I tried a friend's Trinity, and didn't really love it. I did however fall madly in love with the Petersen Octave Mandolin, one of which I had him 'custom' make for me. I put custom in quotes, as he uses his regular forms, but I chose the woods and I had him do some inlay work for me. VERY reasonably priced, and what a sound!
His website is http://www.petersenstringshop.com/ and a nicer fellow you will not meet. I got a Level 3, and absolutely could not be happier with it.
Reading this over, it sounds like an ad! It's not, and I have no connection with him other than owning one of his instruments.
You should do some research over at the mandolincafe.com in the CBOM section. Reasonably priced is a somewhat hazy term, but the Trinity College stuff at about $450 is about the best of the cheaper stuff. Scale length is about 21 inches.
The Peterson stuff is quite nice but over twice the price of the TC products. I don't think he makes banjos but I don't really know.
There's a lot of stuff in the Lark in the Morning catalogue that is probably best to avoid. I got a $350 Mexican made octave with a cedar top and mahogany back and sides that I like the sound of but it takes strong hands and a twisted sense of humor to appreciate. Neck angle, action and fret work leave a lot to be desired.
You might have a look at the Troubadour line. They're imported from Romania I believe. I've not played one, but the guy who runs that company picks the best of the lot to offer for sale. Expect some set up issues with the bridge and nut right out of the box.
Fender makes an inexpensive line, but I've never played one and never heard of anyone who has. The fact that no one over at the Mandolin Cafe has posted saying they have one to me speaks volumes.They use a pin bridge vs. a floating bridge system.
I would stay away from the Johnson asymmetrical bodies OMs that turn up now and then.
There are a lot more choices as your budget goes up, but for under $500, I'd go with a Trinity College. You can turn them up used for under $400.
Much will depend on what the term "reasonably priced" means to you.
Good luck...these instruments are great fun to play.
I have a Johnson that is basically the same as the TC. I like it well enough and would probably like it more if I put new strings on it . I found a used one for $275. It is well made and solid; the sound isn't bad especially for accompaniment (I still prefer playing melody on banjo). Actually it inspired me enough that I am now patiently waiting for a bouzouki from Davy Stuart.
I have a Weber Gallatin and a Heiner Dreizehnter. I like them both, but the HD has a gorgeous tone, is quite robust, and can be played in lieu of a guitar
I have a petersen Level 1 OM that I like very much and it is not too expensive. Of course, if you are looking for under $500 the TC is the way to go. If you can afford a bit more look for a Petersen.
I own a level 1 Petersen OM that I like very much. I also own a guitar made by him that he reset the neck for me for free since he guarantees his instruments, plus the cost of shipping to him and back to me, of course. I had had the guitar for several years, it is a very nice guitar, and I have received many compliments on it. He is a very nice man, takes a lot of pride in his work. It's nice to be able to support artistic craftsmen like him if you can afford it.
I had one made by Jimmy Moon in Glasgow and am very happy with it. He didn't take too long and rang me a few times through the making process about what exactly I wanted. It cast around sux hundered pounds about two years ago. If you live on this side of the pond you should check out his website at http://www.moonguitars.co.uk
Thanks to all who replied! I'm primarily a guitar player, but I've been hankering for an octave for a while (love the sound) so I've been searching and researching. My goal was to get a good instrument, but not break the bank. What I finally ended up doing was ordering one to be built by Davy Stuart--an OB octave with Tasmanian Blackwood sides and back! The drawback is I have to wait quite a while for it to be built. While I'm waiting I might as well be playing, so I'm watching eBay for a deal on a Trinity College (or similar, hence my question). Just missed one the other night--got out bid at the last moment...
BTW, there's a nice looking Buchanan bouzouki on eBay.com right now. The seller is in the UK so there you go.
Check the classifieds at the Mandolin Cafe...they turn up fairly often at a good price and the moderator does a good job policing the ads for scammers.
I've only heard great things about Davey Stuart's work. You should be really happy when it arrives.
Have a look at Paul Shippey - instrument maker down Bristol. My son has an octave mandola by him and my fiddler has two Shippey mandolins - they are damn good.
octave mandolin...
octave mandolin...
I'm looking for a well made, reasonably priced octave. Any recommendations?
Peace...
--gw
# Posted on December 1st 2006 by gw
Re: octave mandolin...
I have a Trinity College octave mando. It is an Asian import and is at the lower end of the market but I have been pretty happy with it.
# Posted on December 1st 2006 by crazy_fingerz
Re: octave mandolin...
I tried a friend's Trinity, and didn't really love it. I did however fall madly in love with the Petersen Octave Mandolin, one of which I had him 'custom' make for me. I put custom in quotes, as he uses his regular forms, but I chose the woods and I had him do some inlay work for me. VERY reasonably priced, and what a sound!
