TME Vlogs: A5 vs. F5 Mandolin
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2024
- Undoubtedly one of the most frequently asked questions our mandolin department receives is: "Is there really any difference in sound between an A-style mandolin and an F-style?" The F5, with its ornate scroll and deep ties to bluegrass, is often the assumed champion when it comes to tone and power -- but is there any truth to the assumption? Tim O'Brien has made some of bluegrass's most legendary music with a lowly, black-painted A5. TME staffers Ian and Andy run down the differences and let you hear them.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
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Great discussion on A vs. F. As Bluegrass fan focused on guiitar and banjo, this video helped me better understand the mystery of the mandolin.
I was in your shop many years ago. Maybe a couple of times. I went there to look at banjos.
Great review, however, the glaring comment that 'a little slop' is somehow ok in bluegrass music does a disservice to masters of the instrument like Tony Rice and Bill Monroe. Just strange.
Agreed! Bluegrass is all about precision, both in rhythm and articulation. Even "a little slop" gets you thrown out of the session.
My 2 cents might be a tad simplistic, but I find A style mandolins have more 'chime' - or ring to them, whereas the F style mandos are more punchy, with less 'sustain', for want of a better word. I think that's why A style (to me) sound better for Celtic (Irish) tunes, and F style is better for Bluegrass (American) tunes. I'm Aussie btw, so hearing both from the outside. Anyone else hear that or is it just me and my imagination?
I absolutely love these videos!
For the clips at the end using headphones I hear more resonance in the A and more of a focused tone for the F. I actually prefer the A sound but if you were in a band the percussive sound of the F might be best.
On the last one, I actually like the Campanella A-style better!
I prefer the f style mainly for the looks ha. I started out on a tear drop and saved up and sold my a style to get a f. I recently got ahold of a 1916 Gibson F2 and wow it might be the age or the sound hole but it cuts thru the loudest banjo player lmao. I will say playing Irish jigs the A is the winner but for fiddle tunes imo the f5
I much prefer the A style, mainly for its better looks. I don't find the scroll on the F style to be the least bit attractive. Different strokes for different folks! 🙂
There is nothing sloppy about bluegrass!
As far as the mandolins go, I now don’t want the F… I’ll just keep my MT2 Custom!
Good stuff! Thanks! 😎
Glad you liked it!
A very helpful and for me expensive lesson 😅🥰
Thank you ! :)
I keep thinking I want an F style, but I never could pull the trigger on paying for a scroll so I wound up with 4 A styles.
I feel like I may be in the minority. But I kinda like how the A looks more than an F. I can appreciate the time/effort put into making the F style mandolin, but I do think I prefer the basic aesthetic of an A. Plus save hundreds buying an A as well.