Octave Mandolins

Although a few early prototypes and production instruments were built with carved tops, all current Randall octave mandolins have the same construction traits (flat back and folded soundboard) as my standard mandolins but with a larger body.  All of these mandolins include a carbon/graphite “spine” in the neck to provide the needed stiffness without the additional weight of a metal truss rod. This reduces or avoids the “neck heavy” balance problems that are common on long-scale mandolin family instruments.  

     Fingerboards receive either the distinctive scroll at the sound hole or a simple "point" like my guitars.  These instruments also typically receive the "Compass" inlay on the headstock, dots and points on the fingerboard, and wood-on-wood detail throughout.