1967 Fender Mandocaster 4-String Electric Mandolin

Overview: Who doesn't want a Mandocaster? I've been in love with these things since I first saw them in high school as a budding mandolinist. Everything about the design is classic, balanced, and modern. It has more frets than you can possibly make use of and looks so nonchalant about it at the same time.

For those turned-off by the single-course stringing -- fear not, that's a western swing adaptation. If you want it to "sound" like a normal electric mandolin plugged-in, the tiniest bit of chorus pedal will give you that feel. I think that's beside the point, though, as the 4-string format means tuning stability is easier, you can fingerpick it more-easily if you want to, bending strings is opened-up more, and it has a faster, jazzier sort-or feel. I like!

The serialization at the neckplate is meaningless and there are no date stamps, though the pot codes suggest it was made in '67 (which makes sense for its features and finish style).

Repairs included: I leveled and dressed the frets and then set it up. It's playing spot-on and ready to serve.

• Weight: 3 lbs 12 oz
• Scale length: 13 3/4"
• Nut width: 1 1/8"
• Neck shape: medium C/D
• Board radius: 7 1/4"
• Depth at first fret: 0.79"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.90"
• Body width: 10"
• Body depth: 1 5/8"
• Body wood: alder
• Bridge: 2-saddle adjustable (I lightly bent the saddle screws to get proper compensation)
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: maple
• Pickups: 1x 4-pole single coil
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 36w, 26w, 14, 10 or close to it
• Truss rod: non-adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: lower/narrower

Condition notes: It's completely original and in great shape. There are small scratches, scuffs, etc. throughout and the hardware shows some surface wear. There's weather-check/crackle to the finish on the neck and a sticker on the back of the headstock. The back of the neck has a patch that's been played-through the clearcoat.

It comes with: It has its original, orange-lined, hard case in excellent shape.

Consignor tag: SROB