Outstanding Playability - Yes!

**MikeEdgerton** · Dec-17-2011, 8:21pm

The auction:

eBay Auction

From the body of the auction:

...Traditional appearance and outstanding playability is what the FM-63S is all about...

A picture for posterity:

Click image for larger version.

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I wonder how outstanding the playability is without a bridge? I would have thought that these guys would have simply used the Fender stock photos.

**Jim Garber** · Dec-17-2011, 8:32pm

Very low action.

**MikeEdgerton** · Dec-17-2011, 8:38pm

Yes!

**Markus** · Dec-17-2011, 9:01pm

It does state that it is used.

For what is my question.

**JEStanek** · Dec-17-2011, 9:05pm

I can't easily determine the scale length.

Jamie

**JeffD** · Dec-17-2011, 11:11pm

Seems to me that is not "fully operational and functions as intended".

**Ben Milne** · Dec-18-2011, 4:51am

I'd like to say get over it.... But you might be able to without a bridge.

**Psyberbilly** · Dec-18-2011, 8:29am

Reminds me of the Carmax commercials " well I couldnt afford a mandolin AND a bridge ....."

**Pipeous** · Dec-18-2011, 9:18am

I bet it comes professionally setup too right? Just wow...

**barney 59** · Dec-18-2011, 11:52am

Sounds like someone took the text from Fender's catalog description and used it in their listing.

**Bill Snyder** · Dec-19-2011, 7:58pm

This is being sold by Music123. Just out of curiosity I contacted them to ask if a bridge was included in the auction and they said:
"Thank you for contacting our eBay store.
No. This is as is.
We appreciate you choosing our eBay Store.
We are dedicated to your satisfaction with this and every purchase from us.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any other questions or concerns.
Thank you.

- music123"

**F-2 Dave** · Dec-19-2011, 8:48pm

I'll bet that the original customer returned it because it had an unusual buzzing at the first fret........and the second fret.......and the third.....and....

**MikeEdgerton** · Dec-19-2011, 9:02pm

Originally Posted by Bill Snyder

This is being sold by Music123. Just out of curiosity I contacted them to ask if a bridge was included in the auction and they said:
"Thank you for contacting our eBay store.
No. This is as is.
We appreciate you choosing our eBay Store.
We are dedicated to your satisfaction with this and every purchase from us.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any other questions or concerns.
Thank you.

- music123"

That's funny.

**f5loar** · Dec-19-2011, 11:20pm

When a music dealer doesn't bother to at least put a bridge on it to see how it plays and sounds then they are either very stupid or very smart. Either way buyer beware on this "as is". I'm not that up on these Fender imports but I think it has that time proven "hand dipped" lacquer finish on it. Some call it "bullet proof" finish.

**Bertram Henze** · Dec-20-2011, 1:56am

Originally Posted by Markus

It does state that it is used.

For what is my question.

Closer forensic scrutiny reveals that there are none of the typical traces left by a bridge. Plus, the strings are all crosswired. But it looks cool and stylish as it hangs from that wall mount. I suspect that's what it has been all its life: a sunburst painting.

And the artistic value would be needed to justify the price - I just wonder why they are selling it at eBay instead of Sotheby's...

**KarlM** · Dec-20-2011, 2:26am

Originally Posted by Bertram Henze

Closer forensic scrutiny reveals that there are none of the typical traces left by a bridge.

It's hard to say; the closeup picture shows quite a bit of scuffing near the scroll that's not visible at all in the larger pics, so it could just be the lighting angle. Still pretty weird though. Also odd that the question doesn't appear on the listing.

**billkilpatrick** · Dec-20-2011, 3:28am

one of those silent mandolins you never, ever hear about - from o'fender - makers of fine irish musical instruments

**allenhopkins** · Dec-20-2011, 11:42am

Here's a guess: Music 1-2-3 ships out the Fender mandolin originally with the bridge packed in the box but not installed, as sometimes happens -- attempt to avoid shipping damage by not having the instrument under string tension. Purchaser pulls it out of the box, says "yech!" or "I thought I ordered a P-Bass, but I was really baked when I went on-line, must have hit the wrong model number," or "I was going to give this to my boyfriend for Christmas, but that dog dumped me for Tiffany," or some such -- sends it back, forgets to include the (separate) bridge.

Music 1-2-3 gets the return, and Klaus the shipping guy rummages in the box, says "Where's the bridge?" Rather than trying to find or buy a replacement, Klaus sends it over to the "As-Is eBay Auction No Returns You're On Your Own, Guy" department, and it shows up as we see it now.

Alternative scenarios welcome...

**JeffD** · Dec-20-2011, 11:50am

Originally Posted by allenhopkins

Here's a guess: Music 1-2-3 ships out the Fender mandolin originally with the bridge packed in the box but not installed, as sometimes happens -- attempt to avoid shipping damage by not having the instrument under string tension. Purchaser pulls it out of the box, says "yech!" or "I thought I ordered a P-Bass, but I was really baked when I went on-line, must have hit the wrong model number," or "I was going to give this to my boyfriend for Christmas, but that dog dumped me for Tiffany," or some such -- sends it back, forgets to include the (separate) bridge.

Music 1-2-3 gets the return, and Klaus the shipping guy rummages in the box, says "Where's the bridge?" Rather than trying to find or buy a replacement, Klaus sends it over to the "As-Is eBay Auction No Returns You're On Your Own, Guy" department, and it shows up as we see it now.

Alternative scenarios welcome...

A wonderful hypothesis. Seems entirely likely. Except...

...Those crossed strings. Hard to figure. If the mandolin was given to some flunky to "change the strings", and the flunky, not knowing anything about mandolins, also forgot the bridge.

**KarlM** · Dec-20-2011, 5:55pm

Originally Posted by JeffD

A wonderful hypothesis. Seems entirely likely. Except...

...Those crossed strings. Hard to figure. If the mandolin was given to some flunky to "change the strings", and the flunky, not knowing anything about mandolins, also forgot the bridge.

I dunno, are you sure they're really crossed? Sure they're bunched up, but the only ones that look like they might be crossed are the two G strings, and that could either be an illusion because they're so slack or because they just dropped in the wrong positions in the nut.

**Costly Mistake** · Dec-24-2011, 10:49am

Maybe the original bridge is "LONG GONE"?? I bet you could pick up another one though.

**kkmm** · Dec-26-2011, 4:21pm

It it not surprising for the brand new mandolin to have crossed strings. I ordered an KM-254 on the Black Friday from Music123 and that's what I got right out of the box.
The strings are crossed, the bridge is in a small plastic bag. I got string buzz and contacted the store and they say to return it if I am not satisfied with it. Later I figured out I had the strings TOO LOW. Simple adjustment and this thing plays smooth.

The guess about the buyer returning the box without the bridge is every possible.
Let me guess a little further: the buyer just wanted the bridge and went thru all this trouble of buying/returning !!!
The reply from Music123 is pretty much computer generated, not from human.
I called the store directly when I need important infos and the staff there is very helpful. I bought quite a few gadgets from this store.
Music123 could have added a replacement bridge and sell it like brand new (it seems to be), but did not do this as it's no longer brand new, and may not have the proper Fender bridge.