Help Please! Unidentified Old Mandolin-Family Instrument

[dave19er]

A friend was given this by his wife's grandmother - it had belonged to a now deceased great uncle (so he can't answer any questions). It has a 19 3/4" scale length, and the bridge is cut for octave courses for the three lowest courses (but are, lowest to highest - low-high, high-low, high-low, and the same for the highest course). I couldn't tell whether the saddle was original or not, but the nut is non-original (you can clearly see where the original nut was removed). We put D'Addario Mandola strings on it, but those were way too loose. The non-original label inside (you can see where the original label was removed) says Aldrich Radio Co, Wauseon, Ohio. It sounds really cool (very loud!) - we'd just like to find out 1) what gauge strings it should have (either octave or non courses), 2) how it should be tuned, 3) what it is (ie, octave mandolin, etc), 4) any information on who made it.

Anyway, here are some photos. Thank you!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/dave19er/SOhALV1NvyI/AAAAAAAAAIM/jvdCCjCly9g/s800/IMG_3360.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/dave19er/SOhAPkGuPOI/AAAAAAAAAIc/MMKgOSKQDcQ/s800/IMG_3363.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/dave19er/SOhAOgr_w5I/AAAAAAAAAIY/Ie_2vrm5uoM/s800/IMG_3362.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/dave19er/SOhAQ_KNuDI/AAAAAAAAAIg/iy_Lv_dYroA/s800/IMG_3364.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/dave19er/SOhARzUaQhI/AAAAAAAAAIk/pDabVXTG434/s800/IMG_3367.JPG

[dave19er]

And here are two more - of the label and of the end piece

http://lh5.ggpht.com/dave19er/SOhANTg_zhI/AAAAAAAAAIU/sZqrLPRhipI/s800/IMG_3358.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/dave19er/SOhAMvfDx_I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/sQFqXjRMyJg/s800/IMG_3355.JPG

[Greg Stec]

FWIW, I'd use light gauge strings on it.
Greg

[mrmando]

Looks a lot like a Regal Octofone.

[dave19er]

Whoa! That totally is it! And, thanks to google, I found this page that has tunings and string gauges:

http://musicaviva.com/encyclopedia/display.html?phrase=octofone

That is amazing - within 30 minutes, I had a definitive answer. That's why I love this forum - somebody always knows! Thank you mrmando!

dave19er

[allenhopkins]

FWIW, I'd use light gauge strings on it.

Second the motion. My Octofone's very lightly built. I have put the two lower courses into octave tuning, overall tuned like an OM.

[MikeEdgerton]

I'll third it. It's a Regal Octophone.

[Dan Krhla]

My Guess would be maybe a Regal Octophone?

[enyawrotcorp]

Hello! This is amazing.... I have one of these instruments!!! I purchased it from a friend in Florida around 1965-66, whose name was Doug Aldrich. It was in Doug's attic when we found it, and he said his grandfather made about 50 of them back in Ohio. I was in a band called We the People (look us up online), and I used the instrument in several recordings in the late 60's. The most popular song was called "In the Past." My story is a long one, so if you wish to learn more information, please email me at wethepeople1966@yahoo.com.
I Look to forward to hearing from you! Wayne Proctor

[mandolooter]

Wayne Proctor
!desseug reven adluow eW