This one is known as 'Infinity'... a sentiment that I share with my wife.
I have only made a few mandolins, but the carving and flex is very similar to other arched instruments so that it comes natural to build them. None are in stock at this time.The one shown here, was a gift for Mrs. Raven, Love you!
I have only made a few mandolins, but the carving and flex is very similar to other arched instruments so that it comes natural to build them. None are in stock at this time.The one shown here, was a gift for Mrs. Raven, Love you!
F-Style Mandolins have a visual appeal second to none. Experienced players sometimes say that the scroll costs more than it is worth, but the A Style seems too simple sometimes. This little beauty shows off some Curly Maple with Curly Koa binding, dual Ebony veneers on the Headstock, top of the line Waverly Tuners, Ebony Fretboard, and a cool custom Silver tailpiece. It incorporates a wave motif into the headstock, along with the initials of my wife, SJ, into the rolling Infinity Logo. Bear Claw Sitka Spruce Sounboard.
'Infinity' was Mando #1, and I needed to ask for an appraisal both sonically and visually. When my Mentor Craig gave me an enthusiastic $10,000 tag, I figured he was being generous. Later, an everyday mando player said he had been looking for a new one all year, and that mine would be in the $6 to 8,000 price range... I almost quit making ukuleles and thought about making the switch to mandolin! But here on Maui, there are very few Bluegrass musicians...
'Infinity' was Mando #1, and I needed to ask for an appraisal both sonically and visually. When my Mentor Craig gave me an enthusiastic $10,000 tag, I figured he was being generous. Later, an everyday mando player said he had been looking for a new one all year, and that mine would be in the $6 to 8,000 price range... I almost quit making ukuleles and thought about making the switch to mandolin! But here on Maui, there are very few Bluegrass musicians...
Available by Custom Order only, yet still well below either of those prices!!
OCTAVE MANDOLINS
It wasn't long ago that I heard the unique call of the Octave Mandolin and knew I had to make some. The power, the varieties of tone to be reached... they simply sound great. So, with a little brain storming with a friend, Andrew Adkins, we decided what length, height, and width to make the prototype and I went to work. A short time later , I would now like to present 'The Red Rocket', OM #001. Likely to be a family heirloom and personal favorite for a long time, I am in love with the newest addition to my harem of instruments.
It wasn't long ago that I heard the unique call of the Octave Mandolin and knew I had to make some. The power, the varieties of tone to be reached... they simply sound great. So, with a little brain storming with a friend, Andrew Adkins, we decided what length, height, and width to make the prototype and I went to work. A short time later , I would now like to present 'The Red Rocket', OM #001. Likely to be a family heirloom and personal favorite for a long time, I am in love with the newest addition to my harem of instruments.
Obviously, this little beauty is still "in the white", without a finish yet. The Mahogany back combined with some prime Australian Red Cedar ( Toona) should go very well towards the Red Rocket theme. There is a small carving ready for the headstock also, but I am not sure it will ever be mounted.
Researching on the Internet, it seemed the Scale Length for Octaves is still a matter of taste; somewhere between 20 and 22 inches. I chose 21 1/4 inches . I wanted the punch of a shorter scale combined with some depth from a longer one. I am happy with the outcome so far, and the trials from others are very favorable. Andrew kept returning to the phrase " The bass response is outstanding, I can hardly believe it." The Sustain is another feature that is hard to ignore. It is amazing, rich and deep. The entire instrument feels alive, and ever so slowly the tones diminish, leaving me with a smile. It just feels good.
The body length is 17 3/4. Total length is 37 inches. Lower Bout is 13 1/2 inches
Tailpiece is ready for loop ends or ball ends, made of Padauk wood, as is Bridge with bone saddle.
Headstock Design is my version of 'The Wave'. Veneers of Curly Koa
Tuners by Allessi, which rhymes with excellent... well, kinda. A wonderful endorsement from another luthier, mandolin master good ol' what's his name.
Soon, I will do the other half of the build, and finish this instrument. More pictures when I do, and a video for sound bites... I look forward to some beautiful wood to compliment the tones, and remember that a custom order is the best way to get what you want. Aloha, Raven J. Ravary
Researching on the Internet, it seemed the Scale Length for Octaves is still a matter of taste; somewhere between 20 and 22 inches. I chose 21 1/4 inches . I wanted the punch of a shorter scale combined with some depth from a longer one. I am happy with the outcome so far, and the trials from others are very favorable. Andrew kept returning to the phrase " The bass response is outstanding, I can hardly believe it." The Sustain is another feature that is hard to ignore. It is amazing, rich and deep. The entire instrument feels alive, and ever so slowly the tones diminish, leaving me with a smile. It just feels good.
The body length is 17 3/4. Total length is 37 inches. Lower Bout is 13 1/2 inches
Tailpiece is ready for loop ends or ball ends, made of Padauk wood, as is Bridge with bone saddle.
Headstock Design is my version of 'The Wave'. Veneers of Curly Koa
Tuners by Allessi, which rhymes with excellent... well, kinda. A wonderful endorsement from another luthier, mandolin master good ol' what's his name.
Soon, I will do the other half of the build, and finish this instrument. More pictures when I do, and a video for sound bites... I look forward to some beautiful wood to compliment the tones, and remember that a custom order is the best way to get what you want. Aloha, Raven J. Ravary
