Fender "Mandocaster" Model Solid Body Electric Mandolin (1964), made in Fullerton, California, sunburst lacquer finish, alder body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, black tolex original hard shell case.
One of Fender's more obscure instruments, the Electric Mandolin was in production from the late 1950s until the 1970s but is a relatively rare item. This example is from the summer of 1964, just at the twilight of the pre-CBS era, and is in fine all-original condition.
The Fender mandolin differs from most other electrics (and all acoustic mandolins) in having only four strings instead of the usual doubled courses. This follows the ideas of the mostly western swing players who were instrumental in helping develop Fender instruments, and is also seen in Bigsby electric mandolins. This results in a clearer, more brilliant electric sound without the natural "chorusing" effect of doubled strings, albeit one that sounds as much like an octave guitar as a mandolin.
This instrument is also just ridiculously cute, resembling more than anything else a "just hatched" baby Precision Bass. All the regular 1964 Fender features are there in miniature, including a clay-dot rosewood fingerboard on a maple neck, crisp 3-tone Fender sunburst finish on an alder body, tortoise celluloid pickguard, and plastic-covered single coil pickup.
Tuners are single line plastic-button strip Klusons. The gold logo decal has no model name ("Mandocaster" is collectors' slang). The black tolex case is also a miniature version of the standard guitar case.
Overall length is 26 in. (66 cm.), 10 1/8 in. (25.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) deep. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). 100% original, light average wear with some minor chipping to body edges. All original and complete except snap-on bridge cover is missing.
The tip of the pickguard on the treble horn has cracked off and been glued back on; otherwise no damage or repairs. Excellent Condition.
