We've longed for a Fender Mandocaster ever since starting on the mandolin, but every time they've appeared on the radar, be it eBay, Craig's list, or vintage retailers, they've sold for ridiculously high prices. Ironic, often the Bakelite tuners are close to disintegrating, the frets are in need of repair, and like any sought after vintage instrument, upgrades with anything less than overpriced OEM stock parts cuts seriously into the mandolin's vintage value. Though these are great mandolins, it's confounding why these old-timers fetch such a high price.

Though there are plenty of quality cottage emando builders, some of the best being made in history, these instruments can also be expensive, and none have the classic panache of the original Mandocaster. Even Fender is reluctant to tackle a reissue, a baffling state of affairs.

Enter mandolin design trail blazer, Jeff Cowherd of JBovier Stringed Instruments. This instrument pioneer has brought professional quality, mid-priced acoustic mandolins the last several years, and now with equal vision and market savvy, he's brought an incredible homage to the Mandocaster--at an affordable price! The new JBovier EMC (Electric Mando Caster) and its hybrid sister ELS, Electric Leo Smith (extra credit if you can guess the origin of the name...) are now in production with an anticipated November delivery date.

Here's the really good part, Manufacturer's List Price of $799 with gig bag, these are anticipated to sell on the street (or the internet) for only $599! We had a chance to try these at the Summer NAMM show, and had to run down friends who in turn, ran raving to their own friends to point these out. Mandolin dignitaries like Sam Bush, George Gruhn, Bucky Baxter, Stephen Mogin, and Gordon Roberts were as giddy as we were with these new weapons of M.A.S destruction, weighing in with postive comments and superlative accolades.

Some of the nitty gritty from a recent JBovier press release: "Both will feature dual pickups and 3 way switch (not pictured on EMC prototype), with improved configuration of the controls, the volume knob closest to the bridge for easy "violin" volume swells, the selector switch closer to the perimeter to avoid contact or collision while strumming, and tone knob ergonomically between. A larger pickup cavity will be cut and "blank" pick-guards made available to allow do-it-yourself pickup modifications for those desiring custom upgrades, such as a Seymour Duncan "Antiquity" Mandocaster p/u, or a mix with a chrome humbucker, (etc). The ELS model (bottom photo) will sport a rosewood fretboard on future models , the EMC model (top photo) will have maple. Both feature .080 frets and fingerboard dots at frets 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, and higher. Headstocks include the signature logo, string spacer (EMC only), and deluxe tuners." (Shown in photos: optional Sperzel "Sound-Lok" tuners available)

Playing with the pickups on the show floor, we found a variety of highly effective tone combinations, including a suprisingly impressive acoustic sound when locked in the dual position. These instruments were very hard to put down, and we expect to see one very soon in our own personal JazzMando arsenal. Also, for those of you living at "C" level, we received confirmation that 5-string versions are in the works, the EMC-5 and ELS-5.

The expected delivery date on the 4-strings holds another insider secret we've been privy to: an unbelievable preorder "Charter JBovier" bonus price.

More details, soon!

We can't wait!

Contact builder; Email Jeff Cowherd
Ph 859-801-951 (US)
Read the JBovier story: JazzMando Archive

Posted by Ted at July 29, 2009 5:58 AM