More ebay emandos

[Django Fret]

Time is running out to grab this one:

One of a Kind (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190167175409&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=009)

[mrmando]

The Tele is by Dave Farmiloe. The one-of-a-kind (thank goodness) is our ol' buddy Allen Gerrell.

[mandroid]

reminds me of an electric guitar , a solid body, had its own
prop strut than folded out to be a built in stand.
anyone remember which one that was?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

I'm thinking a Hoboken N.J. era Guild

[mrmando]

Here's another '56 Mary Kay slab-body <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/1956-FENDER-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-VINTAGE-MANDOCASTER_W0QQitemZ230189014899QQihZ013QQcategor yZ
118989QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Mandocaster</a> for what is probably a [cough cough] record asking price...

[clem]

reminds me of an electric guitar , a solid body, had its own
prop strut than folded out to be a built in stand.
anyone remember which one that was?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

I'm thinking a Hoboken N.J. era Guild
That would be correct. Guild Thunderbird, I believe S-200?

[taboot]

Martin, [cough, cough] indeed on that price. I was thinking more along the lines of "ha, ha." More power to the seller, I suppose, if he can get it, but I'd be surprised. Personally, I think 10k is a little much for just about any mass production electric instrument, especially one like this with pretty limited appeal.

Christian

[Jim MacDaniel]

A '56 blonde mandocaster (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230189014899&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123), with an opening bid of only $10K. #(Could he have the year wrong on this one? I thought the contoured body started with the '58's.)

[jefflester]

A '56 blonde mandocaster (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230189014899&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123), with an opening bid of only $10K. #(Could he have the year wrong on this one? I thought the contoured body started with the '58's.)
Is there an echo in here? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[clem]

It isn't a '56; it is hugely overpriced and there is an ech...

It isn't a '56; it is hugely overpriced and there is an eh...

It isn't a '56; it is hugely overpriced and there is...

It isn't a '56; it is hugely overpriced and ...

It isn't a '56; it is ...

[Jim MacDaniel]

In case anyone didn't see it, here is '56 blonde mandocaster (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230189014899&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123) that might be a tad overpriced given that it isn't really a '56 and wasn't owned by anyone famous. ;)

[mrmando]

Whoops, I didn't look at all the pictures. Yes, with the contour body it's probably a '58 or '59. Actually more desirable than a '56, but still ...

[jefflester]

A more reasonably priced "leet" (check that serial number) mandocaster (http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-FENDER-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-SOLID-BODY-MANDOCASTER_W0QQitemZ300169056931)
The instrument looks to be in better shape than the chorus stomp box.

[Kid Charlemagne]

EDIT: never mind.

[Django Fret]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Rickenbacker-electric-mandolin-MapleGlo-Gold-Perfect_W0QQitemZ140178383275QQihZ004QQcatego

ryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">MapleGlo Rickenbacker</a>

[Jim MacDaniel]

I am not too crazy about the looks of those Rick emandos, but I love their twangy-jangly sound. Too bad they don't make them look more like their guitars, instead of like a short lap-steel. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Django Fret]

Here is another one, <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/St-George-Electric-Solidbody-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ180180707551QQihZ008QQcategoryZ1 0179QQssPag

eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">By George!</a>

(St. George that is and in what looks like nice condition!)

[EdSherry]

Blue Star Mandoblaster:

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Beautiful-Blue-Solid-Body-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ230194304203QQihZ013QQcategoryZ1 0179Q
QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/Beautif....iewItem</a>

[Jim MacDaniel]

A sweet looking Tourtellotte Mandocaster clone (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220176913734&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us) (at first glance, I thought the auction listing referred to it as a "Tourette's Mandocaster")

[Jim MacDaniel]

I wasnt' aware of it until this auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220179071982&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123), but Eastwood is now making lefty mandocasters.

[delsbrother]

Well, I did start this thread (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=22;t=48348) about it...

And if you SHOP NOW (http://www.myrareguitars.com/demoguitars.html) you can get a demo model on sale! I know others disagree, but I prefer these Eastwoods to Bluestars (in the better-than-mandobird-but-sub-$1K range). YMMV.

Oh, and if you're in the giving mood, you could always get me one of these sets (http://www.myrareguitars.com/00Airline2ampFINAL.jpg) (so I can match my avatar)!

[Jim MacDaniel]

Del Vecchio reso eCavaco (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110207162611&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123)

[mrmando]

And here, not to be outdone, is a Tucciarelli Flying V (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280185144269&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018).

[delsbrother]

Aw, Jim, that's so cute! I want a DelVechhio Dynamico Tenor, but this one might warrant a bid. Too bad it's kinda trashed. I wonder how it compares to a National uke.

[Jim MacDaniel]

And here, not to be outdone, is a Tucciarelli Flying V (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280185144269&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018).
Dagnabit -- I just asked my wife for that one for Xmas, so I was hoping that listing would fly under all of your radars. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[delsbrother]

If live near NJ (and you act real fast) you can bid on this early Schecter Celloblaster. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180194943432) I can't deal with his shipping requirements, but I'd love to have one of these too.

[delsbrother]

So, does Joel Eckhaus get a cut of this sale?


The Importance of Being Nato (http://cgi.ebay.com/Doubleneck-Double-Neck-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ130184743869)

[mrmando]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

[mrmando]

Here's a reply to my e-mail asking for more pictures:

Hello. Thanks for asking about this Mandolin. This one is already being sold,but I have 3 more being made,and it takes about 2 weeks for these to be made. After they are finished I will have them posted on Ebay with more detailed pictures.
Thanks. Carmen
Uh-huh. Ye olde bait and switch.

[taboot]

I don't get it - doesn't that constitute fraud of one form or another?

Christian

[mrmando]

On the contrary, Christian, I think you do "get it." I forwarded that e-mail on to eBay. If the product has been sold, Miss Carmen should close her listing.

If I had more money than time I would drive over to Yakima (2-3 hrs., unless there's snow in the passes) and see if she actually has an instrument.

[Jim MacDaniel]

I asked them specifcally about where it was made, what the neck widths were on each neck, if they could send me some closeup pics of the bridges and pickups, and a few more miscellaneous questions, none of which they really answered in this reply:


Hello. Thanks for asking about this Mandolin. I have these custom made for me from a company in China,and a company in AU. This Mandolin is already in the process of being purchased, but I am having 3 more made,and it takes about 2 weeks to have them made from scratch. Once they are finished, I will have them relised on Ebay. If you have a specific color other than this one that you might be interested please let me know. I will also put more deatailed pics up on the next one.
Thanks. And have a Merry Christmas.

Oh. There is no specific name brand for the Mandolins because they are custom made to whatever I want to brand them as. I was thinking of naming the guitars after me. I realy dont know if i should leave them with no name or not. I would like to have them custamized for the customer's request,but that means I would have to have the company make it,and then ship the item to me,and then I ship it to the customer. I dont think the customers would be willing to wait 2 weeks for this.
Once again. Thank you, any ideas would be appreciated as well.

Following Martin's lead, I also just forwarded the email to eBay's fraud unit.

[Jim MacDaniel]

This is funny -- in response to Carmen's "request" in the above email about ideas for naming her mandolins, I replied and suggested she should name them "Earnest", to which she replied:


It is funny that you pick that name, because there is a guy named Earnest that makes double neck Mandolins too. I sent hem an message before to ask some questions, but his E-mail was not working right.

[mrmando]

I think we're dealing with a hijacked account here. The account holder sold only clothing until a couple of days ago, when all of a sudden it started listing instruments.

[delsbrother]

Here's something else to contemplate...

