With Epi bringing back the Mandobird it sure would be nice to see Fender/Squier re-introduce the Mandocaster. An eight string would certainly be a bonus. Otherwise, there's always the Eastwood options. Thanks for the video!
I agree, I bet a bunch of specific 1980's style hair metal bands or 1980's style fast blues metal would have a player who only does high end crap using with 4 highest strings of guitar where you need 1 single coil pickup only. Add a Strat like whammy bar and these people would be happy. Even some kinds of chug speed metal using a more 1980's hair metal style this idea would work having a guy doing same thing.
Fender did that about a decade ago with 4 and 8 string models made in Indonesia. Only lasted a year or two at most. I have a 4 string that mainly hangs on my wall. Officially called them mando strats as I think Eastwood trademarked the mandocaster name.
@@2speedy4u22yes. Epi had 4 & 8 string versions, then Fender did. The Mandostrats were cool. Although after both Epi and Fender discontinued them, I found a used Mandobird and bought it Very cool, and fun ro play
Tiny Moore gave me my first mandolin lesson. Tiny Moore Music (the store) was down the street from me in Sacramento. Billy Jack Wills ran a place nearby called Will's Point that was a dammed up creek/pond with an island in the middle complete with bandstand, dance floor and bar. There was a strong Western Swing society with regular monthly big stage shows. I play a solid body 4 string in my blues band occasionally but I'm mostly a bluegrass guy with a '30s F5. I love your shows Zac and as a bluegrass guy Clarence White and his B-bender tele have been on my radar for 40+ years. I finally have a nice early '90s Mexican tele. Your shows created my awareness and respect for slant bar technique and last week at our week long blues festival (Centrum Port Townsend)I took up dobro (I play all the other bluegrass instruments) Although the instructor basically warned against using slant bar, an hour later I was milking it, so much fun. I felt like I had a B-bender and pedals. Thank You
I saw Johnny Gimble and his band twice at the Wheatland Music Festival in Michigan. He mostly player fiddle when I saw him. Johnny is legend who is in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Alex Chilton apparently put one to good use on Big Star's "Radio City" album. A lot of the bright sounding parts that sound like a capoed guitar or 12-string ("September Gurls"!)are supposedly Fender electric mandolin overdubs!
Yep, John Fry (RIP)spoke of Alex Chilton (RIP) proudly bringing an electric mando into Ardent. That intro to September Gurls is sonic perfection. If you’re reading this, please take the time to discover the band Big Star. You will be glad you did!
Those Fender Electric Mandolins are pretty cool! Fender brought out semi-hollow versions around 2000-2001 that had flat tops with binding, made in Korea I think. They came in 5-string (single strings) and 8-string versions, and I bought an 8-string. It had a smaller version of Fender’s 12-string headstock-I love your octave-12-string idea, like the old Vox Mando-Guitar. Emerald Guitars in Ireland have a carbon-fiber acoustic one, called an Amicus, but they’re pretty expensive. Anyway, I thought I’d learn to play that little Fender, but I got nowhere with mandolin tuning, so I did the old Tommy Tedesco trick of tuning it like the top four strings of a guitar. Used it on one gig, and eventually sold it to an actual mandolin player. By the way, I actually got to play with Tiny Moore once, in the early ‘70s. He and a luthier named Jay Roberts were marketing a version of Tiny’s Bigsby 5-string mandolin, and I ran into them at a steel guitar show. When I told Tiny that I was a guitar player, he told me to get my guitar and come pick with him! So I did-I’d discovered Western Swing around the same time, and I knew some of the Bob Wills classics, so I could comp behind him. I was just over the moon, and Tiny was a really nice guy. We must have played for a couple of hours-definitely a high point in my life.
I got to play a few in my time teaching at vintage shop in Melbourne Australia. They are great and built as well as the big brothers. I ended up building a few offset versions( mando, mandola and octave mando)
One of the most underrated instruments. My favourite mandolin is my JBovier ELS which is incredibly versatile (2 pickups) and sounds great. I’d love a mandocaster as a backup but one day maybe. Brown eyed girl rips on this. Among many other songs.
Thanks for covering this and especially the information about the playing style differences between a 4- and 8-string. I'm sure to get a mando someday and didn't know about that. It's sad to me that Epiphone offers a solidbody mando but Squier doesn't. I really like the shape of the old Fender ones.
Interesting video regarding electric mandolins. I like the acoustic mandolin solos by Jethro on some of the early Chet Atkins recordings. Joe Maphis had an electric mandolin as the top guitar of his double Mosrite guitars.
