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Thread: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

  1. #1
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    Default Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    Hello I m thinking of diving into the world of the electric mandolin. Don t have a gib budget so I thought this would be a good idea. Have a few questions before I do the big step. What genres can it play? I have a line-6 guitar amp, do I need to buy a new one? Is it a good instrument overall, any known problems? Should I upgrade it with another pickup?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    #1, any genre you can play on any other Mandolins .

    if you dont like the Asian pickup you are free to replace It..

    My Korean made Fender FM61 8 string, I made a new scratch plate and replaced the electric parts as a whole set.

    should I need to sell it, and offers are Low, I'll put the original plate Back On.
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    Registered User Rodney Riley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLL...&v=LC6qXVLfg3E
    Eva has a Schwab not a Fender. But one type of music good for an electric.
    Also look for videos by Jim Richter, he has a lot if fun with a Fender.

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    fishing with my mando darrylicshon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    You can play just about any kind of music and your line 6 amp should work fine. About the pickup i was going to put a Seymour Duncan replacement pickup in but sofar i am happy with the sound of mine. And i love playing it.
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    Registered User zedmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    I've played them, I like them.
    I have a an Epi mandobird--but it's still a solidbody electric mandolin--I love it.
    The Mandostrats are cool too--if you like it, don't worry about it, and get one.

    If you don't like the pickup--get a new one--if you like it, keep it.
    Would it save you a lot of time if I just gave up and went mad now?

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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    We re trying to start a band playing classic rock and other more progressive staff. I find me self a bit too quiet ( the keyboard really messes with my sound) and I also want to try all those pedal effects. Thanks for the answers!

    Any thoughts on the almuse pickups?
    Also I cant find any Jim Richer videos with a solid electric.

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    Brentrup Evangelist Larry S Sherman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    Quote Originally Posted by Themis Paraskevas View Post
    Also I cant find any Jim Richer videos with a solid electric.
    This is the one I remember most:



    Larry

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    Registered User Ronny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    Quote Originally Posted by Themis Paraskevas View Post
    Any thoughts on the almuse pickups?
    I use the Almuse "The Agressor" pick up on my "Déjà Vu" e-mando... It's a great pickup, I'm happy with it, as soon as the shielding of the mando is well done...
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    Oval holes are cool David Lewis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    I find that a wah pedal (or at least my wah pedal - a Morley Steve Vai Bad Horsie II) has too much of a sweep for my solidbody. My envelope filter - a Boss AW-3 is great though.

    (A standard Morley pedal or a Korg or a less rangey wah may well work: Sam Bush uses one, it seems). But the touch-wah, envelope filter, whatever you wish to call it removes all doubt.
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  12. #10
    Registered User zedmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    Quote Originally Posted by David Lewis View Post
    My envelope filter - a Boss AW-3 is great though.
    I have one of those as well--and it works great with my Mandobird--it should work quite well with the Mandostrat.
    Some settings may not be as good--but many of them will work well.
    Would it save you a lot of time if I just gave up and went mad now?

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  14. #11
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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    I like a bit of compression effect to sustain and smooth out the sound.
    Very easy on the seasoning though. Too much is not an improvement.

  15. #12
    Matt Stevenson
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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    For what its worth, I upgraded mine with a new bridge and pickup from Moongazer Music and it made a world of difference to the sound and playability (especially with regards to an overly quiet e-string). Also installed some 'vintaged' Fender tone and volume knobs from Amazon just for kicks...
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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    Matt, I'm going with the same upgrades to my recently acquired Mandostrat. My Indonesian made one has the metric (6mm) pot splines on it. Were your replacement knobs made to fit this smaller size or did you modify the standard size 3/8" original Fender knobs? I see plenty of 'Fender Strat' knob suppliers on the 'net but they don't specify the size of pot that they fit.
    (I was lucky to pick up a new looking instrument which had been sitting virtually unused for 4yrs; still had the original strings on it).

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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    I have a fender Mandostrat, reissue, about 4 years old, purchased new, and a fender fm60e five string, purchased used. Both are beautiful instruments and each has a unique voice. I have had several different amps, which all worked ok, but I especially like the sound I get from a Roland jazz chorus 22, 30 watt amp. The only pedals I use are three cheap Behringer pedals, a reverb pedal, a vibrato pedal (sounds just like a whammy bar) and a delay pedal. I toyed with the idea of upgrading electronics, etc, but ended up,leaving them as original. I'm quite happy with both instruments like they are. I like the iconic look of both and the fender name makes me hark back to the 60s when I had a rock and roll band. You can't go wrong with a fender Mandostrat, and your line 6 amp will be a great place to start. Good luck going electric. I haven't looked back since switching to electric 3 years ago.

  19. #15
    fishing with my mando darrylicshon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fender Mandostrat, worth buying?

    I have many solidbody Mandolins and I enjoy playing my mandostrat, I haven't gotten around to switching out pickups yet , I have a few Seymour Duncan mandolin pickups I am planning on putting in some of mine , just not sure which ones yet. I say buy it you'll like it
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