I have both, and I enjoy both. But they have different uses for me. When I play in a group with strummed acoustic guitars, I think the Mandola works better. It compliments rather competes with the range of the guitar's open chords. (It's range is a super-set of that of the Tenor Ukulele, which I also play.) When I play lead guitar - even when playing chords - I also play in that range to float over the top of the typical rhythm guitarist. The Octave Mandolin covers close to the same range as a guitar in open position. So it sort of competes with the guitar's tonal spectrum (albeit with a different timbre) rather than compliments it. But that very characteristic makes it preferable to me for solo work and for vocal accompaniment. So, it's all good! Just my experience - yours may differ.
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