Always love your insight and content! When I saw you spotlighted the Mandocaster I had to watch. I was slightly hoping to catch you name drop John Abercrombie. I love the recordings that the John Abercrombie Quartet made in the 70's - early 80'; and he tastefully uses the Mando with some effects. Look up the song "Blue Wolf" and check out the albums: Arcade & John Abercrombie Quartet. Beautiful albums with Mando all over. Peace!
Thanks for this episode! I recently saw Epiphone has a new four string electric mandolin shaped like a Firebird guitar, and is selling for around 599.00. I tried to find a RUclips player demo, but most were using with fuzz and distortion, so it was impossible to hear the clean sound I'm looking for. I wish Fender or Squier would make a limited run of these. I would buy it in a heartbeat! Thanks again, and keep up the good work you're doing!
I’ve always loved the mandocaster. Back in 2012 I was obsessed and couldn’t afford a vintage one. So I bought plans and templates to build my own, and just as I was about to cut out the body, Fender released a reissue that they named the “Mando-Strat” that was basically a reissue of a 60’s sunburst mandocaster from there Indonesian factory. It retailed for $US299 and I ordered one right then and there! I’ve had it ever since and adore it! I swapped out the pickup for the Seymour Duncan mandocaster pickup recreation and it sounds gorgeous. I would absolutely love Fender to revisit this model and release a 50’s maple neck version, but somehow I just don’t see it happening. I think I’m going to have to build my own maple version.
I think the first time I saw a Mandocaster was when Roy Wood of Wizzard ( and the Move and ELO) turned up with one for a TV show recording- of one of their big hits in 1973. A great electric mandolin player in the 40s was Doug Dalton who played with Roy Lanham & the Whippoorwills - and was highly regarded. He played a Gibson EM model at that time. Many of the band's recordings are on YT- "Hard Life Blues" comes to mind.
I bought a used epi mandobird because I thought it would be fun to play fiddle tunes on electric mandolin. I used to play Square dances growing up in West Tennessee. The fiddle player had a pick up in his fiddle, and his rhythm guitar player played a Gretsch country gentleman through a twin reverb. I played banjo with them. I wish I had the electric mandolin back in those days.
This little instrument is really cool! If only Fender would revive these now, and keep the same qualities and attentions on them as they do on their guitars, I'm confident that this one would beat every other solid body electric ukuleles on the market and make a big success in the worldwide ukulele community. Fender, if you see this, please do give this a thought. Thanks!
Zac--About 5 years ago, my wife got a "reissue" of the Mandocaster at a Sam Ash Music in Madison, TN. Do you know how long that ran? It is a sunburst with a rosewood fingerboard and a brown tortoise shell pick guard. Thanks!
About 8 years ago... I came across.....on eBay.....a Fender electric bouziki ......a long, long necked 8 string..... couldn't afford it at the time.... never saw another one....
In the mid 70s John Abercrombie put slinky strings on the mandocaster and made it a soprano 4 string guitar one octave above a tenor guitar. GDBE low to high. I got one recently and enjoy that tuning even though I am an eight string mandolin player in 5ths. It just sounds better to me as a guitar.
If someone not said it...there was abit of culture crazy going on with the Ukulele at the time. Maybe Fender missed a trick to regear them as electoleles. As this time the Ukulele is making a come back, and good chance you could give the Mandocaster Uku tuning.
I have seen a single metal band have one where player was using a repainted all black with tortoise-shell pickguard or possibly a remade all black pickguard who had only 4 higherst strings on and was only doing the high end solo crap on music using doing some kind of 1980's hair metal style.
I want an electric Mando and an electric banjo... it looks like it only has 4 strings so its really an electric Uke ? Leo is my guitar hero even though he didn't play. Thanks Zac :p
You could tune it like an uke but it's a mandolin, based on tuning and intent. I suspend a guitar sound hole pup over the strings where banjo neck meets the pot. I use nuts and bolts through the flange holes, so it's removable. I've played shows with it.
Thank you, for the history lesson l have a 57 mandolin blonde. It's funny I took i.t to mandolin brothers the whole staff came out to touch it but I wish leo had made a mandolin instead 22:34
I saw these years ago. Never knew who was going to use one and for what - just featured in some pop song mainly. But I also never came across anyone playing one that was not tuned D G B E like the guitar they'd pick up after this. The good side of one of these is they can be played mighty loud before feedback!! There's one for sale in Japan - $4500 - yikes - any luthier could build you one way better! Collectors Rule??!!
