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Kramer Focus Octave Mandolin - Electric Bouzouki Strat Conversion - $400 (Loris)
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I've put on new sealed tuners, added a tailpiece, modified the nut and new metal bridge for eight strings. It really does play like butter now - very easy action with a string height at the 12th fret of 3/32" bass side - 1/16" treble side.
Tuned to play in standard G-D-A-E, the string pairings are:
42-42 24-24 16-16 09-09
The tuning is in fifths, like a violin. If you've played a tenor guitar then chording this is like cake to pick up. -- If you ever tried and gave up on a mandocello this one is a lot easier to handle - especially the bass pair.
It has a guitar neck and typical spacing at the top but the lower end has closer string pairings than most conversions. I did it like this so that OM players could try their hand on an inexpensive electric model and actually play the instrument below the 15th fret. It's an easy player now - no issues. The bridge is fixed and the intonation is spot on - tremelo has been removed. I've done a fret leveling and polish on it too.
Includes a new padded gig bag.
TRADE for hunting / home defense items - tube amps - just ask.
I've posted a sample on Soundcloud under ClaytonAudio
soundcloud.com/claytonaudio/kramer-octave-mandolin-test1
Length - 39"
Scale - 25 1/2"
Nut - 1 11/16"
Weight - 6.5 lbs