Results 1 to 13 of 13

Thread: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

  1. #1

    Default 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    I'd like to purchase a 4-string, solid body electric mandolin to keep at my workplace office. I would like to be able to close my office door and work on fretboard study exercises without the person in the next office being able to hear me.

    I can't find many options to purchase online. Any ideas on brands or places to look. I'm looking for decent quality and would be willing to spend +/- $1,000. Thanks!

  2. #2
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy, NW Oregon.
    Posts
    17,103

    Default Re: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    Some times Ukes, with a magnetic pickup , so requiring steel strings , is a niche market search term to use..

    decades back I just had one built .. http://emando.com/images/builders/Biller_small.jpg
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  3. #3

    Default Re: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    I just bought an 8-string Eastwood Mandocaster, at first look it is well made and seems good. I haven't plugged it in yet so can't speak to how it sounds, how the pick ups are, etc.

    Eastwood was just offering a 10% discount and free shipping so it came out to right around $450.
    Northfield F5M #268, AT02 #7

  4. The following members say thank you to bigskygirl for this post:


  5. #4
    Registered User JonDoug's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Tucson, Arizona
    Posts
    57

    Default Re: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    Plenty of people with a lot more experience with 4-string solids than I have around here, but I've enjoyed my "Warren Ellis Mandostang" from Eastwood Guitars. They are $450 shipped, although they appeared to be out of them last I looked.

    You should know that these Indonesia-built instruments will require setup. That isn't news, but I was still a little surprised at how far off the mark it was. I had to take a couple of springs off the bridge to get intonation right, and bridge height, pickup height, and truss rod all needed major changes. Ten months in and plenty of play time, it works fine, but it still would benefit from a trip to a luthier to adjust the nut.

    Overlooking setup, the quality is reasonable and I'm very happy to have it: frets are done well, tuners stay in tune, pots and plug work great, I've never had hum, and the sound is pleasing to me (through my practice amp). The "sort-of-Fendery" vibe works, I think (I have the classic sunburst color). However, a fret marker on the 9th fret instead of the Mando-world standard 10th is fairly annoying!

    I hope you find the right instrument for you!

  6. #5

    Default Re: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    I bought an Andrew Jerman for about 1/2 your budget early this year that is a 4 string electric. It was used, but I think his new ones come in around $1000.

    I am very happy with it. I don't have a lot of experience with electric mandolins, but I have played a few and I consider this a good instrument.

  7. #6
    Likes quaint instruments poul hansen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Location
    Danmark
    Posts
    725

    Default Re: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    deleted
    Kentucky KM-805..........2 Hora M1086 Portuguese II(1 in car)
    Hora M1088 Mandola.....
    Richmond RMA-110..... .Noname Bearclaw
    Pochette Franz Janisch...5 Pocket............Alfredo Privitera pocket
    Puglisi Pocket 1908........Puglisi 1912.......Puglisi 1917
    3 Mandolinetto ..............C.Garozzo
    1 Mandriola...................Cannelo G. Mandriola...Böhm Waldzither 1921
    Johs Møller 1945............Luigi Embergher Studio 1933
    Marma Seashell back......Luigi Embergher 5bis 1909

  8. #7

    Default Re: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    I'd start with emando.com first. If there isn't anything on his website that interests you then look through his builder database. I don't know if a five string interests you but I know he has two for sale, both of which I am completing a setup on, that are in your budget. I haven't any financial interest in them. The black emando branded one and the two point are the ones in my shop. I could also recommend Belvoir in the UK and John L. Smith in Florida. Both fantastic builders.

  9. #8
    Luthier&Pickup maker ret. Soundfarmer Pete's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Grantham U.K.
    Posts
    517

    Default Re: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    If you plan to practice in the office, maybe one of these ....... might even fit in a desk drawer (NFI)...... https://www.belvoirguitars.co.uk/travel-series

  10. #9

    Default Re: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    Quote Originally Posted by Relio View Post
    I'd like to purchase a 4-string, solid body electric mandolin to keep at my workplace office. I would like to be able to close my office door and work on fretboard study exercises without the person in the next office being able to hear me.

    I can't find many options to purchase online. Any ideas on brands or places to look. I'm looking for decent quality and would be willing to spend +/- $1,000. Thanks!
    You can always string an 8 as a 4 if need be.

    I have a Fender 5-string that I use on the run. It's a semi-hollow so it's light but built as an electric so has just enough volume for working on chops.
    VerneAndru.com | oKee.ComX

    - ---==< V >==--- -

  11. #10
    Registered User mandolinstew's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Warwick,New York
    Posts
    637

    Default Re: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    I bought one of these cheap no name eight strings and changed it to four.Took the covers off the pickups and it sounds good.Solid mahogany weighs 4lb 12oz
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	F1A7E2E8-12B0-4736-A4C6-CEFE9FD8A0AE.jpg 
Views:	169 
Size:	639.5 KB 
ID:	197587  

  12. The following members say thank you to mandolinstew for this post:


  13. #11
    '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' Jacob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Posts
    1,130

    Default Re: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    If I were looking for a 4 string, this would be a very serious consideration.
    Just received a new 5 string from this builder, John Gonzalez del Solar in Richmond VA. (NFI)
    I am extremely pleased with the fit and finish as well as the robust amplified sound.

  14. #12
    Quietly Making Noise Dave Greenspoon's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Leesburg, VA
    Posts
    1,102

    Default Re: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    I had an Epi four string. Great balance, and the fit and finish was smooth as anything I'd ever felt. It was certainly better the the Kentucky four string electric mando. FWIW I second emando.com as a good stop to shop. That Belmuse link from Pete was also enticing. Don't discount the idea of an electric mandola; same fingerings but different sounds and if/when you plug in, well you're in a different sonic space than the mando and the guitar.
    Axes: Eastman MD-515 & El Rey; Eastwood S Mandola
    Amps: Fishman Loudbox 100; Rivera Clubster Royale Recording Head & R212 cab; Laney Cub 10

  15. #13
    Registered User lowtone2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    lower alabama
    Posts
    893

    Default Re: 4-String, Solid Body Electric Mandolin Options

    I bought one of the mandocasters that Fender reissued a few years ago. It’s entirely satisfactory and you can probably find a used one. They were built in Asia and pretty cheap.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •