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  #1  
Old 02-06-2019, 09:07 AM
lowrider lowrider is offline
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Default Ever play a Fender Electric Mandolin?

One of these;



https://www.premierguitar.com/articl...ctric-mandolin

I don't know why but when I was running this morning I thought about them. Way back when, there was an electrified country and bluegrass band that played around New Paltz, NY. Their mandolin player would sometimes break out one of them. It was the coolest looking thing ever, but it really sounded like a Tiny Telecaster!

Anyone ever had one?
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Old 02-06-2019, 09:15 AM
Brent Hahn Brent Hahn is offline
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They do indeed sound like a Tele capoed way up. And not counting the mando tuning, you can get that exact sound with a Tele capoed way up. But they sure do look cool.
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Old 02-06-2019, 09:17 AM
drive-south drive-south is offline
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They would sound much better with 8 strings. There are many better electric mandos out there.
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Old 02-06-2019, 09:23 AM
lowrider lowrider is offline
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Yes, there are many mandolins with electric pick-ups, now.

And even now, I don't think there are any solid body, full electric, 4 string mandolins. This one is from the '50s

You're probably right that it would have sounded better, or at least more like a mandolin, with paired strings.
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Old 02-06-2019, 09:26 AM
nasonm nasonm is offline
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Fender does make modern reissues of both the Mando Strat (4 strings) and Mando Strat 8 (with paired strings). I found the reissues to be missing in the quality dept. (I believe these are made in China) but still fun to noodle around with.

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Old 02-06-2019, 11:53 AM
frankmcr frankmcr is offline
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The difference from a capoed guitar is pretty much all in the tuning, GDAE low to high. Chords'll sound different, fills & solos won't be structured quite the same way as they would on guitar. Plus of course if you already play mandolin you won't have to learn new fingerings, even if you want to try & sound like you're playing a Tele.
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Old 02-06-2019, 12:03 PM
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Bob Womack Bob Womack is offline
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I remember those in the '60s and '70s Fender catalogs and always wanted to try one just because they looked cute!


Bob
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Old 02-06-2019, 12:41 PM
Mandobart Mandobart is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drive-south View Post
They would sound much better with 8 strings. There are many better electric mandos out there.
I really like my Mandobird VIII. There are great pickup and bridge upgrades available here.
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Old 02-06-2019, 05:38 PM
lowrider lowrider is offline
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I couldn't find either the reissued Fender of the Epi Mandobird on their websites. Are they available?

I just put this up bestill cause I think they are interesting. I've only seen the one Fender. That was back in '72 or '73, but I thought it was the coolest thing around.
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Old 03-17-2019, 10:57 AM
MayaTambien MayaTambien is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lowrider View Post
I couldn't find either the reissued Fender of the Epi Mandobird on their websites. Are they available?

I just put this up bestill cause I think they are interesting. I've only seen the one Fender. That was back in '72 or '73, but I thought it was the coolest thing around.
I'm pretty sure the Mandobird is discontinued, not sure about the reissue Mandocaster.

Gold Tone is producing a 4-string solid body, but I think they're the only large manufacturer doing so.

There are a surprisingly large number of small builders making them, though--just takes some digging to find them.
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Old 03-17-2019, 01:06 PM
perttime perttime is offline
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Electric mandolins have been produced by many makers. I'm sure DIY instructions are available too.

Take a browse at
http://www.emando.com/

One builder: http://www.manndolins.com/
(also electric ukuleles)
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Last edited by Kerbie; 03-17-2019 at 04:26 PM. Reason: Edited
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Old 03-17-2019, 04:25 PM
Realbluesman Realbluesman is offline
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IIRC there are harmonic issues with 8 string electric mandos.

I always thought the 5 string mando-casters were way cool!
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Old 03-23-2019, 01:34 AM
darylcrisp darylcrisp is offline
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Sierra Hull plays one in her concerts.
https://youtu.be/vFfSxIrs4jU

https://youtu.be/AWJ6-jH1mbs

Last edited by darylcrisp; 03-23-2019 at 01:39 AM.
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Old 03-23-2019, 09:11 AM
Mandobart Mandobart is offline
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There are TONS of great emandos out there. A friend of mine runs a website dedicated to just that (Google emando.com).

Eastwood makes some good ones. Here are some other links:

Andrew Jerman

Ed Elliott

I'm not impressed with the Fender. So many other options. I have a Mandobird VIII with an Almuse pickup.
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