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Post by Matt Milton on Jun 29, 2022 12:11:46 GMT
I am thinking of buying either an octave mandolin or a bouzouki. I'm not sure which. I'll probably have a trip to Hobgoblin and see what feels nicer.
Any thoughts/opinions?
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Post by woodtoner on Jun 29, 2022 12:18:04 GMT
I currently have a Hathaway octave mandolin on loan and I'm loving it. I played some bouzoukis many years ago and they just didn't grab me like this octave mando does. I'm not sure of the difference in scale length but the octave mando seems shorter than a bouzouki and I prefer the ergonomics and the sound of an octave mandolin. just my 2p worth.
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Post by forestdweller on Jun 29, 2022 15:04:43 GMT
Octave mandolin- they are shorter and so easier to play tunes on. I think they sound better than a bouzouki. Robbie
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Jun 29, 2022 16:03:18 GMT
I prefer octave mandolin for tunes because of the shorter scale, but bouzouki sounds nicer to me for strummage.
keith
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juliant
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Post by juliant on Jun 29, 2022 21:44:20 GMT
I'm assuming that you're meaning Irish-style bouzouki rather than the Greek one. I prefer the octave mando - I had one for years along with a cittern (aka 5-course bouzouki type thing) - and it was more generally useful. Both those went when I stopped doing trad Irish stuff and wanted to buy better acoustic guitars!
But thinking of Greek bouzoukis, I wouldn't mind trying a saz. There are lots of Turkish music shops up North London, and the saz looks rather fun.
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Post by Matt Milton on Jul 1, 2022 12:59:00 GMT
I will try a few out, but I'm wondering whether one is roomier in terms of fretboard than the other?
i.e. does one have a wider nut/string spacing than the other? Are distances between frets larger on one than the other?
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Post by Onechordtrick on Jul 1, 2022 13:25:34 GMT
I will try a few out, but I'm wondering whether one is roomier in terms of fretboard than the other? i.e. does one have a wider nut/string spacing than the other? Are distances between frets larger on one than the other? Bouzoukis have a longer scale: comparing the Ashbury Bouzouki hobgoblin.com/gr33016-ashbury-style-e-irish-bouzouki-solid-spruce at 644mm with the similar octave mandolin hobgoblin.com/gr32016-ashbury-style-e-octave-mandola at 518mm so you’ll have a roomier fretboard. Both have a 36mm nut so the same spacing. Hobgoblin agree with Robbie and Keith saying “ Generally the mandolas are better at tunes, bouzoukis for accompanying, but this is not a strict rule.”
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Post by walkingdecay on Jul 5, 2022 16:59:15 GMT
Both, for me. Octave mandos are easier to play tunes on, but there's a zing and a kind of airiness about the sound and feel of a 'zouk that I really liked, especially when recording.
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Post by mandovark on Jul 6, 2022 16:20:09 GMT
Just to throw something else into the mix, I think that body shape and size are at least as important as scale length. I've had a Moon bouzouki with a smallish, thin body that had a really sweet tone but didn't have much bass for rhythm playing. I currently have an Oddy "cello-mandolin" - technically a short-scale bouzouki with a bigger, almond-shaped body - and it's an absolute rhythm cannon. Comparing the two is like comparing a parlour guitar with a dreanought - technically the same instrument, and they might even have the same scale length, but a very different experience to play.
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minorkey
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Post by minorkey on Dec 26, 2023 12:34:22 GMT
Isnt the octave mando also known as the mandocello?
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Post by leoroberts on Dec 26, 2023 15:13:54 GMT
No - but many (including Steve Knightley of Show Of Hands’) have laboured under this error for a number of years 😀
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Post by minorkey on Dec 26, 2023 15:45:45 GMT
No - but many (including Steve Knightley of Show Of Hands’) have laboured under this error for a number of years 😀 Oh I'm in good company then
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