Octave Mandolin
The octave mandolin is a whole step lower than a standard mandolin. Having come back into popular culture in the past decade this unique instrument finds itself useful in many different types of music styles. Whether used as an accent in solo portions of songs or used to accompany the singer with a harmonious chordal progression. You may never have heard of it, but most will enjoy its deep droning tonal texture. The body shape that I use for my Octave is a downscaled arch-top guitar shape similar to a Gibson L-5. This shape gives the instrument enough air space for the bass stings to produce deep rich sustain that sets it apart from is half sized sibling.
Design Specs
Below is the outline of my Octave Mandolin design. The woods used to make this instrument have been specially picked to optimized the best possible tone from this body shape.
Scale Length- 22.5"
Body Dimensions
Upper Bout: 10.125"
Waist: 8.5"
Lower Bout: 14.125"
Body Length: 17.75"
Body Depth: 3.25"-3.75"
Neck Width: 1.468"-1.875"
Soundboard: Engelmann or European Spruce
Back and Sides: Red or Big Leaf Maple
Neck: Red or Big Leaf Maple
Fingerboard & Parts: Ebony
Frets: Gold Medium Wire w/9.5-14 Radius
Tuners: Hipshot open back tuners
Tailpiece: Brass Allen or James tailpiece
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