Rickson - Posted - 06/10/2013:  13:47:28

Afternoon all, Seems I have a chance to buy a used Eastman MD614. Will see and play it this weekend, but why question is, the 614 has a oval hole instead of f-holes. I mainly play only for myself and once in awhile with a quitar playing friend. As a TBI survivor budget is the key, I've never seen a f-style mandolin with an oval hole and in the reviews page here, the 614 is not mentioned, so I'm wondering does a oval hole fit with a f style?

Rob Beck - Posted - 06/11/2013:  02:44:15

Hi Ricson,

I don't know the specific mandolin you are referring to, but the Gibson F4 was an oval holed F style, and in my opinion, they are the most attractive of the F style mandolins.  I believe that the majority of people who play bluegrass prefer an F style with f holes, because the  f shaped sound holes are better suited to producing the "chop" sound that they favour.  I think for pretty much everyone else it's down to personal choice!

If it was me, I'd go for an F4 (oval holed) style (as long as it sounded good!)

Rob

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 06/11/2013:  10:14:42

Well yes "F" oval hole mandolins have a lovely tone. Bright with a lovely ring. Not really suited to Bluegrass as RRM pointed out. But anyone can play any music that is suitable for a stringed instrument on any mandolin. Personally I am of the opinion that it's best to have at least one of each "F" and "Oval" hole mandolins...... R/

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 06/11/2013:  11:45:37

Wow.. I must have still been asleep...... Oval hole mandolins have a lovely tone . Bright with a lovely ring............. "F" hole mandos are suited to bluegrass... sorry folks... R/

Rickson - Posted - 06/11/2013:  11:48:31

Thanks... now I'm waiting for Saturday.

Rickson - Posted - 06/20/2013:  06:51:27

Well I found out why it was cheap... beat up as crap. Don't have, and want to, use my savings account to get it fixed.

Jim Yates - Posted - 06/20/2013:  08:33:32

The F4(?) mandolin like the one that's partly visible at the top left of this page is one of the prettiest F styles.  Sorry to hear that the 614 is in such poor shape.  I'd have thought that they haven't been on the market long enough to get in really poor shape.

Edited by - Jim Yates on 06/20/2013 08:38:14

fphoppe - Posted - 05/12/2014:  17:44:00

I've encountered at least one of these where the bracing was coming loose. It was not beat up and not that old.

SteveZ - Posted - 05/12/2014:  18:58:18

I couldn't be happier with the sound of my Eastman MD504 A-style.  It's more mellow than many like for bluegrass, but I do mainly rock, Broadway, country and related stuff.  I find the 504 oval-hole rocks" better than the f-hole mandolins I have/had.