Stumbled across this thread and wondering if Jim ever found his "dream" mando.
I've been down a somewhat similar road. IMO, experience has taught me that the hybrid mando (oval hole with longer scale and raised fretboard) is an unsatisfactory compromise between the short scale oval and long F. I've had a Bussman oval short scale that had a deep, rich and very recognizable oval tone. Then went to an f hole "Bluegrass" braced style for its increased punch and volume. It did all those things wonderfully, but at the expense of richness of tone.
Next mando was a Weber Bitterroot Oval Vintage Custom, thinking it would satisfy my tone cravings. Although it had the "looks" of a vintage Gibson, it had the scale and raised fretboard of a "traditional" Bluegrass instrument. It definitely had volume and chop but unfortunately totally lacked the tonal characteristics of a vintage oval. I would say that it was really much closer to a "Bluegrass" mando in sheep's clothing. There may be other hybrids that come closer to a vintage oval tone, but I haven't run across them.
In that constant search for my ideal tone machine, I've come to prize richness of tone over volume. Whenever I have the opportunity to pick an old, weathered, teens Gibson my heart swells. Now, THAT's good tone! Since I don't play much Bluegrass, a strong chop is not on my radar. Neither is volume since I don't need to compete with a banjo! :-)
I have small hands, so the short scale is not a problem for me (now, a soprano uke, that is a problem...). Unless you constantly play above 3rd position, I would wager that feel of the scale difference is negligible. (One caviat, I do prefer shorter guitar and banjo scales.)
My advice to anyone thinking about a hybrid would be to play one along side a short scale oval and long F before making a buying decision.
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