By C.

The Fender Electric Mandolin is a remarkable little instrument that embodies the essence of both tradition and modernity. It takes the age-old charm of the mandolin and infuses it with the spirit of Fender’s 1950’s golden era. The result is an instrument that not only pays homage to its acoustic roots but also opens up new horizons for mandolin players in the world of amplified music.

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As Fender began to pick up some serious momentum for their electric guitars and basses in the 1950’s, they made a daring foray into the realm of mandolins and other more obscure instruments, particularly when country and western music was dominating the airwaves and record sales charts. Fender recognized the potential for an electric mandolin that could deliver a clear, cutting tone that would be audible in larger venues and amidst other amplified instruments. This led to the creation of the Fender Electric Mandolin or “Mandocaster”, a groundbreaking instrument that resonated with both seasoned mandolinists and electric guitar players looking to expand their sonic palette.

The Fender Electric Mandolin features a design that echoes the classic Fender aesthetics. It boasts a solid body, reminiscent of Fender electric guitars, which allows for greater sustain and reduced feedback when playing at higher volumes. The body is typically made from alder or ash, with a sleek and ergonomic shape that enhances playability over the traditional ‘F’ or ‘A’ style hollow bodies that most mandolin players are familiar with. Finish options upon introduction were either Sunburst, or transparent Blonde as seen above. With a one piece maple neck and classic Fender headstock shape, this instrument has all the aesthetic charm that make 50’s Fenders so special and unique. The bridge and tailpiece are carefully designed to ensure optimal string intonation and sustain, two crucial factors in achieving a vibrant and resonant tone.

Right away, mandolin aficionados will recognize that there’s something rather different in the design of the Fender Mandocaster, the strings! A traditional mandolin is a four course instrument with doubled tuning, which is a fancy way of saying it has 8 strings that are tuned in octave pairs. This is what gives the mandolin its signature sound. The Fender Electric Mandolin, however, has only 4 strings. This allows players to play single note passages and bend strings with greater ease, and with a feel much more like an electric guitar.

Another standout feature of the Mandocaster is its pickup system. Fender equipped their mandolin with a single high-quality electromagnetic pickup, similar to the type found on Fender lap steel guitars of this period. This pickup captures the true essence of the mandolin’s solid body sound. The pickup was originally mounted on a single ply anodized aluminum pickguard and later a 3-ply tortoise guard in the 60’s. The pickup was strategically placed to capture the vibrations of the strings, offering a faithful reproduction of the instrument’s acoustic tone. This ensures that the mandolin retains its signature brightness and clarity even when played through amplifiers and effects.

The electronics also provide a versatile range of tones. It typically comes with a tone and volume control, allowing players to shape their sound to suit various musical styles. This versatility makes the Fender Electric Mandolin a valuable asset for musicians across genres, from folk and bluegrass to rock and jazz. With the right amplifier and effects, players can achieve a wide array of tonal possibilities, from warm and mellow to sharp and cutting.

The Fender Electric Mandolin is not just an instrument for the stage; it’s also a fantastic tool for recording. Its clean and articulate sound makes it an excellent choice for studio work, where precision and clarity are paramount. Whether used for solos, rhythm accompaniment, or even experimental sonic exploration, the Fender Electric Mandolin truly shines in the studio environment. Since the model was built into the 60’s, later models got the rosewood fingerboard treatment, which can offer further variation in tone.

The Fender Electric Mandolin is a uniquely Fender design and just goes to show how the company was always at the forefront of innovation. By electrifying the traditional mandolin and infusing it with the DNA of their iconic electric guitars, they created an instrument that strikes a perfect balance between the past and the future. With its captivating tonal qualities, playability, and versatility, the Fender Electric Mandolin has found its place in the world of modern music, inspiring both seasoned mandolinists and electric guitar players to explore new sonic horizons.