Octave Mandolin M1087-P : Good Beginner / Student grade instrument

This is a lovely instrument. It has a lovely warm tone, perhaps a little buzzy as the action is a little on the high side without much facility to adjust without professional work, but that notwithstanding I have thoroughly enjoyed the sound that this instrument can give, particularly for Irish music.

The scale length is quite long, and fingering can be a stretch- you can't keep to standard mandolin fingering. (Some chords are still impossible for me!)

I have an average hand size, and it can be a stretch to play but not impossible and not uncomfortable. It would favour a larger handed player.

The tuners are of good quality and I was surprised by how well the tuners hold tune.

I love the guitar styled bridge on this model, the pick-up facility is a nice touch. The instrument came with bridge pre-assembled and strings semi-taught to hold in place. I haven't needed to adjust the bridge at all, it's just where it needs to be for me.

Overall, the build quality for the price-point is very good indeed and it feels and responds like a well made instrument. Obviously up the price-scale will be better sounding instruments, but for an entry to octave mandolin and to a serious student- this is a very good instrument at a very reasonable price. I love playing it and would recommend it.