Hilburn #45

**Andy Miller** · Oct-03-2009, 11:40am

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** · Oct-03-2009, 11:43am

Here are a few more angles.

**Jonathan James** · Oct-03-2009, 5:45pm

Sweet! Jim's work is second to none.

**Mike Black** · Oct-03-2009, 6:28pm

Let's hear it!

How does it compare to Jim's personal octave?

**Andy Miller** · Oct-03-2009, 8:13pm

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** · Oct-04-2009, 12:07am

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.