2000 L.R. Bates Octave Mandolin

Overview: I just posted on an L.R. Bates bouzouki last week and this is its octave mandolin sibling that was probably built concurrently as they both share many of the same decorative features. Fortunately we have the labeling inside the bouzouki to identify the maker as this one has nothing to attribute it to on the inside. No one knows anything about the builder, unfortunately, out there on the web, but both instruments are obviously homemade and quirky but also have wonderful tone and are quite inspiring.

This one is built light, has figured solid koa for the back and sides, a spruce top with extra-light bracing, mahogany neck, and an ebony board. The decorative touches are nice -- including the Regal-esque trim around the top edge, wood binding, and marquetry-style headstock medallion and odd, 1880s-banjo-like, pearl inlay in the fretboard. The tuners leave a little to be desired (they're fine) and the tailpiece is a little boring for a custom instrument, but the overall look is fun and individualistic. We fit an old Strad-O-Lin bridge to it that looks in-place so it would have action adjustability on the fly.

Its body and two-point shape is not symmetrical (one horn is slightly higher) but it's not obvious at a glance or while you're playing it. There are some rough spots (just like on the bouzouki) like where the headstock meets the neck proper (you can see some bandsaw burns) and the finish is, for sure, amateur, but the package as a whole is excellent. 

Repairs included: Previously, our friend Alex cleaned-up and buffed-up the finish to get it looking better. Jacobi then took this one under his wing, giving it a good level/dress of the frets, adding side dots, fitting a new bridge, and setting it up. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 2 lbs 4 0z
• Scale length: 21 1/4"
• Nut width: 1 1/2"
• Neck shape: med D
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 0.73"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.89"
• Body width: 12 1/8"
• Body depth: 3 1/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid koa
• Bracing type: hybrid/ladder
• Bridge: rosewood w/adjuster wheels
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16”
• String gauges: D'Addario octave mandolin set (49w-12?)
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium

Condition notes: As noted, it was built a little funky to begin-with in that the finish is on the amateur side and it's not a symmetrical instrument. The guts are good, though -- the neck is straight under tension, it sounds gorgeous, and it's lightly-built in the top.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: ABRD