"New" Davy Stuart OM

[shiloh]

Hi everyone,

I recently received a short scale (20.5") Davy Stuart Octave from Jim Roberts in Kansas. I AM CRAZY ABOUT THIS MANDOLIN! Oh my gosh, the tone, the sustain, the playability. A big thanks to Jim for sending the instrument to me so quickly. I play in a Scottish Ceilidh band and am completely stoked to take my DS to our next rehearsal!
I was frankly unaware that Davy had made any shorter scale length Octaves (as he advertises a 22" scale length). When Jim decided to sell his I was thrilled (for me!).
The instrument is less than a year old and is, frankly, better than new.
Just had to share. I'm trying to get to work today, but I was playing the DS all morning. #

Jill
San Diego

[judith]

Hi. I am always interested to get info on shorter scale instruments...I await one from chris baird, which will be 20.75. When you have a chance, can you say more...about the tone, about the string gauges you're using? Meanwhile - its always a joy to hear about someone being thrilled with a new instrument. Best of luck. Judith

[otterly2k]

Jill--
How WONDERFUL to hear you're so happy with the DS!! That's just excellent! And it sounds like you landed a rare short scale one, to boot. I've heard great things about DS's instruments, and if they're good enough for Andy Irvine, I reckon they're worth their salt!

congrats!

[craigtoo]

Yeah! Davy's stuff is great.. have one of those 22in OM's myself... Love it...!

I use

42 30 22 13
G D A e

craig

[shiloh]

Hi Judith,
The Davy Stuart came with string gauges of:
52 35 23 (wound) 16
They are all D'Addario, guitar, ball end.

Davy actually writes the recommended string gauges on the inside of the Mandolin, and this is what he recommends. (In fact, these are the strings which the Octave came with from him, I believe.) I emailed him, asking his opinion on my using a slightly lighter gauge on the lower courses (haven't heard yet). I know there have been discussions on this board but I haven't sought them out yet (too busy playing the octave!). As a comparison, the D'Addario phosphor bronze J80 Octave Mandolin strings are 46 32 22 12. And my Elixir acoustic guitar strings are 53 thru 12. I think having 2, relatively "heavy" G strings makes it a little more challenging for me to get a clean tone at times, thus my wanting to experiment with maybe some lighter gauges.

Jill

[John Flynn]

You beat me by a couple of weeks on that one. I was waiting for a bonus check at the end of the month and I was seriously thinking about that exact instrument. That's the way it goes, I will find something else. Enjoy!

[shiloh]

Hi Mando Johnny,
I know of another DS OM for sale. About 2 or 3 years old. Has some abalone around the sound hole and a 22" scale length, but otherwise the same. If you are interested let me know (via this board or my email) and I'll connect you with the seller. He is a Cafe person, lives in Texas.

Jill

[otterly2k]

Jill--
so where are the pics???
are you waiting for an invitation? If so... here it is!!
Make sure to put one in the "post a pic" thread too...

[judith]

Hi Jill. Thanks for the string gauge info. Chris reckons the strings on my soon-to-come 20.75 scale length will be: 52, 36, 22, and 14. So glad you love your DS. I hope to be free of "MAS," once the Arches arrives. I should then be set. If I move onto anything, it would be to have a louder open back banjo (for clawhammer, not BG). Judith

[shiloh]

HI Judith,
It looks as if our string gauges are very similar. Karen mentioned her Dean has 52 34 20 and 14 (I assume you've seen it already # )

I am very pleased with the first strings being 16. The A's are fine, too. Still considering a change to the D and G, only for ease of playing. But I hate to mess with a good thing!

Jill