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Thread: Oval hole a or f

  1. #1
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    I'm the proud owner of a wonderful Collings MT model A mando .... It's thier lower end line , but you could really fool me as it sounds GREAT !!...Plenty of punch and a woody tone that is very balanced up and down the neck ...This being said, it's a great mando for faster lick's , and has really nice overtones and harmonics that really ring out ....I am looking for similar quality's with a bit more sustain ....My Collings has sustain , but not to the extent I'm looking for .... I don't nessesarily need the chop of the Collings , but I would like another mando that had more sustain to it .... I have no complaints at all with my Collings for what it sounds like, and the type of music it's made for ...I will NEVER sell it ..... A balanced sweet sound , with plenty of sustain ...Am I looking for an oval hole A or F model , and who makes what I am looking for up to $2,000 ??....Thanks to all and Happy Holidays ....Sincerely, Jim

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    I had a similar delemma and asked Andrew Poe.
    You might ask Chris Baird too.
    or Laura Ratcliff
    or Don Paine
    or...
    Wye Knot

  3. #3
    Registered User John Flynn's Avatar
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    I have to cast my vote for Bill Bussman's Old Wave ovals. Do check out the one up for scholarship auction on the Classifieds. So far, it looks like that one will go for a very decent price and I can tell you first hand it is an unique and amazing instrument. Ad #21055




  4. #4
    Registered User bradeinhorn's Avatar
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    get an old snakehead
    www.bigdrawbluegrass.com

    Voight A-5
    Bayard GBOM

  5. #5
    Registered User Pete Martin's Avatar
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    The Old Waves are killer mandos and sell for very reasonable prices!
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    Pete Martin
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    Western Swing music

  6. #6

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    I recently got an oval hole built by Andy Poe, engelmann top. Is has a beautiful ringing tone and sustain to die for. This is the tone I was looking for to play pretty waltz's, old time, and is quite versatile for other styles. I have 2 f-hole mandos and this is a change from those. If you are looking to have a mando built, check into Poe, he really nailed the tone on this one. Here's some pics & the thread on mine:
    website:http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/...;t=35843;st=25
    and Andy's www.poetone.com
    Teri LaMarco
    Hear my music on Spotify (and other streaming services)
    https://open.spotify.com/album/2XBuk...SV24bnkZ2uC-hw

  7. #7
    Closet Mandolin Player Mark Walker's Avatar
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    I know of three Laura Ratcliff A's in my neck of the woods, and all have a sweet sound and lots of 'ringing sustain.' I concur with Lee - ask Laura, or Don, or Chris...:O
    "The more I learn, the more I realize how ignorant I truly am..."

  8. #8
    Registered User red7flag's Avatar
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    I was really impressed with a Laura Ratcliff A model that I played last year at SPBGMA and outside of the Stanleys, I thought was the best sounding mandlolin there (disclaimer, this only included those exhibiters in the outer exhibition area. The Gibsons were inside.)
    Tony
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  9. #9
    Gilchrist (pick) Owner! jasona's Avatar
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    I am unfamilar with a Laura oval hole--has she made one before?
    Jason Anderson

    "...while a great mandolin is a wonderful treat, I would venture to say that there is always more each of us can do with the tools we have available at hand. The biggest limiting factors belong to us not the instruments." Paul Glasse

    Stumbling Towards Competence

  10. #10
    Gilchrist (pick) Owner! jasona's Avatar
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    I should say I have a Laura, but if you are looking for more sustain than an MT I second the recommendation of an Ajr. My sustain caps out at around 14 seconds.
    Jason Anderson

    "...while a great mandolin is a wonderful treat, I would venture to say that there is always more each of us can do with the tools we have available at hand. The biggest limiting factors belong to us not the instruments." Paul Glasse

    Stumbling Towards Competence

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