Re: Octave Mandolin Thoughts / Questions.
You have a realistic budget to consider both flat top and archtop OMs. I think that should be your first decision point, because they do sound different.
With the warning that the following is just personal opinion, I'm not a fan of guitar-style, flat top OMs. They're not "mandolinny" enough for my ears. I like a dark, punchy "big Gibson mandolin" voice, not something closer to a 12-string guitar. You'll get other opinions, I know there are fans of guitar-based OMs here.
As for your other questions, because I'm happy with my Weber OM I'm not familiar with the range of builders out there now, so I can't make a recommendation but I'm sure others will. Especially for independent luthiers, now that Weber has suspended production (I think?). Keep an eye on the used market. I was lucky to find a Weber Yellowstone F-style OM on Ebay years ago. I snatched it as soon as I saw it, but they don't show up very often.
Your other big decision will be scale length. Shorter scales like 20" are easier to finger. Longer scales like 22" on my Weber OM take more hand stretch, but generally speaking will have more sustain due to basic scale length physics. You already have a mandocello so you're better prepared for this decision on playability of longer scales than most. I don't find my 22" scale Weber difficult to play using only slightly modified standard mandolin fingering, but I'm 6'2" tall with proportionally large hands.
I'm not sure I have a favorite OM player because it's such a niche area. Ale Möller comes closest, and he doesn't actually play OM but a Swedish version called a Latmandola with added bass drones. I've always wanted one of those, but they're even rarer than other OM styles.
Standard OM tunes? I'm not sure there is such a thing. I play Irish/Scottish trad, and most of what I play on my OM are the slower tempo tunes like marches, strathspeys and metered airs, where I can milk the sustain. I prefer mandolin for the faster reels and jigs due to the quicker response. As with most OM owners, you'll have to discover your own repertoire that sounds good on the instrument.
Good luck on your decision, and let us know what you end up with!
Lebeda F-5 mandolin, redwood top
Weber Yellowstone F-5 octave mandolin
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