Just want to share an absolutely amazing YT video I stumbled upon (octave mando)

[Silence Dogood]

Can't remember how I stumbled upon this piece but it's otherworldly in its beauty.  Enjoy!

[BlueBowman]

That is beautiful. Thanks for posting. My ignorance showing: I didn't know those were actually "mandolins". Very lovely sound.

[William2]

What is the difference between the octave mandolin and a bouzouki?

[Silence Dogood]

What is the difference between the octave mandolin and a bouzouki?

The name. 

[mike in lytle]

The name. 

Curious. Why do you say that?
Mike

[Silence Dogood]

Curious. Why do you say that?
Mike

There is no difference between them, they are just called something different.  That's what I meant. 

[mike in lytle]

There is no difference between them, they are just called something different.  That's what I meant. 

Ok, fair enough.
Mike

[Riverbend]

Scale length is often significantly longer on an Irish bouzouki. Some folks tune them differently, as well, GDAD and GDAE being common. The longer scale makes them a good candidate for open tunings as traditional chord shapes are more difficult with the wider fret spacing. And then again, as Silence said, they can be tuned, and played, exactly the same. I have one of each. The YT piece, by the way, was beautiful!