Bayard Blaine-Bayard Guitars L-5 Multi-Scale Model Carved Top Mandocello (2025), made in Fayetteville, Arkansas, serial # 0313, natural finish, flame maple back, sides and neck; German spruce top, ebony fingerboard, molded fiberglass hard shell case.
Master luthier Bayard Blain handcrafts high-end, custom acoustic instruments out of Fayetteville, Arkansas using a personally curated collection of rare, native, and exotic tonewoods. Blain specializes in building unique, player-centric instruments "from the board up"; some to conventional designs and some (like this mandocello) embracing more unusual or modern concepts.
This "L-5 Multiscale Mandocello" was completed in 2025 and carries serial number #313. While the overall layout is based on the 1920s Gibson L-5 guitar (or more accurately, its 8-string sister the K-5 Mandocello) there are a number of notable differences. The most obvious is the "Multiscale" design; The highest string is laid out to a 25 1/4" scale, while the lowest has a speaking length of 26". This is achieved via a fanned-fret layout and sharply angled nut and bridge. As the mandocello with its fifths tuning is a wide range instrument this enhances playability while giving extra punch and clarity to the low C string in particular, which can often sound flabby on conventional Gibson-style 'cellos. Another modern feature is an oval sound port in upper bout side.
According to the maker this Mandocello is constructed using old stock German spruce for the X-braced carved top, sourced from the estate of violin maker Fairfax Abraham and at least 50 years old. Thermally cured Bigleaf maple with a stunning flame figure was used for the back and sides. Figured Koa was used to bind the body and peghead with flame maple and black purfling lines. The neck is flamed sugar maple neck with a mahogany core and Macassar ebony fingerboard and headplate. The same wood is used for the pickguard and bridge. The instrument has a "peach sunburst" satin finish on the top and a shaded maple look overall highlighting the stunningly figured woods. Hardware included the proprietary Bayard sand cast silicon bronze tailpiece and Gold Gotoh tuners with ebony buttons.
This instrument is a fascinating mix of vintage and modern concepts; we can say it is a really superb sounding mandocello with a unique feel, a superb player and definitely one if the finest sounding of these often quirky 8-string instruments we have handled.
Overall length is 41 3/4 in. (106 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 1/16 in. (7.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 1/4 in. (641 mm.). Width of nut is 1 13/32 in. (36 mm.).
This almost-new mandocello appears to have been played very little and remains extremely clean, all original and obviously well cared for. Overall the satin finish shows almost no wear, just some tiny handling marks and scuffs. The frets also show virtually no wear and playability is excellent, with a deep rich and resonant sound that will only mature as the instrument is played. It resides in a road-worthy Crossrock molded fiberglass HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.
