A or F

[MikeEdgerton]

How exactly did you end up in the hospitla from playing an A?

That's a very good question. I was standing there playing Rawhide at a pretty good clip and the next thing I knew I was walking towards a bright light. Something told me to turn around and I woke up in the hospital surrounded by a bunch of dour faced guys in scrubs and polyester cowboy hats. Apparently playing a Monroe tune on an A style is dangerous and should only be attempted by well trained pros. Who knew? I play it safe now always.

[MikeEdgerton]

Good Lord, wasn't this just debated until the cows came home...

Pretty much.

[farmerjones]

That's a very good question. I was standing there playing Rawhide at a pretty good clip and the next thing I knew I was walking towards a bright light. Something told me to turn around and I woke up in the hospital surrounded by a bunch of dour faced guys in scrubs and polyester cowboy hats. Apparently playing a Monroe tune on an A style is dangerous and should only be attempted by well trained pros. Who knew? I play it safe now always.

Now see, this why i like this. This would have never come out, lest somebody axed the age old question.

I've got coffee all over my desk now. Thanx


1 more vote for cylinder back

[alanz]

I'm clearly in the "A" camp.

I don't particularly like the traditional curly scrolls... too ornate for my tastes.

Then again, I don't wear any paisley either.

Of those with a bump/scroll, I like he cleaner squared off look of the Breedlove Premier and Quartz mandolins. Even their MasterClass scrolls (semi hollow) looks relatively clean.

[JEStanek]

How exactly did you end up in the hospitla from playing an A?

He uses the scroll of an f style to hold his lactated ringers soltution for those long jam sessions. Without them, he almost died of deyhdration.

Jamie

[fatt-dad]

I'd rather have the Loar a-style mandolin then one of his common f-style mandolins. I'm a blue-jean guy and the flash of the f-style doesn't go with my outfit. I like the simple lines and equally powerful tone from the A.

f-d

[Bill Snyder]

I prefer the aesthetics of an A myself but, basically whatever style you prefer and many prefer the F. No real difference in sound between a good carved top A and an F. A hole of F holes (that sounds somewhat rude!) makes more difference to the sound...

What does an A-hole mandolin look like? I own (and have built) f-hole and oval hole (actually a bit of a "D" hole) mandolins, but I am not sure what an A-hole mandolin would be.

[hank]

I think he's talking about the guy playing the mandolin.

[JEStanek]

Careful now... creeping towards the hot water again.

Jamie

[Ed Lutz]

I'm sure that they're have been many threads about this at certain price points or brands. but just total preference, regardless of price, let the debate rage: A or F?

I just checked and rechecked this topic/subject/topic with the Chairman of the Department of Redundancy Department and they advised me to use "F or A" vs "A or F".

[AlanN]

Redundancy is good....when practicing arpeggios.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Another vote for symmetrical two-points

And pancakes

And bowlbacks

And carved-top flat-backs

And solid-body electrics

And pretty much anything else without a scroll, with the possible exception of a Radio Flyer

[Shelagh Moore]

What does an A-hole mandolin look like?

I think he's talking about the guy playing the mandolin.

That explains it... I wondered what it was they were shouting at me!

Meant A-style of course...

[Randolph]

A couple of weeks ago in the "Mandolins in Progress" section there were some pictures of a beautiful C# from Bill Bussmann. (I'd link to the thread if I knew how ) Since its half way between an F and an A, the problem is solved .

[Keith Erickson]

A or F? Personally I need to *&^! or get off the pot this this decision.

With that being said, I really dig that commodium style that was reviewed on JazzMando

[trevor]

Everybody should have one of these..

[JEStanek]

Or the Cheesehead mandolin. I should have mentioned all the Bussman shapes before.

The oft admired Bussman Cheesehead mandolin.



Jamie

[Andy Alexander]

What does an A-hole mandolin look like? I own (and have built) f-hole and oval hole (actually a bit of a "D" hole) mandolins, but I am not sure what an A-hole mandolin would be.

I believe the an A hole can be identified by the spincter purfling around the sound hole.

[AlanN]

[JEStanek]

Andy, lets keep it rated, G, please. We can minimize the scatalogical stuff. Posting Guidelines.

Jamie