octofone

today i bought this beautiful instrument from an estate sale. it took some time for me to research what it is, and now i'm even happier it pulled me to it and begged to go home with me. it's produced by chicago-based regal, and from what i can tell exclusive to them.

an octofone will mimic eight different instruments, depending on the tuning: tenor banjo, tenor guitar, mandolin, mandola, mandocello, ukulele, tiple and taropatch. how sweet! of course, it's not in working order, and it's so delicate and fragile, i'm afraid re-stringing it to play may compromise it - so i'll probably just use it for a decoration. it's lovely, so that will work dashingly.