The mandolin family of instruments includes all those wonderful strings tuned in fifths (well usually) and arranged in pairs (well-most of the time).

It's a broad category with terminoIogy that varies depending on what builder you talk to or what country you're in.

I have personally played Irish bouzouki in both 4 and 8 string configurations as my main instruments for about 15 years now. I have owned and tried many instruments and have been very particuIar in working to achieve a full, loud tone and that 'chorng' and 'thrum' that creates the definitive sound of octave mando or Irish bouzouki.

I build a range of mandolin family instruments

including, but not limited to:

Mandolins-Flat top (induced arch) A style

Octave Mandolins

Bouzoukis-Irish or Celtic style

Bouzouki guitars- In 8 string or 4 string configuration

Citterns-add another pair of strings for fun

Octave Mandolin/Bouzouki conversions-

turn your old guitar into an 8 string!