A-Style vs F-Style Mandolins: Who Wins? 3 Brands, 3 Prices.

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Information A-Style vs F-Style Mandolins: Who Wins? 3 Brands, 3 Prices.

Title	:	A-Style vs F-Style Mandolins: Who Wins? 3 Brands, 3 Prices.
Lasting	:	16.52
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Views	:	13 rb

What song are you playing
Comment from : Russ Smith

i would choose the one that played the easiest Playability That felt the best in my hands
Comment from : Earl Elfrink

I like the F style simply because people will notice the pretty instrument and pay less attention to how bad I play
Comment from : Paul Scalisi

Over headphones, Favorite was F for Eastman and A for Kentucky and Weber was a tossup
Comment from : tlister67

Great information Thanks, guys!
Comment from : Andrea Boyle

The Webers really stand out and for the price difference they ought to
Comment from : RZ H

What is the name of the song you are playing
Comment from : Julian Filler

One of my students told me about this video Really well done and fantastically played I have a Kentucky KM-250 which I really like Had I the budget, I would've gotten an F-style and this confirms that I like both and would own both but would really like an "F" over an "A" if I could afford it dollar-for-dollar My "Kentucky "A" is a really good mandolin for my needs I do recommend it
Comment from : WhaleBluePRS

Of the six instruments played, I loved the Kentucky A style the most Love the warm tones of the lower strings
Comment from : OedipussWrecks

Northfield by far a leader Never mentioned because they don't sell them
Comment from : Bluegrass Practice Track

Since the play sounds continuous, and you change instruments several times, I am wondering how you record and process these videos Is the switching done with digital post-processing or more like old-style film editing?
Comment from : double00spy

I like the sound of the KM-150 even though it’s cheaper
Comment from : Seonaid ORiada

I've been looking to buy a new mando For a long time I thought I needed an F style but lately I've been giving the A models a second look That Weber sounds sweet Thanks for your vids Love to visit your shop but I live in Canada
Comment from : HeavyMetalBluegrass

Big thank you for your opinions
Comment from : Marcia

Wow, I need to try more A Styles
Comment from : Channing S Wright

I have the Bourgeois M5A model mandolin and it’s a true banjo killer I bought it from the Acoustic Shoppe last December and absolutely love it!
Comment from : Arden Williams

A-style every time
Comment from : FPS Bach

youtube/dRiHvfymQisbrThis is my Kentucky 380 with a little renaissance song I can’t identify Any playing tips?
Comment from : Beohyl

Would've liked a comparison of each style between the cheap Eastman and the expensive Weber See if the extra money buys any extra sound
Comment from : Flatlander

I couldn’t hear much difference in the Eastman But the other F styles are louder more sustain and cut through the mix I liked both Kentuckys even though the A style was a lower level
Comment from : Beohyl

The other variant is F hole or oval hole? Using F holes was a good equalizer but --- there is a tonal difference
Comment from : PaddyVt

Thanks for this!
Comment from : J D

I have a Loar f 310 mandolin What do you think of that company?
Comment from : Paul Tandy

This was an excellent and very insightful video For my part, I had to listen carefully to hear a difference and I took a guess at the end of each section Each "guess" was correct, so the difference for me was not as great as it was for others However, I suspect the difference might have been more apparent if I had a better headphone or were listening to them live Thanks for the video
Comment from : Keefe Borden

I liked the Weber A in this shootout, but for the Eastman and Kentucky, I really couldn’t tell the difference For me, I find the F style easier to hold and doesn’t squirm around on my like the A Plus, the F scroll gives a nice place for the strap So the amenities (and looks) of the F sort of make it a winner even if they do sound the same
Comment from : S E

Great video! I liked the Weber F-style best Slightly brighter and more definition on the notes What was the price difference between the two Webers?
Comment from : Rock & Pop Mandolin

Take your pick to what sounds best to you
Comment from : Life with a view

How do you guys like the Loar LM520VS model mandolin?
Comment from : Anthony Ruda

