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Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 10:30:41 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Michael Kelly Mandolin

Hi,

Greetings Dan,

I wrote to you about a week ago, but I haven't heard back. My email has been behaving oddly though, so it may have just bounced back your response. If it isn't too much trouble, could you reply again.

Sorry, we do not show as having received your last e-mail...thanks for giving us another chance. We've also had server problems of late and are really concerned on how many e-mails have been missing...

I have been looking at the Michael Kelly Legacy O. I am really interested in the F body with the oval hole. I imagine it would give a nice warm sound that would could be good for bluegrass as well as classic italian.

Yes, this is true...the oval soundhole does offer up a more resonant tonal response than the f soundhole models...keep in mind, there's usually a trade-off with the projection....

All the features are nice as well, but I am wondering how it would compare to the Breedlove Quartz KO which is in a similar price range. Aside from the information already listed on your website, how do you think the two compare? What do you know about the bracing? How is the tone from low to high?

I haven't had the opportunity to play the Michael Kelly Legacy O to date...so, I cannot pass judgment fairly...I believe the bracing would be the same as their F soundhole models which is the standard tone bar bracing...to confirm this, please call James @ 888-209-8434...he has the direct line with Michael Kelly...I'll also forward this e-mail to him...

Is there any chance you would be able to do one of the video samplers with the MK Legacy O? It is the lowest priced F-style with an oval hole that you carry and other folks might be interested too.

I believe we do have another low-priced oval soundhole model...only it's an A-style:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3464.htm

Hence, your best option for an affordable F with Oval soundhole would be the MK Legacy O...

Be sure to call James...he can personally assist you with these...and he love the MK line...Mickey

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Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 20:44:15 EST
Subject: oval hole mandolin?
Hello,


Just wanted to say thanks again for the great service and to inquire about oval hole mandos. I play more of a folk/blues thing and after playing the Trinity Mandola I bought I am thinking that maybe an oval hole a style is the way to go.
Any suggestions? I do love my Gold Tone...wondering how their a style compares to pricier models...Your advice has always been helpful...look forward to hearing from y'all

PeacE
Brian

Greetings Brian,

Yes, if you're looking for a more resonant alive mandolin, you'll want to consider an oval hole mandolin...only, keep in mind, it will not work well within a bluegrass context...it will be a dedicated mandolin to soloing, or playing with one or two other instruments...the sound will become lost within a larger ensemble...

Some oval hole mandolins to consider, with matte finish, that are relatively affordable include:

Breedlove Quartz OO
Rigel A Natural with Oval Soundhole
Mid-Missouri
Weber Y2K4

You might explore the above mandos' features on our website.

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Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2004 23:08:14 -0500
Subject: Mandolin for Beginner

Hello Mickey,

I have recently aquired an interest in learning to play the mandolin and had a couple questions. I saw on your site that the low-end Kentucky's are good for beginners but that they have an f hole. I would like to acheive a more Celtic sound. Is that better with an f hole or an oval?

Hi Letty...The oval soundhole mandolin is really designed for Celtic playing...offering up more resonance and sustain of which Celtic players demand...an F soundhole has more focus and projection...with less openness in sound...and is designed to slice through a wall of competing instruments...an oval soundhole seems to get lost when competing with a larger ensemble...

Does it really matter for a complete beginner?

Not really...unless you're going to find yourself in a performing situation...

Do you have any models with oval holes that are in the same price range as the Kentucky's (being a poor college student, I do not have much spare change lying around)?

Yes, there's the new Gold Tone GM-50 which is an affordable oval soundhole mandolin:
GM-50 MANDOLIN GM-50 $359.00 Current Discount: $269.25

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3464.htm

Thank you so much for your time. You have a wonderful (and prestigious) site and it's great that you're willing to answer questions like this.

