Does style "bias" go in both directions?

[Resolve]

This newbie has done nothing today but read about mandolins (including the responses to my other thread here) in an effort to figure out how I might want to proceed in acquiring one.

One conclusion to which I THINK I have come is that F style mandolins are the expected style in bluegrass circles.

At this point I really don't have a particular genre of music for which I'm getting an instrument so that may or may not be an issue for me. However I'm wondering if given that the A-style is an unusual choice for bluegrass, is the same true for F-style in circles other than bluegrass? i.e. would there be a situation in which a player would join a jam with an F-style and find it is looked at as an "unusual choice"?

I'd be interested in reading ideas about this.

[OldSausage]

People don't really look at you funny if you show up with an a style to a bluegrass jam. Most people don't even notice unless they are mandolin geeks, and mandolin geeks just like mandolins whatever style they are

[bigskygirl]

You will certainly run into those who think the F is the "proper" style for bluegrass BC that's what Bill played.

Me, I say whatever makes YOU happy and want to make music is the style for YOU. Most jams I go to are pretty open and I see all kinds of mandos and guitars (those same people will tell you that Martin's are to be used for BG...). I see oval holes, A's, and a 12 string guitar.....and we have lots of fun making music and friends.

BTW, Joe Walsh plays an A style and he's pretty good at bluegrass....

[LongBlackVeil]

Just get the best mandolin you can afford that inspires you to play

Usually that's an a style, but if you really love the f and it makes you want to play more, then that's the one. Don't worry about image and all that. I play an a style and Im a bluegrasser, never got weird looks. Except for one lady in the audience that I overheard say something like this\/

"What's that instrument he's playing?"
"It's a mandolin"
"No that's not a mandolin"

most of the pickers that have been picking for awhile have seen a styles around and they know what it is. Either f or a, you will be accepted unless your dealing with jam nazis, and you don't want to play with them anyway.

I get where your coming from though, it's easy to start obsessing over small details while waiting to buy your first mando and browsing around here. I know I did it

[Toni Schula]

Some of the best bluegrass mandolinists play an A style. E.g. Tim O'Brian (almost always), Adam Steffey (at least sometimes). And they play it without getting The Look.

Here in Europe I sometimes have to explain the "funny" F style ("Is that a dried squirrel?") while the A style would be regarded as the more traditional shape for a non-Italian mandolin.

But as they both sound so similar you can use them interchangeable for the same styles, of course. There is a bigger difference between f-holes and oval holes.

[allenhopkins]

Well, you tend to see more A-model, oval-hole mandolins at old-timey and Celtic jams, but F-models aren't unwelcome. David has a good comment; we mandolinists worry a lot more about getting the "right style" of mandolin than other musicians do -- more than we need to, IMHO.

Remember, the F-model vs. A-model discussion has very little to do with sound, playability, or quality; it's about appearance, and most of us would rather hear good playing on a Rogue A-model, than stumbling and bumbling on a Gibson F-5. There is a certain expectation that someone with an ornate, name-brand, expensive instrument is a more expert player than someone with a "beginner" model, but not necessarily. All it takes to own a $10K mandolin, is to have $10K in discretionary funds.

Get the mandolin that you like to play, regardless of make or model. If you like to play it, you'll play it more, and as you get familiar with the instrument, you'll learn what your mandolin preferences are -- in terms of repertoire, playing style, and (probably least important) appearance.

[mandobassman]

As always Alan, you know just the right way to say what needs to be said.

[Ellen T]

Here in Europe I sometimes have to explain the "funny" F style ("Is that a dried squirrel?") while the A style would be regarded as the more traditional shape for a non-Italian mandolin.

Ok, I prefer A style anyway, but now I will never be able to look at an F without thinking of dried squirrels. Best description ever!

[Petrus]

I think an F is less likely to be confused with a ukulele. (Now I'm going to Google "f style ukulele" .... )

[Ma.Mando]

I consider the A style to be an all purpose mandolin. Sure F's get a lot of attention but when you get into this you see the beauty in the A style models. Once you get the mandolin bug you could end up with both!...and an oval...and an e mando......oh a mandola....
Enjoy your new adventure!

[F-2 Dave]

Getting at least one of each the only reasonable solution.

