F hole on the side?

[Bigco74]

I'm looking at an f style mandolin that someone made. In addition to the normal f-holes on the sound board opposite the bridge, there is an f-hole between the scroll and the lower bout. If I can figure out how to post an image I will.

Is this possibly for a performer to hear his instrument over the other instruments? It would be on the mandolin where you might tape a cheat sheet

[Jim Garber]

I would guess the intention of the maker was for it to be a soundport that would serve as a monitor. Who is the maker? Yes, post a photo.

[robhanesworth]

Increasingly common on guitars. I don't play well enough to want to hear myself better.

[Bigco74]

It has O.J. Dupuis written inside in pencil and a 1992 date

[peterbright]

I had a sound port done on a baritone ukulele...it does make it easier to hear yourself play. It wasn't an F hole.

[mandroid]

Given; the F type mandolin sound projects outward, more than oval sound hole tops, it is a good idea..

[urobouros]

I've never actually played an instrument with a soundport myself. I think an f hole would look cool too

[David L]

I have played guitars with a sound port on the side facing up. They do act as little monitors. I like the sound, but I don't like looking into the unfinished interior. I've played an octave mandolin with F-hole sound ports made by Leo Posch. They looked and sounded great.

[mandokismet]

I never know whether to start a new topic or piggy back on an existing one, but...

My wife's grandfather apparently played the mandolin and on a recent trip to Seattle, I was given two mandolins. One was an Italian bowlback from the 60s. The other one had F holes on the sides of the mandolin (see photo). They didn't know much about it other than it was made by someone the grandfather knew. If anyone knows anything about this style, I'd be interested...

[Charlie Bernstein]

I would guess the intention of the maker was for it to be a soundport that would serve as a monitor. Who is the maker? Yes, post a photo.

I'm sure that's right. Side ports on guitars make it easier for players to hear themselves.

I wonder if it weakens what the audience hears.

[Richard500]

Another well-known species is the so-called ‘French’ type made in Vietnam which is really a double wall with side ports on both ribs. The one I have has an oval hole in the top. It's loud. So we have four f holes, two plus no soundboard port, one f on top and one on the side. Garber’s got it probably right about the ‘monitor’ port, and likely doesn’t affect the far sound field much except for the highest frequencies. Possible investigation for keeping an anechoic chamber useful.

[Jim Garber]

Actually DeMeglio mandolins had some small slits on the side of the body which may or may not serve the same monitor function. There are many oddball ideas that makers have tried, most knows among them were Virzi tone enhancers which were controversial even at the time of manufacture.

On the same note, I came across a current eBay posting of a rather standard violin with a f-hole added on the side: