Octave Mandolin - recommendations please

**scgc.om** · Jan-06-2006, 11:27am

I'm really enjoying my Martin tenor guitar - tuned in 5ths and with long scale length, it is effectively an Octave Mandola (i.e. CGDA). Mostly I play it as if it were a mandolin - it's a great finger-stretching/lateral-thinking exercise! When I try to play with others, playing up a 5th (or better yet, down a 4th!) is challenging.

Now I'm thinking I'd like an Octave Mandolin - that way, I'd get the finger-stretch but NOT have to transpose up a 5th (or down a 4th).

I know Weber makes an Octave mandolin, but I'm thinking I want a REALLY nice (= expensive . . . ) instrument. Are there any "top-drawer" makers who offer an Octave Mandolin? Also, are they always oval hole? Or can one get f holes?

Thanks for all help.

**otterly2k** · Jan-06-2006, 12:10pm

scgc-
OM's are wonderful instruments, and there's a section of this board where they are discussed in great detail, and you will find many threads to read with useful info... scroll on down to the CBOM section and read away!

in response to your question:
- there are MANY makers of excellent OM's. And there's a lot of variation in scale, shape, style, woods, etc. as the instrument is less standardized than many others (including regular sized mandos).

- don't confuse price with quality. Yes...you have to pay good money for good instruments, but it is not a linear relationship. For instance,with the exception of the Sages, the Weber instruments are large versions of their small mandos, and pretty expensive compared to some of the OM's being made by smaller scale luthiers which are (imho) at least as good, and often better instruments.

- OM's are usually oval hole, but not always. they are usually some variety of teardrop or "A" shape, but not always.

"top drawer" makers? well, probably Sobell is at the top of the heap. But there are many good ones. I have one on order from Brian Dean. There's Old Wave, Trillium, Arches, Stephen Owsley Smith, Graham McDonald, Davy Stuart, Jack Spira, Lawrence Nyberg, Petersen, Foley, Darnton, Crump, Kimble, Sawchyn, .... in no particular order, and there are probably several I forgot...

I will post a new post in the CBOM section's "post a pic" thread so that it bumps up and you can browse...
KE

**Steve Baker** · Jan-06-2006, 1:09pm

Originally Posted by (scgc.om @ Jan. 06 2006, 12:27)

<< I know Weber makes an Octave mandolin, but I'm thinking I want a REALLY nice (= expensive . . . ) instrument. #Are there any "top-drawer" makers who offer an Octave Mandolin? #

Not too long ago the 2003 Zoukfest bouzouki/OM was listed for sale. That's an awesome instrument that should meet all your requirements. I don't know if Yahoo will let you onto the site so I copied Roger Landes' posting right about here:

From: Roger Landes <rwlandes@...>
Date: Tue Nov 29, 2005 #4:35 pm
Subject: Sutherland bouzouki for sale #zoukboy_2000 #

I've been asked to help let people know that the winner of the Tony
Sutherland bouzouki raffled by ZoukFest in 2003 has decided to sell it.
Neither ZoukFest nor I have any interest in this sale, other than hoping
that it goes to a good home. Email me offlist for details and photos.

--
Rigel Octave Mandolin Raffle to Benefit Zoukfest:
http://zoukfest.com/instrument_raffle.html
--
Roger Landes
rwlandes@...
http://zoukfest.com

**Don Grieser** · Jan-06-2006, 1:15pm

Bill Bussmann's Old Wave octaves are fabulous. I own an A style with an oval sound hole. He also makes guitar-shaped ones with f holes. All the growl you could ever want. My A style has the 20 to 21" scale length so it's also easier to play than those 24" + scale length octaves. It has the wildest flamed maple, perfectly shaped neck, wood binding, and his great ebony tailpiece. Highly recommended.

**judith** · Jan-06-2006, 1:22pm

Hiya - meaning no disrespect to Weber - I had a Weber octave. It was an arch-top Absaroka, and was incredibly well made and beautiful to look at. However, the neck was, for me, like a Louisville Slugger and I didn't feel it was especially resonant or loud. Truthfully, I think they're a bit overpriced. I hope the fellow who bought "her" from me continues to be happy with the instrument. That's the thing - there is no substitute for hearing something with one's own ears and checking out playability. I have heard instruments that others rave about that I have not especially liked, and instruments I have thought sounded good that others seemed to appreciate less. Otterly mentioned several names of builders...to add another one, I have an octave on order from Arches/Chris Baird, who seems to do beautiful work. All builders I've talked to have been incredibly nice and open to custom ideas. Some also have INCREDIBLY long waiting lists or may not even be taking orders. Chris's was long enough - 8-13 months! Good luck. Judith

**revray** · Jan-06-2006, 2:15pm

I am the happy owner of the first OM made by Brian Dean. It is a great instrument and very reasonably priced.

**otterly2k** · Jan-06-2006, 2:25pm

Glad to hear it, Rev!... mine is a few weeks' away from being delivered...

**Mandobar** · Jan-06-2006, 5:45pm

the sutherland octave/zouk was sold a few days after roger posted it for sale.

there are some really nice om's but none that i have played are as nice as the Sobells i have played. you'd have to check with stefan though on updated pricing.

**mandopete** · Jan-06-2006, 6:05pm

Fletcher Brock makes a killer octave mandolin IMHO.

**kyblue** · Jan-06-2006, 6:49pm

In my opinion, my Fletcher Brock is the best ever octave.

And here's Fletcher with it

**johnM** · Jan-06-2006, 8:12pm

There's a Davy Stuart in the classifieds for a reasonable price. I've also had a Freshwater tha I liked but the exchange rate killed me. I understand the Stuart is a high quality piece.

jm

**mandopete** · Jan-06-2006, 11:54pm

Originally Posted by (kyblue @ Jan. 06 2006, 17:49)

In my opinion, my Fletcher Brock is the best ever octave.

Yeah, if that's the one he had at Wintergrass, it's to die for!

**craigtoo** · Jan-07-2006, 5:42am

I've a few OMs and Bouzouki's you can see here...

http://homepage.mac.com/craigtoo/PhotoAlbum30.html

On the top is a link to "My Zouk Collection" and "Lil' Red".

Pics of... Stuart, Foley, McDonald, Stephen O. Smith, Freshwater, Crump...

Also Zoukfest has a raffle for the new Rigel OM. Check out the videos at... www.zoukfest.com

My favorite builder is Stepehen O. Smith. But I don't have one of everything yet...! (still can't believe I missed that Sobell on ebay... hrumph..)

Fire away with questions!

craig

**craigtoo** · Jan-07-2006, 5:44am

Oh... I've played a Fletcher Brock...they are great! As are Tony Sutherland's instrumnets... *sigh* too many builders...

craig

**kyblue** · Jan-07-2006, 8:58am

Originally Posted by

Yeah, if that's the one he had at Wintergrass, it's to die for!

Pete,

Yes, that is the one. I bought it at IBMA. Maybe one day I'll be able to afford one of his A's or F's - he is doing some amazing work.

Paula

**Frank Russell** · Jan-07-2006, 10:56am

I play regularly with a lady that has an Old Wave Octave mandolin that I love. It plays easy, sounds great, and looks like a million bucks. It looks very similar to a teens Gibson A. Just beautiful. I also like his guitar-shaped octaves a lot. Plus, Bill is a gas to talk to and work with. Frank