Freshwater om sound?

**Yavor** · Jan-15-2007, 3:40pm

Greetings all-
I'm an OM die-hard like many of you, and have owned a weber sage, Mid-mo and Petersen (my fav).
I'm looking at Dave Freshwater's octave mandos and mandolas.
He is a great and communicative guy, but the proof is in the
instrument...it's sound quality. He had some problems with low
volume early on, and is now using the bigger boxes on the OM's. Can anyone out there give a report on a real-live Freshwater? How do they sound? Please email me directly if you have the time.

Thanks
Bob Nagy

**Jim M.** · Jan-15-2007, 5:17pm

I had a Freshwater OM, I think it was a 2001 model, so I don't know how it compares to current models. I was very happy with it and thought it was an excellent buy for the money, although the exchange rate was more favorable then than it is now. I sold it here at the Cafe and the new owner was very happy with it too.

I do not think my Freshwater was quiet but it did not have the booming volume of my Crump, which is really loud. The Freshwater was built like a tank, very solid and heavy. No worries taking it to a pub gig. The neck was also very wide, though I assume David could make it narrower if you specify that. I thought the tone was very good -- what I think of as a very prototypical Celtic OM sound. The Freshwater also had a nice electronics system, and it sounded really good plugged in. It was certainly a fun experience dealing with David. Be forewarned that he's not the best at estimating an accurate delivery date.

I've also sampled Petersens regularly because Gryphon, which is near me, retails them. I'm a big fan of Petersens -- they are also a great value for the money. Honestly, if you're looking for an upgrade from the Petersen, Freshwater will not provide it. They have different qualities, but they are pretty equivalent in value.

**johnM** · Apr-13-2007, 9:54pm

I just recieved my freshwater OM from a trade and its great. This is my 2nd one (sold the first one due to money or lack of), but they both were great instruments. This one was made May of 06 with the celtic knot. It does have a fat neck and its suprisingly big, but the tone is great and i'm certian that after I find strings that work, it would be plenty loud.

Its overall a very well made instrument.

Jm

**entau** · Apr-14-2007, 8:58am

I had an long scale OM I ordered from David - with the round sound hole -

unfortunaltey after about 3 years- it was in the trunk of my car when it was rear ended and the body was smashed beyond repair, the neck is awesome and was undamaged - so i am toying with the idea of mounting it on some other body

the balckwalnut used by David gives it a very - unique mysterious sound-
and the sustain on his instruments is unparalleled - I believe the black walnut has a lot to do with that
you won't get the bluegrass bark or woof -
but if you play celtic or eastern european , or folk rock ...

I also own an FW mandocello (with an even longer scale) - with the celtic knot hole - I will say the round hole is much louder acoustically

for a hand crafted flattop instrument - Freshwaters are well made and enduring instruments

The freshwater OM was a great instrument -
I used it to perform solo alot -

I miss it dearly

but if I was going to buy another Freshwater - I would probably try the octave mandola - same as the Octave mandolin - just a shorter scale neck and smaller body.

**entau** · Apr-14-2007, 9:11am

I just wanted to add that I bought a peterson cittern to replace the FW OM -

these are not apples to apples - the Peterson uses different wood ( rosewood I believe)

and I have to say I like Freshwater's bridge over the Peterson.

I love the Peterson - except for the bridge ( i bought mine second hand)- I am trying to make on similar to a freshwater and use that

The Peterson - while it has a beautiful tone and ring, sounds more like a guitar-
the Freshwater - has it's it's own sound
and the sustain on the FW is almost twice that of the Peterson.
Volume wise I think the Peterson is louder than the FW.
I like my FW OM neck better than the Peterson -
but I like the Peterson neck better than the FW mandocello neck- which is a bit fat and longer scale.

so obviously instruments are more about individual taste than even standard features - such as wood , bridges , necks, action , volume ect.

But if you are expecting something similar to the Peterson from Freshwater - I think you might be suprised at how different the boxes are.