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Octave Mandolin/8-String Tenor Conversion of Left Handed Oscar Schmidt - $325 (berkeley)
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Currently tuned GDAE as an octave mandolin, the G and D courses both have a high string tuned an octave up, giving the instrument a lighter echo that sounds lovely and produces sweet harmonic overtones. Playing absolutely beautifully with resonance and clarity of tone.
The underlying guitar is a great little instrument, in excellent, lightly used physical condition. In particular the nut width on this model is unusually narrow at 38mm, putting it within the range of a customs built octave mandolin or bouzouki. Perfect low action, room on the saddle, working truss rod. Very nice cosmetically.
I am happy to set this up however you like before shipping if purchased at the asking price, or for a small charge otherwise. There are a TON of different configurations this instrument can play in, and I'm sure you will think of more. For any given setup, I customize the string gauges as well, to ensure good playability and prevent overloading the guitar.
The conversion process entailed, among other steps, resizing tuner holes, fitting two additional tuners, adapting and the nut, replacing and leveling the saddle, adding four bridge pin holes in the correct positions, and exploring various setups to optimize the instrument in this eight-string configuration. The original bridge pin holes are retained, so this instrument can be returned to a six-string configuration with ease.
Shipping available, fast, well protected, and fully insured.
By the way, I'm happy to do a similar conversion on your instrument, either something you already own or a model you buy new for the purpose. Not all acoustic guitars can easily accommodate the extra pins and tuners, but many can. Shoot me a message if you're interested!