Innovative, well-thought-out design, great tone with thumping low end, and a super-satisfying playing experience in this, our first archtop octave mandolin from Bayard Blain.

We are thrilled to welcome Bayard Blain to The Music Emporium family! Bayard's instruments feature artful new designs, premium materials and finish work, and superb attention to detail throughout. Most importantly, they sound phenomenally good!!

This, our first multiscale octave from Bayard, boasts a warm, big fundamental-forward sound. Thick, broad-brush-stroke low end, with great body and punch throughout on this octave mandolin. The soundhole in the upper bout, in tandem with the carved, archtop voicing, makes for a big, sonorous instrument, easy to hear for the player and listener alike.

Overall playability is super comfortable, even in first position, as Bayard has the multiscale geometry worked out brilliantly! The longer scale length for the lower courses help keep the lows taut and strong, while the shorter-scale trebles remain bouncy. It is simply a blast to play.

If you are looking for a fine, exceptionally good sounding octave mandolin in a comfortable form factor, with a unique aesthetic to boot, put Bayard on your short list!