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Thread: Gold Tone Octajo

  1. #1
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    Default Gold Tone Octajo

    I just bought a Gold Tone Octajo, 21 some inch scale Octave Mandolin with banjo head. It just looks too interesting not to try out. I am having such a blast with my Eastman Mandocello, I figure this is just the instrument to drive myself even more crazy :-)

    Anyone out there have experience with these things?

    I began my music playing with a Weyman mandolin banjo (my grandfather's instrument) back when I was 16, in 1970 or so. I pretty quickly traded it for a Gibson A4 back then, and the A4 is still with me. But that banjo mandolin did give me command of the room :-)

    Isn't this fun?

    Clark
    Clark Savage Turner
    Los Osos, CA.

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  3. #2
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    Default Re: Gold Tone Octajo

    Well, the Octajo arrived and I set it up for playing. It is a cool instrument. Decent sound, a blast to play "banjo" with this octave mandolin fretboard. Can't wait to storm some open mike night with this thing. Ashoken Farewell sounds very fine on it.
    Clark Savage Turner
    Los Osos, CA.

  4. #3
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gold Tone Octajo

    You'll either become the star of your local jam, or will be quickly shown the door!

    My continued compliments to Gold Tone for building "niche" instruments that no one else will tackle: "Irish" tenor banjos, mandolin banjos, banjo-ukuleles, cello banjos (4-string and 5-string), etc. I own a Gold Tone 4-string cello banjo, a "banjola" (mandola body, 5-string banjo neck), and a Cripple Creek Mini piccolo banjo. All well-made instruments, affordably priced, and not available, as far as I know, from any other manufacturer.

    Good luck with the "octajo." Next, maybe, the Gold Tone bass Banjo?
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

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  6. #4
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    Default Re: Gold Tone Octajo

    Yes, Gold Tone does have that Bass .... looks a little out of my league :-) They do make a lot of neat stuff.

    I did have to work on this Octajo a little to get it right. But once I did a little work here and there and adjusted everything, its pretty good. My goodness, tension on the head is a really big deal for the sound. It was not very tight when I got it, tightened things (after lubing all the nuts and threads on the thing) and it got louder and more articulate. A really big difference.

    This thing is really fun to play. Very heavy, much heavier than my Deering. I am going to leave the resonator off for a time, it can get really loud!

    I am having a lot of fun. My new mandocello, this Octajo, and even a new Martin custom guitar. I feel rich.

    Clark
    Clark Savage Turner
    Los Osos, CA.

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