Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Octofone

  1. #1
    Teacher, repair person
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southeast Tennessee
    Posts
    4,078

    Default Octofone

    For anyone interested in one of these odd beasts, Retrofret in Brooklyn has just listed one, a bit worn, but playable. NFI.

    These make interesting octave mandolins. It's better to string them somewhat lightly.
    It's getting harder to find them in playable condition.
    Last edited by rcc56; Jan-13-2020 at 3:01pm.

  2. #2
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Octofone

    Link

    About 4X what I paid for mine, but mine needed a headstock re-repair, neck reset, carbon fiber rod installed in neck, and new ebony fingerboard -- so it ended up around $500 when everything was done (I got a "frequent customer" price, or it would have been much more).

    Agree about light stringing: remember, they listed for less than $20 new, so don't feature the best construction. My Octofone is the lightest medium-sized instrument I've ever owned. I have mine in octave mandolin tuning, but with "octaved" stringing on the 3rd and 4th courses. As you might expect from its ultra-light construction, it projects very well, but the owner would be well-advised to "baby" it a bit.

    Very interesting instrument, but fragile. And, pretty crummy tuners.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  3. #3
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    South of Cleburne, North of Hillsboro, Texas
    Posts
    5,089

    Default Re: Octofone

    Picture it here

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	9014_01.jpg 
Views:	2424 
Size:	143.5 KB 
ID:	182910 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	9014_02.jpg 
Views:	1238 
Size:	216.0 KB 
ID:	182911

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	9014_05.jpg 
Views:	1032 
Size:	267.0 KB 
ID:	182912 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	9014_06.jpg 
Views:	1103 
Size:	294.6 KB 
ID:	182913

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	9014_07.jpg 
Views:	1836 
Size:	243.5 KB 
ID:	182914
    WWW.THEAMATEURMANDOLINIST.COM
    ----------------------------------
    "Life is short. Play hard." - AlanN

    ----------------------------------
    HEY! The Cafe has Social Groups, check 'em out. I'm in these groups:
    Newbies Social Group | The Song-A-Week Social
    The Woodshed Study Group | Blues Mando
    - Advice For Mandolin Beginners
    - YouTube Stuff

  4. #4

    Default Re: Octofone

    i have never heard one of those i liked the sound of.

  5. #5
    Teacher, repair person
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southeast Tennessee
    Posts
    4,078

    Default Re: Octofone

    Then I guess your bank account is safe for the time being.

    I like mine.

  6. #6
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Octofone

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    ...I like mine.
    Me too.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
    Location
    Mansfield
    Posts
    1

    Default Re: Octofone

    Quote Originally Posted by ollaimh View Post
    i have never heard one of those i liked the sound of.
    Nor me! :-)

  8. #8
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Octofone

    I think it depends, to some extent, on what you're using the Octofone for. I basically use mine for chord accompaniment, when I want a non-guitar voice, more widely spaced intervals in first position chords, usually open strings, chords connected with simple runs, sometimes brief "quotes" from the melody. As stated above, mine's tuned GDAE like an octave mandolin, with "octave" strings on the 3rd and 4th courses, unison stringing on the 1st and 2nd.

    I wouldn't normally use mine as a lead melody instrument, though I've participated in a few jams and played a bit of melody, harmony and counter-melody on it. The Octofone, due to its light bracing, can be quite loud and unsubtle when strummed aggressively. Its tone is not very complex, but mine, at least, has a solid presence in the same range as a guitar, and it works well on old-timey tunes and vocals.

    When I want to do more lead work in the OM range, I prefer my old Flatiron "bouzouki," which is by any measurement a "better" instrument. But the "big" Octofone chords, especially with the octaved stringing, are useful in a variety of settings. And the Octofone's medium size, and relatively short scale, make it convenient as well.

    Remember, it was a fairly cheap Regal instrument when it was manufactured, and I haven't seen any with "fine" work-person-ship -- although there's a new Octofone Guitar Company, trying to revive the instrument with improvements, such as a pin bridge, good tuners, and classier woods, finishes, and quality control. Maybe it'll make a comeback -- who knows?
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  9. #9
    Administrator Mandolin Cafe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 1998
    Location
    Lawrence, KS
    Posts
    3,835
    Blog Entries
    14

    Default Re: Octofone

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Remember, it was a fairly cheap Regal instrument when it was manufactured, and I haven't seen any with "fine" work-person-ship -- although there's a new Octofone Guitar Company, trying to revive the instrument with improvements, such as a pin bridge, good tuners, and classier woods, finishes, and quality control. Maybe it'll make a comeback -- who knows?
    Visited their booth at NAMM Show, thought they were a pretty good option for someone looking for a reasonably priced instrument. Most of what they had were set to guitar tuning but they had one tuned as octave mandolin so gave it a try.

  10. The following members say thank you to Mandolin Cafe for this post:


  11. #10

    Default Re: Octofone

    Leo Posch, a local luthier, just finished an Octofone style instrument for a local Irish traditional musician. It sounds good and is substantially built.

  12. #11
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    1,986

    Default Re: Octofone

    I've been very interested in these instruments since I learned about them last week. I wanted to share this video from my favorite luthier, uh I mean country guitar doctor, Jake Wildwood. This is pretty old (2009) but still very cool. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for one of these octofones.

    I don't think I'm interested in the new ones.


  13. The following members say thank you to Sue Rieter for this post:


Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •