Hell yes… I know of at least a few readers who will be rejoicing over the news that Eastwood Guitars is continuing its support for the oft-neglected left-handed guitar players of the world.
Late last week the company announced “lefty” versions of not only the popular new Airline Twin Tone, but also Eastwood’s endlessly entertaining Mandocaster, an eight-string re-imagining of Fender’s early ’60s four-string electric mandolin (I say re-imagining because the Mandocasters I seem to remember were based on the Strat not the Tele.)
The Lefty Mandocaster is expected to sport a body of solid alder, maple bolt-on neck (14“ scale length,) rosewood fretboard with block inlays, a fully-adjustable Telecaster-style bridge, and Gotoh hardware.
Unlike the early Fender instruments they’re loosely based on, Eastwood’s new Mandocaster boasts dual singlecoils, 3-way pickup switching, and a full eight strings instead of just four. The Mandocaster is fetching a suggested retail of $399.
By the way: you can watch Wendell Ferguson take this little beasty for a test drive over on Eastwood’s website. Good stuff.
- Eastwood’s Airline Twin Tone Recreates The ‘62 SUPRO Dual Tone
- Eastwood Releases Limited Run Metallic Copper LTD Airline DLX
- Eastwood Releases Limited Edition Airline 2P LTD In Metallic Margarita
- Eastwood Releases Limited Edition Of Just 24 Electric Indigo Airline Map Guitars
- Hell Yes! Eastwood Unveils Airline Map Bass
- Eastwood’s Reproduction Of The ‘64 National Newport
- Guitars, Guitars, Guitars! Eastwood Unveils Three New Models For 2007
- Eastwood Offers Sneak Peek At New Airline Tuxedo
- Vintage Guitar Magazine Reviews Eastwood’s Airline H44 DLX
- Eastwood Guitars Launches Four New Models
- Eastwood Guitars Reviewed By ToneQuest Report
- Rare Find: Eastwood Town & Country Video Review
November 12th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
I currently own three Eastwoods; an Airline 2 pickup in black (the Jack White guitar), a Delta 6 and my favourite of the three, a red Supro Coronado reissue. The Supros, to my understanding when I last talked to Mike Robinson, are no longer being made as Supro USA did not renew the license with Eastwood (Supro USA are now making high end reissues of the Dual Tone and Ozark), so they are bound to be somewhat collectible in the future. From what I understand, what is still left of the Supros with the dealers are the last ones. Eastwood’s warehouse and original dealer is about 45 minutes from me here in Canada, so I head up there every couple of months to see the new stuff in person. And I can tell you, the guitars look even more fantastic in person. As a sidenote to this, Mike Robinson owns the Airline name and trademark. As Cary once said, my favourite new vintage guitar company and one of the best bangs for the buck in guitars, but I am a bit of a non-conformist, so I like the oddball stuff.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:10 am
I’ve never seen or played an Eastwood but they look great and I love the offbeat designs. The Joey Leone model is really impressive in the video at Eastwood’s web site.
The Mandocaster looks like a very cool instrument, but I have way too much to learn about guitar to start trying to play a mandolin…at least for now.
November 14th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Perhaps Paul McCartney should get one of those Mandocasters. Or perhaps not if it encourages him to churn out more dross like “Dance Tonight”.
November 14th, 2007 at 4:50 am
GL, love the use of the word “dross.” I’m going to borrow that one from you.
November 16th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Glad to see you’re back..
As for the guitar…
Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy, Happy Happy, Joy Joy,
I’m just a little happy :)