What would you call this thing - a fretless emandobass? (http://cgi.ebay.com/5-string-fretless-baritone_W0QQitemZ180198659633)

[mrmando]

Carmen, the guy who's selling the Earnest knockoff, sent me a "pro forma invoice" from Weifang Huihao Musical Instrument
Co. in China, showing that they are indeed shipping him three doubleneck mandolins. I think Weifang Huihao also makes the weird "Tennessee" electric guitar/mando doublenecks one now sees on eBay. Another Weifang Huihao dealer, Tropical Moon Music, is also using the Earnest photo, so I don't know who originally stole it. Apparently Carmen is convinced that Earnest is also a seller of Chinese knockoffs! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif I predict that when Carmen actually gets his instruments, they'll look more like this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190177492581).

[EdSherry]

A "Kingston Teisco":

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-KINGSTON-TEISCO-ELECTRIC-SOLID-BODY-MANDOLIN-60s_W0QQitemZ300186916158QQihZ020QQcateg
oryZ119094QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-KI....iewItem</a>

[EdSherry]

And another Japanese no-name:

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Solid-Body-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ140195285140QQihZ004QQcategoryZ1 0179QQssPage
NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage....iewItem</a>

[EdSherry]

What purports to be a "reissue" of the Fender MandoCaster (I hadn't known they made any, and judging strictly by the photos, the work doesn't strike me as Fender quality -- but hey, the price is right!):

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-Electric-Mandolin-MANDOCASTER-Reissue-RARE_W0QQitemZ110212097558QQihZ001QQcategoryZ
10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-....iewItem</a>

[EdSherry]

Finally, a Silvertone:

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-60s-Silvertone-ELECTRIC-Mandolin-by-Kay-MINT_W0QQitemZ110212366474QQihZ001QQcatego
ryZ119027QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage....iewItem</a>

[mrmando]

And another Japanese no-name:

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Solid-Body-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ140195285140QQihZ004QQcategoryZ1 0179QQssPage


NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage....iewItem</a>
It's identical to a San Remo, for whatever that's worth.

What purports to be a "reissue" of the Fender MandoCaster (I hadn't known they made any, and judging strictly by the photos, the work doesn't strike me as Fender quality -- but hey, the price is right!):
Another seafoam-green SB-4!

The last one sold for $1K to Jim Bevan, who already owns Mandocasters from '56, '57, and '65. I have asked Jim for a report on the SB-4 when he gets it. But, as I've said elsewhere, I believe this is an import that never saw the inside of the Fender custom shop.

Finally, a Silvertone:
That's what I say to myself after long hours of searching for one! Nice photos, although personally speaking, that's where I keep toothbrushes, not mandolins. But to each his own...

[Jim MacDaniel]

Here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=22;t=49683;st=0;r=1;&#entry611837) is a discussion on a different Seafoam SB-4 and an SB-8, both of which recently sold on eBay US and eBay UK respectively...

[Eddie Sheehy]

I have an Epiphone Mandobird VIII. While not the best sounding instrument, it is great fun to play especially using special effects on an amp. The action is excellent, easy on the fingers. My son has decided it's his so I recently ebay-purchased an Eastman Mandocaster. It should arrive tomorrow, again an inexpensive e-mando that I hope to have a lot of fun with. I just moved an Ovation MCS148 and an Ovation MM68 on Ebay (taking a loss on the MCS148 but making up for it on the MM68 - I wasn't pleased with the acoustic sound of either and the Mandobird was more fun to play electrically. I also ebay-sold a Strad-o-line (German-sold, Dutch Made Octave-Mandolin with a modified guitar neck. I never got used to the wider neck when transitioning from a bouzouki or mandolin. Well 'tis the season and sometime tomorrow another Ebay purchase will arrive - an Ovation MC868. I may have bitten off more than I can chew on this one. I assume it is tuned CCGGDDAA, so i can see myself playing it with a capo. My current instrument-of-choice is a Johnson MA-550 which I usually play with a capo on the 5th fret - a sliding capo that makes key-changes a snap. I really love this instrument, regardless of the bad press it gets on Mando sites. I used to have a Morgan-Monroe OM F-style, but it just didn't compare to the Johnson and one of them had to go. I resurerected my bouzouki-playing about two years ago picking up one of those Chinese half-moon 'zouks. The action, tonality, and sound sucked but it gave me back my passion and interest and now my house looks like a music shop. I would appreciate any tips/suggestions on playing the Ovation Mandocello - MC868. I mostly play folk/celtic style music. BTW I live in Irvine in So. Cal. Any mando sessions happening down this way?

[jefflester]

A "Kingston Teisco":

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-KINGSTON-TEISCO-ELECTRIC-SOLID-BODY-MANDOLIN-60s_W0QQitemZ300186916158QQihZ020QQcateg

oryZ119094QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-KI....iewItem</a>
Looks like if a stiff breeze came up it might topple into the water. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[delsbrother]

It makes your ears bleed.

[Jim MacDaniel]

A "Kingston Teisco":

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-KINGSTON-TEISCO-ELECTRIC-SOLID-BODY-MANDOLIN-60s_W0QQitemZ300186916158QQihZ020QQcateg

oryZ119094QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-KI....iewItem</a>
I love that mandoguitar-inspired body shape. (I'll bet it would look in good in that SB-4's seafoam green ;)

[Jim MacDaniel]

Hey Martin -- what's the skinny on this Carvin (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270202079936&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017)? The seller says it sounds nice and "twangy"; might it yield a "capoed 12-string" sound similar to the Rick emando Cody Braun uses?

[taboot]

I can't find any detailed information about the AP-4 pickup, which is reportedly installed in this thing, but it looks a lot like a P-90. Those little guys are twang kings with enough clarity and bite for even the most selective of telecaster players. This might have the sound you're looking for...

Christian

[Jim MacDaniel]

Thanks Christian http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[delsbrother]

Jim, as I've mentioned before, there are several Carvins in stores along Hollywood's "Guitar Row" (on Sunset Blvd). I think one of them, Vintage Gear, has about 3-4 in various configurations. Don't remember how much they're going for, though. If you're seriously interested, you should make a trip down. Just don't forget your leather pants.

Carvin museum page (http://www.carvinmuseum.com/index.shtml)

Edit: Never seen a sunburst one before, though!

[Jim MacDaniel]

Jim, as I've mentioned before, there are several Carvins in stores along Hollywood's "Guitar Row" (on Sunset Blvd). I think one of them, Vintage Gear, has about 3-4 in various configurations. Don't remember how much they're going for, though. If you're seriously interested, you should make a trip down. Just don't forget your leather pants...
LOL! Will leather chaps be OK?

[delsbrother]

Well, it is Hollywood, so I suppose they'd fit in too. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[mrmando]

The Carvin in question appears to be from the mid-'60s (http://www.carvinmuseum.com/decade/66-guitars.html). One sees the earlier ones more often, interestingly.

[Mike Herlihy]

What purports to be a "reissue" of the Fender MandoCaster (I hadn't known they made any, and judging strictly by the photos, the work doesn't strike me as Fender quality -- but hey, the price is right!):

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-Electric-Mandolin-MANDOCASTER-Reissue-RARE_W0QQitemZ110212097558QQihZ001QQcategoryZ

10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-....iewItem</a>
Fender did a limited re-issue on the Mandocaster. Mandolin Brothers listed one a couple of years back.

[delsbrother]

I can't find any detailed information about the AP-4 pickup, which is reportedly installed in this thing, but it looks a lot like a P-90. #Those little guys are twang kings with enough clarity and bite for even the most selective of telecaster players. #This might have the sound you're looking for...

Christian
Christian, are you talking about Carvins in particular, AP-4s, or P-90s in the bolded quote?

[delsbrother]

Well 'tis the season and sometime tomorrow another Ebay purchase will arrive - an Ovation MC868...

