Last year, I was thrilled to get a call from Darren Nicholson (Balsam Range) which started our conversation on a custom Octave Mandolin build.
I pitched the idea of using "The Californian" archtop guitar style, which had worked so well when transitioned to the initial "Big Hammer" mandocello build I had done with Lee Roy, and we were off to the races!
While Darren has a little dog at home, it seemed appropriate since Darren's current solo bluegrass hit is, Why Don't You Love Me Like My Dog Does? to build a "Big Dog".
Darren asked for a dark, traditional sunburst, rounded D neck and a built-in K&K pickup, but left a lot of the rest of the build up to my discretion. What a fun build!
We finally got together at IBMA this year for the hand-off. Luckily, he was kind enough to let me keep the instrument at my booth for several days, which allowed a bunch of players to run it through its paces. Here are a few pictures to fill out the story --
Darren's Big Dog Octave features --
Scale - 21-3/4"
Top - Sitka Spruce
Back, Neck and Sides - Curly maple
Tuners - Rubner
Peghead, Fingerboard, Binding and Armrest - Ebony
Bridge and Tailpiece - Sorensen Killer
I also made a "Killer Case" for safe travels --
Cool to see Darren get this puppy out in the world right away. Here is a shot from a recent show at the Isis Theater in Asheville --
I've got to say, I loved noodling around on this octave myself and am looking forward to building many more!
Steve
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