NGD - Fender Mandostrat, Upgrade?

[MiG-19]

Just got it in! It's great right out of the box and has a good setup. I ordered the OFM4UP bridge and Almuse ALMS4 replacement pickup from Moongazer when I ordered the Mandostrat, but now I'm wondering if I should replace the stock bridge and pickup? It stays in tune, sounds great, and I don't know if it will be any better with the upgrades.
At any rate, it's a fun little axe for less than 300 bones.

[MiG-19]

When I showed it to my instructor, he said "Don't show up at a Bluegrass jam with it"! But, he liked it too.

[F-2 Dave]

Very cool. Congratulations.

[Ron McMillan]

I don't have the Fender - mine is an 8-string Mandocaster, with replacement humbucker from Almuse and bridge from Moongazer, and I'm delighted with the upgrades.

[darrylicshon]

Always liked the fender one day i will have to get one

[lenf12]

If the Mandostrat is what I'm thinking, it's too bad about their choice of the Villager headstock (Smurf shapes are not my cup 'o tea) but otherwise it is on my short list of must have instruments. It's time for an (affordable) 8 string solidbody electric to be added to the arsenal.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[lenf12]

I just Googled it and see there are 2 models. I was referring to the Mandostrat 8 with the Villager/Smurf headstock. I'm trying to envision it with a Strat or Tele guitar shaped headstock.......hmmm, I do love the classic shapes but the Villager is not one of them.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[lenf12]

I just Googled it and see there are 2 models. I was referring to the Mandostrat 8 with the Villager/Smurf headstock. I'm trying to envision it with a Strat or Tele guitar shaped headstock.......hmmm, I do love the classic shapes but the Villager, not so much.



Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[MiG-19]

The 8 string is the hockey stick variant. I went with the 4 string, still can't put it down!

[mandroid]

I just Googled it and see there are 2 models. I was referring to the Mandostrat 8 with the Villager/Smurf headstock. I'm trying to envision it with a Strat or Tele guitar shaped headstock.......hmmm, I do love the classic shapes but the Villager, not so much.



Len B.
Clearwater, FL

have the FM61se From the Short run Korean Batch in 8 strings

Tweaked it with a DIY scratchplate to replace and upgrade the whole electrics part, jack pots & Pickup.
put FW 74s on it ..

used to own a Villager 12 string FWIW..

[Gunwald]

Have an FM988 and I didn't like the headstock to begin with but after awhile I have started to like it. But what reduce my appreciation is their open tuners. That's not solid body style to me. The Mando Strat 8 has the same tuners as the 4-stringer. That's good.
The Mando Strat 8 lacks string retainer bar so I expect the headstock is designed so it still give the strings enough pressure on the nut?

[mandroid]

also, FWIW ... my FM61 has a string guide bar behind the nut..

[zoukboy]

I like that headstock because it reminds me of the Electric XII, one of the coolest guitars ever made: http://www.thewho.net/whotabs/gear/g...ectricxii.html

Remember the 12 string on "Stairway to Heaven"? It's an Electric XII (and the solo was played on a Tele).

[lenf12]

....It's time for an (affordable) 8 string solidbody electric to be added to the arsenal....

A few weeks back I said it was time to get an affordable 8 string electric. It's not a Fender. It's a Morgan Monroe so it was quite affordable and considerably more versatile because of the 2 pickups. Lots o' fun and it greatly appeals to the frustrated Tele player in me......



Len B.
Clearwater, FL