His website is http://www.petersenstringshop.com/ and a nicer fellow you will not meet. I got a Level 3, and absolutely could not be happier with it.
Reading this over, it sounds like an ad! It's not, and I have no connection with him other than owning one of his instruments.
# Posted on December 1st 2006 by mbergen
Re: octave mandolin...
The Pertersen line looks very nice. Do you know approximately what he would charge for a tenor banjo? Anybody had one done by him?
# Posted on December 1st 2006 by TaoCat
Re: octave mandolin...
You should do some research over at the mandolincafe.com in the CBOM section. Reasonably priced is a somewhat hazy term, but the Trinity College stuff at about $450 is about the best of the cheaper stuff. Scale length is about 21 inches.
The Peterson stuff is quite nice but over twice the price of the TC products. I don't think he makes banjos but I don't really know.
There's a lot of stuff in the Lark in the Morning catalogue that is probably best to avoid. I got a $350 Mexican made octave with a cedar top and mahogany back and sides that I like the sound of but it takes strong hands and a twisted sense of humor to appreciate. Neck angle, action and fret work leave a lot to be desired.
You might have a look at the Troubadour line. They're imported from Romania I believe. I've not played one, but the guy who runs that company picks the best of the lot to offer for sale. Expect some set up issues with the bridge and nut right out of the box.
Fender makes an inexpensive line, but I've never played one and never heard of anyone who has. The fact that no one over at the Mandolin Cafe has posted saying they have one to me speaks volumes.They use a pin bridge vs. a floating bridge system.
I would stay away from the Johnson asymmetrical bodies OMs that turn up now and then.
There are a lot more choices as your budget goes up, but for under $500, I'd go with a Trinity College. You can turn them up used for under $400.
Much will depend on what the term "reasonably priced" means to you.
Good luck...these instruments are great fun to play.
# Posted on December 1st 2006 by Steve L
Re: octave mandolin...
I have a Johnson that is basically the same as the TC. I like it well enough and would probably like it more if I put new strings on it
. I found a used one for $275. It is well made and solid; the sound isn't bad especially for accompaniment (I still prefer playing melody on banjo). Actually it inspired me enough that I am now patiently waiting for a bouzouki from Davy Stuart.
# Posted on December 1st 2006 by dwdeacon
Re: octave mandolin...
I have a Weber Gallatin and a Heiner Dreizehnter. I like them both, but the HD has a gorgeous tone, is quite robust, and can be played in lieu of a guitar
# Posted on December 1st 2006 by celticagent
Re: octave mandolin...
I have a petersen Level 1 OM that I like very much and it is not too expensive. Of course, if you are looking for under $500 the TC is the way to go. If you can afford a bit more look for a Petersen.
# Posted on December 1st 2006 by Unseen122
Re: octave mandolin...
I own a level 1 Petersen OM that I like very much. I also own a guitar made by him that he reset the neck for me for free since he guarantees his instruments, plus the cost of shipping to him and back to me, of course. I had had the guitar for several years, it is a very nice guitar, and I have received many compliments on it. He is a very nice man, takes a lot of pride in his work. It's nice to be able to support artistic craftsmen like him if you can afford it.
# Posted on December 1st 2006 by traveller
Re: octave mandolin...
I had one made by Jimmy Moon in Glasgow and am very happy with it. He didn't take too long and rang me a few times through the making process about what exactly I wanted. It cast around sux hundered pounds about two years ago. If you live on this side of the pond you should check out his website at http://www.moonguitars.co.uk
# Posted on December 1st 2006 by Sinocal
Re: octave mandolin...
Thanks to all who replied! I'm primarily a guitar player, but I've been hankering for an octave for a while (love the sound) so I've been searching and researching. My goal was to get a good instrument, but not break the bank. What I finally ended up doing was ordering one to be built by Davy Stuart--an OB octave with Tasmanian Blackwood sides and back! The drawback is I have to wait quite a while for it to be built. While I'm waiting I might as well be playing, so I'm watching eBay for a deal on a Trinity College (or similar, hence my question). Just missed one the other night--got out bid at the last moment...
BTW, there's a nice looking Buchanan bouzouki on eBay.com right now. The seller is in the UK so there you go.
Peace...
--gw
# Posted on December 2nd 2006 by gw
Re: octave mandolin...
Check the classifieds at the Mandolin Cafe...they turn up fairly often at a good price and the moderator does a good job policing the ads for scammers.
I've only heard great things about Davey Stuart's work. You should be really happy when it arrives.
# Posted on December 2nd 2006 by Steve L
Re: octave mandolin...
Have a look at Paul Shippey - instrument maker down Bristol. My son has an octave mandola by him and my fiddler has two Shippey mandolins - they are damn good.
# Posted on December 2nd 2006 by geoffwright