Unlocking the Octave Mandolin: A Journey Through History, Design & Modern Use What Is an Octave Mandolin? The octave mandolin—sometimes referred to as an octave mandola in Europe—is a member of the mandolin family, tuned G–D–A–E, like a standard mandolin, but pitched an entire octave lower ( Wikipedia ). Its scale length usually ranges from 19 to 24 inches , with around 21 inches being typical ( Wikipedia ). Structurally, it resembles other mandolin-type instruments: made with carved or flat arched tops and backs, braced internally either in traditional transverse or modern X-patterns ( Wikipedia ). You’ll find variants from classic Gibson-style A/F bodies to guitar-shaped “hourglass” styles with flat tops ( Wikipedia ). A Brief History The octave mandolin evolved relatively recently in the timeline of string instruments. While its ancestors—the lute, mandolin, and mandola—stretch back centuries, the octave mandolin as we know it did not exist during the peak of early 20th‑c...