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Just wanna say how happy I am with both my
custom (shorter scale) octave mandolins! :-)
I have had the Sage #1 for over
a year, and it's gotten lotsa use performing and at Rendezvous. Along
with my main pickin' partner Joe (playing the penny whistle in the
attached photo) we perform Celtic and Old time music as "R&R" (Runyon &
Readnour) which prominently features the ocatve mandolin along with
fiddle, guitar, whistles, and bagpipes. While the octave is not a period
correct instrument for Rendezvous (re-enacting the period of 1750 to
around 1820), the sound seems to fit the "period" music we play. I
believe we are playing "Road to Lisdoonvarna" in the pic.
The Absaroka octave mandolin
arrived the Friday before Xmas ('06), and I cannot begin to tell you how
thrilled I am with sound. Such sustain, clarity, and projection! Woody,
yet bell-like. Prior to ordering it I spoke with Mary at length about
what I wanted, and she was most helpful in helping me choose the right
configuration (ie:bracing, bridge) to optimize the sound, with the
shorter (20-inch) scale as a major consideration. I wanted a carved top
instrument with a more complex, woody tone that would "cut thru" a bit
better than the Sage. As far as I am concerned, it's on the money. I
took it to my brother Tim's house the next day. He's an accomplished
mandolin player and fiddler who has a pretty critical ear. I walked in
his kitchen and strummed a chord...all he said was, "WOW! Do they make
regular scale mandolins that sound this good?" Thought I was gonna have
to pry it outa his hands by the end of the visit. :-)
These instruments are so much
fun, and so versatile. I have used them for old-time, Celtic, hymns,
Christmas carols (great duos), etc. They work well for accompanying
vocals solo (especially the Absaroka), and I have gotten special kick
out of adapting a few banjo tunes to them. Frankly, my guitars aren't
getting the attention they are used to getting. :-)
I also wanna mention how
impressed I am with the business philosophy/customer service at STE.
When I had minor saddle problems with the Sage early on (my fault),
Bruce made me two saddles (with measurements I gave Mary) before I was
satisfied with the height and final action. That was above and beyond
the call IMO. Thanks for that.
Again, thanks to Mary, Bruce,
and all the STE folks for making such fine instruments. Oh, and a
special thanks to the guy who had to go find the heavier gauge strings I
requested. :-)
Best Regards,
Jeff Runyon
Blue Mound, IL
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