Hi!
I'm looking for buying my first mandolin and I've noticed there are a great variety of instruments, so I feel a little confused.
I've seen some cheap f-holes mandolins but... is there any remarkable difference between mandolins with f-holes and those with a round hole?
Thank you.
At the risk of being flippant, mandolins with round holes sound like ones with round holes and ones with "F" holes sound like ones with "F" holes - you really need to play and listen to them to work out for yourself what the difference is. Some say that round holes are better suited for celtic/traditional music and "F" holes are more suited to more modern/bluegrass music. Whilst true to a point, I would say that round holes aren't that good for bluegrass but that's about it.
Ones with "F" holes tend to have a better projection and a more focussed sound but it's likely to depend upon how good an instrument is (a.k.a. how much do you want to spend?) A quality "F" holed instrument will have a carved top whereas a cheap one could have a pressed top - not so good. Round holed instruments could have a pressed top but could also have a flat top (like a guitar) and sound totally different to "F" holes.
Unfortunately, there are far too many options to discuss in detail so, if you can let us now what type of sound you're looking for and how much you'd like to spend, I'm sure someone will be able to point you in the right direction. It might also help if you could say which part of the world you live in as some parts are better provided with shops than others.
P.S. Just noticed from another post that you're in Spain - I don't think anyone here is likely to be able to recommend anywhere on the Iberian peninsula although you could take a cheap flight to Gatwick and a train ride down to Brighton to visit
http://www.theacousticmusicco.co.uk/index.php - If not, have a look at the website anyway and try out the jukebox to listen to the difference between round and "F" holes.
(11-04-2012 05:41 PM)Ray(T) Wrote: [ -> ]P.S. Just noticed from another post that you're in Spain - I don't think anyone here is likely to be able to recommend anywhere on the Iberian peninsula although you could take a cheap flight to Gatwick and a train ride down to Brighton to visit http://www.theacousticmusicco.co.uk/index.php - If not, have a look at the website anyway and try out the jukebox to listen to the difference between round and "F" holes.
Thanks for the clear explanation and for the link.
As I've never had a mandolin in my hands I want to buy a cheap one to start with it, then when I knew more about playing and about the instrument I'll buy a good one.
Thanks to Google I've found a shop in a town which is not too far of mine, which sells mandolins. All are very cheap and there are with f-holes and round holes.
I understand that price is related with quality sound but I think it will work to begin playing and to test if I like it enough to buy a better one, later.
I like traditional and folk music so I'll buy one with a round hole.
I think either design will work - I have round-hole mandolins for Scottish music, but have heard f-hole instruments being played very successfully for this purpose. See Mr Gatherer for more details.
My suggestion would be to have someone play the instruments for you, close your eyes, listen carefully, then pick the sound you like. Don't worry what it looks like.
Good luck and have fun!
Which is more or less what I said. I tend to use my "F" holed mandolins for most things.
The other thing to bear in mind is that mandolins with scrolls and points sound no different from those without. Apart from a convenient place to fix a strap, they will cost you a lot more for little return.
Let us know what you end up with.
Thanks a lot for those new responses, I know more about mandolins than before.
Yesterday I saw a mandolin in a shop here, but it's back was very "convex", so much that the shopkeeper had to put it very carefully on the counter to avoid it moved and felt down. As I'm a little butterfingers I decided not to buy it, I need a more steady instrument.
In another shop they showed me a catalog with some cheap mandolins and they recommended those two models.
http://www.casalinares.com/index.php?mai...cts_id=970
http://www.casalinares.com/index.php?mai...cts_id=971
I'll go on my search, there are still some music shops here to look for, just I need some time. Anyway, despite of I don't like buying by catalog, these instruments are so cheap that perhaps I'll run the risk.
Hi again Anotinia
I assume by you saying that it's back was "very convex" it was actually a round back mandolin. Those are what you could term "traditional" mandolins and they originate from Italy - although they are not necessarily built there today. Whilst you could use them for other styles, they are more suited to classical playing and you will probably find that they are too quiet and more difficult to hold - because of the round back.
The second of the two you mention (the cheaper) looks to me like a typical Czechoslovakian style of mandolin which they have been exporting for decades. They are generally sturdy instruments although their sound is nothing to get exited about. You will find dozens of mandolins just like that on eBay usually described as "vintage" mandolins - which they are definitely not.
The first (the more expensive) looks like a better instrument although, as you have said, it's impossible to tell what its really like without playing it. I think you'll find that its is a better grade Czechoslovakian made instrument than the other one.
You are right to be wary of buying from a catalogue. You are likely to find that you receive an instrument which hasn't been set up. It may not even have the bridge fitted and adjusted properly and it will cost you more to take it to someone and have the job done - if you can find someone. Personally, I've always avoided instruments with a slotted peg-head as I think this makes changing strings more difficult. String changing on a mandolin is difficult anyway and usually involves drawing blood at some stage!
My advice would be to keep looking, you will eventually find one, you may meet someone who knows enough about mandolins to advise you on an individual instrument and, if you keep saving, you'll be able to afford a better one.
Ray
(14-04-2012 12:30 PM)Ray(T) Wrote: [ -> ]Hi again Anotinia
I assume by you saying that it's back was "very convex" it was actually a round back
You're right I meant "its back is rounded".
And you're right again, I must go on looking for.
The problem is that there's no mandolin tradition in Spain. There are good guitars, lauds even there is an instrument that is very similar to mandolin, the "bandurria", it has 12 strings and has a very different tuning.
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandurria_%...musical%29
There are many string groups called "rondallas", but no one plays mandolin. In this video, bandurrias are on the left.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK0tZfK3dRI
Perhaps I could go to Madrid or Barcelona to see if there is any shop where I can find some mandolins to play.
Thank you.
(14-04-2012 02:54 PM)Ray(T) Wrote: [ -> ]Just to confuse things, there are also several different types/sizes/variations of mandolin. I'm assuming you're looking for something like this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afzl3A8o7vE
Well, I want a mandolin with eight strings tuned like the violin, I want to play folk tunes, like those you play here. I don't mind about shape but I don't want rounded backs because I use to leave my instruments anywhere and I've got three cats!
I bought a guitar some years ago so I think I'll be able to play mandolin, and as I play fiddle, the tuning won't be strange to me.
Thank you for your interest.