[SIZE=6][FONT=Georgia]'Afternoon,
I've owned at least a couple dozen F5 mandolins with varying degrees of quality over the years. Love 'em! Right now, there are three in my field of vision, along with other instruments I've played for a living for virtually all my adult life (believe me, it's a long time).
But I'm interested in getting an F5 with an OVAL soundhole, instead of the usual F holes. I'm intriuged by the potential subtle tonal possibilities. I guess the main difference between the two is neck length -- the F4 has a shorter scale than the F5.
I've been skulking around the internet for such an animal for a few weeks now, and I haven't found any. SURE, I can hire a luthier to do a custom build on one, but I don't want to wait a year or more for it, or pay what it would cost -- and I readily acknowledge that it would doubtlessly be worth the thousands of $$$ a luthier would charge; but so would a new car.
The only two other options I see are 1) buying a kit and building it myself, or 2) having one made in China, where it would cost drastically less than what domestic builders get.
But, 1) having made an F5 from a kit before, I'm not sure I can modify an unfinished top to accommodate an oval soundhole, and 2) China? Now? Forget it.
So, not knowing everything, I'm open to ideas.
Thanks!
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