What mandocast but not as high as Schwab..

**terzinator** · Nov-26-2011, 3:26pm

I'd like to find a telecaster-inspired

**Rob Norton** · Nov-26-2011, 4:45pm

One that's worth a look is the Blue Star Mandoblaster, which are sold by Elderly Instruments, and made by a builder (I believe) right in Michigan. They're definitely telecaster inspired, but in an original way. The pickup on these is actually the same as the neck pickup on a tele.

I've owned a could, and had one for several years (one of the ones with the natural wood body instead of the standard swirly finish). It's a great instrument with a nice snappy sound, and I especially like the neck.

New, the basic ones go for 637.50, and you do see them used every now and then for about half that.

I did upgrade the pickup (to a Joe Barden T-Neck dual rail), as I found the original was a little microphonic. I also put a set of Grover tuners on it. Now i feel like it's perfect.

NFI, etc....

**pjlama** · Nov-26-2011, 4:56pm

Yup, Bluestar is probably a good choice for a tele-like, I had one, it was good. I also had a Mann that was great but I found I'm not an emando guy.

**MandoSquirrel** · Nov-26-2011, 6:03pm

There's a Glaser 5 string mandocaster on ebay now; last I looked the price was quite low, especially since it supposedly has documentation as being the one Ricky Skaggs used in the 1980's. It also has his autograph, & a Clarence White style string bender installed.

Here's the link:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170732971720...84.m1438.l2649

**MandoSquirrel** · Nov-26-2011, 6:09pm

Also this J. L. Smith Custom 4 String :
http://srx.main.ebayrtm.com/clk?RtmC...219965&pi=4340

**thistle3585** · Nov-26-2011, 9:56pm

Check emando.com. I believe he has some.

**terzinator** · Nov-26-2011, 10:12pm

OK, I have no idea how this thread got posted!

Was composing one and then got called away, and I swear I never hit submit!

Sorry!

But yeah, thinking about a mandocaster-type e-mando; would love a Schwab, but just want to test the waters at this point... maybe $500 range.