OCTAVE MANDOLINS

A guy brought this brand new Portuguese "Octav Manolim" in today pleading with us to make it playable... Took a quick look with a straight edge - whipped off the truss rod cover &  gave the truss rod a wee tweak (half an anti-clockwise turn) - sorted!

The "truss rod" is a metal rod which controls the curve of the neck...

Charged him €30 - €5 for wasting our time & €25 for knowing which way to turn - he was happy - we were happy!

 Three years ago I made one of these instruments - if you look here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/140921935@N07/31430074994/in/dateposted-public/ you'll see the octave mandolin on the left which has a carved top. The Irish bouzouki on the right which I made at the same time has a flat top.

Look carefully & you'll see my 'unoriginal' headstock design!!!