Suggestions for Mid-priced Octave Mandolins

**RBMB** · Jul-15-2012, 6:27pm

I'm thinking of buying an Octave Mandolin in the $800-1,500 price range. The problem is that there are few of them that I can look at in person.

I want to buy something built in the U.S. and am trying to determine what my options are. So far I've seen some nice used Webers and a Peterson. Are there other options?

I notice many of them have flat backs in this price range. I've never played a flat back mandolin. Would I find a significant difference in sound quality if I purchase a Weber Gallatin versus a Sage?

I've noticed that a majority of the Octaves have an oval or D hole configuration. Would there be much of a difference in sound with a f-hole model? I play Weber mandola with f-holes and really like the sound.

I think I want a short scale model as I don't have a tremendous reach. Is there a huge difference in sound?

Thanks!

**Mandobart** · Jul-16-2012, 1:32am

I cannot recommend Tom Jessen highly enough. I have a wonderful OM he built, and a great 10-stringer he built. He is talented, honest, fair and probably charges too little for his instruments (I spent less than $2,000 on each, including the awesome custom built cases). NFI on my part. You really should check him out.

Also check out Joe Mendel. I don't have any of his instruments but he is another great, little known builder.

**otterly2k** · Jul-16-2012, 8:58am

You should also check out Gypsy. They are cafe sponsors, and Walt's instruments have been well reviewed here.
You also might want to consider posting an ad in the Cafe classifieds... it seems to me that there are always people in the wings who have bought an OM to try it out, and find that it didn't "stick" with them, and might be interested in selling. And as always, you may get more for your $ if you buy a used instrument...

not that I want to take biz away from any builders, but those poor neglected dusty instruments need not languish in a closet.

(and thanks m-bart for the link to Tom Jessen's stuff... I hadn't seen that before and am happy to add to my knowledge base. The F4 OM he has pictured is really lovely.)

**Mandobart** · Jul-16-2012, 11:06am

Originally Posted by otterly2k

(and thanks m-bart for the link to Tom Jessen's stuff... I hadn't seen that before and am happy to add to my knowledge base. The F4 OM he has pictured is really lovely.)

Thanks. Here is a sound clip, which shows one nice thing about this slightly non-traditional build: the wider fingerboard allows for finger picking.

**CES** · Jul-16-2012, 11:25am

RBMB--

Sent you a pm about my Weber Hyalite...which I like and consider another good option in this range...

**Mo Soar** · Jul-17-2012, 10:27am

I bought a new Lafferty from The Mandolin Store that I really like - mahogany back and sides it has a really nice tone. Still getting used to the 21" neck.

**Marcus CA** · Jul-17-2012, 9:13pm

I have a Peterson Level 3 OM that I bought used a few years ago at Gryphon. It's got a gorgeous, bright, resonant tone! I'm a huge Weber fan, but the one OM of theirs that I have played couldn't compare. Since Gryphon carries Peterson OM's pretty regularly, I've gotten to play probably 5-7 of them, and I really think that the tone of his 3's and 4's is significantly better than the tone of his 1's and 2's. They're all well built and quite playable, regardless of the level.

**Bob Clark** · Jul-17-2012, 9:36pm

I highly recommend you check out some Webers. I love mine!

**RBMB** · Jul-17-2012, 10:19pm

Thank you for all the good suggestions. Has anyone compared a Weber short scale to a long scale by A/B'ing two instruments? If so, does the scale size make a big difference? Did you find the short scale easier to play?

**otterly2k** · Jul-18-2012, 11:16am

A good friend of mine had custom ordered 2 Webers (a few years back) - one was about 20" scale and the other was 22" or maybe 22.5". Both of them were the same a-style, oval hole model, although I don't recall which one... definitely not bitterroot or sage... it was a more traditional look. I don't recall a substantial difference in tone, but of course the shorter scale was easier to play. The longer scale had a bit more sustain.

That said, they both had very chunky, clubby necks and heavy construction. I didn't care for them, personally, and I've played a few Sages and have the same feeling to me. Nothing against those who do prefer them, but the Weber OM's are not my cup of tea based on what I've played. I've liked some Weber mandos, and have no quarrels with the quality of the craftmanship and fit and finish... but haven't yet come across an OM that has the feel and sound that I like.