...BTW I live in Irvine in So. Cal.
Waitaminute - there are THREE of these things (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200191061245) in Orange County? Who knew?

[mrmando]

Ladies and gentlemen, a red Mandocaster (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190189781302).

1956-57 slab body with the later tortoise pickguard and rosewood fretboard? Weird. Maybe the specs had changed by the time the body got back from its custom finish job. I'd love to know what date is written inside the neck joint. This would be a rare bird; John Kruth owns the only other red Mandocaster I know about.

[taboot]

Christian, are you talking about Carvins in particular, AP-4s, or P-90s in the bolded quote?
I was thinking of P-90's there, which is a bit odd in retrospect, since Telecasters didn't have P-90's in them. #Either way, they're great for that twangy, biting electric country sound. #A friend of mine plays a G&L thinline tele clone with P-90s that sounds like God's Own Telecaster. #

Christian

[Jim MacDaniel]

Ladies and gentlemen, a red Mandocaster (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190189781302).

1956-57 slab body with the later tortoise pickguard and rosewood fretboard? Weird. Maybe the specs had changed by the time the body got back from its custom finish job. I'd love to know what date is written inside the neck joint. This would be a rare bird; John Kruth owns the only other red Mandocaster I know about.
Wow -- I don't think the refinisher could have picked a color that clashed more with the pickguard. (My eyes are still spinning in their sockets. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif )

[mrmando]

I don't think it's a simple refin. That pickguard doesn't belong with that body, no matter what color the body is. Wasn't the contour body introduced before the tortoise pickguard? I.e., didn't all slab-body Mandocasters originally have the anodized pickguard?

[Jim MacDaniel]

You are right -- so the previous owner or refinisher "upgraded" the pickguard. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

I can't tell for sure from the pic below (I don't own the CD), but it looks like Kruth's has a black pickguard? (Or maybe it is a trick of the light on an anodized pickguard) Also, were the maple fretboards also only on the slabs?

[mrmando]

It might be the anodized pickguard with some oxidation on it ... note the pick-worn spot on the treble side. I think the maple fretboards go through '59 or '60. It looks like Kruth's has the contour body.

Anyway, they do exist in other custom colors. I've seen examples in Shoreline Gold and Lake Placid Blue.

... or, looking at the eBay ad again, maybe this one does have the contour body. It's hard to tell from the photos.

[delsbrother]

Pimp My Mandobird (http://cgi.ebay.com/INLAY-SOLID-ELECTRIC-4-STRINGS-UKULELE-LENGTH-27-6499_W0QQitemZ230212470146QQihZ013)

[MandoBen]

Have you seen this one yet? The Battle-Axe:

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Wishbass-Custom-Electric-Mandolin-4-String-emando_W0QQitemZ140199039171QQihZ004QQcategoryZ
10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/Wishbas....iewItem</a>

[Geoff B]

Interesting battle-axe. #Here is my interpretation:

[Ted Eschliman]

Pimp My Mandobird (http://cgi.ebay.com/INLAY-SOLID-ELECTRIC-4-STRINGS-UKULELE-LENGTH-27-6499_W0QQitemZ230212470146QQihZ013)
If I could find shoes to match, I'm there!...

[Martin Jonas]

That Vietnamese Mandobird is interesting. I wonder if they took a plain Mandobird and "improved" it, or whether they copied it from ground up. If the former, I would think they have problems with the profit margin. I also wonder whether they really have it tuned to uke tuning...

Martin

[Jim MacDaniel]

Or, I wonder if they bought it from direct the same factory that builds the EPI. (Does the EPI come with gold colored hardware?)

[jefflester]

The standard Mandobird does not have gold hardware, definitely has a different neck (not blonde like the Tsai), a different backside plate, and it also looks to me like angling of the knobs is a little different and the headstock shape is different. Different Pickup maybe also. So it doesn't seem like an improved stock Mandobird, rather a copy.

(I don't remember if the neck is always the same color as the body like this gold flake, but this was the only pic I found Googling that showed the backside)

http://www.chrisguitars.com/epi-mandobird-gold.jpg

[mrmando]

Wow -- I don't think the refinisher could have picked a color that clashed more with the pickguard. (My eyes are still spinning in their sockets. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif )
Well, you could always throw this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3775932031&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us) on it.

[delsbrother]

I like the story George Gruhn tells in his Homespun Vintage Guitar video. IIRC he had gone into a shop where someone was refinishing a Gibson doubleneck from sunburst to white, much to Gruhn's horror. The finish guy (with gun in hand) said something like, "What's the matter George, I can put the original finish back on if you'd like."

Note to Jim, went to Hollywood GC yesterday and they only had one Carvin guit-mando doubleneck left - $3500. Didn't have time to check out Vintage Gear though, they had the most Carvins before. Next time I go I'll try to take some pix.

Darrell

[Jim MacDaniel]

Thanks Darrell -- if they've still got some in stock, it might be a good excuse to fly down and visit my customer in Brea.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Wow -- I don't think the refinisher could have picked a color that clashed more with the pickguard. (My eyes are still spinning in their sockets. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif )
Well, you could always throw this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3775932031&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us) on it.
That would work nicely.

You know, I think I agree with you that the body does indeed appear to be countoured (check out the slightly curved light-reflection on the back), which would explain the red pickguard and rosewood &#92;fretboard -- and which would make it at least a '59, right? (There's a '58 burst on eBay now with a maple fretboard.)

So the question is, is a refinished '59 (or later) really worth their asking price?

[mrmando]

I think if it's a refin, then no, it isn't worth $2.5K. If it can somehow be established that the red job is a factory-applied custom finish, then yes.

...

Duh...

The eBay ad says it's a refin. I didn't notice that before.

And it has the "Original Contour Body" decal on the headstock. Which should remove all doubt on that question. That decal was added in mid-'59. It has the pre-'65 Fender logo, so this instrument was made between 1959 and 1965.

...Actually, I see the seller has found the neck date: 1/62.

The refin should reduce the collector value by a significant margin, and since it's from a later, less-collectible period to begin with ...

the real value is likely to be no more than half of what they're asking for a starting bid.

I would actually love to own this instrument, but a refin should make it more affordable, not less.

Note that the seller's OTHER Mandocaster has the post-1965 logo (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190189781297&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us) and the Contour Body decal, placing it between '65 and '70. Again, not worth near what they're asking for it.

[mrmando]

The red Mandocaster auction just ended with no bidders. Seller's MO seems to be to start high and if the item doesn't sell, drop the starting bid by $300 and relist (judging from the SRV Strat and Vox bass auctions that ended earlier). Could get interesting if that goes on long enough.

[delsbrother]

Yet another Celloblaster. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330205398726&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=014)

This one is only an hour's drive from my house (but my Maestro-fund is dry at the moment)! Someone here please get it! If it goes for $199 I'm going to puke.

[groveland]

These things seem to go up for sale at exactly the wrong times. #This one was the style I want - I was all set up for late-night bidding wars, and then my wife, bless her heart, reminded me of priorities. #It went for cheap, too! Alas. I await the next one.

[mrmando]

Well, I looked at it, but ended up with this (http://cgi.ebay.com/?ViewItem&item=370016994226) instead.

[delsbrother]

Nice snag! Definitely looking forward to the review.









#######! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Ted Eschliman]

Oh you DOG, Martin!
Alright, how much d'ya want for it?...

[mrmando]

We'll see. I might decide to flip it to one of you fellas, or keep it. I have a boatload of 8-string electrics and two 5-strings at the moment, but no 4-strings, so there might be a place for this one.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Nicely done Martin -- at that price it's still a great deal even if you have to upgrade the pickup. (And at that price, even my wife would have been OK with me buying it ;)

[mrmando]

Well, if MY wife says anything about it, I'll just tell her Jim's wife said it was OK.