Charlie Daniels played an F style, nuff said 😁 The last pair both sounded the same to me
Comment from : Mr 1000

I'm a celtic music fan, and I would like to buy an Eastman MD 505 CC N brEastman has so many models… brbrWhere would you rate this model in terms of $/quality in the Eastman mando line ? brbrThanks in advance ? Keep up the good workbrbrGino
Comment from : Gino Marra

What piece are you playing? Sounds amazing!
Comment from : Metalhead Kvothe

I had to make this "big decision" last week and I endet up with a mid-class A-Style Mandolin brAs a guitar player I wanted to have this warmer sound You can hear the difference in this video very good!brI'm happy with my choice and it's great fun to learn a "new" instrument
Comment from : FP HF

Good mando content guys 👍
Comment from : Mr Tambourine Man

A seems to have a better low end, Id like to see a A f hole and a A with oval soundhole shootout
Comment from : Michael Blaney

The Stradivarius arch is a wonderful thing!
Comment from : Peter James

I like the A style Eastman best Considering the Eastman md505cc due to your demo Almost 60 years old and want to learn to play
Comment from : Dabebo 1963

Just re-watched this and thought it was interesting that the Webers sounded identical to me
Comment from : Phlipper Brooks

I thought the F Eastman sounded better than the A style I thought the A style Ky sounded better than the F style I agree the Webers sounded very similar I would consider any difference between the Webers to be just the wood and not the A vs F style My big surprised was how "good" the Ky A style sounded to me But I'm not a BG player I play, or attempt to, play Old Time Fiddle tunes not chopping cords but playing melody trying to make each note distinctive and playing open cords I have a Hans Brentrup 21V which is an A style with violin varnish that I bought 20 years ago It is a wonderful mandolin I went through five mandolins before the Brentrup Your playing was great Evidence that a really good musician can get a great sound out of inexpensive and moderate price instruments A hacker like me can get a good sound out of a really good instrument but it cost! I really like this type of video comparisons
Comment from : Mike McManus

Ultimately, it is subjective
Comment from : Snow McSnow

Wow This was a great video, and by the end of it, I was forced to admit that I like the sound of the Astyles better than the Fs Since I am soon to be upgrading from my starter mandolin (a $400 "The Loar" Fstyle), this realization has made the financial aspect of upgrading to a better instrument a little more manageable, since the A's are cheaper Nice job on the video I wil be buying my new mandolin from The Acoustic Shoppe, BTW While I'm here, I just wanted to say that although you two look much, MUCH older than mewe are about the same age I've now watched so many of ya'lls videos, You're like my two knuckleheaded little brothers and every time I watch one of your videos I want to give the both of you a good wedgie or some other similarly painful little-brother torture technique I just can't ever decide which one of you deserves it the most I will say, however, that I'm leaning heavily towards the big guy Thanks fellas Keep up the good work
Comment from : David Mccue

I easily noticed the difference between each pair (although on Weber it was the slightest) I had heard A-style usually has more bottom-heavy sound, but I didn't think it would be THAT noticeable Also, I did like a lot every each of those mandolins I usually play Kentucky KM-500 myself
Comment from : Anselm Hall

I have an F style, but I actually preferred the A on all 3 counts
Comment from : Don Deese

What is the song?
Comment from : Cédric Gilbert

Funny, the lower point, if it's up to me "Get Rid of the Points!" In comparing the Webers, I'm in love with the tone of the A-style All y'all made those mandolins ring, but there's no doubt that you get what you pay for To my ears, the lower end F-Style mandolins had a very sharp (not pitch), tinny sound and I would prefer the A-Style mandolin However, I agree, in the Webers, it really was a toss up, though I liked the A-Style with the harmonics being on the bass side One caveat -- we're listening over the internet, digitally processed You really have to go out and play them When I bought my Northfield A5 Special (sorry, guys), it's tone was smooth honey
Comment from : Tristan Kohut

Pretty surprised that I liked the A's in every case I've owned A's and F's and I currently play an F But, with these particular mandolins, I'd go with the A
Comment from : Tom McKeown

