2015 Arrow (Paul Lestock) Jazzbo 5-String Carved-Top Acoustic/Electric Mandolin

Above: electric clip

Above: acoustic clip

Honestly, it's hard to overstate how good this sucker is. It's a 5-course (CGDAE low to high) mandolin in "singles" per course. It's fully-carved, expertly-built, and high-class. I mean -- look at that critter! These things don't translate entirely beautifully over the internet, but folks who read my blog know I don't get uppity and excited for nothing and I rarely preach about new gear in this way.

Suffice to say, it drips with authority and punch and is just as loud as a two-per-course, regular-issue mandolin when you're picking lead on it.

It arrived here for consignment and only needed the tiniest adjustments to setup and pole height before I popped it out in the racks for sale. Frankly, if you're into the 5-string, singles-course thing, this is it. It's like the "fancy jazz cat" version of a Tiny Moore rig. It's ridiculous that this can pull-off "two-per-course" tremolo sounds and feel while rocking singles. I almost never feel that "into" tremolo on a singles-per instrument because of the "stutter" effect but this seems to not get that thing going on.

So -- my hat's off to you, Mr. Lestock. Well done.

If you didn't figure it out -- this is both a great acoustic instrument and also a fancy plugged-in-electric instrument. Think -- small fancy jazz guitar in vibe, but much more responsive and fun.

Repairs included: minor adjustments.

Weight: 2 lbs 2 oz

Scale length: 14 7/8"

Nut width: 1 1/4"

Neck shape: medium-soft V

Board radius: f14"

Body width: 10 7/8"

Body depth: 1 5/8" + arching

Top wood: solid carved spruce

Back & sides wood: solid carved maple

Bracing type: tonebar

Bridge: ebony

Fretboard: ebony -- pickguard, too

Neck wood: maple

Action height at 12th fret: hair-under 1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: unsure, but appear to be Thomastiks or similar in flats

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-narrower

Condition notes: it's almost "mint" save just a little minor usewear in the finish on the body and a couple scratches on the back-center of the neck. Everything is original.

It comes with: a real nice hard case.