Two weeks ago one of those puppies went via Buy It Now for $299. It was listed for all of 17 minutes. (We've been tracking them in another thread, but we missed that one.) Fella in Arkansas got $650 apiece for three of them in Buy It Now auctions that were up &lt;24 hours. And of the ones that have gone in a full-term auction, $798 has been the lowest price (just closed about 4-5 minutes ago).

[mrmando]

...Anyway, if I do keep it I won't have any qualms about customizing or upgrading it.

[delsbrother]

OK, now that I finally have <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Schecter-Glossy-5-String-Baritone-Guitar-VG-Shape_W0QQitemZ180204757965QQihZ008QQcategoryZ



121166" target="_blank">this one</a> in my hands (after a truly strange shipping experience), and the sting has worn off watching a nicer one go for cheap (within driving distance of my house), up pops this pointy one (below) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Schecter-CB-20001-Diamond-Series-5-String-Electric_W0QQitemZ110218969114QQihZ001), within WALKING distance from my house. Of course it's wacky looking in white pearl and suitably trashed. But hey, what do you want for 99 cents? This would've been great to stumble upon in a local pawn shop, though. It's probably spent a hard life playing OC EMO-metal until now.

http://i2.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/d5/e6/07fe_12.JPG

Note the 10th/22nd fret markers - I think when these were still called CB models they had these markers, but when they adopted the "A5-X" and "C5-X" monikers (two pickups) they changed to 9th fret markers. I wonder if you could swap necks back and forth? Now I really want to find a red or walnut C5-X to find out.

As for my CB-2000, its pretty banged up but playable. Not really a fine guitar - just your basic MIK Strat clone, with a crude little 5 string humbucker. In all-black it's kind of Eddie Peabody meets Metallica with a little Frankenkramer thrown in...

I need to find suitable strings for it, as it came with the upper 5 of a 7 string baritone set installed. The old Celloblaster websites speak of huge strings and treacherous truss rod adjustment, so wish me luck!

Or perhaps... at 26.5" scale... e-mandole (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=4;t=22730;hl=mandole)?

[Martin Jonas]

Here (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280198121926) is an Errington solid-body eight-string on Ebay UK.

Martin

[Jim MacDaniel]

Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180213833159&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123) is someone who either hasn't been following the SB-4 discussion thread and doesn't know how to use eBay's closed auction seach function, or hopes both are true about his potential buyers...

[jefflester]

Here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180213833159&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123) is someone who either hasn't been following the SB-4 discussion thread and doesn't know how to use eBay's closed auction seach function, or hopes both are true about his potential buyers...
It appears flip it fast bought one for $855 fairly early in the game (after the first one sold for $1000) and is now trying to make back that money (plus more). Good luck. :-)

[mrmando]

Mitch is a Cafe member, so he can read that thread any time he wants. He has bought at least two of these instruments. In a capitalist society, you can't blame a guy for trying to make some dough. He's listed this instrument twice now for $1,495. That establishes a perceived value among bidders who might have missed the earlier spate of Mandocaster reissues. Down the line he may list it in a no-reserve auction and still make a little money on it ... or it'll end up being a loss leader.

[Jim MacDaniel]

If all else fails, he can wait a while and try to sell it again for that amount after sellers all work through their current/temporary inventories. That way he may be able to seel it to someone who regrets missing out on getting one of these today.

[Django Fret]

Here is a sixties-era <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/1965ish-Sanremo-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ200198953283QQihZ010QQcategoryZ1 0179QQssPageNam

eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Sanremo</a>

[keith_rowan]

i saw that yesterday and thought it looked pretty cool.. anyone got any info?

[Django Fret]

Who would have thought that a 10-string mandolin banjo (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=140206603460&Category=10179) would need to be amplified?

[delsbrother]

Pimp my Galveston. (http://cgi.ebay.com/INLAY-SOLIDWOOD-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-MD2195_W0QQitemZ230219098747QQihZ013QQcategoryZ238 4)

[Jim MacDaniel]

Pimp my Galveston. (http://cgi.ebay.com/INLAY-SOLIDWOOD-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-MD2195_W0QQitemZ230219098747QQihZ013QQcategoryZ238 4)
Dag! -- I would have bought it if he covered the back in inlay as well (esp. with a rabbit playing cricket http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif )

[keith_rowan]

a whole bunch of mandocasters on ebay.uk
<a href="http://search.ebay.co.uk/mandocaster_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQcatrefZC6QQdfspZ32QQf romZR10QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ32QQftrtZ1QQftrvZ1
QQga10244Z10425QQlredZmandocasterQQsabfmtsZ1QQsaca tZQ2d1QQsaobfmtsZinsifQQsaprchiZQQsaprcl
oZ" target="_blank">http://search.ebay.co.uk/mandoca....aprcloZ</a>

goin for around 300 us

[mrmando]

Those are Aldens -- the same instrument and same price as the Eastwood Mandocaster, with some different finish options.

[jefflester]

Funky 10-string banjo-mando with Fishman (http://cgi.ebay.com/Unique-custom-10-string-banjo-mandolin-electric-new_W0QQitemZ140206603460)

More pics here. (http://homepage.mac.com/areswolf/TommySwirled/sale.html)

http://homepage.mac.com/areswolf/ebay/bm1.jpg

[Django Fret]

Here is a <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-1960s-Electric-Mandolin-perfect-mini-guitar_W0QQitemZ330211484044QQihZ014QQcatego

ryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">1960's Electric Mandolin </a> "perfect mini guitar".

[Link]

Oh, I bought that one.

[Link]

I think it's a Bruno from Teisco. Think it was worth the almost-$400?

[mrmando]

Yes, either a Bruno or a Conqueror. Are there any unexplained screw holes in the bass horn, or any evidence that a nameplate was once stuck there?

[Link]

Yeah, there's stuff that the guy assumed was sticker residue on the bass horn.

[Link]

So, how rare are those? Was it worth the money? This is my first mandolin (although I've played the viola for many years), so I can't really judge.

[jefflester]

Seems like a bit of an odd choice for a first mandolin.

[Link]

Why?

[mrmando]

Conquerors have a "Conqueror" nameplate on the bass horn, but other than that they look just like a Bruno. So you probably have a Conqueror missing its nameplate.

Most people go acoustic when they buy a first mandolin, but what the hey. I wouldn't pay more than $400 for one of these, but it's not really a bad price. eBay has kind of redefined what is "rare" any more. I think over the course of a given year, you will find one of these instruments on eBay about half the time.

[Django Fret]

Link, I wouldn't worry as long as you are happy with it, and it probably won't be the last mandolin you buy!

You could always bid on this <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/E-F-Elliott-Custom-Electric-Mandolin-Dixie-Chicks_W0QQitemZ120224564611QQihZ002QQcategoryZ

10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">E.F. Elliott</a>...

[delsbrother]

Is that being sold BY Elliott?

[Django Fret]

Is that being sold BY Elliott?
Looks like that to me according to the listing description:

"A Cool little Custom Solid Body Electric Mandolin, made in Oklahoma USA by Luthier E.F.Elliott.

This little mando is exactly like the one I built and sold to multi-Grammy award winning Fiddle/Mandolinist Martie Maquire of the Dixie Chicks back in 2000."

[Link]

Actually, mrmando, I think that I bought a Bruno—they have a nameplate on the bass horn, while the Conquerer has one on the headstock.

Also, when you say, "one of these instruments," do you mean this particular model? I somewhat doubt they're on there half the time...

Now, what I really wanted was that San Remo.

[delsbrother]

I have a feeling all of these (Bruno, Conquerer, Kent, Kingston etc.) came out of the same factory in Japan. Link, what's the scale on yours? Some are longer than others. My Kent is almost mandola scaled, and I keep it tuned as one (CGDA).

