NGD: the Mandobird

[scole]

So I had no idea that these even existed until this popped up for sale locally. Apparently these come in both 4 string and 8 string versions but the 8 string version only comes in this sunburst finish. I already have a mandolin with a pickup but who can resist the baby brother of my Epiphone 1963 Firebird I?

Certainly not me and not for $200 which is under the market rate. This copy was kind of grimey with old strings & super high action but that’s all sorted now.

If I only knew what to do with it.

 

[HotRats]

That's cool!

 

[Alex Kenivel]

Wtf! Sick!

 

[BFRaid]

I love it.

 

[RGB]

Awesome!

Probably doesn't suffer from neck dive either!

 

[metropolis_4]

I’ve been very curious about these solid body mandolins. What does it sound like?

 

[scole]

I’ve been very curious about these solid body mandolins. What does it sound like?

Granted I have zero experience but, at a basic level, there’s a difference like a regular electric vs an acoustic guitar. There are some posts on Instagram if you search out the hashtag Mandobird (example here).

When I was googling about these learn more, there is some discussion that some copies suffer from a situation where the E strings are anemic compared with the others. The suggested solutions are a pickup swap and/or using electric guitar nickel strings.

It’s surprisingly chunky and has a little heft to it but the shape lends itself towards a balanced playing position (like an F body over an A body).

 

[spawnofthesith]

This is awesome

 

[ragingplatypi]

In 1994 I was at a little bar in Miami and saw Col. Bruce Hampton make a blaring noise on one of these backed up by the Aquarium Rescue Unit (Jimmy Herring, Otiel Burbridge, and Jeff Sipe).