Irish? Octave Mandolin/Mandola

[rawdata01]

Hi all,
I'd like to know if any of you would know who built this perfect sounding Octave Mandolin/Mandola. It's assumed to be made by an Irish builder.
I'm puzzled by the used materials as well, apart from the Spruce top.
Help would be appreciated!

I's tuned GDAE with strings 024-047 | 014-034 | 022-022 | 014-014
Scale 22" 1/4, Nut 1" 3/4.

I bought this OM based on looks and the bridge. It's main purpose will be accompianing my singing and I like the sound of octave courses for that. (It came strung in unison). These strings aren't available and if they are, they won't have the particular gauges this instrument needs. That's why I like the ball end strings. They are widely available as singles.

[Pete Braccio]

It's a looker, that's for sure.

The bridge is interesting for two reason. First, it's a pin bridge and not a floating bridge. Second, the pins are symmetrical about the centerline (instead of up/down all the way across). I can't find anything that looks like it (and has that Gibson guitar like headstock shape).

[rawdata01]

It's a looker, that's for sure.

The bridge is interesting for two reason. First, it's a pin bridge and not a floating bridge. Second, the pins are symmetrical about the centerline (instead of up/down all the way across). I can't find anything that looks like it (and has that Gibson guitar like headstock shape).

Thanks Pete,
I actually went through all the listed websites in the builders-list, with no result....
This really is an amazing instrument!
Thanks,
Marc

[multidon]

It's probably a small builder who is off the radar. Enjoy! You may never find out who made it unfortunately.

[rawdata01]

Hi Don,
The reason I’d like to know who built the instrument is because I need him and others to know how perfect its is.

[Eddie Sheehy]

I seem to recall an Irish guy that was importing instruments from Asia and marketing them locally... there should be a thread on here somewhere about it...

[multidon]

This does not look like Asian build to me. Never have seen one with a pin bridge or Kluson style keystone shaped tuners.

[Eddie Sheehy]

This is the thread I was referring to.... but the link is gone...

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ght=vietnamese

[multidon]

I did a search for Irish bouzouki with pin bridge on the Web and I was only able to come up with onr makerin the UK who configures his pins in that way. Jack Spira. However that being said I don't think it is his. His bridges at least those on his Web site have straight sides not curved like this one. His headstocks also have inlay. This one does not and that "chesterfield" headstock design is a poser. Reminiscent of a Gibson. There just don't seem to be that many makers who configure their pins thst way. That is symmetrical mirror image. Most do a straight line zig zag.

[Dagger Gordon]

I have to say I don't recognise it.

Here is a list of some UK luthiers - many of whom are not familiar to me.

http://www.mandolin.org.uk/makers/se...chArea=surName

[rawdata01]

Wow, thanks for the research guys, I'll dive into your suggestions!

[Steve L]

Looks like it could be a Buchanon.

http://www.folkmandolin.co.uk/instruments/bouzouki.htm

[Dagger Gordon]

Looks like it could be a Buchanon.

http://www.folkmandolin.co.uk/instruments/bouzouki.htm

Hi Steve,

The bridge, yes, but I think the headstock is wrong.

[Colin Lindsay]

It's a looker, that's for sure.

The bridge is interesting for two reason. First, it's a pin bridge and not a floating bridge. Second, the pins are symmetrical about the centerline (instead of up/down all the way across). I can't find anything that looks like it (and has that Gibson guitar like headstock shape).

Am I right in that the bridge has two unused holes, one on on either side, so it appears it’s a ten pin bridge that has been used for eight strings - hence the unusual spacing? It may be just a trick of the light in the photo but it appears they go right through?
The closest style I’ve seen to this one is Thomas Buchanan, but it’s not signed or marked as one of his. It looks superb - any chance of a sound sample?

[Bertram Henze]

Am I right in that the bridge has two unused holes, one on on either side, so it appears it’s a ten pin bridge that has been used for eight strings - hence the unusual spacing? It may be just a trick of the light in the photo but it appears they go right through?

My impression is that these holes are nearer to the outer pins than the other neighboring pins - wouldn't pins in these holes be too fat to fit in?

[rawdata01]

My impression is that these holes are nearer to the outer pins than the other neighboring pins - wouldn't pins in these holes be too fat to fit in?

The two "holes" are abalone dots covering screw holes like Buchanan uses ...

[Mike Anderson]

Yairi in Japan also does pin bridges, I started a thread here trying to identify one played by Andy Irvine. There's a Canadian maker who does them as well who I finally identified a few posts into that thread, Ron Belanger. But this beauty doesn't look like either Yairi or Belanger.

[Steve L]

Hi Steve,

The bridge, yes, but I think the headstock is wrong.

Well spotted, Dagger. Whoever made it, it sure doesn't look like their first try. Very nice looking instrument.

[rawdata01]

I asked Thomas Buchanan. It's not his ...

[Pete Braccio]

Yeah, I did a bunch of searches as well. The closest I came (besides the ones already mentioned) are Ron Belanger and Oakwood (or the Asian instruments designed by them: Morgan Lewis Bouzouki).

[Lord of the Badgers]

Indeed I would've said straight away it's not one of Tom Buchanan's nothing about it looks like one of his (seeing as I've perused his site a lot and I own one of his lovely zouks (and shortly one of his tenor guitars))... good on you for confirming it!

I'm fascinated by this btw, hence my interjection, as that is a truly lovely instrument. Hope we find out!
Need it be a UK / Ireland maker? Do any other Euro luthiers make OMs like this?

Or perhaps it's just very much a one off custom job.

[rawdata01]

Thanks Badger,
No it needn't be UK/Irish. I was told Irish by the previous owner, but he wasn't sure either.
It truly is a great instrument!
Marc

[Jacob]

Do any other Euro luthiers make OMs like this?

Stevens Custom Guitars in Munich builds Irish bouzoukis, mandolas, and mandolins.

[Nick Gellie]

What about a Herb Taylor?

http://www.herbtaylor.com/instruments/bouzouki/

[danb]

Oakwood was my first guess too..