[Link]

I don't have it yet, so I can't really tell you. I could determine the scale length with some algebra, but I can't find my tape measure. But I do know that it's 29.5" long.

[Ted Eschliman]

I'm glad to see Ed back in the mando business again. He interned with Semi Mosely and built for Ernie Ball for awhile. I had a red PRS-ish looking 8-string (wish I still had) about the same time Martie starting slinging her Elliott. "Surfguitarguy" was the handle he used when I bought mine off Ebay from him seven years ago.

http://jazzmando.com/new/archives/images/Elliot1.JPG

Only thing I didn't like about about it: 9th fret marker. (Grrr...)

[mrmando]

Yes, that's Ed. He built this one a while ago; I don't know if this means he intends to build more, or if this is a one-off.

[mrmando]

Link, let's say there is a Bruno, Conqueror, Kingston, Kent or other such Japanese solidbody on eBay half the time. That would encompass several different body styles.

Conqueror, Bruno and Kingston all came from the Nagoya Music Factory. I have photos of both Conquerors and Brunos with nameplates on the bass horn, so I guess we haven't really narrowed Link's purchase down to either of those brands.

[mrmando]

Here's a Ross Teigen (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280204855798) e-mando. Love the design, especially the F-holes through the body, like those old Ampeg basses.

[delsbrother]

Sooo..... When does the Fender make it to the signature line? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[mrmando]

Look! It fits!

[taboot]

That Teigen is an interesting looking thing, can't say I'm in love with the design but it could grow on me over time. On a functional leve, with a true solid body like that, doesn't it seem like you'd just be losing sustain and resonance though?

Christian

[mrmando]

You just might, unless the F holes are cut in such a way as to enhance the body's tonal properties.

On the other hand, you could stick a sandwich in there in case you get hungry during the gig.

[John Hill]

Does the world really need a <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PRO-QUADRUPLE-NECK-BASS-MANDOLIN-BANJO-AND-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ190200249835QQcmdZViewItem?
hash=item190200249835" target="_blank">quadruple neck</a> instrument with an electric banjo?

[mrmando]

But Mom, all the other one-man electric bluegrass bands are playing them!

How about a 1951 Epiphone (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200204367640) with a Bartolini?

[John Rosett]

Yeah, I love that Epiphone mandolin. I've never seen one before, and a google search turned up nothing. It does look alot like the blonde one on your website, although I bet the fleabay one is later, since both the knobs are on the same side. It'd look really cool with a 4-string version of the vintage Epiphone pickup.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Does the world really need a <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PRO-QUADRUPLE-NECK-BASS-MANDOLIN-BANJO-AND-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ190200249835QQcmdZViewItem?

hash=item190200249835" target="_blank">quadruple neck</a> instrument with an electric banjo?
Maybe not the world, but Durga could probably make good use of it.

[Mike Herlihy]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/rare-2004-Rickenbacker-5002V58-MANDOLIN-in-mapleglo_W0QQitemZ150222188843QQihZ005QQcategor
yZ41439QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Rickenbacker 5002V58 MANDOLIN</a>

Nice looking mando. How do they sound?

[crazymandolinist]

Those pics are fantastic. It's a real shame no one's going to see them once the auction ends. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[crazymandolinist]

So, does Joel Eckhaus get a cut of this sale?


The Importance of Being Nato (http://cgi.ebay.com/Doubleneck-Double-Neck-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ130184743869)
Hey I wonder if any doubleneck anything players have thought of having two output jacks so you can put both instrument on different amps, say an acoustic amp and a distorted amp? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[mrmando]

The latest from Antonio Tsai (http://cgi.ebay.com/?ViewItem&item=230228840449) is surely worth a look...

[mrmando]

Hey I wonder if any doubleneck anything players have thought of having two output jacks so you can put both instrument on different amps, say an acoustic amp and a distorted amp? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
You don't need two output jacks, just a stereo jack and a Y cable or splitter. I briefly owned a Rono (single neck) that was set up this way.

[John L]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/rare-2004-Rickenbacker-5002V58-MANDOLIN-in-mapleglo_W0QQitemZ150222188843QQihZ005QQcategor

yZ41439QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Rickenbacker 5002V58 MANDOLIN</a>

Nice looking mando. How do they sound?
I would like to a Rickenbacker shaped more like their guitars - I don't like the looks of this one at all (but to each their own!).

[Jim MacDaniel]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/rare-2004-Rickenbacker-5002V58-MANDOLIN-in-mapleglo_W0QQitemZ150222188843QQihZ005QQcategor




yZ41439QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Rickenbacker 5002V58 MANDOLIN</a>

Nice looking mando. How do they sound?
Kind of like Roger McGuinn with a capo; check out this link for a sample: http://youtube.com/watch?v=wpUXrDrUfDM (Wicked Twisted Road, live, by Reckless Kelly)

[Mike Herlihy]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/rare-2004-Rickenbacker-5002V58-MANDOLIN-in-mapleglo_W0QQitemZ150222188843QQihZ005QQcategor


yZ41439QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Rickenbacker 5002V58 MANDOLIN</a>

Nice looking mando. How do they sound?
I would like to a Rickenbacker shaped more like their guitars - I don't like the looks of this one at all (but to each their own!).
Like this?

[jefflester]

No, like the Tony Revell that gets mentioned everytime the Rickenbacker subject comes up.

http://emando.com/images/builders/Revelbaby_rick.gif

[Mike Herlihy]

No, like the Tony Revell that gets mentioned everytime the Rickenbacker subject comes up.

http://emando.com/images/builders/Revelbaby_rick.gif
ahh, sweet axe!

[crazymandolinist]

Hey I wonder if any doubleneck anything players have thought of having two output jacks so you can put both instrument on different amps, say an acoustic amp and a distorted amp? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
You don't need two output jacks, just a stereo jack and a Y cable or splitter. I briefly owned a Rono (single neck) that was set up this way.
That wouldn't do it, you'd just have two amps playin at the same time I'm talking about seperate outputs so you could say break into mando right after you play a distorted guitar or something. Let's use an sg doubleneck for example. There's only one output jack, so if you wanted to do an acoustic bit on the twelve string and then do a solo on the six string with gain, you couldn't do it without immediately stomping on a pedal. With two seperate output jacks, you would get two different sounds. Basically just two siamese twin instruments. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[mrmando]

So you want to add a neck to the instrument and run a second cable just so you don't have to stomp a pedal?

I wonder whether the magnetic pickups would catch any vibration from the acoustic neck if you had both necks hot at the same time. Or what if you happened to brush against your electric strings while playing your acoustic solo?

[mandroid]

A mix of magnetic and piezo work. since both are 2 contact wired they can share a ground , and use TRS jack and an Inset splitter to divide the output processing, back to 2 TR.. and need only 3 conductors,

[mrmando]

Right, if you've got a splitter on board the instrument, you don't even need the stereo jack. You'd still want an A/B box to switch amps at the same time you switch pickups. You could probably move a splitter switch and stomp on a box in the same amount of time it would take you to move your left hand from one neck to the other.

Not saying there aren't good reasons to build doublenecks, but I'm not convinced that running different pickup systems is, by itself, one of those reasons. That can be done on a single neck. However, I like the 8/5 or 8/4 doubleneck concept, because double and single courses feel and play differently. It would be cool to have switchable pickup systems on each neck.

[mandroid]

Oh you were on a multiple neck thing.
I was coming from a dual parallel source on the same instrument, single neck..

any how, use MIDI cable and you got 5 connections.

