Information about OMs.

[JWChilders]

Hi All,

My first post, though I've been lurking and learning for a good bit of time. I'm looking into investing in an octave mando and thought as a beginning instrument I would try a used one, lower end. I'd love to buy a Weber, but right now that isn't in the cards.

So, I saw a Johnson deluxe octave MA550 that I thought I might bid on (have to admit I like the two point look as well). However, I don't want to buy something that might be better used as kindling.

All thoughts and feedback welcomed.

Joe

[multidon]

Johnson's have received very mixed review here. The default beginner octave for most seems to be Trinity College. Chinese made but all solid tone woods sturdy construction and decent sound. I have played one and they aren't bad. If you watch the classifieds they turn up from time to time for 300 dollars or so used.

[allenhopkins]

Haven't played a Johnson, so can only contribute hearsay.

Word is, the Trinity College OM's get the highest grades as entry-to-mid-level instruments. They're shorter scale than the Webers, so if you do end up moving up to a Weber, you'll need to get used to bigger fretting "stretches."

Johnsons and Fenders generally got lower marks.

You might want to check out the Cittern, Bouzouki, Octave Mandolin Forum down the page. Lots of discussions of different brands, types, etc.

[jefflester]

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/67152

Not sure about that crack, though.

[JWChilders]

Hi Jeff

I saw that Weber ad, but like you that crack made me pause. My sense has been that Trinity College seems to be the choice in the Cafe for entry level. Good advice about the longer scale on the Webers.

[foldedpath]

I saw that Weber ad, but like you that crack made me pause.

If the crack is where it shows in the ad photo, it's in the upper treble bout (upper right "shoulder"), not the lower bout, and that's an area where any good repair person could add a cleat and you'd never be worried about it again. Except for resale, maybe, but a cleated crack in that spot won't be a deal-killer for most folks if the price is right on resale. If the crack was down in the main body of the instrument, that would be another story...

My sense has been that Trinity College seems to be the choice in the Cafe for entry level.

Maybe, but not if you can get a carved archtop Weber for a good price!

Good advice about the longer scale on the Webers.

I beg to differ, on that advice. The stock Weber OM's float around a 22.5" scale, like the one I have (a Yellowstone F). That's a very manageable scale length for playing melody, unless you have very small hands. Anything shorter than 22" scale is usually considered a "short scale OM."

These descriptions get goofy, because there is no standard for OM's like there is for other mandolin-family instruments. But I think somewhere around 22" is considered the closest thing we have to a standard scale length for OM's.

[Chip Booth]

I recently played a brand new 20" Weber Yellowstone OM.

[JH Murray]

I recently purchased a TC Octave. It is a well made instrument with good tone. The consensus is the strings they ship on it are terrible. So if you play one in store you aren't hearing it at its best. I put a set of D'addario J80s on it and it really came alive. For the money it is worth considering.

[multidon]

Not sure about right now but in the past Weber has made 2 versions of the OM- a short 20 1/2 inch scale and a long 23 1/2 inch scale. They are identical except for the scale length. Of course if you buy one you have to know which one you are getting as the scale length makes a significant difference in playability.

[foldedpath]

I recently played a brand new 20" Weber Yellowstone OM.

Yep, they make them in shorter scale versions too.

I recommend trying both 20 and 22 inch scale lengths, if you can, before buying. It's a trade-off between ease of fingering, and sustain that lets you do things you can't do on shorter scale instruments.

[foldedpath]

Not sure about right now but in the past Weber has made 2 versions of the OM- a short 20 1/2 inch scale and a long 23 1/2 inch scale. They are identical except for the scale length. Of course if you buy one you have to know which one you are getting as the scale length makes a significant difference in playability.

The current Weber web site says they build in 22" or 20" scale length. I'm not sure they ever made them as long as 23.5"?

Anyway, my Weber Yellowstone F measures at a true 22.5" scale, but that was probably one of the early production runs on these things.

[multidon]

Sorry I think I meant to say 22.5. And if memory serves both short and long are 1/2 inch longer than the web site says .