Hilburn #45

[Andy Miller]

I got to pick up my new Hilburn octave mando yesterday, here are some snapshots of it. I took it to its first gig last night. It is everything I hoped it would be. Jim might have some better pictures, he's had a lot more practice photographing beautiful instruments. . .

[Andy Miller]

Here are a few more angles.

[Jonathan James]

Sweet! Jim's work is second to none.

[Mike Black]

Let's hear it! :)

How does it compare to Jim's personal octave?

[Andy Miller]

Mike, I will post a sound clip as soon as I can get something recorded - soon.

Compared with Jim's octave, to me it has a little punchier sound, more brightness, projection and perceived volume. The materials he chose for this one were aimed in that direction, and I think it was a success. It works a lot better alongside a guitar than my flattop unison-strung octave does - I can dig in and project with ease when I want to. I have a sudden, powerful urge to learn about 10 more Tim O'Brien tunes.

[Jim Hilburn]

This was the quickest one of my instruments was picked up after being strung. Andy played a gig with about 6 hour old strings. I barely got a chance to do my usual photo shoot but I did take some outdoor shots in the bright fall sun.

[Chris Biorkman]

Awesome.

[Andy Miller]

Here's a sound bite:

[mandopete]

O.M.G. !

That, like everything else Jim builds, is clear off the chart!

[acruzn]

Andy the Brave, you got yourself a good sounding and pretty mando! :mandosmiley::mandosmiley::mandosmiley:

(brave is for playing it in a gig 6 hours after getting it) :)

[Jake Wildwood]

Nice one!

[Skip Kelley]

Absolutely beautiful!!!

[amowry]

Looks great, Jim!