Thanks so much for your appreciation...we try our best...Keep on Pickin', Mickey


Thanks again,

Letty

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Date: Sun, 1 Sep 2002 18:07:05 -0700

Mickey,
HERE IS MY QUESTION: The rest may just be useless information.
I read your FAQ on O verses F hole. I have been under the impression O hole guitars have more volume than F hole.  Is it not the same with Mandolins?

Greetings...

This is a valid question that should be addressed on our FAQ database...here's the upshot:
The F soundhole guitars were originally designed to compete within an ensemble setting. If you'll notice, the F soundhole archtop guitars were often used in Big Band settings..at the time, they didn't have amplification for sound reinforcement...therefore, the archtop F soundhole guitar was disigned to fit within this context. It comes down to, the F archtop-Type instruments have more projection and the capability to slice through a wall of sound. The O soundhole is more resonant but does not have that cut-through capability of the F archtop-type. This is true for both guitars and mandolins...so your surmise was correct...only, there is a difference between the projective slice through qualities and the mellower resonant qualities of an O soundhole...

Concerning volume comparison. I was thinking of Rigel A+ Deluxe F hole vs O hole.

I now own two Rigels and am completely thrilled with them...a nice vintage resonant tonal quality...if you're looking for versatility, I'd have to recommend the F soundhole...if you're pursuing nothing but Celtic or Old-Time, the Oval soundhole will do you justice.

I started on mandolin 50+ years ago. Switched to guitar and haven't touched a mandolin except in a music store. Four month ago I was given a Mandolin.  Now I'm hooked.
It is a F hole. I think it is a 70's Kay . Says Kay on the tailpiece and no other markings. I think it is a little fatter than others.  It  measures 2 1/2". How is the Goldtone?

The Gold Tone mandos are imports...and they certainly offer a great value...

Did you know that http://www.co-mando.com>www.co-mando.com had over 2000 thousand mandolin (fiddle) tunes that you can hear played and watch the tablature or notes as they are played on the computer? I know you can't advertise this because you have to sell lessons but I thought you might be interested for yourself. You can print out the music too. Mike Stangeland has spent 4 hours a day over 2 years putting this website together. It is great!

Yes, it is impressive what Mike has accomplished...and, certainly, we should be linked to Co-Mando from our site...if we aren't already...I subscribe to the Co-Mando newslist myself...I'll make sure that we include your informative letter in our FAQ database...

Also at http://www.robcoleman.com/jethro/default.htm there is over 4 hours of Jethro Burns playing.

Jethro was the consummate mandolinist...I love everything he has done...

At your disposal, Mickey

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Date: Sat, 09 Mar 2002 08:02:27 -0800

Folk of the Wood

Hello again, I don't mean to be a pain, but have another question. I do
prefer the looks of the 0-hole, but am concerned that it may not provide the
right sound for what I do. I'm not a traditionalist by any means, but do
work with another picker in an old-time "brothers' act. I've been told the
f-hole model would sound better for this type of work. Of course, what this
means is that I may have to own two models eventually--woohoo!! (If my wife
okays it, that is). I'm wondering if I should go ahead with the f-hole you
have in stock for now and order the o-hole at a later date. I hate
struggling between aesthetics and practicality--let me know what you think
if you don't mind.

Thanks again,

Paul Fitzjarrald

Greetings Pual,

Love to assist further if I can:

1. The F Soundhole would certainly have the versatility to be applied within most any context.

2. The Oval Soundhole is more genre specific in that it would sound decent within other styles such as bluegrass but may tend to have less volume and projection than an F Soundhole model. On the other side, the Oval Soundhole would lend itself tremendously to Celtic and old-time styles.

3. Having both an F and an Oval Soundhole to apply at your discretion would be having the best of all worlds. Such as an artist with a palette of colors can choose what best fits the picture, you'll find that having both an F and Oval Soundhole model will cover the gamut of musical genres at the very apex of application. However, if you only have one to choose from, and you're looking for versatility in one mandolin, my suggestion would be to go with an F soundhole model.


Hope the above helps in some way...Mickey