You can bend strings on 4 or 5 string, and you cant at all on 8 string. Violin strings work best so the amount of string metal is more balanced for the pup.
ruclips.net/video/uRsMt76nAvU/видео.html heres a link of John Abercrombie playing one in a free jazz context. Tuned in 4ths like a guitar. He also plays it on McCoy Tyner's "Forbidden Land" off the 4x4 album.
John Abercerombie played this instrument a lot back in the 1980's. He tuned it like strings 1-4 of a guitar, up an octave. ruclips.net/video/uRsMt76nAvU/видео.html
Ukelelecaster ! The mandolin is a classical instrument with 8 strings. (Vivaldi concerto !) This like a 6 string 12 string...now that IS idiosyncratic!
Played one - Unsuccessful since: no low string, screetchy treble, bad pickup in the wrong location, terrible neck, solid body had no resonance like TIny's or Johnny's [played both of those when taking lessons from them]. I subsequently made a number of solid body ones myself, styled on Tiny's shape and measurements, but with special pickups Bill Bartolini made for me, placed in the right location, according to him and the fat frets and bigsby neck shape, through the body neck for sustain. Not hard to do - just not cheap to make.
I used to drool over that in the Fender catalog when I was a teenager in the 70s.
I planted mine and grew it into a Stratocaster.
How often did you have to water it?
😂😂😂😂😂
That’s interesting, because mine grew into a P-Bass.
@@charlesbolton8471You just never know what you’re gonna get! 😂
@@leamancIt rains enough here that I never had to worry about it! 😂
Just be sure to pick ‘em before the headstock gets too big and grows a bullet!
With Epi bringing back the Mandobird it sure would be nice to see Fender/Squier re-introduce the Mandocaster. An eight string would certainly be a bonus. Otherwise, there's always the Eastwood options. Thanks for the video!
I agree, I bet a bunch of specific 1980's style hair metal bands or 1980's style fast blues metal would have a player who only does high end crap using with 4 highest strings of guitar where you need 1 single coil pickup only. Add a Strat like whammy bar and these people would be happy. Even some kinds of chug speed metal using a more 1980's hair metal style this idea would work having a guy doing same thing.
Fender did that about a decade ago with 4 and 8 string models made in Indonesia. Only lasted a year or two at most. I have a 4 string that mainly hangs on my wall. Officially called them mando strats as I think Eastwood trademarked the mandocaster name.
@@2speedy4u22yes. Epi had 4 & 8 string versions, then Fender did.
The Mandostrats were cool.
Although after both Epi and Fender discontinued them, I found a used Mandobird and bought it
Very cool, and fun ro play
@@2speedy4u22 any chance you'd sell the 4 string wall hanger?
Tiny Moore gave me my first mandolin lesson. Tiny Moore Music (the store) was down the street from me in Sacramento.
Billy Jack Wills ran a place nearby called Will's Point that was a dammed up creek/pond with an island in the middle complete with bandstand, dance floor and bar.
There was a strong Western Swing society with regular monthly big stage shows.
I play a solid body 4 string in my blues band occasionally but I'm mostly a bluegrass guy with a '30s F5.
I love your shows Zac and as a bluegrass guy Clarence White and his B-bender tele have been on my radar for 40+ years. I finally have a nice early '90s Mexican tele.
Your shows created my awareness and respect for slant bar technique and last week at our week long blues festival (Centrum Port Townsend)I took up dobro (I play all the other bluegrass instruments) Although the instructor basically warned against using slant bar, an hour later I was milking it, so much fun. I felt like I had a B-bender and pedals.
Thank You
Fantastic
Try the Stacy Phillips Homespun tapes video for learning slants! Practice a lot and wear steel nosed shoes!
Did you know Olen Dillingham?
@@mrbuttons1243 not by name, but maybe I'd recognize him.
I saw Johnny Gimble and his band twice at the Wheatland Music Festival in Michigan. He mostly player fiddle when I saw him. Johnny is legend who is in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Alex Chilton apparently put one to good use on Big Star's "Radio City" album. A lot of the bright sounding parts that sound like a capoed guitar or 12-string ("September Gurls"!)are supposedly Fender electric mandolin overdubs!
Yep, John Fry (RIP)spoke of Alex Chilton (RIP) proudly bringing an electric mando into Ardent. That intro to September Gurls is sonic perfection. If you’re reading this, please take the time to discover the band Big Star. You will be glad you did!
