I bought this octave mandolin about 5 years ago at a discount at long and mcquade due to a manufacture flaw in some OM800 models, (slight dip in the top below the bridge). I learned a passle of tunes but recently I haven't been playing due to memory problems. thinking about selling it, last year I took it to Old town strings to check it over. Dave was familiar with the model and that the top has long settled and should stay stable.