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'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?
Perhps you should practice some scales.
Bowlback.
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946
+ Give Blood, Save a Life +
Q style.
-1
Two of points, symmetrical or asymmetrical...
Flat top, cant top, pancake
rezzzzzzzzzzzonator
banjolin
There's more than two fish in the sea.
Is my point.
I say, buy the best sounding one you can afford.
Jamie
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946
+ Give Blood, Save a Life +
I usually pulled B's in school. No A's or F's.
Jillian
If you have a limited budget, you will get more sound and playability from the same $ from an A. You will also get more from a classified instrument. There are a number that say there is no difference in sound. I disagree, but the difference to me is minor and more in the the fullness of the sound. I love the F look and if I had unlimited funds, I would take the F version. I know I have approached that with grass instruments. I know you will hear about T.O. (not with the Bills), but honestly, he does not even strive for a hard edged grass sound. This is no knock as I love his music. He can bring it, just not hard edged grass, for the most part. For me I love playing an A instrument playing Celtic. It just has that simple lovely sound. The Vintage A just fits that bill to a T. Which is better? Depends on what you are playing. Oval vs f hole. Maker, and so much more. Get an instrument that sings to you. If it sings you will forget the design.
Tony Huber
1930 Martin Style C #14783
2011 Mowry GOM
2013 Hester F4 #31
2014 Ellis F5 #322
2017 Nyberg Mandola #172
I heard Gilchrist explain to his then importer ( Dexter Johnson) that he considered there to be no difference in the tone or playability of the F and A . He said concentrated on F models for economic reasons.
That convinced me that my personal choice of A models had been correct if not logical.
I still much prefer A styles. Been playing them for .. well, many many years.
I have owned F models and don't seem to enjoy the added devices.
.. Djangolins ..
writing about music
is like dancing,
about architecture
You could sit around obsessing over what your ideal partner should be like or you could just go fall in love.
I don't get a thing out of As or Fs. I just never felt fulfilled until I got my scroll-less three point solid body bowlback banjolin. Woo Hoo!
Price being no consideration, I like Fs. I don't think they sound any different. I just like the look and feel of them.
Heiden F-5 #110
GMC Terrain VIN 2GTEC13Z871107423
2007 Tempurpedic mattress
$1.35 in assorted change
Even with an endless budget I would stick with either an A or two point. I guess I am a bit boring in that I prefer symmetry when it comes to mandolins, and I have always considered F's to be odd ducks. I don't mind F's, and if my endless budget allowed for multiple instruments there are certainly some F's I would love to have after I fill my A and two point quota.
I have owned an F, but I prefer A's. Clean, simple lines. The beauty of form following function. Also, they are about 30-50% less expensive than comparable F's. No contest for me.
Purely on looks? Three-point F style. My very favourite mandolin shape. I'd love to get one.
To the tune of My Favorite Things
A style or F style
it's really no matter
I pick as poorly
on the first or the latter
This thread comes up every once in a while
rather boring, and raises the bile.
Play what you wish, pick it purty.
Cylinder back.
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946
+ Give Blood, Save a Life +
I ahve an F5G and a collings MT2,
I am lusting after an F that sounds as good or better than my A because I want one, period. But currently I play the A becasue its a better, louder sweeter easier to play mandolin. its called MAS no matter how you wrap it.
Barry
I agree with Jamie, and notice he didn't waffle.
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.
I have a two-point Lyon and Healy style flat top on order... where would that fit in!
I played an A style once and ended up in the hospital. After that I would only play an F style. It's a safety issue for me and has nothing to do with the way they look or sound.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
How exactly did you end up in the hospitla from playing an A?
Good Lord, wasn't this just debated until the cows came home? Guess there's a fine line between devotion and insanity.
2004 Apitius F-5 Classic
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