To my ears the A styles sounded better until you played the Webers That F sounded awesome!!! Unless my wife dies soon, it is far out of my budget 😂😂😂
Comment from : leftycuthbert

Great video, would like to learn the song you’re playing during the comparisons Does it have a name?
Comment from : Bryan Hansen

The Eastman there was a significant difference, and I much referred the Eastman A style's warmth The Kentucky there wasn't much difference, and I had no preference between the two The Weber there was only a slight difference, but this time I slightly preferred the F-stylebrbrAs you said near the end, an F-style costs significantly more than the equivalent A-style Mandolin would not be my primary, or even secondary, instrument My budget would (just) extend to a solid wood top in an A-style, but I'd still be looking at a laminate top in a F-style
Comment from : Mark Dancer

I closed my eyes and couldn't tell when he switched the Eastmans
Comment from : Jamie Jones

To my ear there were differences: the F style sounded more full of the Eastmans, the A-style for the Kentuckys and both sounded equally good for the Webers brExcellent comparison video!
Comment from : Bill Williams

Definitely a difference, though personally I prefer the A sound
Comment from : Kevin Fox

The only mandolin I would ever buy , would be a custom one made by Aurdy Rattliff*b**/b DR KEL
Comment from : DSc DR KEL

🍺🍶🍺🤙
Comment from : ib fubar

I like the F-styles because it stands out more But this really makes me want an A-style for the times I want more of a supporting instrumentbrIn terms of looks, F-style wins no contest
Comment from : Anneke de Bruyn

Love your content I think I've watched every mandolin video you guys have done, as I'm researching for my next step up from an old MK Legacy I inherited from my FIL Thanks for all the info Nice playing, ,btw!
Comment from : Phlipper Brooks

I didn't get it right until you played the Weber I prefer the Weber A style as it had the best sound of all Great time watching and listening Thanks again
Comment from : James Akers

I am a firm believer in that a instrument must not only sound good but must look good as well That is why I prefer an F style mandolin over an A style I would much rather fork out the extra money to have an instrument that both looks good and sounds good at the same time
Comment from : Doug Faiella

The A style mandolins were consistently warmer, while the F style mandolins were consistently brighter I did not expect such a difference but it was very easy to hear Thanks for the video
Comment from : Halfaron Ulmondil

I really love my Kentucky A style Km-500 it sound great and it’s it was loud I have Michael Kelly f-style to compare it but is has broken neck
Comment from : David Sims

There’s definitely a tonal difference between the two styles I picked the correct ones even with my eyes closed That’s NOT to say one is better than the other, anyway what we hear is very subjective Where the F style cuts through though is with the chops, they are definitely brighter and punchier But apart from that there is no way I could say I prefer one over the other Great video guys!
Comment from : gunscratch

How do you get the A style to stay balanced from the strap Drops down in amore horizontal postion than staying on an angle Seems like I'm always fighting to get the neck to stay in position Does the F style slide arounfd like the A style?
Comment from : Jeff Miller

As always great content fellas 👌
Comment from : Rick L

We used to call the scroll "the $3,000 straphanger" And, way back, when we first started seeing the imported mandolins, the Kentuckys generally had more of the woody tones we wanted for bluegrass
Comment from : WryGrass100

Hello Thank you for this video I have been waiting for it ever since you first announced it For some reason or other, I expected the A style to be “plunkier ” and “woodier” and darker, sort of like an open back banjo I expected the F style to be “tighter” and “metallic” and brighter, sort of like a resonator banjo But I guessed wrong on the Eastman and Kentucky mandolins I guessed correctly on the Weber Go figure I really really appreciate this video So thanks again I hope you and your families have a nice thanksgiving
Comment from : Tom Russo

I HAD A TUCKER A MODEL SOLD IT SO I COULD AFFORD A GIBSON F5 G WISH I HAD IT BACK!
Comment from : Budddy Knippers

