1964 Fender Mandocaster Electric Mandolin

Overview: This is one of the cleanest Mandocasters I've seen in-person. Per the mix of its serialization and the fatter headstock decal script, I'm placing this at '64. The neck stamps are very faded. It's completely original and in excellent shape and, after a bit of light work, it's playing like a ding-dong champ.

I've had a sick fascination with these critters ever since I started playing mandolin in my teens. They have a sharp look that's like nothing else built in the style (save copycats) and it definitely says "electric mandolin" right away and doesn't look much like a diminutive guitar. 24 frets free of the body is pretty wild, too, on a mandolin.

For "trad" players, adding the tiniest touch of "close" chorus on these before going to the amp makes them sound almost identical to a normal, 8-string electric mando but with ease of tuning and strain on the fingers. For those into western swing and jazzier or rockier ventures, the 4-string format gives you electric guitar abilities not normally available to a mandolinist. The 4-string format also makes fingerpicking an option which, if you play mando and haven't explored that, can be exceedingly fun when you start mixing it with interesting chord shapes only available in 5ths tuning.

Repairs included: I leveled and dressed the frets and set it up. I very lightly twisted the saddles into compensation during setup to get better intonation up the neck. It's playing bang-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 3 lbs 11 oz
• Scale length: 13 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Neck shape: med-deeper C/U
• Board radius: 7 1/4"
• Depth at first fret: 0.81"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.9"
• Body width: 10"
• Body depth: 1 5/8"
• Body wood: alder
• Bridge: original 2-saddle, Tele-style
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: maple
• Pickups: 1x single coil
• Action height at 12th fret: hair-under 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 36w, 24w, 13, 9 or close to it
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: smaller/low

Condition notes: It's completely original throughout. The first fret and some of the frets at the very end of the extension are a little shallower than the rest (I leveled and dressed a slight upbow out of the neck when working on the frets). There are small scratches and tiny dings here and there and the finish has some weather-checking but overall it looks glorious. The "F" in the Fender logo appears to have been touched-up with what seems like ballpoint pen! Yar har har.

It comes with: It has its original hard case and bridge cover!

Consignor tag: SHRB