This is a very unusual instrument made by the late Dave Gregory, master luthier of York. Dave often made experimental instruments for his own amusement and to develop ideas, and this is one, probably the most compact electric mandolin you'll ever find, only 600mm long and 150mm wide. When I got this it was in pieces - Dave had a habit of cannibalising instruments for other projects - and I have fitted it with machine heads, adjustable height bridge, pickups (two halves of a P bass humbucker) and electronics to get it in working order. As you would expect from a master craftsman, the woodwork is immaculate. The body and neck are mahogany, the fretboard and head veneer ebony. It has a zero fret, the neck is dead straight and it plays like a dream. There are a few minor dings in it but it is structurally absolutely solid. The two essential strap buttons will ensure it stays where you want it and you can't really balance it on your leg.
Each pickup is wired through an individual slider switch to a single tone and volume control, giving a very wide range of sounds. Although the string spacing over the bridge pickup is slightly out, the response across the string is unaffected.
Because it is an experimental instrument it does not have any Gregory branding or numbering but the quality of his work shines through. If you are after an electric mandolin to travel with or want to cut a dash on stage this is just the instrument for you. I've included a video to demonstrate the range of sound available.
