Octave Mandolin

A flat top octave mandolin

Description

Many octave mandolins are large instruments with a long scale length that make them difficult to play.  When designing the Coombe octave mandolin, the overall consideration was to make it easy and comfortable to play, and of course to make it sound good as well.  This involves a few compromises in that there is limit on how short the scale length and how small the body can be made before the sound is impacted significantly.  The scale length chosen was 21in, which is the same as my short scale length Tenor Guitar.  This scale length is about as short as practical without the G string sounding "thumpy" when fretted.  The body size was taken from a larger size mandola, and increasing the body depth to 65mm so the body size is not large.  The nut width is 34mm giving a relatively slim neck for an octave mandolin, once again making it easier to play.  The sound is loud and resonant, with a huge sustain, and beautiful rich tonal quality.

New - A small body short scale length (17 3/4 inches)  flattop Octave Mandolin is now availabe.  Often referred to as an "Octave mandola", It incorporates all the technology of the 4th generation flattop mandolins, and sounds remarkable for it's size.  I have been blown away by the sound of this instrument, and as a mandolin player I can play it  The body is the same as a mandola, but deeper and with a longer neck.  These are designed for the mandolin player who is used to the mandolin scale length and finds 21in or 22in scale length too long, and for players who want a European style octave mandola.  I love these small Octave Mandolins, they are a delight to play and sound great.  The best way I can think of describing the sound of these small bodied octave mandolins is less ring and sustain but with more tone.  More like a mandola and less like a bouzuk.

Many options for wood combinations are available, contact me to discuss what you want.

For more information see specifications or contact me.



2 point flat top Octave Mandolin.  Scale length 22 inches.


The new small Octave mandolin, 17 3/4 inch scale length.