Those Fender Electric Mandolins are pretty cool! Fender brought out semi-hollow versions around 2000-2001 that had flat tops with binding, made in Korea I think. They came in 5-string (single strings) and 8-string versions, and I bought an 8-string. It had a smaller version of Fender’s 12-string headstock-I love your octave-12-string idea, like the old Vox Mando-Guitar. Emerald Guitars in Ireland have a carbon-fiber acoustic one, called an Amicus, but they’re pretty expensive. Anyway, I thought I’d learn to play that little Fender, but I got nowhere with mandolin tuning, so I did the old Tommy Tedesco trick of tuning it like the top four strings of a guitar. Used it on one gig, and eventually sold it to an actual mandolin player. By the way, I actually got to play with Tiny Moore once, in the early ‘70s. He and a luthier named Jay Roberts were marketing a version of Tiny’s Bigsby 5-string mandolin, and I ran into them at a steel guitar show. When I told Tiny that I was a guitar player, he told me to get my guitar and come pick with him! So I did-I’d discovered Western Swing around the same time, and I knew some of the Bob Wills classics, so I could comp behind him. I was just over the moon, and Tiny was a really nice guy. We must have played for a couple of hours-definitely a high point in my life.
Sierra Hull plays the heck out of hers.
I have a Fender FM-60E 5-string mandolin from the early 2000's. It's a sweet little instrument!
I have an old mandolin neck, this video just inspired me to go into my wood shop and build one of these contraptions.
crazy Australian beard guy Warren Ellis plays electric mandos with Nick Cave (and amplified violin in the Dirty Three)
This was a very informational segment 👍 . . . did not know Fender made an electric mandolin . . .
I got to play a few in my time teaching at vintage shop in Melbourne Australia. They are great and built as well as the big brothers. I ended up building a few offset versions( mando, mandola and octave mando)
“Back To Back” by Tiny Moore & Jethro Burns-essential.
One of the very best jazz instrumental albums.
I inherited a pink mandocaster. I didn’t know much about it, thanks for making this video.
One of the most underrated instruments. My favourite mandolin is my JBovier ELS which is incredibly versatile (2 pickups) and sounds great. I’d love a mandocaster as a backup but one day maybe.
Brown eyed girl rips on this. Among many other songs.
Thanks for covering this and especially the information about the playing style differences between a 4- and 8-string. I'm sure to get a mando someday and didn't know about that. It's sad to me that Epiphone offers a solidbody mando but Squier doesn't. I really like the shape of the old Fender ones.
That 3 pole pickup reminds me of some of the pickups I've bought for cigar box guitar builds.
I had a 70’s Fender Electric Violin with Leo’s magnetic pickup. I sold it because I needed money when I bought a condo in 1980.
Interesting video regarding electric mandolins. I like the acoustic mandolin solos by Jethro on some of the early Chet Atkins recordings. Joe Maphis had an electric mandolin as the top guitar of his double Mosrite guitars.
I have a Fender five string semi-hollow body mandocaster. It’s a lot of fun.
Maestro Alex Gregory, the master of fender mandolin.
Always love your insight and content! When I saw you spotlighted the Mandocaster I had to watch. I was slightly hoping to catch you name drop John Abercrombie. I love the recordings that the John Abercrombie Quartet made in the 70's - early 80'; and he tastefully uses the Mando with some effects. Look up the song "Blue Wolf" and check out the albums: Arcade & John Abercrombie Quartet. Beautiful albums with Mando all over. Peace!
There was a Steel player who played on Lower Broadway and toured with Chuck Mead, Carco Clave who played one.
For some great Fender electric mandolin playing make sure to check out Sam Bush!
Thanks for this episode! I recently saw Epiphone has a new four string electric mandolin shaped like a Firebird guitar, and is selling for around 599.00. I tried to find a RUclips player demo, but most were using with fuzz and distortion, so it was impossible to hear the clean sound I'm looking for. I wish Fender or Squier would make a limited run of these. I would buy it in a heartbeat! Thanks again, and keep up the good work you're doing!
A fascinating insight Zac. Thanks.
I’ve always loved the mandocaster. Back in 2012 I was obsessed and couldn’t afford a vintage one. So I bought plans and templates to build my own, and just as I was about to cut out the body, Fender released a reissue that they named the “Mando-Strat” that was basically a reissue of a 60’s sunburst mandocaster from there Indonesian factory. It retailed for $US299 and I ordered one right then and there!
I’ve had it ever since and adore it! I swapped out the pickup for the Seymour Duncan mandocaster pickup recreation and it sounds gorgeous.