[JeffD]

As you have doubtlessly read, you can save considerable amounts of money getting the A style.

But the mando-universe is not just A styles and F styles. These are two types of arch top mandolin. But there are flat tops that sound great and can do it all. And there are even bowl backs, if you are bold enough.

At this point I really don't have a particular genre of music for which I'm getting an instrument so that may or may not be an issue for me.

That being the case I think you should at least check out some flat tops. If you look at the eye-candy section there are Fs and As to drool over, but also flat tops to yearn for. And very often an excellent flat top will cost less and sometimes much less than the same build quality arch top A or F style.

[Mark Wilson]

Just get the best mandolin you can afford that inspires you to play

That sounds simple and makes sense. What's the catch?

[Ivan Kelsall]

I think that you're correct in thinking that because of the influence of Bill Monroe,that the F5 style is thought to be the right one for use in Bluegrass music,but that's not necessarily so. There are several top notch players who play "A" styles - Tim O'Brien / Joe Walsh & Jody Stecher to name but three. Personally,i don't care what style of mandolin a musician plays,& i'd reckon that it's the same for most folk on here. As long as the music's good - who cares ! - but, if it's 'tradition' that you're serving up,then an "F" style it has to be,
Ivan

[MysTiK PiKn]

You should definitely resolve this by getting what you like.

BUT - once you discover that you want an F-style, there will be /no peace /no resolution in the universe, until .......


Don't let people tell you what to do:
----------------------------------- get an F-style.

Eastman MD814

[Petrus]

Well I actually Googled "f style ukulele" and got a lot of interesting results but this is the closest thing:

[Mandoplumb]

I'm 62, been playing mandolin as a hobby since I was about 10. My father played any stringed instrument, any style but settle on banjo and bluegrass. I remember when you had to be really into mandolins to buy an F style. PAC rim copies an Gibson F would cost you $600 or $700. I even knew one man that gave $6000 for a F5 because some guy named Loar had signed the paper inside it.at that time we all longed for an F because it kinda showed you were serious about the mandolin if you were willing to spend that much for one. I owned a couple Asia F style mandolins but to me the availability made them less desirable I now own all A's because more bang for the buck. I'm a firm believer that any style music can be played on any style mandolin.

[fscotte]

I like A styles cause they're easier to build.

Seriously, how could you not love this A model. I like it better than the F. This is the classic Gibson A model. Maybe it's the "modern" A shape that turns people off?

[Dan Krhla]

Yes bias goes both ways. If you DARE show up to my Old Time jam with an F model, I will kick your (Bluegr)ass out the door and tell you to get the F (style mandolin) out as well.

Obviously just kidding. Just echoing what was said above, get what feels good to you, get a proper setup on it and enjoy!

[Bertram Henze]

Seriously, how could you not love this A model. I like it better than the F.

This is strange: the way you're holding them side by side makes the F suddenly look pretentious, like a perfectly elegant shape ruined with unneccessary ulcerous bling.

[Eric C.]

I agree!

[fscotte]

That's not me. But some lucky guy that got to hold the Griffith Loars.

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

Buy an A style mandolin. It makes the most sense. Don't over think it.

[farmerjones]

There is a bigger difference between f-holes and oval holes.

I read through this thread twice, and I think this is the only occurrence. (could be wrong)

The classic Bluegrass chop emanates from an F hole.
With an oval hole mandolin, the bark becomes more of a boom.
But the body style has nothing to do with this.

Talking about other bias': Ren Fair players look best with a bowlback.
IOW, an F model seems the greatest departure from a bowlback.

[Dave Greenspoon]

Plenty of A-5's at bluegrass jams. For years Andy Statman made fabulous bluegrass (and blues, and klez, and jazz) on an A-4; after briefly trying an F-5 he now uses a two-point f-hole instrument. Jethro Burns' two-point oval hole might be associated with jazz, but he had some blistering bluegrass come out of that axe as well. Simon Mayor plays amazing Celtic music on an F-5. I find that even though my Rigel A is presumably "voiced for bluegrass", it is extremely versatile and can handle any style of music. Usually, getting "the sound" is more about the style, skill, and musicianship of the player than the model of the instrument. Find the best and most comfortable instrument you can afford that you like and play it relentlessly. Any negative comments directed to you reveal shortcomings in the folks who made them.