Gibson 5 string jazz mandolin with fanned frets 2

This started life as a Gibson M-6 six string guitar/mandolin with a 14" scale. The original fretboard was replaced with fanned frets. It has five frets, combining mandola and mandolin tuning: CGDAE. The C string is about 16th long. The E string is about 14" long. This gives better intonation and better string tension than a 5 string with a 14" scale. It's a great jazz mandolin. It also now has a Kent Armstrong jazz pickup in it.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gibson
• mandolin
• fanned
• frets
• jazz
• mandola
• bluegrass

[NemoNepersonne]

Some of lower four-fingered chords are challenging. Two and three-fingered chords are easier. But this mandolin is at its best above the fifth fret. I seldom go below it, and I find that I seldom use the E string. Thus, this is primarily being used as a mandola. It's very easy to play if one already plays mandolin--easier than playing a mandola. However, I look at the position markers rather than the fretboard so I don't get sea-sick. Thanks.

[xcaper66]

garbage

[WingleDingus]

@zeppy13131 a guitar traditionally has 6 strings tuned in ascending 4ths except for a pesky b string from the g to make a 3rd, while the mandolin is traditionally tuned in perfect 5ths, making it quite the nifty little instrument. Quite a difference in the two instruments besides the mandolin having dual strings.

[zeppy13131]

And this is single-strung, not double-strung? Maybe this is a dumb question, but: Why not just play a guitar?

[essleyfam]

That contraption is bad ass!

[xis333]

nice instrument!...i havea question for ya about the fanned frets...does it make you change your hand/chord shape when u're chording?