1980s TJ 5-String "F-Style" Electric Mandolin

What could be both more late-'70s/early-'80s and more '50s Western Swing in temperament than this fella? It's a 5-string electric mandolin (tuning: CGDAE) with a ton of Bigsby-like styling cues (maple, maple, maple!) but with a control layout and pickguard right from the late-'70s, hippie jam band circuit. Two Mustang-style pickups and an adjustable, Fender-style bridge complete the look. Did I mention the "f-hole" is actually inlaid plastic? How about that?!

Suffice to say, it arrived as a very cool instrument but needed a little work to be a good player. Jose gave it a level/dress of the frets and cleaned-up the zero fret area (it was a bit wonked) and then I helped him get the saddles adjusted. If you're not used to mandolin pitch, it can be hard to get a solidbody like this guy to drive a clip-on tuner accurately without a lot of confusing overtunes confusing the issues.

Bonus points are awarded to the Carvin-style slotted screws for mounting the neck and the figured maple that was used in the neck.