I would absolutely love Fender to revisit this model and release a 50’s maple neck version, but somehow I just don’t see it happening. I think I’m going to have to build my own maple version.
Enjoyed this a great deal. Thanks so much for all the hard work. Later my friend.
I think the first time I saw a Mandocaster was when Roy Wood of Wizzard ( and the Move and ELO) turned up with one for a TV show recording- of one of their big hits in 1973. A great electric mandolin player in the 40s was Doug Dalton who played with Roy Lanham & the Whippoorwills - and was highly regarded. He played a Gibson EM model at that time. Many of the band's recordings are on YT- "Hard Life Blues" comes to mind.
Zac..😮 I love the episode on the Fender mandocaster! You're a 100% right they cut through the mix even at a low volume..
now we need overdriven mandolin. Also cool to see the Harvard out and about!
Mahalo Zac!
Thank you.I saw one of those in a Fender catalog I had back in the 70s.I wondered why 4 string?...after all that time you answered my question.
I´ve always wondered why they made mandolins with only 4 strings, now I know,- great story , thanks.
My pleasure!
Very cool, Zac…hopefully down the road we get a lap steel shallow dive, as well.
Great video. I believe I saw a video of John 5 play this instrument for a tune during his show and he rocked out on it.
I bought a used epi mandobird because I thought it would be fun to play fiddle tunes on electric mandolin. I used to play Square dances growing up in West Tennessee. The fiddle player had a pick up in his fiddle, and his rhythm guitar player played a Gretsch country gentleman through a twin reverb. I played banjo with them. I wish I had the electric mandolin back in those days.
Always got a kick when I saw Donnie Herron play one with Bob Dylan.
I wish you had touched on the 5 string version. Great video on an instrument I've always been curious about
It has a low C. Makes it mandola + mandolin range
Great info thanks, give's me ideas.
Superb informative and very interesting video.
Thank you!
I recently acquired a Mandobird and it’s a cool little instrument. I always wanted a Mandocaster, though. Funny thing is, I don’t play mandolin.
Alright! LOVE it!
...could I ask for an episode about the *plectrum guitar* next?
p.s. - srsly. 🙏🏼
This little instrument is really cool! If only Fender would revive these now, and keep the same qualities and attentions on them as they do on their guitars, I'm confident that this one would beat every other solid body electric ukuleles on the market and make a big success in the worldwide ukulele community. Fender, if you see this, please do give this a thought. Thanks!
Great History. Thanks!
You bet!
I know Rory Gallagher sometimes played an Electric Mandolin, although when he played mandolin, he usually played a regular one.
The Billy Jack Wills records with the band led by Tiny Moore are excellent, some of the finest Western swing ever put down!
I totally agree!......
John Abercrombie made extensive use of the fender electric mandolin in the late 70's through the early 80s or so.
Gracias 4 Tha Vidz. D A D G. keep on pickin' Cowkidz
Given how high a mandolin needs to be held, I'd be tempted to call that back contour a "Moob Cut."
I have a Robin octave guitar from the ‘80’s gets a lot of use
Pete Anderson used one for the intro of "Streets of Bakersfield."
Hey Zack. In Nashville for business later this month. What is the guitar shop to visit if I only have time for one.
Carter Vintage or Guitar Effects Pedals if you’re interested in pedals
@@AskZac thanks!
Zac--About 5 years ago, my wife got a "reissue" of the Mandocaster at a Sam Ash Music in Madison, TN. Do you know how long that ran? It is a sunburst with a rosewood fingerboard and a brown tortoise shell pick guard. Thanks!
Actually, more like 10 years ago.
Pretty short run. Year or 2.
About 8 years ago... I came across.....on eBay.....a Fender electric bouziki ......a long, long necked 8 string..... couldn't afford it at the time.... never saw another one....
The one I had never stayed in tune. I really loved the sound of it, but wrote it off because of one bad experience. Damn.
Zac, what do you think of G&L guitars? I'm thinking about buying a used Legacy.
They are great. As always, play it first if you can
In the mid 70s John Abercrombie put slinky strings on the mandocaster and made it a soprano 4 string guitar one octave above a tenor guitar. GDBE low to high. I got one recently and enjoy that tuning even though I am an eight string mandolin player in 5ths. It just sounds better to me as a guitar.
If someone not said it...there was abit of culture crazy going on with the Ukulele at the time. Maybe Fender missed a trick to regear them as electoleles. As this time the Ukulele is making a come back, and good chance you could give the Mandocaster Uku tuning.
