Current Catalog

Octave F-4 Mandolin: These are tuned the same as a regular size Mandolin…but an octave deeper.  The body size is much larger giving it a nice, deep “Guitar Like” sound.                                                     -   The scale length from nut to fret is only 20 inches.  Guitar strings are used on these to compensate for the shorter scale. (The shorter fret scale makes it much easier for that poor little pinky finger to reach those notes way up the fret board) These have become my favorites to make. And as far as I know not many others are making these, either! (Always wanted one of these? Aren’t you lucky you found me!) This one was built in 2005 and is now available. It's had a full 2 years to settle in and despite one tiny "dry crack" (That I have since repaired) and other minor cosmetic flaws (That apparently only I can see) This is a Nice one and is ready to go! Here you can see the detail of the back of the peg-head. The tuners are Grovers from Stewart MacDonald. There are carved scrolls in the top and back of the peg-head. The scrolls on the top and back of the body are more exaggerated than most Mandolins. Just something I've been experimenting with to enhance the balance and tone.                                                                                                                         The top is made of select Western Cedar.  The back and sides are Curly Maple and Ebony. The neck is made of a combination of stained Maple with thin strips of Ebony. There is No adjustable truss rod. However...there is a 1/4 by 1/2 inch steel rod imbedded in the neck. Believe me... After 2 years of playing this thing the neck has stabilized quite nicely and will not be pulling any nasty surprises on down the road!  The flat Ebony fret-board helps with that and the Ebony bridge is adjustable for varying string heights. The position markers in the fret board are in the shapes of Maple Leaves made of carved Clam shell from the local Blue Earth River. The tail piece is from Allen Guitars. (This is another top quality item I've been putting on all my high end instruments) All reports coming in agree: These heavy bronze tail pieces really add to the tone and balance and sustain of an instrument. The Maple on the neck, back and sides is stained a nice deep reddish brown. The light strip around the edge is the un-stained portion of the Maple. The light colored strip around the top is actually the outer edge of the back. When the back is cut out...I save the strip and use that for the binding around the edge. The braces on the inside of the sound board are cedar and are in the form of an X pattern.  One added feature of all my Mandolins is a small cedar block that is attached to the inside of the lower rib. (Right at the exact spot where an electrical hook-up could be installed) Any future shop technician will know exactly where this is because with each Mandolin you also get a full size Blueprint of the inside of each instrument! This is included in the compartment in the case. The case itself is constructed of carved pine 2x4's and plywood. The inside is padded with foam and lined with felt. Brass hinges and latches make a secure lock and the little rubber legs (both on the bottom and the back of the case) will prevent any scratching of floors or furniture. Here are a couple pics of the top and back of the case.   I will be spending more time  building Octave F-4's in the future. Seems like there is a lot of interest and few builders to meet the demand. For now... This one was available for:
       $1800             
   (Case included) 
        SOLD !!
    And its probably safe to say that these prices will increase with each new one constructed. (Assuming I keep getting better at it!) I will also have a PayPal account available soon too, so keep checking in. 



Here is the latest on the repair of that old 'dry crack'. It now has 2 black Ebony strips imbedde3d into the soundboard.