Why you should buy an F-style Mandolin vs an A-style mandolin
The number one reason to get an F-style: Most players that prefer the look, end up with one anyway! Yep, it is that simple.
My first inclination has always been to advise new mandolin players to consider an A style over an F-Style. The reason for this is value. An equal quality A-style mandolin costs less to make and therefore sells for less. Logic tells us that the A-Style is the better value and this is absolutely true (from a tonal aspect)! What this doesn’t factor in, is the psychological impact of the F-style. They look stunning! An F-style mandolin is as much a work of art as it is a functional instrument. And what is music, if not art?
This is where you need to be honest with yourself. How important is the look of your mandolin? Will you get more enjoyment out of the F-Style vs the A-style Mandolin? This is nothing to be embarrassed about. It just happens that the majority answer “yes” to this very question. It turns out that those preferring the value of the A-style mandolin are actually the ones in the minority!
So it turns out that it is perfectly normal, not just to prefer the look of the F-style mandolin, but to be willing to pay more for one based solely on aesthetics.
My job is to help narrow down the selection of mandolins and help each individual player select the best instrument for them based on a set of criteria and a bit of emotion thrown in for good measure. With this in mind, I will always bring up the F-style mandolin vs an A-style mandolin and present the options. Over the years, I have noticed a pattern and in turn, this has changed my own thoughts on the subject. Dealing with mandolins day in and day out, I know that the A-style will give you the best quality instrument for the money. This has resulted in me subconsciously steering first time buyers in the direction of the A-style mandolin.
More recently, I have reexamined this and came to realize that I may have been doing a disservice to customers by trying to “help them” get the best mandolin for their money. Over the years a pattern has emerged. Customers that love the F-style mandolin, tend to end up with one. This happens regardless of the general consensus that you get a better A-style for the same money, or spend less for an equal quality A-style mandolin.
The scenario has worked out something like this.
Said player heeds the logical advise and buys the A-style. They are quite happy, confident that they have purchased the best quality instrument for the price. This happiness continues for days and sometimes even weeks! Then they find themselves looking at F-Style images online, or admiring other players F-Style Mandolins. Still content with their A-style, they reassure themselves that they have made the right choice. Unfortunately, the allure of the F is not so easily dismissed and over time, the desire to possess one can become overwhelming. Having seen this enough, it is clear to me that the look of an instrument does in fact increase the experience and should not be overlooked.
If you are one of the players (and yes, they are out there), that prefers the understated look of the A-style mandolin, the choice is clear. Consider yourself lucky in knowing that you will be getting the best quality for your investment! For the rest of the mandolin playing population, be honest with yourself. If an F-style is what you want, there is no need to convince yourself otherwise. It won’t work anyway!
I just want to leave you with one last thought. Be realistic on budget. You can get some very inexpensive F-style mandolins, but this is not always the best route. You really do need to be prepared to spend more for the F-style Mandolin.
We have other posts on cost and additional information on F-style mandolin vs A-style mandolin.
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Steph
December 08, 2019
I guess I am lucky, I prefer the look of the A-Style.