Cheapo Electric 8-strings

[rascal]

..repost from builders/repair

Hey y'all...

I'm considering getting one of the plethora of cheapie A-style electric mandolins that seem to be everywhere these days. Wondering if anyone had any recommendations. Not really looking for anything especially wonderful sounding in the acoustic department as this will be primarily a plug-in instrument. Ability to replace the pickup with something better is a plus. Upper limit is, let's say, $250.

Thanks for any advice.

[mrmando]

The MandoBird VIII would fill the bill nicely, if it ever actually gets issued.

I wouldn't go for the cheapie Korean acoustic/electrics (Fender, et al) because I'm not sure how easy it would be to replace the pickup. You'll have better luck with that on a solidbody instrument, methinks. But what do I know?