2 of 10 4 strings apparently sold at $995!!!! (no thanks)
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2 of 10 4 strings apparently sold at $995!!!! (no thanks)
For a four string?! That's crazy, they aren't really all that speacial, just one single coil pup on a tiny unimaginative body. They're not really all that rare either. I lovum though, I want five. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/...icons/wink.gif
Changed my mind, I want 6. two five strings, two eight strings, and two four strings in white, red, blue, sunburst, watever. LOVUM. Hey guys ever heard of the FM52SB I think that's what it's called. Sunburst, flame maple top, and amber tuning machines. They have two pickups, and a black headstock. There's one in my music shop for like 450 or 650. Love it. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/...andosmiley.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by (crazymandolinist @ Mar. 05 2008, 12:07)
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/...icons/rock.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by (crazymandolinist @ Mar. 06 2008, 15:10)
The only Fender mandolin with two pickups is the FM-60E. It has 5 strings:Quote:
Originally Posted by (crazymandolinist @ Mar. 06 2008, 15:30)
http://emando.com/builders/Fender2.htm
This and several other models were introduced 8-9 years ago in the States. Out of those models, the FM-60E probably came the closest to replicating the old Mandocasters. Except it had that pesky 5th string and extra pickup.
I think a lot of people in the States wanted a reissue of the beloved 4-string Mandocaster, but Fender didn't seem interested in meeting that demand. That alone was galling enough, but it was even more frustrating to know that a few such instruments were available in Europe. Contrary to your opinion, the FM-984 is indeed rare. The European production run was very limited (it wasn't originally authorized by Fender, as I understand), and out of that run, the batch that eventually made it to the States was even smaller (approx. 40-50 instruments, including both 4-strings and 8-strings).
So while a Korean-made Mandocaster copy might not have a lot of intrinsic value in terms of craftsmanship, it is quite scarce; it has the Fender name on it; and there is relatively high demand for it. As we like to say around here, a mandolin is worth whatever someone will pay for it. Guitar Chuck sold the first FM-984 to hit eBay, and he got $1,000 for it. Then he bought all that were left from the original wholesale batch and held them for a couple of months. Now that Chuck and Mitch appear to have the only remaining FM-984s available on eBay, they can pretty much control the price. If Chuck has sold two more for $995, that just means he has played his cards correctly.
Hmm, thanks for that bit, I love mando history. That page on Fender manos sure has gotten bigger since I last looked at it.
They're back here and <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Mandocaster-Mandolin-RARE-Reissue-FM-988-SB-8_W0QQitemZ360040222381QQihZ023QQcatego
ryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">here</a>.
Fender should so reissue those, with enough advertising and enough quality I think they'd do great. Just do the same original colors and everything.
No less a personage than Warren Ellis of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds is sporting a red FM-984 on the road and in the studio. The instrument shows up on several tracks on the recent Cave disc, Dig! Lazarus! Dig!
Could someone tell me the distance between the outermost strings at the bridge on a FM-984?
Have one that lacks the bridge. So I need to know to get a replacement.
Just measured mine. It's 1 9/16" from E slot to G slot.