I've owned an A-style for 72 hours and already hate the shape

[Twistofer56]

Sorry to hear that...As a beginner, I found the A-Style infinitely more comfortable. I use a strap both sitting and standing. Also I'm rather, shall we say, portly, and the points of F-Style were, to say the least, uncomfortable...

[journeybear]

Honestly, my mandolin just floats in place. I don't hold it up by the neck, I don't lean on the body. It weighs all of what, not even two pounds? The strap is there for safety's sake, not support. I might hold it tight against my body with my right forearm if I feel a need to hold it steady for a solo, I might rest the neck in the crook of my hand between my thumb and palm, but really, it just floats there. It's not like a guitar, a much heavier instrument, which provides a bout that is very helpfully form-fitting. That may actually contribute to forming a bad habit of leaning on the instrument. I guess what I'm saying is, the little bit of support my left hand provides does not impair my finger work- there's no gripping, the hand just glides up and down the neck, if it interacts at all.

[Jim Garber]

I love the mandolin. It's beautiful and sounds great. But this is my first A-style, and it's like trying to hold a greased watermelon in your lap.

Arrrggg!!!

Try a bowlback, then you will appreciate an A-style...

[journeybear]

Ha! It's so true - as bad as things may seem, there's always some way they could be worse. A well-polished bowlback - there's your greased watermelon. I remember seeing it suggested that a small piece of rubber placed in the lap holds a bowlback in place. That would work for any instrument, I reckon, if it does for a bowlback, the slipperiest one there is.

[Jim Garber]

I got through to hold a bowlback even playing simple tunes standing up without a strap. Carlo Aonzo can play whole concerto solos while standing or sitting and he can probably do it standing on his head. Of course, he is Carlo and I am not.

In any case, there are ways to figure out the best way to hold your A style. Or has the OP sold it already?

[Simon DS]

Haaaar! Carlo is great. But Jim you’ve got a better sense of humour than Carlo.

[Jeff Hildreth]

I prefer the A style.

I hold them just fine.. no strap needed.

I recall a conversation with Gilchrist a few decades ago about A vs F styles. He said there is no tonal difference in his, and makes more money on the F for not a great deal more work.
That was

[JeffD]

In general there is no tone difference between an A vs F style body.

Well, the truth is there are no two mandolins that sound the same, so of course they sound different. The point is that what little sound difference between them there may be cannot be attributed to the difference in body shape.

[Mandobar]

for sale now on TGP (The Gear Page)

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/in...dolin.2436247/

[journeybear]

In general there is no tone difference between an A vs F style body.

Well, the truth is there are no two mandolins that sound the same ...

Wha-a-at? Truth? Truth is more meaningful than myth? Am I mything something? This is the Mandolin Café, sir! There's no settling debates such as this.

When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.

[keith.rogers]

for sale now on TGP (The Gear Page)

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/in...dolin.2436247/

IIRC, this is the person that came here for upgrade advice, and was directed to the great deal on that very NF A5, which apparently was not to his liking. Maybe not quite ready to post it for sale here?

[MandoMaximus]

They make a three piece attachment set, I think they're available on ebay or amazon.

[journeybear]

Glue not included.

[Eric Platt]

Am quite happy with my A style mandolins. Then again, I use a strap sitting or standing. Just got into the habit playing guitar at jams. Being of greater than average weight, I find they help keep the instrument in a good place.

A bowl back and my bowl belly would be like the smallest point where two spheres meet. Not good. Also a reason I never kept an Ovation guitar.