Maybe the LOWEST serial numbered Fender Mandoline (Mandocaster) on the planet! SERIAL NUMBER 00005.

From what I have read, Fender put serial numbers on instruments AS they were built which included all models built that day. If that is the case and only they only built ONE Mandoline that day then this "could" be the first one ever made!

Also how likely is it that Leo Fender was involved in the first one ever built?

Fender Solid Body Electric Mandolin (1956), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 00005, Desirable Translucent Blonde finish, ash body, maple neck, original tweed hard shell case.

Engraved serial number indicates that this was likely returned to Fender for a refinish early in its life, therefore the engraved serial numbers to keep their parts together.

One of the Fender company's more obscure but entertaining creations, the diminutive solid body Electric Mandolin was in production from 1956 until the 1970's and still a relatively rare item.

This beautiful Most Desirable Translucent White Finish example was made in mid-1956, the FIRST production year.

The Neck is engraved with the serial number 00005 as well as the body cavity and the neck plate.

The Pickup, pots, cap, wiring and jack all appear to be untouched and original.

The Pots are not dated but there is a number on them which is: 304620 and they are both 250K pots.

There is NO penciled date on the neck or neck pocket. This is likely due to it's early production. Could this be one of the prototypes?

Eric Clapton owned a similar Mandolin (July 1957) which he bought for collecting purposes. It appeared as Lot 70 in his auction of June 24th, 2004. It was estimated at $4,000 - $6,000...and fetched $11,950! EC's had considerable wear on the fretboard and also on the anodized pickguard (to the treble side of the pickup)

Compared to other Fender products the Electric Mandolin never really took off, but the market for such instruments is small at the best of times. Fender's effort was fairly well received initially and has been considered at least a minor classic since.

Leo Fender's mandolin differs from most electrics (and all acoustic mandolins) in having only four strings instead of the usual doubled courses. This follows the ideas of the western swing players (especially Tiny Moore) who were helping to develop Fender instruments and are also sometimes seen with Paul Bigsby's electric mandolins. This single stringing results in a clearer more brilliant electric sound without the natural "chorusing" effect of doubled strings, albeit one that sounds more like a high-tuned octave guitar than a true mandolin.

Aside from the practical attributes this instrument is also just ridiculously cute, resembling more than anything else a "just hatched" baby Precision Bass. All the coolest mid-1950's Fender features are there in miniature.

The one-piece maple neck has a slim "V" contour and black dot inlay. The beautiful blonde finished grained ash body is topped with a gold anodized aluminum pickguard.

The plastic-covered single coil pickup is controlled by chrome knurled tone and volume knobs.

The serrated bridge saddles were shared with the Telecaster and Musicmaster, hidden under a chromed snap-on cover. The tuners are single line plastic-button strip Kluson Deluxes.

The gold Fender logo decal has no model designation; "Mandocaster" is the collectors' slang term for these but not an official Fender designation. The red-lined tweed case is also a miniature version of the standard guitar case.

This is a really lovely example of an unsung Fender classic, a great looking, playing and sounding instrument if a somewhat eccentric one.

Overall length is 27 7/8 in. (70.8 cm.), 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 3/4 in. (349 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).

This is a beautiful original well loved and played and very attractive instrument, showing gig wear for over 65+ years on earth.

The original finish has some lateral checking and some very small dings, chips and scrapes to the finish, with play wear here and there. There is some loss to the anodized pickguard worn down to the natural aluminum from strumming. Internally the instrument remains original and untouched. This is a fine playing and sounding '50s Fender Mandolin, complete in a nice original tweed HSC with some general wear. Overall Excellent Condition.