Re: I have two questions about buying a beginner Kentucky Mandoli
Originally Posted by
Mandosplash
1) Is there a difference in tone between the F hole ad Oval holes?
2) Is there a difference in tone between an F or A style manolin?
Also is there an important difference between the setup done at the three major online sellers ...Hut, Store, and Folk?...
1) Yes; f-hole sharper, more percussive attack, quicker decay. Oval-hole less "bark," longer ring and sustain.
2) Not much; scroll and points are generally solid wood ornamental additions, not too acoustically relevant. (Others differ on this.)
I'd add in some other on-line sellers to your "major" list: Elderly Instruments, Mandolin Brothers, Janet Davis Music, Gianna Violins, and of course the ubiquitous Musician's Friend. The last-named does no set-up at all. A recent thread questioned Mandolin Hut's set-up of one particular instrument. The others all get consistent high marks on the Cafe.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
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Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
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