Originally Posted by
allenhopkins
A carved-top, f-hole mandolin -- whether an "F-model" or "A-model" -- will sound different from your bent-flat-top, oval-hole Martin A. It will likely have a more aggressive "attack," a sharper sound when initially strummed or picked, and a quicker "decay" -- its notes won't ring as long. Those qualities are generally seen as more suitable for bluegrass, both for the characteristic off-beat "chop," and for lead breaks that cut through the sounds of guitar and banjo. You won't see bluegrass bands, generally, that feature Martin mandolins.
As to "folk," that really depends on what types of music you intend to play, within that very broad generic category. Quite a bit of folk is bluegrass-influenced, but there are also blues-influenced songs, different ethnic strains, some that sound more like old-timey, Celtic, other British Isles, etc., etc.
I think you should take your Martin A and play it against a carved-top, f-hole mandolin, and hear the different sounds. Remember, every individual instrument is basically unique, and could differ, slightly or significantly, from other mandolins of the same make and model. See if you like the Eastman's (or whatever's) sound, feel, etc.
Also, remember you're paying more for an Eastman MD315, than you would for its A-model equivalent, the MD305. That scroll and those points may look cool and bluegrass-y, but they're beside the point (no pun intended) when it comes to the mandolin's sound. And my advice would be to keep the Martin -- a really excellent mandolin -- even if you buy a "bluegrass" instrument. Martin A's are great little mandos (I own a 1919 model), and work well in many musical genres.
Good luck.
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