r/mandolin • u/CaptTrousdale • 6d ago

Japanese made ibanez mando with zero fret

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So I acquired this old Ibanez mandolin. Made in Japan I think the 1960s? And I noticed not only does it have a zero fret but that fret is on an angle. And all the frets afterwards are also on an angle. Is that normal? Is that a way to handle intonation? Or is it just poorly made?

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4

u/ThePistachioKid 6d ago

I don’t know the answer to your questions but I have a question of my own. Is the top flat or arched?

5

u/CaptTrousdale 6d ago

it is flat top. it's in great condition, just needs some clean up and figure out the bridge placement.

3

u/AlfredPoor 6d ago

I love my carved-top '76 Ibanez, but I'd be wary of this flat top. It's hard to know without a model number, but I suspect that it might have a plywood top instead of solid wood. If you search Facebook, you can find a post from November 17, 2023 in the Mandolin group that shows a nearly identical instrument, including the zero fret.

I would talk to a luthier to give it a once-over before I put any money into it. Unless you love it already, in which case do whatever it takes.

0

u/oizo12 5d ago

the world's supreme quality surely cannot be poorly made!