like the Action Jackson(TM) self-adjusting truss rod — never let your neck get out of whack again! — and our exclusive Extrude-A-String system! Break a string and don't have a replacement handy? Never fear! Just stick a quarter in the convenient coin slot on the bass side of the mandolin, and Extrude-A-string will melt it down and create a new string for you on the spot. Attach that string and bring it up to pitch with the automated PerfectTune(TM) system.

    How much, you ask, for this wonder of a mandolin that does everything but play itself (unless, of course, you purchase one of our optional MusicBox(TM) packages, with 250 pre-programmed popular tunes in the style of your choice—Bluegrass, Italian, Folk, Country, and Pretentious Alternative Rock—for $1,399)? ONLY $8,651 ($8,700 with hardshell case).
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  23. #17

    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    Well, if you did, at least you're quite close to your target.

    I'm afraid I feel on the verge of doing something crazy and buying a banjo. Either that or a synth. These are desperate times. I feel like I'm about to buy the wrong instrument..

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  25. #18

    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    Quote Originally Posted by mrmando View Post
    You need the latest innovation from Shmergel Mandolins:

    The Stealth(TM) Soundhole-Switcher!

    The Stealth(TM) has BOTH an oval soundhole and F holes, plus an innovative pair of precision-carved, servo-controlled HoleCaps(TM) that neatly fit together to cover the oval hole, or rotate apart to cover both F holes. Click the hidden button and instantly transform your Stealth(TM) oval-hole mandolin into an F-hole mandolin, and back again!

    The Stealth(TM) also features other Shmergel innovations, like the Action Jackson(TM) self-adjusting truss rod — never let your neck get out of whack again! — and our exclusive Extrude-A-String system! Break a string and don't have a replacement handy? Never fear! Just stick a quarter in the convenient coin slot on the bass side of the mandolin, and Extrude-A-string will melt it down and create a new string for you on the spot. Attach that string and bring it up to pitch with the automated PerfectTune(TM) system.

    How much, you ask, for this wonder of a mandolin that does everything but play itself (unless, of course, you purchase one of our optional MusicBox(TM) packages, with 250 pre-programmed popular tunes in the style of your choice—Bluegrass, Italian, Folk, Country, and Pretentious Alternative Rock—for $1,399)? ONLY $8,651 ($8,700 with hardshell case).

    That is really unfair of you to wave that in front of a person who has not been approved to be on the list to be considered to be allowed buy a Shmergel. Especially when you consider just how unlikely it is that they can be

  26. #19
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    Maybe it's a counterfeit Shmergel!
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    Exclamation What if I don't have enough Mandolins..

    N+1 is always the answer .. get another mandolin.
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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    I started with an oval-hole Gibson A-1 -- because that's what I found in my grandfather's attic. Since I was playing bluegrass (not well) at the time, I felt I needed an f-hole mandolin with a scroll, like Bill's. I went halfway, getting an F-2 -- scroll, but still oval-hole. Then an F-5, and I was "set."

    About a dozen mandolins, mandolas, octave mandolins, mandocelli, and finally a mando-bass later, I realized: it don't matter where ya start, ya end up in the same place, with a gaggle of varied mandolins. That MD505 is just Step #1.
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  30. #22

    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    One has absolutely no right to even mention the Shmergel to a newbie, much less the Stealth. Shame on you. He has probably been here long enough to realize the chances are slim of owning a Loar, and there you go mentioning the Shmergal, and adding salt to the wound with the Stealth, affectionately called the holerchanger. Show some mercy why don't you.
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  31. #23
    Registered User Steve 2E's Avatar
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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    There’s already a lot of great advice here. Before I make any assumptions, what makes you “think” you should have bought an oval hole?

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    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    It seems that you all may have scared off our poor OP - Minstrelle… you there..?

    or perhaps he doesn't live on the Cafι like some of you (us)…

  34. #25

    Default Re: What if I bought the wrong instrument?

    Thank you everyone. Yes I'm here and appreciate all your help. I was busy practicing before LOL.
    The consensus seems to be that I should stay with what I have, it is after all a lovely instrument. I am a she, not a he by the way!

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