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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2014 18:20:04 GMT
Was doing some research tray and came across Girouard's website (his mandolins seem to be quite reasonably priced, and are stocked by Tamco. I became fascinated by these two clips of two different octave mandolins, one an F hole,
and the other a round hole model:
I know which one I prefer but I was struck by how much difference there was. For me the round hole (and presumably flat top) version sounds the sweetest and more musical.
Robbie
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missclarktree
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Post by missclarktree on Jan 26, 2014 18:31:56 GMT
On first impression I'd prefer the round hole model, but perhaps it depends on the type of music you want to play.
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Post by vikingblues on Jan 26, 2014 19:11:13 GMT
Of those two on the videos the round hole one would get my vote too as it would suit my requirements for a more mellow tone. But I guess if I wanted an instrument which would cut through the mix of sound of a lot of instruments then the F hole one could well be a better bet.
I do have leanings towards celtic style music and instrumenst though, so I'll be biased towards the round hole version.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2014 20:30:52 GMT
I do have leanings towards celtic style music and instrumenst though, so I'll be biased towards the round hole version. Yeh, thats the other thing- why do we automatically equate round hole= celtic, F hole= bluegrass ? Its also interesting that missclarketree also says it depends on the music. Guess its kind of like the same argument that equates dreadnoughts to flatpicking guitars. Robbie |
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missclarktree
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Post by missclarktree on Jan 26, 2014 21:45:32 GMT
My gentleman friend started the Steve Kaufman flatpicking course but abandoned it because, even with flatpicking, he wants to achieve some sensitivity and expression with a plectrum. Kaufman emphasizes volume, saying that if you can't play loudly at slow speed, you won't be able to when playing fast. Speed picking seems to have become a competitive sport, judging by his Youtube vidoes. Loud, fast and accurate is what they seem to be aiming for, so they would need a guitar that's loud enough but with well-defined and separated sounds to make themselves heard over a big audience without losing the clarity.
I read somewhere that a spruce top is better for clarity and definition, such as in contrapuntal music where the different voices need to be clearly distinguishable, or in flamenco where the strums of each finger in the rasgueado need to sound like separate pulses and not all be merged together. Cedar tops were recommended for a more mellow and rounded sound, as in romantic music.
That's the sort of thing I had in mind.
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Jan 26, 2014 23:07:36 GMT
Not entirely unlike carved top f-hole guitars when compared to flat top round hole ones - differently built to achieve different sound characteristics for different purposes. But, as you ask which sound I prefer, I'd have to say the round-hole jobbie. There's a surprise!  Keith |
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 27, 2014 12:03:49 GMT
For purely practical reasons, I prefer the round hole ...
If you're ever stuck in a traffic jam, miles from a service station and desperately need to use the loo, those f-holes are very fiddly...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2014 14:57:11 GMT
For purely practical reasons, I prefer the round hole ... If you're ever stuck in a traffic jam, miles from a service station and desperately need to use the loo, those f-holes are very fiddly... I thought thats what open back banjos were for? |
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Phil Taylor
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Post by Phil Taylor on Jan 27, 2014 15:07:21 GMT
Definitely the round hole for me Rob  Phil |
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andrewjw
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Post by andrewjw on Jan 27, 2014 17:45:19 GMT
Plus one on the votes for the round hole...
The F hole almost had a reso sound I thought.
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garynava
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Post by garynava on Jan 29, 2014 16:15:43 GMT
Interesting responses!
Flat-tops should give more overtones & sustain- nature of the beast!
Cheer Gary
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Post by Mike Floorstand on Jan 29, 2014 19:18:58 GMT
Is the oval hole definitely flat-top? I have a Shippey which is oval-holed with a carved top ...
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Post by paganskins on Jan 30, 2014 14:25:13 GMT
Is the oval hole definitely flat-top? I have a Shippey which is oval-holed with a carved top ... It does look it could be carved to me, also isn't the f hole cedar and the oval spruce? Both sound good though and nice playing. |
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Jo whoever he is.
