Herb Taylor is an independent luthier based in Golden, Colorado. As a modern builder, Taylor's instruments explore a "road less traveled" when it comes to design. We are excited to have this thoughtful Octave Mandolin of his from 2014. Built with a solid spruce top and an exciting classically inspired "Deep Back" made of 3 staves of African Khaya wood, this octave has a unique voice, punctual character and a robust volume. Certainly an instrument to impress any classical player, it has a modern design, including a side soundhole, as well as a rod that extends from its base to attach to the neck yielding additional structural support as well as sonic benefits. The 22.5" scale neck is comfortable, with a 1 3/8" nut width. EVO fretwire, this instrument plays wonderfully with excellent low action. The neck is fully adjustable being a bolt on design. Gotoh tuners function as they should. Cosmetically, the instrument is in great shape with hardly any wear in its varnish finish.