Mann EM-8

[Marcus CA]

After spending close to a decade with a Fender FM-61 SE, I decided to jump on the opportunity to pick up a used Mann EM-8 that was for sale on the Cafe Classifieds. No regrets! It is a definite step up! Actually, several steps up in construction, playability, and tone.

In reading over the discussion about the differences of going with four vs. eight strings on an electric mandolin, I found the key point for me to be whether you want an electric instrument that sounds like a mandolin or like a higher-register guitar. When I play mandolin, I want the mandolin sound.

[billhay4]

Nice. Is this a solid or semi-hollow body?
Bill

[SlowFingers]

Nice. I like that quite a bit.

[Marcus CA]

Thanks, gents! It's actually a hollow body, although Mann does make semi-hollow.

I had the amp on the floor, facing the iPad on an angle, so I think that the iPad was picking up more sound from the mandolin than from the amp. Still, the instrument has a nice clean sound, which sounds great with a dash of reverb.



I was able to sell my Fender to a relatively local musician who wants to use it on some tunes when he plays with a Beach Boys cover band that he is in, since they all use Fender guitars and basses, and the SE-61 has that classic look. So, I'm glad that it found a happy home.