**ptritz** · Jul-18-2012, 5:55pm

Nick Apollonio is another builder you might want to talk with. Here's a link to his webpage:
http://www.nikosapollonio.com/index.html

**pjlama** · Jul-18-2012, 6:11pm

I think Bill Bussman (Old Wave) does a simple A oval for not too much (a bit over your range but worth a look) and his stuff is great. Weber is great for US on a budget for an OM, also Gypsy is nice and in you range, one last one would be to see if Arches could do a simple flat top OM, Chris makes great stuff and seems to be focusing on some budget friendly flat-tops that are killer these days.

**DerTiefster** · Jul-18-2012, 11:24pm

If you're looking for something different you could consider one of the older Flatiron "bouzouki" instruments. They fall into your price range and sound pretty nice (opinions vary on the pancakes, but I like them).

**allenhopkins** · Jul-19-2012, 1:02am

Originally Posted by DerTiefster

If you're looking for something different you could consider one of the older Flatiron "bouzouki" instruments. They fall into your price range and sound pretty nice (opinions vary on the pancakes, but I like them).

Second the motion; I've gotten 25+ years of use out of my Flatiron 3-K. Not easy to find them for sale, though. Long scale, "barky" sound, plenty of volume -- and very nicely made, in the somewhat unsophisticated "pancake" configuration.

**CelticDude** · Jul-19-2012, 6:08am

Yes, the Flatiron instruments are quite nice, both in sound and looks. However, be careful to get one of the later ones with a truss rod. I had one of the early models in the 80's, and the neck bowed something fierce. I finally got a luthier to steam the neck straight (Gibson did honor the lifetime warranty, after a bit of wrangling.) Sold it soon after when I focused on mandolin, which may have been a mistake (selling, not focusing on mando...)

**otterly2k** · Jul-19-2012, 9:01am

Mike Dulak of Big Muddy (once Mid-Missouri) used to make OM's... not a lot of them. But his mandos are among the best value out there... simple design and unadorned but sound great.

**RBMB** · Jul-20-2012, 10:22pm

Listening online I'm inclined to pick an oval hole octave. Is there really much difference between the Weber Hyalite, Galatin and Bitteroot (beyond looks). The Hyalie is listed as Celtic A, whereas the other two are listed as Traditional A.

**Marcus CA** · Jul-22-2012, 1:30pm

I haven't tried any of these Weber models as OM's, but for mandolins, I'd say that there is a definite improvement in tone as you move through the three models on your list.

**bouzoukiboy** · Jul-23-2012, 10:26am

I liked the sound of Weber instruments also....However......I feel...what they consider "higher end" model OM's, are waaaay overpriced Also I don't know if they have changed the tailpiece design recently..but I had borrowed a Weber OM a few years ago and needed to replace the strings...and it just about drove me crazy trying to bend each string at a 90 degree angle just before the loop, so that the loop could fit on the hook....and slide under the metal face plate. Perhaps these hooks are now on the top and not the end of the tailpiece?? Pubdog

**otterly2k** · Jul-23-2012, 10:54am

I have to agree with bouzoukiboy - I think those OM's are overpriced, and fwiw, not even close to the price range you specified in the OP. The only Weber OM that you might find in your range would be the Sage.

Also- as you noted in your OP - most of the OM's out there (in general and especially in your price range) are flat, not carved. The carving adds quite a bit of time to the build and therefore cost. The good news is that flat OM's are not only terrific sounding instruments, but some would say that the flat instruments have a sound that is more characteristic of OM's in general.

Again - if you have ANY way to get out and actually play some different instruments, I think that would inform your search far more than web surfing.

**RBMB** · Jul-23-2012, 11:28am

As to price, used Webers fall into my price range.

**Mandobart** · Jul-23-2012, 1:34pm

For price - I got my Cricketfiddle/Jessen for less than $2k, with (hand-built) case and shipping. As to string changes, since it came with an Allen tailpiece that uses ball-end strings, it is simple and straight forward. My experience bears out the value in seeking out a builder off the beaten path. If your heart is set on Weber, and there's plenty good reason for it to be, then you may have a tough time. If you're willing to send a few e-mails, make a few calls, do a little research, you may find a gem like I did.

**Steve L** · Jul-23-2012, 1:56pm

I know someone who just got a custom built Weber arched top oval octave. The thing is impeccably made, but for what he paid for it, I think he could have gotten something far more interesting tone-wise.

**otterly2k** · Jul-23-2012, 3:22pm

If your heart is set on a weber, and you can find a used one, great. may be hard to find

**RBMB** · Jul-23-2012, 3:57pm

There is a DOUGLAS E DIETER KENNAQUHAIR OCTAVE mandolin on eBay.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewi...d=120951700827

( I can't post a link from my telephone.)

Any thoughts?