Octolindo F Deluxe carved top Octave Mandolin (2026), original black tolex hard shell case.

Octolindo F Deluxe Model carved top Octave Mandolin (2026), made in Kailua, Hawaii, sunburst lacquer finish, Indian rosewood back and sides, Moon spruce top;, original black tolex hard shell case.

This Octolindo Custom F Deluxe is a recent addition to the line of distinctive modern octave mandolins designed by luthier Kilin Reece of KR Strings in Kailua, Hawaii, introducing their new series of models with a carved, F hole top. These are built in a small workshop in Asia and finished out in Hawaii to a very high standard. These are built in both flat-top and now arch-top models to a unique design and are some of the finest instruments of their type we have encountered.

The Octolindos are tuned an octave below a standard mandolin (G-D-A-E) which has become an increasingly popular format over the last half century, with appeal to today's players way beyond the Celtic music world. Ironically the early Gibson company put major effort into stamping out this style of instrument out in the 1910s in favor of their "Tenor Mandola", but they have made a big comeback 100 years on!

This "F Deluxe" is one of KR Strings' recently introduced arch top models, built with a very tight grained carved Swiss "Moon Spruce" top and Indian rosewood back and sides; the back is flat. The finish is a lovely shaded sunburst on top, natural on the back and sides trimmed out with white binding on the body and small-dot inlaid fingerboard. The guitar-shaped body is reminiscent of the late 1920s Gibson TG tenor guitar models with a narrow waist, wide, round lower bout and a smaller upper bout. The top is X-braced; the adjustable bridge has a compensated saddle and the short tailpiece has a built in mute to damp overtones behind the bridge. The slim neck has a 21 1/4" scale and 1 3/8" nut width, topped by a stylish "snakehead" peghead.

Octolindos have been very well received in the modern acoustic music world for blending a guitar-like warmth with the punchy clarity and articulation of the mandolin family. This arch-top model has the tighter, more punchy sound than the flat tops one would expect but still works well both as a "strumming" instrument and as a melody machine, easy enough to play at fiddle-tune speed while never getting shrill. We are pleased to bring these very interesting and fun-to-play instruments (which frankly there is no real vintage equivalent to) from Hawaii to Brooklyn.

Overall length is 35 3/4 in. (90.8 cm.), 13 7/8 in. (35.2 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 21 1/4 in. (540 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/8 in. (35 mm.).

This instrument is new, unsold stock. Right out of the box it plays extremely well and sounds excellent, just waiting for some serious play time to allow the already fine sound to mature. It is ready to go in a fitted hard shell case, with a gig bag provided as well. New Condition.