A Roland GK cable and you got 13.

several other DIN/standard mini plug connections, those 2 are so common that the cables are fairly low cost.

my RMC acoustic gold/polydrive 2 set uses an 8 connector set and cable. that allows 6 signals + 2 spares, #7 in my setup is the magnetic pickup,

. . . . . Now, back to our regular programming.

[crazymandolinist]

So you want to add a neck to the instrument and run a second cable just so you don't have to stomp a pedal?

I wonder whether the magnetic pickups would catch any vibration from the acoustic neck if you had both necks hot at the same time. Or what if you happened to brush against your electric strings while playing your acoustic solo?
It's only an alternative to having two instruments strapped to ya. That's it. It only works if you know what yer doing. I fyou want to further discuss this topic let's do a different thread plz, this one's long enough already.

[Django Fret]

Returning to the thread topic, here is a four-string Brazilian <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/4-String-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ300205020192QQihZ020QQcategoryZ1 0179QQssPageNameZWDVWQ

QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Malagoli</a>

[Jim MacDaniel]

It's baaaaa-aaaaaack: the "50's mandocaster" made in '61, and refinished to red in somtime in the 70's, 80's, or 90's: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....&ih=010 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200205472739&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=010)

(This time OB = $1500)

[Jaco5]

Does anybody know where I might find some chord charts for 5 string mando? jazz oriented. Thanks.

[mandroid]

Jaco5,
You combine Tenor Banjo and Mandola chord relationships and the mandolin ones ,
or just shift all the Names down a 4th, from what you know on Mandolin.

[Django Fret]

An interesting Kent Model 886 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=150225188686&ssPageName=STRK:MEBI:IT&ih=005) from the 60's.

[Jim MacDaniel]

I wonder if Sir Paul has one of those, now that he plays mandolin?

[taboot]

I like the look of that thing! Looks like there might be some position issues with the pickup poles under courses G and D, but nothing too serious. Anyone know what the pricing on this is likely to be?

Christian

[jk245]

The latest from Antonio Tsai (http://cgi.ebay.com/?ViewItem&item=230228840449) is surely worth a look...
this one is a keeper!

[delsbrother]

Well, I wouldn't mind if my Mandobird looked like this:

http://files.list.co.uk/images/2007/09/06/kt-tunstall-lp.jpg

Of course I don't think they make that dress in my size...

[crazymandolinist]

That violin shaped thing is really something, real imaginative and the design really works.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Well, I wouldn't mind if my Mandobird looked like this:

http://files.list.co.uk/images/2007/09/06/kt-tunstall-lp.jpg

Of course I don't think they make that dress in my size...
You are probably correct about that, as that is a mandobird; KT Tunstall just happens to be exceptionally short -- which means the dress size must be something like 4T ;)

[delsbrother]

Gordon Smith on eBay UK (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200206628856&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsearch%2F search.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26satitle% 3D200206628856%26fvi%3D1)

Hey, while I'm at it, is there such a thing as eBay Japan, or not? Anyone? Link?

All I can find is stuff like this, (http://nifty.amikai.com/amiweb/browser.jsp?url=http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w22362066&langpair=2%2C1&toolbar=no&lang=JA&c_id=nifty) which doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

Oh, and then there's this:

Almost ripe... (http://cgi.ebay.com/Electric-mandolin-custom_W0QQitemZ270220772896QQihZ017QQcategoryZ101 79)

[Jim MacDaniel]

Looks like the Alden Mandocasters (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300208923290&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123) have finally arrived in the US, this one in transluscent blue.

[jefflester]

5 string Tele style by Kenny Blackwell (http://cgi.ebay.com/Five-String-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ110235842620)

Poor pics, though.

[jefflester]

Here's a Ross Teigen (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280204855798) e-mando. Love the design, especially the F-holes through the body, like those old Ampeg basses.
The Teigen (http://cgi.ebay.com/2006-ROSS-TEIGEN-ELECTRIC-MANDOLIN-CUSTOM-BUILT-LOOK_W0QQitemZ280212644990) is up again.

[mrmando]

5 string Tele style by Kenny Blackwell (http://cgi.ebay.com/Five-String-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ110235842620)
Do you think this is THE Kenny Blackwell?

SoCal mandolinist; studied with Jethro Burns; has played with Richard Greene and the Laurel Canyon Ramblers. Plays a dark-finish Flatiron with block inlays. Looks like Sam Bush's evil twin.

[jefflester]

5 string Tele style by Kenny Blackwell (http://cgi.ebay.com/Five-String-Electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ110235842620)
Do you think this is THE Kenny Blackwell?

SoCal mandolinist; studied with Jethro Burns; has played with Richard Greene and the Laurel Canyon Ramblers. Plays a dark-finish Flatiron with block inlays. Looks like Sam Bush's evil twin.
Very well could be, he's worked repairs at the Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor in the Valley for years (I don't know if he still does).

I found this reference from '98, which just so happens to be a promo for the concert where I first saw Nickel Creek.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/WHERE+T....3833585 (http://www.thefreelibrary.com/WHERE+THE+BLUEGRASS+GROWS%3B+LAUREL+CANYON+RAMBLER S+KEEP+IT+FAST+AND...-a083833585)

[Django Fret]

A 12-string <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Hammertone-Electric-Mando-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ200211731577QQihZ010QQcategoryZ1 0179QQssPageNa
meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Hammertone</a>...

[Jim MacDaniel]

Martin -- looks like you are getting closer to owning that refinished "Cherry Electric", as the opening price just dropped again to $1200 in its most recent listing (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170208755270&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007)...

[taboot]

I once heard Buddy Miller play an instrument much like that Hammertone while backing Shawn Colvin. He's a guy who knows how to get really purely beautiful sounds out of an electric instrument. It was *gorgeous*.


Christian

[mrmando]

Martin -- looks like you are getting closer to owning that refinished "Cherry Electric", as the opening price just dropped again to $1200 in its most recent listing (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170208755270&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007)...
Yes, it's tempting, isn't it? I would happily give up the seafoam green FM-984 in exchange for this one.

P.S. Closed at $1200 with no bids ... come on, man, just a little lower ... or how about saving yourself some listing fees? Do a real auction and start it at a buck.

[mrmando]

Pentabass! (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230242905785)

[delsbrother]

This post will cement my place in emando geekery (as if it was ever in doubt), so bear with me. Believe it or not, I've actually done research on this!

I used to think that that shape was unique to BC Rich Pentasystem models, but after delving deeper into BC Rich fan sites (!) I learned these instruments were based on an existing body shape called the <span style='color:red'>Ignitor:</span>

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c68/hcb726/ignitor.jpg

I think these were offered in 6 and 7 string versions; both in neck-thru ("Made in the USA") and bolt-on ("Imports"). The two BC Rich Pentasystem instruments I've seen in person had (massive) bolt on neck joints, so I thought if I could just find a bolt-on Ignitor in a pawn shop I would be a neck away from Pentasystem glory (plus I'd get things like "better" pickups, electronics, trem, etc.).

Unfortunately even metalheads thought Ignitors were ugly (and of course, they thought Pentasystem was stupid), so while there are slightly more Ignitors out there to be had, they are still very rare. Those that do exist are considered a curiosity by BC Rich fans, so they're usually snapped up by collectors.

BTW, for those willing to wait, you can still custom order an Ignitor (http://upload8.postimage.org/11217_5387848c51c8a24cdacd4207d8b1c241/IMG_0081.jpg) from the BC Rich Custom Shop - prices start at $2799 (the one pictured is well north of $3K with options). Unfortunately, they won't make them with Pentasystem necks anymore (I asked). http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Now after all that... That Pentabass is cool! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif There are a bunch of BC Rich fans who lust after an Ignitor Bass, and that's not a bad price, considering how much the custom shop charges.

