New OMs

[bigskygirl]

Last August I asked a luthier friend of mine if he'd consider building me an octave mandolin after some thought he agreed.

Over the last few months he built three, a cedar Koa prototype and the two in the picture below. The one on the left is a redwood top/walnut B&S, the one on the right is a cedar top with walnut. Both have flamed maple binding and cocobolo fretboards.

They're both fabulous, play like butter and sound fantastic! I'm a bit partial to the redwood top but the cedar one has a nice low range bass sound. I'm having a hard time deciding, I see him this weekend and he expects a decision, another customer told him whichever one I don't want she'll buy so we all win!



Now I'm going to review the advice Scott gave me about photos posting sideways.....

[Denman John]

Congratulations ~ They are both wonderful looking OMs!!!

I would go with the one that sounds and feels best to you. All I have to go on is ascetics, so I would go with the one with the simpler sound hole rosette (top one). I also like the grain pattern and centre seam binding on the top one as well. What are the scale lengths?

Like you said, it's a win/win situation either way. When you get it, I would love to hear you pick a tune or 2 on it.

It's going to be a long week for you!

John

[Rob Zamites]

I'm biased, as I have walnut and cedar for my woods on two of my instruments; but I'm with Denman John - pick the one that sounds and plays best to you!

Welcome to the CBOMbers!

[allenhopkins]

I'd buy both, but that's me...

[bigskygirl]

Thanks everyone, I took them back today and chose the one on the top/right. He's going to finish up the finish....put better tuners and tailpiece on and just generally make it ready for delivery. I sure had fun playing both of them. It's a bit strange in that it's mandolin fingering on a longer scale like a guitar so it takes a moment to get used to it, pinky is getting a workout.

[Rob Zamites]

Thanks everyone, I took them back today and chose the one on the top/right. He's going to finish up the finish....put better tuners and tailpiece on and just generally make it ready for delivery. I sure had fun playing both of them. It's a bit strange in that it's mandolin fingering on a longer scale like a guitar so it takes a moment to get used to it, pinky is getting a workout.

So, the cedar? YAY! Congrats on your new OM and becoming a CBOMber!

[Luthier]

Are those from my kits that Ken built???? They look Awesome

[bigskygirl]

Hi Don, the one on the left is the kit. It sounds and looks fabulous, I had a hard time picking between the two. Ken did a great job, I have a terz guitar he built a few years ago and my eye on an all mahogany guitar he built recently. I love the OMs, they sound great, the action is low and so easy to play.

[Luthier]

ok...Now you need one from me....lol. Come to a workshop and i will teach you how to build one of your own. Send a recording when you can.