A very timely demonstration for me, looking to upgrade. I will most likely never reach advanced player level, which means the note separation provided by the f-hole will not be necessary. On the other hand the extra sustain and base by the oval hole will make what I do play sound richer. Thank you, Nick, your demo is right to the point!
Nice video, great playing.The question of oval vs F holes came up on Mandolin Cafe today and I found your video. I like your explanations of what we're hearing,for those of us who don't know enough to put it into words.
I only have one mandolin and wanted a Collings, so it came down to these two designs. I chose the MT because, in my opinion, the F-hole sound is a bit more versatile and can cover a multitude of tones, where the oval-hole sound (though super nice!) is a bit of a one-trick pony to my ear. Having said that, I do think the MTO looks nicer! But in reality, either of these could be a life-long player for anyone. Collings makes wonderful stuff.
The smaller F hole opening produces a higher definition of tone in much the same way a smaller aperture on a camera or a squinting of the eyes produces a clearer more hi-def picture. I bet you could get a combo of both within the same mandolin. The F hole one sounds to my ear like it’s 3 times as pricey as the O hole one based on sound quality. The O is far more muddled.
What a great comparison!! Looking into Collings. This was super helpful. Would love to see a compare between the Collings MT2V and the SilverAngel Fantasma.
Silver Angel are the best-sounding mandolins I've found, don't be fooled by the price, one guy/one mandolin at a time., OLD wood etc..have a look (I regretted buying a Collins!)
The O sounds more pleasant to listen to however it's not as good in a bluegrass band competing with a driving banjo when songs get busy and fast. That's the reason Gibson mandolins with F holes are worth a whole lot more and desired over a Martin O hole mando.
A very timely demonstration for me, looking to upgrade. I will most likely never reach advanced player level, which means the note separation provided by the f-hole will not be necessary. On the other hand the extra sustain and base by the oval hole will make what I do play sound richer. Thank you, Nick, your demo is right to the point!
It doesn’t almost have a natural compression, it does! Thanks for doing this. Very helpful.
Nice video, great playing.The question of oval vs F holes came up on Mandolin Cafe today and I found your video. I like your explanations of what we're hearing,for those of us who don't know enough to put it into words.
Thanks, Paul. We can always rely on Nick to give us a great explanation.
Weird. I usually prefer oval hole mandolins but that f-hole MT is the mandolin sound I hear in my head.
I only have one mandolin and wanted a Collings, so it came down to these two designs. I chose the MT because, in my opinion, the F-hole sound is a bit more versatile and can cover a multitude of tones, where the oval-hole sound (though super nice!) is a bit of a one-trick pony to my ear. Having said that, I do think the MTO looks nicer! But in reality, either of these could be a life-long player for anyone. Collings makes wonderful stuff.
Wow. Really nice job showing how these two styles differ, Thank you!!
Nice demo, I've heard some great reviews regards Collings. My choice is the round hole, now you've got me thinking!
Very helpful comparison, guys. Thank you for making this great video for us!
Thanks for the feedback, Joel. We'll keep trying to make em!
I prefer the fuller sound of the O. I mostly play folksy rock style original music, and the Collings seems perfect.
Great presentation. Wish you’d said something about the neck profile of each.
It's sometimes difficult to convey the nuances of neck profile in a video but the O-style does have a slightly wider nut width and neck profile.
The smaller F hole opening produces a higher definition of tone in much the same way a smaller aperture on a camera or a squinting of the eyes produces a clearer more hi-def picture. I bet you could get a combo of both within the same mandolin. The F hole one sounds to my ear like it’s 3 times as pricey as the O hole one based on sound quality. The O is far more muddled.
Nice instruments...Nick makes them both sound great.
Nick says, "Thank you!"
I like the sound of the oval hole but you play the f hole better and smoother. Possibly the nut width you're not as used to
The only solution is to have one of each.
We like that idea, David!
great info, i have a f hole , that o hole is more woody and louder , i like that sound !
A very good demo. I have seen you somewhere before playing. Can't bring it to mind where. I just ran across this video by accident.
Nick plays all over town, mostly with Jeff Mosier and The Bonaventure Quartet. He's fantastic!
I can tell, plays real relaxed.
What a great comparison!! Looking into Collings. This was super helpful. Would love to see a compare between the Collings MT2V and the SilverAngel Fantasma.
Silver Angel are the best-sounding mandolins I've found, don't be fooled by the price, one guy/one mandolin at a time., OLD wood etc..have a look (I regretted buying a Collins!)
@@silver-hammer I have a SilverAngel Fantasma made to order mando. Love it so much! Worth every penny. Would really like to hear them side by side.
Seems to me, the oval hole has a more open sound where as the f is more percussive.
I've got both!
Is the oval hole fretboard attached to the top?
Is the f hole fretboard elevated off the top?
Both of them are elevated off of the top.
@@maplestreetguitars Thank you.
maybe its just my guitarist sensibilities, but wow that oval hole sounds better to me.
The O sounds more pleasant to listen to however it's not as good in a bluegrass band competing with a driving banjo when songs get busy and fast. That's the reason Gibson mandolins with F holes are worth a whole lot more and desired over a Martin O hole mando.
Do they have the same type spruce top wood?
They are both Sitka tops.
Complete balls of a demo....
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