[delsbrother]

Another early Schecter Celloblaster (http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-GUITAR-SCHECTER-FIVE-STRING-27-FRET-TELE-DESIGN_W0QQitemZ230246558385QQihZ013)

[Martin Jonas]

I've just thrown a bid at this, but didn't hit the reserve, so if anybody else wants to have a go in the next two hours, be my guest:

Tony Revel Rickenbacker bodyshape (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320252022040)

Martin

[taboot]

I've just thrown a bid at this, but didn't hit the reserve, so if anybody else wants to have a go in the next two hours, be my guest:

Tony Revel Rickenbacker bodyshape (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320252022040)
It's lovely, but considering the seller's reluctance to post, 'standing a little petrol money' to the USA would be a bit out of my reach ;)

Christian

[mrmando]

Well, Martin (Jonas), would you be willing to pick this up and post it if one of us crazy Yanks were to buy it?

[jefflester]

Wow! Adding the pic for preservation porpoises.

Shropshire is a long ways away from the few people I know in the UK, but looks to be relatively close to martinjonas.

[mrmando]

Grr. Outbid at the last second. Reserve was 375 pounds and it sold at 411. That's dirt cheap. If I were selling it in the States I would be asking $2,000.

[Martin Jonas]

Well, Martin (Jonas), would you be willing to pick this up and post it if one of us crazy Yanks were to buy it?
Didn't see that in time -- I've only just come back to my computer with the auction already over. The seller is about 50 miles from me, so I would have taken up his offer of petrol money.

I also agree with (the other) Martin that the winning bid is dirt cheap, and maybe if I'd known the reserve was only 20 Pounds above my bid I would have upped a bit. That I didn't isn't because I thought it wasn't worth it, but because it would have been a bit of an indulgence for me to buy it. Although I haven't heard it, it seems to me fairly similar to my Amazing in concept and pickup configuration. The Revel probably has wider tonal variety and more professionally conceived electrics, but while both are sharp-looking, I personally think the Amazing is even sleeker than the Revel.

So, well-done to the lucky winner and I hope he has a great time with it!

Martin

[delsbrother]

Hadn't seen one of these doublenecks (http://cgi.ebay.it/CHITARRA-ELETTRICA-DOPPIO-MANICO-CHITARRA-E-MANDOLINO_W0QQitemZ150250464296) #before, but then again I don't get this far afield often...

http://i5.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/da/d2/361e_2.JPG

Working my way West...

There's got to be an interesting story behind this aluminIum-necked SG (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260243703438)

http://i9.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/f2/bf/95e4_1.JPG

Finally, a neat rhino-horned Eccleshall. (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220237540157)

http://i15.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/f2/3b/374b_1.JPG

[Martin Jonas]

I've been looking at that Eccleshall and may well throw a bid at it, if it stays low. Let's see. Somewhat peculiar configuration of the polepieces: six polepieces in two bunches of three for an eight-string?

Martin

[Ken Olmstead]

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Jonathan-Mann-acoustic-electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ140235665675QQihZ004QQcategoryZ1 0179QQss
PageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">I'm in love!!</a>

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Jim MacDaniel]

Hadn't seen one of these doublenecks (http://cgi.ebay.it/CHITARRA-ELETTRICA-DOPPIO-MANICO-CHITARRA-E-MANDOLINO_W0QQitemZ150250464296) #before, but then again I don't get this far afield often...
The mandolin neck's headstock looks a little like a Carvin headstock -- any chance this was made in the same factory?

[delsbrother]

You mean the same factory that's making these things?

http://tropicalmoonmusic.eaph5.com/share/4NECK/4NECK6.JPG

I guess maybe. How do you say "Tennessee" in Italian? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

You know, those other mandolin-guitar doublenecks* (http://tropicalmoonmusic.com/sitebuilder/images/d458_1_sbl-174x378.jpg) look more like actual Carvins (http://www.emando.com/builders/Carvin.htm), but they haven't exactly gotten favorable reviews. (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/product/Tennessee/Mandolin%2FGuitar+Doubleneck/10/1)

Back in the day (ehrm, the '70s) you could actually buy Carvin mando necks and pickups from them (they were the forerunner of the kit-supply house). Those are the only parts that are difficult to make nowadays. I wonder what happened to all of those parts!

*BTW the US importer I linked to above is famous for finding images of instruments on the Internet (e.g. Joel Eckhaus' Earnest, Mike Doolin's Harp Guitars) and sending them off (without licensing) to Asia for mass (re)production. So while I show those images for your amusement, I'm not actually recommending you buy from them...

[Cliff D]

Potentially very economical: 4 people in the band all play the one instrument simultaneously! Can't wait to see the video demo!

[Martin Jonas]

Has anybody come across these (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300228164689) Tele-styled 8-strings (well, actually Tele/Strat hybrid-styled)? Branded "Hutchins", which means nothing to me (and isn't listed on Emando.com). Looks fairly generic Asian, in which case it's probably overpriced compared to the Alden Mandocaster or the Mandobird (not that you can get a Mandobird easily in the UK).

Martin

[Cliff D]

It may have Hutchins on the headstock, but thats the Alden/Eastwood. I think the angle of the headstock was changed (see the discussion in "Secret weapon of the vikings" thread) but the pick ups, pattern of the pick-guard (& that not so clever bridge!) give it away.

[Bret Roberts]

Well I have now joined the emando ranks !!!

Many thanks to delsbrothers for pointing this one out on ebay.

Gibson SG lookalike (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260243703438)

Thinking I should do a repaint, What do you all think?

All in all, not to bad of a deal (I hope)

[Martin Jonas]

Congratulations, B-MAN. #I threw a lowball bid at that one, too, but it wasn't the second-highest, there was another bidder between us. #I'm pretty sure it's something some kid or machine shop apprentice knocked up as a combined hobby project and CNC practice piece, making the aluminium neck and the somewhat chunky aluminium bridge and tailpiece himself. #Nevertheless, as long as he got the fretting and the neck profile right, it should be a great fun knockabout, especially at this bargain basement price. #

You'll have to see whether it needs a repaint once you get it; I suspect it isn't that bad. #What I was planning to do is completely rewire the electrics. #We know that at least one pot was wired up incorrectly, and I don't see any shielding or star grounding in the picture, so I suspect it can be improved, possibly also with new pots/caps depending on whether the existing ones are any good. #There's lots of space for the wiring, so rewiring properly will be quite easy. #Whether the pickup is good quality isn't clear from the description and photos -- I was going to try to identify it and then decide whether to stick with it or to get another humbucker. #Full-size rail humbuckers are somewhat rare, so sticking with it for the time being (unless it's dismal) is probably OK. #If you're feeling up to a modest rewiring job, and if the pickup has all four wires so that you can tap the two coils separate, you may consider adding a five-way switch to change between in-series-in-phase, parallel, in-series-out-of-phase, single coil A and single coil B. #That gives you five different sounds out of that one single humbucker. #Two of them may well be unimpressive or redundant (out-of-phase is usually too low in signal, and the two single coils are likely to be similar to each other), but that still leaves three distinctly different tones. #Slightly easier would be to just add a Les-Paul style toggle switching between humbucker and single coil tone, and that's probably just as useful in practical terms.

Good luck, and let us know how you're getting on!

Martin

[Bret Roberts]

Thanks for all that information.

I have a friend who is really into all the electric so will show him your post.

I will not get it till the end of June, had to have it sent to my Daughter in the Uk as posting it to Luxembourg was just to much.

Have to say I'm really looking forward to messing around with this.

Thanks again for all the info

[Tom C]

Those strings look so far apart at the tailpiece. Just like the old bat harmonys.
http://i19.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/f2/bf/a34c_1.JPG

[delsbrother]

The pickup looks a lot like the one in my (Korean) Schecter Celloblaster.