Well all - right, Zac! Thank you for this. You always cover the bases, and thoroughly. I’ve always wondered… Thanks again!
JJZ…(°¿.°`)
I have seen a single metal band have one where player was using a repainted all black with tortoise-shell pickguard or possibly a remade all black pickguard who had only 4 higherst strings on and was only doing the high end solo crap on music using doing some kind of 1980's hair metal style.
Would be interesting to hear your take on bruce hampton. Matt mundy also
I want an electric Mando and an electric banjo... it looks like it only has 4 strings so its really an electric Uke ? Leo is my guitar hero even though he didn't play. Thanks Zac :p
You could tune it like an uke but it's a mandolin, based on tuning and intent.
I suspend a guitar sound hole pup over the strings where banjo neck meets the pot. I use nuts and bolts through the flange holes, so it's removable. I've played shows with it.
I bought a super secret Fender Electro-Caster
How would it sound in tenor ukulele tuning, are they similar in scale?? Thanks
I think it would work
Thanks Zac! Would you happen to know what the scale of the Mandocaster is? Your playing is making me look for one😱
Hey I just found out that the Mandocaster scale is 13 1/2- 14 inches. This makes it almost the same as a soprano uke. Thanks
Thank you, for the history lesson l have a 57 mandolin blonde. It's funny I took i.t to mandolin brothers the whole staff came out to touch it but I wish leo had made a mandolin instead 22:34
They are fun though. Jealous of your blonde Mando!
I have my eye on an Eastwood octave guitar. Kind of the same idea I guess.
Davey Johnstone's solo on Honky Cat from Here and There...
I saw these years ago. Never knew who was going to use one and for what - just featured in some pop song mainly. But I also never came across anyone playing one that was not tuned D G B E like the guitar they'd pick up after this. The good side of one of these is they can be played mighty loud before feedback!! There's one for sale in Japan - $4500 - yikes - any luthier could build you one way better! Collectors Rule??!!
Very cool! Thank you Zac… p.s. you said “double d’s” :)
A full show of acoustic mandolin can be a struggle unless the rest of the band is first class
Needs a Baby Tremolo too
Correct me if I'm wrong, Zac, but I don't think it gets any cooler than a mandolin and a fuzz:)
You can bend strings on 4 or 5 string, and you cant at all on 8 string. Violin strings work best so the amount of string metal is more balanced for the pup.
Zac, I think that you have grown ten feet! Haha
Bob Clawson was going to trade me the Fender Mandolin for a 1950 model Ford truck i had. Traded to my Brother instead.
Too Bad all the old Greats are Leaving Us . OLE George Asked it Right ! Whos Gonna Fill their Shoes!
Id like to see the one Ricky skaggs plays.. pex
play more 😊
ruclips.net/video/uRsMt76nAvU/видео.html
heres a link of John Abercrombie playing one in a free jazz context. Tuned in 4ths like a guitar. He also plays it on McCoy Tyner's "Forbidden Land" off the 4x4 album.
John Abercerombie played this instrument a lot back in the 1980's. He tuned it like strings 1-4 of a guitar, up an octave. ruclips.net/video/uRsMt76nAvU/видео.html
The P-bass could easily have gone over in the market the way these Mandos did, and current music would be VERY different…
Brown Shark
In the ocean....
Disney owns the rights now.
Ha!
Maybe im being a spoil sport, but it seems a little lame that it isnt double stringed. Though, maybe that'd up the cost too much.
The reason for 4-strings is laid out in the video.
Ukelelecaster ! The mandolin is a classical instrument with 8 strings. (Vivaldi concerto !)
This like a 6 string 12 string...now that IS idiosyncratic!
Played one - Unsuccessful since: no low string, screetchy treble, bad pickup in the wrong location, terrible neck, solid body had no resonance like TIny's or Johnny's [played both of those when taking lessons from them]. I subsequently made a number of solid body ones myself, styled on Tiny's shape and measurements, but with special pickups Bill Bartolini made for me, placed in the right location, according to him and the fat frets and bigsby neck shape, through the body neck for sustain. Not hard to do - just not cheap to make.
I wonder Jimmie Hendrix working on this
I’ve seen that on guns too and its enough to make you cry sometimes, but it did seem common back in the 50-60-s ish time frames. CRINGE.
Nope, not a mandolin sound. It needs eight strings to make it sparkle. I love the mando sound and this aint it.
MandoByrd. Lyve 4evr Compadrez