The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #166154   Message #3993032
Posted By: gillymor
19-May-19 - 11:33 AM
Thread Name: Looking to replace Octave Mandolin
Subject: RE: Looking to replace Octave Mandolin
CBOM is an acronym used by zoukheads for Cittern,Bouzouki,Octave Mandolin.

I don't know what your price range is but judging from my Phil Crump (situated near S.F.) Redwood/Rosewood zouk I can strongly recommend his instruments (he makes OM's, mandos and guitars as well) though he kind of well-exceeded the lead time on mine and they can be a bit pricey. He's a good guy to work with.

I'd also put in a good word for Davy Stuart in NZ. His instruments are more affordable (surprising bargains considering the sound and build quality). In addition to the Octave Mandolin mentioned above I recently had him make me a mandolin with a longer scale and a wider fretboard that has kind of usurped my OM (you can hear a somewhat similar one in the hands of Andy Irvine on some vids from the Planxty reunion in 2005 on youtube, in addition to his usual Sobells) with it's deep body and lush (for a mandolin) sound. I think it cost me around $1400 shipped from NZ and an OM without the custom features would probably cost around the same if the rate of exchange is still favorable to us and if he hasn't jumped up his prices. And he's also a wonderful guy who actually got the instrument to me in less than the 6 months he promised.