Just arrived: Bumgarner Selmer-style Gypsy Octave Mandolin

[mjbee]

Hi folks,
I'm the proud owner of a unique octave mandolin created by Craig Bumgarner. Craig is well regarded in the gypsy guitar world, designing instruments based on Selmer, Busato, and DiMauro designs. This is only his second octave mandolin! The first was built for a trained cellist, who wanted a 25" scale - too much of a stretch for me. Craig worked with me to find a just-under-23" scale that was long enough to optimize the acoustics of the body dimensions but short enough, combined with a slimmer neck profile, to be friendly to my mandolin-playing hands.

Here's his post on my instrument.
https://bumgarnerguitars.com/2022/02...february-2022/

It has a sound that is definitely different from other octaves I've played: brighter with a strong attack, good for emphasizing the 2-and-4 of gypsy comping. It has lower-tension Argentine strings, which are taking some getting used to. I'll post a video once I'm comfortable enough with the instrument to not embarrass myself too much.

Craig is great to work with, checking in on details of the many decisions involved in the build as it proceeded. The birdseye maple is just stunning, and the offset of the lighter woods with the black fingerboard, headstock, and binding is quite snappy. I note that back and sides are laminate, as were the Selmers, which contributes to the gypsy sound.

[John Kelly]

Super instrument. Beautifully designed and built and the wood choices are excellent. Hope you enjoy it.

[tmsweeney]

waaaaay coooool

[DougC]

A real beauty for sure. The head stock design, being a little offset from the nut, is a great idea. The tuners must feel very smooth with the string's 'straight line' to the nut. Can't wait for the sound sample.
Thanks

[Mandolin Cafe]

That's pretty darn cool. Deserves to appear here for posterity.