As for the repaint, how could you improve on BLACK? Especially on a mando that's so Metal. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[taboot]

G

R

O

A

N.

Christian

P.S. Catch me after a few beers, and I might admit that I wish I had come up with it first...

[Martin Jonas]

Rather annoying weekend on Ebay for me: I had my eye on the previously-posted Eccleshall (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220237540157), if it stayed low. Well, it didn't -- the winning bid is fair market value, I'd think, but no huge bargain. The same seller also had this Sherwood (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220237541088), with the auction ending a few minutes after the one for the Eccleshall. For a long time, the two stayed around 40 Pounds with little between them. Right at the end, the Eccleshall shot up, but the Sherwood didn't -- it ended at 48.89 Pounds ($100). Now, it's clearly not as classy as the Eccleshall, but at that price it's a huge bargain. "Sherwood" was Hobgoblin's house brand for UK luthier-made mandolins (contrasting with "Ashbury", their brand for Asian factory models). I know that the acoustic ones at least were made by David Freshwater, and I suspect this one was, too. If so, that price is a joke. Well, I meant to watch both auctions and switch to the Sherwood if the Eccleshall got too high. I forgot, so somebody else picked it up. Sigh.

Then, I was also quite keen on this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220238819985) auction, for a 4-string Fender Mandocaster neck and body (no pickup, electronics bridge or tailpiece), and actually managed to put in what I thought was a pretty generous bid. Somebody else bid higher, so no luck. Would have been an attractive project -- free choice of customised pickups and electronics with none of the tedious neck/body building.

Martin

[mrmando]

Interesting -- evidence that not all the FM-984 rejects landed on the U.S. side of the pond.

[delsbrother]

You know, that Pentabass keeps popping back up after not getting any bids. I dug around a little bit and I think the seller is this guy (http://www.pentasystem.com/ryder-v3.html) (or someone related to him). If I'm reading correctly, it's the guy who currently "owns" Pentasystem, right? That would explain how he has the first-ever prototype... Anyhow, if you scroll down the linked page there are several pictures of other Pentabasses, should you swing that way. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

Still don't understand why all the photos are backwards in the auction, unless that's some kind of code...

[mrmando]

No, he's one of Alex's former business partners. He's not the guy who bought Pentasystem.

[jefflester]

The double cutaway acoustic-electric Mann (http://cgi.ebay.com/Jonathan-Mann-acoustic-electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ140237630994) from 2 weeks ago has been relisted.

Kingston (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230258605359)

[Buzz]

I realize this has become something of an electric mando thread, but would you guys mind taking a look at this ebay Mando listing? I know it's a lower end, solid wood A style. Curious if you see any red flags. I need a lower end mando for traveling and other high-risk environments. Thanks for your help!

Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....43179http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190226743179http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif)

[Ken Olmstead]

The double cutaway acoustic-electric Mann (http://cgi.ebay.com/Jonathan-Mann-acoustic-electric-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ140237630994) from 2 weeks ago has been relisted.

Kingston (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230258605359)
That Mann is really cool. Hard to buy it when I know I could have a new EM-8 made for the same money. I really do like this one though! $750 would probably cause me to fold.... I wish I knew more about how it played and sounded. I don't think Mann currently makes these which leads me to believe he likes his new designs better. Anybody (other that the seller) ever play this model??

[Ken Olmstead]

Actually, I was wrong. Johnathan still lists his 2 point, flat back at $1400 without the pickup. So he would probably make the Jazz model for about $1600. Hmmmmm....

[jefflester]

I realize this has become something of an electric mando thread, but would you guys mind taking a look at this ebay Mando listing? #I know it's a lower end, solid wood A style. #Curious if you see any red flags. #I need a lower end mando for traveling and other high-risk environments. #Thanks for your help! #

Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....6743179 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190226743179)
This has always been an electric mando thread (title is "More ebay emandos").

That Kentucky looks good to me.

[Buzz]

Thanks Jeff - my bad on the title.

[Jim MacDaniel]

It's hard to tell from the photo, but is that one of those 16" scale Kingstons? (I emailed the seller to be sure, but would a "yes" make it a long-scale emando, or a short-scale e'dola? ;)

[delsbrother]

My 16" Kent came tuned as a mandolin, but your fingers will like it better as a mandola. At least mine did.

Well, that didn't take long. (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260248057032)

So, did Bo know Mandocello?

http://i9.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/f5/4d/0ba7_12.JPG

[mrmando]

The seller and, it would seem, the builder of the Bo Diddley mandocello is apparently Shawn Spencer, formerly of Bardsong Instruments. What can one say about Shawn without getting into trouble? I never dealt with him directly, but let's just say he does not have a stellar reputation. I am tempted by the instrument because it looks cool and has, for all I know, an authentic Diddley autograph ... but then again, considering the source, it might be more hassle than it's worth. Looks like it was customized with a Magic Marker. Don't expect a finely crafted instrument; Shawn always worked fast & cheap.

I'm also curious about this StewMac (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260248748054) in Cleveland. I think I know who this seller is too; he's a heck of a swing fiddler and was in a band with Seth Rosen if I'm not mistaken.

[Django Fret]

Picture of said Stew Mac...

[Jim MacDaniel]

It's hard to tell from the photo, but is that one of those 16" scale Kingstons? (I emailed the seller to be sure, but would a "yes" make it a long-scale emando, or a short-scale e'dola? ;)
The seller advised it is 17" from nut to bridge.

[Jim MacDaniel]

There are several of these <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Double-neck-Electric-Guitar-and-Mandolin-new_W0QQitemZ200229914763QQihZ010QQcategoryZ2384Q
QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">emando/guitar double-necks</a> listed at eBay at this time with a $250 USD buy-it-now price. (A tempting price, but this could be an example of "you get what you pay for"?)

[John L]

Any comments on the StewMac? Are they kit mandos? If so, this one looks like it was was well built. Not sure about the starting price...

[mrmando]

Hi John. I don't think this one's a kit mando. It has the headstock decal and is probably one of the ones built by Don MacRostie and sold through StewMac as a completed instrument. These are rare; the price back in the mid-80s was $500-600 IIRC; and it has the Parsons-White string bender; so I don't think the asking price of $900 is out of whack at all. I haven't encountered more than 2 or 3 of these in the whole time I've been chasing electric mandolins.

I had one of the kit StewMacs in stock for a while (no bender, no sunburst, no decal) and sold it for $600. The one on eBay is a significant upgrade from that.

[John L]

Hi John. I don't think this one's a kit mando. It has the headstock decal and is probably one of the ones built by Don MacRostie and sold through StewMac as a completed instrument. These are rare; the price back in the mid-80s was $500-600 IIRC; and it has the Parsons-White string bender; so I don't think the asking price of $900 is out of whack at all. I haven't encountered more than 2 or 3 of these in the whole time I've been chasing electric mandolins.

I had one of the kit StewMacs in stock for a while (no bender, no sunburst, no decal) and sold it for $600. The one on eBay is a significant upgrade from that.
Thanks for the info.! I didn't know StewMac sold completed instruments. I guess that is why I hang out here - love to learn.

The bender looks interesting - what do you know about that? Has anyone else built a mando with the bender? Is it hard to use? Is it even useful?

[mzuch]

This (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160250886319&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=006) one looks interesting, a 1986 from Jeff Harrison of Unicorn, despite the out-of-focus listing photos. Is anyone familiar with his e-mando work? Impressions?

[jefflester]

Nice birdseye.

Adding picture for posterity.

[Scott Tichenor]

Ted and I had a discussion about this thread and decided to close it and to have these posted in the future in a more current thread in the eBay section (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?41942). In the process I moved some of the more recent posts into the other one so the are no longer a part of this older thread.