My choices were the same a Johns And I too liked the Weber A over the F Its noticable in the chops also I own F mandolin just because I like the scroll But I have always been told A's are better for the money EE
Comment from : luvbgrass

well i have never been a fan of A style mandoline but i picked the A over the F in every comparison im really shocked
Comment from : Rocky Northern

I can't hear the difference
Comment from : steve adams

I hear the deeper tones in each of the A style mandos but prefer the F style for Bluegrass to cut through the other instruments and vocals I actually thought the Kentuckys outshined the others, but that's just me All six sounded good in the hands of Jeremy!
Comment from : Terry Beeson

F style a little punchier and slight more tonal clarity It’s all subjective I could tell which was A & F even though blurred The F curling was noticeable 😉 my opinion A is just as good as F and the clean design of the A is more pleasing to my eyes
Comment from : JFJ

I agree with everything you said I personally prefer an oval sound hole in either type I think they have superior sound
Comment from : Everett Smith

1st paring the Mandolin A has more base than the Mandolin B The second pairing Mandolin A has better tone especially the trebs whereas the Mandolin B has more strident trebs and the base were about equal
Comment from : SiggyMe

Thank you Acoustic Shoppe! This is a fantastic video Much appreciated
Comment from : Carole

Nice comparison I found the F each time, but can I sing with it? Unfortunately for the wallet, I liked the Webber Yellowstone A
Comment from : Tex Haines

As a guitar player I preferred the F of Eastman and the last choice, very noticeable on the chops! The Kentucky sounded most similar to me Great job all around, camera,editors et al
Comment from : John Washburn

Damn good picking Love my 305 Eastman👏👏👏🇨🇦
Comment from : Coolhand Luke

Took the words right out of my mouth about the tone difference
Comment from : Jerry Cutright

TO my ears: Eatman: F, KY: A, Weber: F
Comment from : f5mando

They sounded very very close If it wasn't a comparison, I probably wouldn't notice any difference But since I listened very carefully I preferred the sound of the Eastman A to the F and the Kentucky and Weber F's over the A's And oh, by the way, Nice Playing!
Comment from : Danny Vandevelde

I'm shocked, there's more difference between the A and F than I thought going into this You really hear it on the chops
Comment from : Adam

F styles have a cooler strap attachment point :) I really struggled when I bought my Eastman I actually placed an order for an A style But I knew I wanted an F style, The shop let me change my order to an F For me it was just a visual choice I like the scroll and Florentines on the F style If I had bought the A I would be sitting here thinking "I wish I had bought the F" Nothing wrong with As Same strings and fret board and you get to hold on to more than a few dollars Whatever you buy, if you're a fat boy like me get a tone guard It will make a huge difference Keeping the back of mandolin off your body lets the wood vibrate
Comment from : Samuel Fugarino

I’m a newbie and I couldn’t tell the difference in any of the pairings Just when I thought I heard something different, I changed my mind Excellent video comparison and tutorial
Comment from : Dave

I " guessed" right on all three but it was SO close I think the F styles are a little more precise and definedif that makes sense!
Comment from : MIke Opdenaker

I am an A mandolin fanrecently got my first F, and am having to get used to that body styleseems even more headstock heavy, and a little awkward to hold I would always recommend an A for a beginner/intermediate player(best you can afford)
Comment from : Richard Bailey

I've always wanted an F style but I keep getting A's just because when I buy another one, I get more bang for my buck As a proud owner of two Kentuckys I gotta say that KM150 sounded pretty good considering you didn't go with a KM250 or 500 that would have been more similar
Comment from : John J Riggs Archery

❤❤❤
Comment from : JTSunrise

One of each would suit me I have a Washburn A style,looking for a price comparable in a F style
Comment from : Chip Wood

An Oldschool mando showdown and it’s high noon 😂🤠🤣
Comment from : JTSunrise

I guessed the first two pairs correctly but failed on the last pair
Comment from : Christopher Herbert

I know a lot of brilliant players who have A styles but I'm afraid if I play anything but an F Bill Monroe with come back and haunt me
Comment from : kidney4curt