1980s Epiphone (Japan) MM-45 2-Point Archtop Mandolin

Well, this is a cool, Jethro-style look, huh?

This fancy-paints, two-point, A-style mandolin was made in Japan for the Epiphone brand and it's a close cousin (in looks) to the late-'50s/early-'60s Gibson A-5 model. Unlike the original, this version appears to be ply throughout its body construction but the neck feel and handling is pretty authentic. It's loud and snappy and cuts nicely, too -- all good things. Perhaps the best use would be for someone who wants some bling, a good feel, and the solid practicality of a box build this way? It sounds like gigging time to me...

Aside from a setup and fresh strings, I didn't have to do anything else to it to get it playing spot-on. It's pretty clean, the frets are almost unused (and level), and it's all-original and in good order.

Repairs included: a restring and setup.

Top wood: spruce (ply?)

Back & sides wood: maple ply

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: ebonized rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: maple

Action height at 12th fret: hair-under 1/16" (fast)
String gauges: 36w-10

Neck shape: medium-deeper V/C

Board radius: flat

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: small

Scale length: 13 7/8"

Nut width: 1 3/16"

Body width: 10"

Body depth: 1 3/4" + arching

Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz

Condition notes: it's very clean with the exception of some haze in the finish at the upper-bout bass side both on the top and the back (pictured). It's not obvious. Otherwise there's just general mild use-scratches here and there throughout.

It comes with: a gigbag.