Epiphone has launched an extensive Bluegrass collection of instruments, including banjos and mandolins, with a brand-new Mandobird the pick of the bunch.
The brand has described the series as “high quality and accessible” with instruments inspired by Gibson and Gibson Custom models representing some of its most historically popular bluegrass builds.
The Mandobird is the undoubted eye-catcher, though. A four-string mandolin designed for players “looking to stretch out and go electric,” as well as rock guitarists craving a little experimentation, it’s a hybrid wildcard.
It features a reverse Firebird-inspired body made from solid nato wood, a bolt-on mahogany neck, and a laurel fretboard with trapezoid inlays.
The reverse trend carries through to its headstock, which is adorned with Grove Mini Rotomatic tuners. There's also a top-mounted, string-through-body bridge and a single Epiphone Firebird pickup, plus tone and volume pots.
The Mandobird costs $364 and comes with a gig bag, as Epiphone dubs it as “the perfect electric mandolin, now built for the stage.”
The series also includes an Earl Scruggs Golden Deluxe Banjo, Mastertone Bowtie Open Back Banjo, Mastertone Classic Banjo, F5G Mandolin, and the F-5 Studio Mandolin.
“Banjos and mandolins are a huge part of the Gibson story,” says Mat Koehler, Vice President of Product at Gibson. "We are proud that the legacy is alive and well in this collection.”
It's been a busy first half of the year for Gibson's affordable sister brand. In January it dropped one of the most requested models in its history in the form of a Dave Grohl signature and recently released an updated made-in-USA Coronet.
And if miniature Firebirds aren't your jam, Epiphone’s $1,799 Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V might just be.
Head to Epiphone to learn more about the Bluegrass Collection.
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