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This is a beautiful flat top octave mandolin finished in 2023 by master luthier Joe Mendel in St. Louis, MO. The octave mandolin is tuned an octave lower than a standard mandolin, combining the unison-string character and chime of a mandolin with the range, warmth, and intimacy of a guitar. Mendel has mastered the octave mandolin, and this piece is an expression of his mastery.
This instrument has a great deal of depth and expression, with a warm, old tone from the beautiful mahogany back and sides. The adirondack spruce top gives definition to soft, intimate playing, but maintains clarity and punch when driven hard. The neck is as good as I've ever played and the frets are in mint condition. It has an adjustable Cumberland Acoustics bridge made of top grade ebony. The fretboard, headplate, and heel cap are african blackwood, which show beautiful patterning and subtle coloration. The fretboard has a compound radius, from 20" at the nut to 10" near the sound hole. The rosette is spalted maple, the binding is mahogany, and the neck is combined curly maple and mahogany (see photos). The neck is fitted with a two-way adjustable truss rod. It has Grover 409 tuning machines, which are smooth and tight, with no "play."
It is in near mint condition, with only one very small indent in the top near the bridge (see photo), and some markings from the bridge fitting. While the body has a glossy finish, the top is unfinished beneath the bridge, to maintain wood-to-wood contact for security and superior tone.
This octave mandolin will ship in a hard-shell case
Measurements:
Scale: 22 3/4 in. (578 mm)
Nut Width: 1.3 in (33 mm)
Body Length: 17 1/16 in.
Lower Bout: 12 7/8 in.
Body Depth at neck heel: 3 1/8 in.
Body Depth at tail block: 3 in.
Frets to body: 15
