A Style vs. F Style Mandolin: Is There A Difference?

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[stlouisfan]

As someone who purchased an Epiphone a style for $70 I totally agree that the best mandolin you can get is the one that lets you play mandolin the most

[willobendorf]

This was a lot of fun to see! Loved how you mixed the tunes together from one instrument to the next without any timing mistakes - that was fun!
My first mandolin was an inexpensive Ibanez A-style, and it sounded just fine, and later on I purchased a more expensive Eastman F-5. They are both fine instruments, and I play them with equal pleasure!

[jeley]

The F sounded a little "brighter" and the A a little "warmer". Great video. Thanks!

[andreaboyle]

I agree with your statement that "if the beauty of the F-style makes you want to play more often, then go for it!" I might add a second consideration: I find the A-style harder to keep on my lap in position because of the body shape. At least with the points of the F-style, it is better anchored.

[hmbl-cbbe]

Sounds wonderful. I liked the A style! I love the simplicity! Cynthia

[jakatti]

Great vid, thank you, i did learn already a lot from your videos n im an A style man too all the way altough here the F sounds more gentle. Im also very curious about this give away happening . Greetings

[tim]

Great comparison. I honestly couldn't tell the difference. The F style is fancier, but I kind of like the more contemporary look of the A style. Just a fun observation, both mandolins have what looks like double f's cut out on the front of them. 😀

[fiddlerbunny]

I had a moment of terrible timing a couple of years back. I’d sold my mando due to arthritis and thinking I couldn’t play. Immediately (2 days later) I got a call asking if I could play an event. So I raced out and bought a new mando. I got an A style. I’d always used either A style or bowl back so it was my go to. There was an issue with that particular instrument so I took it back. They didn’t have another of that one in an A and I ended up, reluctantly, leaving with an f style. I doubt I will ever go back! It may be this particular mando or maybe I just love the look and feel of it, but I do believe in general they sound a bit richer in tone. Just my opinion. But A styles have a gorgeous simplicity to them as well..

[shepneil]

I'm a violinist who also plays mandolin. I think the A has a brighter tone on the high end. I couldn't hear a difference between the two on the low end.

[Billkwando]

I would recommend to anyone getting a Loar mandolin to get a Cumberland bridge. I did a tutorial type thing on how to fit the bridge to the top properly. It made it maybe twice as loud. A Tone Gard and armrest are nice as well. You can make your own armrest out of a piece of wood and the clamp for a violin chin rest.

[jamesthe-doctor]

I’ve been a guitar player for 60 years and just started learning mandolin several months ago. It all started with an old, flat-back Neapolitan-style mando I found in a pawn shop, MANY years ago. It had tuner problems, and I eventually got a Rogue A-style a few months ago, and I like it a lot. But I just got a Loar LM 700 VS, and the truss rod makes ALL the difference! It’s difficult enough for a 6’2” guitar player with huge hands for my size, to scrunch up these fingers, even in the first position! I think the string spacing is referred to amongst luthiers as “Tinkerbell spacing”😂. The total lack of neck radius makes barre chords nigh-impossible…unless one sandpapers the bridge down to make maximum contact with the top, file the nut to the proper height, and get the correct relief (almost none!) in the neck. Once that action and intonation are right, the difference is amazing! Sure, it’s a fairly expensive instrument, especially for a beginner…but as with anything, you get what you pay for. As far as how they sound - not much different from the ones in this video. The Neapolitan and A-style are a tiny bit brighter, and the F-style is a bit mellower, less tinny, and has a little more sustain. But I don’t think sustain is a huge selling point with mandolins. 😊

[jason_learns]

Thanks for this! This is probably the closest comparison that could be done. It's certainly the closest I think I've seen. To my ears, the shape of the hole makes more of a sound difference than the shape of the instrument. That being said, I'm fortunate to have a couple A-styles and an F-style, so I'm covered.

[jim]

Very interesting comparison. I did hear a difference. I like them both! I have a Johnson MA-115-E. I found it cheap on marketplace last year. It's an A style. I love it! I really have gotten into it. I wouldn't mind trying out an F style though.

[johnmckinstry]

Thanks for the comparison. As a o player I didn't hear an appreciable difference in the tone but thought the first held the sound a little longer.

[triumphrider]

In this comparison I heard more warmth and sustain from the F-style. Nice video! 🤙

[caroludart]

I am a total beginner and have an Astyle. I do love the look of the F though. Love the comparison. Both sound great. Little to no difference that I could hear.

[marks]

I’m in the market and if I buy, I’ll buy from Sweetwater. I don’t mean this the way it may sound, I heard some strong buzz on both of them, is string buzz/rattle just how it is with mandolins?

[sleeve]

I have surprised myself !
I guess I always just had it in my head, that an " F " would sound better ?
But what I heard here, was for me, the " A " sounded all around better !
First thing I heard with the " F ", was it's sound was a bit flat, for lack of a better term.
The " A " just sounded more uniform to my ear.
It seemed to modulate all the various Frequencies better !
Now I'll finish watching the video !

[sab]

Thanks for the comparison!
I have a LOAR 600F.
I'd be interested to hear a comparison between the 300 and the 600.

[Rustbukkit]

I find the A style has more rounded out bottom end, bit nothing beats the look of that F. Once jamming I doubt you'd notice much difference in the mix, so in that case the F is the winner for me. I'm hearing mixed reviews on the Loar straight out of the box too, but I'm still leaning towards saving up for that F-style for myself. Great review to hear both of these same level mandolins back to back. Thanks!