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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3646
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | You really didn't think I was in retired & inactive, right? I got the notion of another monster mandolin and purchased a Goodwill- Bakersfield Applause AA-14 and paid more for shipping than the auction winning bid. So, tore the critter down, patched some cracks, attempted to refresh the red-burst top pattern, screwed that up pretty good, and just shot it black. Added a couple of tuners, an antler nut and routed off the old bridge and fabricated a rather fortified walnut bridge for the 8-string pattern.
It has a really interesting voicing with the 4 pairs of strings, tuned GDAE. Gauged 042-024-016-010 on the standard 25-1/4" scale.
See for yourself.
 (OM 1 frontal full view- smaller image.jpg)
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 OM 1 frontal full view- smaller image.jpg (87KB - 0 downloads)
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Joined:
October 2012
Posts: 1072
Location: Yokohama, Japan | Glad you're active and BFLGing away seesquare! My heart skipped a beat when I read your title (thinking "tribute project in memory of the unforgettable OMA") but an "Octave Mandolin Applause" was a surprising turn. Some years ago, I built a 5-string Cello Guitar that had a really interesting voice. Trying to imagine what a guitar scale Mandolin tuned an octave lower would sound like... So, if you capo your OMA at the 12th fret it would be like a standard mandolin? Is that right? |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3646
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Ken, theoretically, yes. Probably not a lot of usable fretboard left, though. And yes, this critter was, in part, an homage to our dear Mr. Seery. His repaint on an old Ovation was a similar process. We all had a good time needling him on that one. And maybe, when I can get my fingers familiar with this luthierial oddity, I might post an audio, certainly not visual, demonstration. Thanks for the approbation, also. Your work is much more refined and aesthetically-pleasing. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Nice! Keep making art Chris! |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3646
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Decided to put some octave pairs on OMA. Gives it a bit different voice. The colored strings were cheap for the experiment. I may have to start ordering custom sets of higher quality. Remember, this IS in keeping with the charter of the BFLG.
And we needed some fresh commentary, anyway., until our more-refined builders return with their pleasing projects.
 (OM with colored octave strings 06-25-2025- smaller image.jpg)
 (OM with colored octave strings 06-25-2025- body closeup- smaller image.jpg)
 (OM with colored octave strings 06-25-2025- peghead closeup- smaller image.jpg)
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OM with colored octave strings 06-25-2025- smaller image.jpg (88KB - 0 downloads)
OM with colored octave strings 06-25-2025- body closeup- smaller image.jpg (85KB - 0 downloads)
OM with colored octave strings 06-25-2025- peghead closeup- smaller image.jpg (54KB - 0 downloads)
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Joined:
July 2019
Posts: 109
Location: northern Georgia | Nice, and if you play mandolin you already know where the common chords are. Looks like fun. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3646
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Thank you for the compliment! And I'm only in the beginnings of the mandolin adventures. There is probably no such thing as "chop chords" on an octave mandolin. I have problems with the reach on a regular mandolin, let alone something with a longer scale length. And, GDAE tuning really throws off my fretboard navigation, too. "That which does not kill you....." :-) |
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Joined:
October 2012
Posts: 1072
Location: Yokohama, Japan | Really nice seesquare! An OMA worthy of the BFLG! Thanks for sharing! Walnut bridge and "antler" nut are of particular interest. Shaping the bridge and drilling the string holes had to be pretty challenging? Are you using antler for the saddle too or is that wood? Is the top of that Applause laminated? How does she sound? Questions, questions, questions! Sorry! I've got a ukulele, but the tuning keeps throwing me for a loop so it never gets played! Have fun! |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3646
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Thanks, Ken. I would judge my motivation with this creation is to exercise dormant regions in my cerebral wasteland. The nut is from a set of deer antlers a buddy gave me about 40 years ago. The top is indeed laminated. The bridge was shaped and drilled before attachment to the soundboard. I just routed the 6-string version off the top so I had a nice flat surface to work with. The saddle is black walnut. The instrument has a big voice and I really enjoy the open chording for the depth and harmonics of the octave pairs. And, some cheap advice (free, actually), construct or buy a baritone ukulele. They have standard guitar tuning DGBE and chording patterns. Less strain on the ol' noggin'. Just channel all those old Kingston Trio tunes.
I also have the itch to install another stacked-knob analog preamp on the OMA. I have the electronic parts to build a second unit and really like the warm sound it produces. What's another hole in this critter, anyway?
So, any updates from your baliwick? The Pacemaker behaving itself? |
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Meet OMA- an Octave Mandolin Applause
