1999 Mid-Missouri (Big Muddy) M-15 Mandola

A local customer dropped-off this Mid-Mo mandola for repair and she got lucky when she recently picked it up used. Mid-Mos are hard to beat for the money and they're sturdy and reliable to boot. The necks are very playable and remain dead straight after decades of use and the design is simple and practical. They're also US-made.

They're similar in sound to the Army-Navy or Alrite models made by Gibson that they sort-of ape, but the x-bracing and other modernized features give them a little more warmth and a little less honky snap.

Repairs included: one brace reglue, a new compensated bridge saddle/topper, and a setup.

Made by: Mid-Missouri (same maker as current Big Muddy brand)

Model: M-15

Made in: USA
Serial number: 0133 (update: made in 1999)

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple

Bracing type: x

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Tone: clean, punchy, midsy (hear video)

Suitable for: folk, Celtic, old-time, blues, etc.

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall
String gauges: seems like a standard D'Addario mandola set

Neck feel: medium C/D shape

Board radius: flat

Truss rod: non-adjustable square steel tube

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: modern small-medium

Scale length: 15 5/8"

Nut width: 1 1/4"

String spacing at nut: 1 1/8"

String spacing at bridge: 1 9/16"

Body length: 12 1/8"

Body width: 10 1/4"

Body depth: 2"

Weight: 2-0

Condition notes: minor playwear throughout, replacement tailpiece (nicer-grade than original), replacement bridge topper/saddle (original missing).