Vintage F Style Mandolin. JAPAN 1970's. ‘Bradley’ brand. K&K Pickup installed with hard case. Book matched flame maple with DOUBLE SNAKE EYES.

Vintage F style Mandolin. JAPAN 1970's. ‘Bradley’ brand. K&K Pickup installed with hard case. Book matched flame maple with DOUBLE SNAKE EYES.

Wonderful vintage mandolin for sale!

This is a vintage ‘Bradley’ branded F style Mandolin. Built in JAPAN in the 1970's during what many consider the golden age of arch top instrument building. This was likely handbuilt by a master craftsperson at one of the legendary factories like FujiGen or Matsumoku, etc. There is a K&K pickup installed, which was added in early 2023 to make it a versatile gigging instrument. This has a very similar look to that of the king of Newgrass, Sam Bush’s mandolin. Get you’re ‘Brilliancy’ on with this thing! It’s a very loud mandolin with a nice thick chop and has a ton of natural woody resonance that can only come with a vintage instrument like this! Frets are tall thin but have lots of life left in them and slightly wider neck than a standard F5 makes it a breeze to play. Action could be brought up or down depending on taste. Currently has a set of D’Addario Ej74 on it but would definitely benefit form a new set.

Included with the mandolin

• Includes it’s original Japan stamped hard case, case key, and the original pickguard. The little touches like ‘Japan’ stamped on the case hardware further highlight the quality here. Many folk take the pickguard off to simplify the look and ensure maximum volume out of the treble f hole, but it could be added back on with very little work.

Unique Features

• This one features a skillful BOOK MATCHED FLAME maple with at least DOUBLE SNAKE EYES. Two of the eyes are very easy to spot but the mirror continues right down the back. This is a sign of a true master built instrument. The instrument has scratches and dins as you’d expect for it’s age but none stand out to the naked eye as awkward. 
• The abalone inlays and dark ebony fingerboard are rare treats for today’s market. The instrument has a very thin finish and the woodgrain can be felt through it. It has that wonderful golden glow only a vintage instrument can achieve over time as the finish settles and becomes one with the wood. 

History

• The ‘Bradley’ headstock brand was likely the in house brand for Veneman Music in Rockville, MD USA during the 1970s. Dealers could import instruments with their own name and I’ve heard stories that this may have been the name of a grandson of the family ran store.
• This is a unique piece of American history and is a wonderful professional grade instrument.
• This was bought personally in the USA and brought personally to the UK. It's a rare find for the UK market, don't sleep on this one!
  

Reason for sale

• Only selling due to a sudden shift in my life-priorities.

FREE Shipping

• I will send this out packaged as if it were coming to me. It will be packed snug inside its hard case and then inside a shipping box.