Mandolin Body Styles F-Style K-Style A-Style O-Style 2-Point

Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2002 11:53:03 -0600

Mickey,

I want to buy a new mandolin. I have a flat Flatiron from the pre-Gibson days that I cherish (I bought it new in 1983). I play mostly guitar, but enjoy the different, lyrical character of the mandolin. After not playing for a while, I have started again, and I'm earning money now--a least a steady income. So, I want to purchase a little finer instrument. I play mostly alone, as a hobbyist, or with one other hobby-level musician. But, I do have an appreciation for quality instruments and think of them as something to hold on to. As a non-professional who will not own a gallery full on instruments, I want a mandolin that is versatile in music styles and playing situations...that is my question for you...what are the features that would make one particular mandolin more versatile that another?

Many thanks,

Ray

Greetings Ray,

The features that differentiate mando to mando, and qualify one over another as versatile follows:

1. Choice of Soundholes:
F Soundholes: adds to a bright crisp tone...more versatile...great for bluegrass, jazz, fiddle tunes, country, etc.
Oval Soundholes: adds to a more open resonant tone...great for Celtic styles.

2. Choice of Woods for back and sides:
Maple: has more projection and crispness of tone...great for bluegrass...and other styles.
Mahogany: more warmth...more mellowness...great for a variety of styles...

3. Body Shape:
F Style: Set the standard within bluegrass settings...great for a variety of styles...more body cavity for sound to travel within...
A Style: Traditional and old-time settings...great for a variety of styles...

4. Type of Bracing:
Tone Bar: Desirable for bluegrass settings...tight and projecting...opens up over time...
X Bracing: More versatile in tonal range...great for a variety of styles...

Hope the above gives you some overview on the many construction characteristics available...

Be sure to get back with me if you have a specific question regarding the above...

Mickey

Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 17:19:07 -0700
Subject: Mandolin for many styles of music

Mickey,

I'm interested in the mandolin but would like to make sure that it is right for me before I purchase an instrument. I know that a mandolin is typically thought of as a bluegrass instrument, but is it versatile enough to fit into almost any style of music? What are the different ways in which the mandolin can be played and what brand/type of mandolin is best for each style? For example, would a mandolin fit nicely into a rock group, and if so, would I want an A-style Fender or an F-style Kentucky (just to throw out random names) for that type of playing.

Thanks,
Josh

Greetings Josh,

Glad to assist if I can:

A mandolin is most definitely versatile enough to fit any style of music...in fact, I've heard it used to good effect in: rock, jazz, country, classical and pop...I do not believe there is a limitation to the mandolin's versatility.

For a versatile mandolin, you would consider an A-style with F soundholes...such as Breedlove, Rigel or Weber offers...

For a rock setting, you would love the Rigel; it comes with a factory installed pick-up system...and, they have a very innovative body style that would fit well within a contemporary setting...

Let me know how I might assist you further...Mickey

Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 10:37:29 -0700
Subject: mandolin questions

Greetings,

Glad to assist if I can:

Hi. First, I want to tell you how much I appreciate your web site. Among the very best sources of information on acoustic instruments
anywhere!

Thanks so much for the kind words!

I have a few mandolin questions:

First, a question about the F-style mandolin. This is considered the
"classic" style for bluegrass. Is this because this type of design
produces a sound that just works best with bluegrass, or is it due to
tradition?

I believe this falls more on the fact that Bill Monroe set the precedence by playing a Loar F-5...because of this, bluegrass itself has its roots well established by the fact that an F-Style mandolin was the flagship...meaning that the F-5 character, the F-5 profile (band silhouette), the F-5 tonal quality, and the F-5 aesthetics have sealed the perception of all aspiring bluegrass mando players.

There are many A-style mandos, with tone bar bracing, that have tremendous bark and punch of which you'd expect only to find in an F-style...

Like other fans of bluegrass, I love it partly due to its
tradition... but, as a player with limited money, I may be inclined to save
a few bucks and get an A-style instrument if, all things being equal
(meaning same manufacturer, same materials), it's likely to give me just
as good a sound. (I'd also extend this question, in the case of
Breedlove mandolins, to the K-shape instruments vs. O-shape.)

The K-shape Breedlove would have more body cavity for sound to travel in...as does the F-style...this does contribute to a subtle tonal difference...usually only distinguishable by a discerning ear...I believe the O-shaped (A-style) Breedlove would be considered more traditionally shaped. I own a Breedlove Alpine which is as powerful a mando as you would ever find...I used it recently on my "Intro to Mando" video...

Third, a request for a value judgement on your part: I play several
different syles on the mando, including jazz, swing, blues and
bluegrass. I do recording as well as occasional live playing. I need a
versatile instrument that has a rich tone and can hold its own in a small
crowd when necessary. I started off years ago with a Kentucky A-style,
which did well. I later got an older Gibson A-style that had some
problems and then traded that for a nice Tacoma flat-top mando that
didn't really fit those styles too well. With a limited budget, I'm
considering several options now, including the Beedlove Quartz OF or
KF, the Weber Hyalite and the Weber Absoroka. How do you compare
these Breedloves with these Webers, and which would you
recommend?

Wow! That's a subjective question...I too like a mandolin that's versatile...that has a complex tonal range...not a limited focus that seems to fit one style well...as opposed to mando that fits all styles in varying degrees competently...

Both the Breedlove and the Weber are somewhat versatile...for instance, I've found the Weber Absaroka, with the cross bracing, to be a mando that will cross over very well...and still nail any bluegrass tune with power and punch...The Breedlove Quatz would also be versatile...only it would be more alive and resonant than an Absaroka due to the matte finish...

The Hyalite would be more comparable to the Quartz in that it also has a matte finish...the Hyalite would have the most warmth due to the mahogany back and sides...the Quartz would be bright and crisp...the Absaroka would have the most mature sound for bluegrass due to the gloss finish and the maple back and sides...

I personally own both a Breedlove and two Webers...

Hope this helps...Mickey