A graduate of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in Phoenix, Martin Fair has 30-plus years of experience building instruments. He operated Furnace Mountain Guitar Works in New Mexico for a few years, then moved to Virginia to start Fairbuilt Guitars. His standard offerings appear to be acoustics, but obviously he finds time now and then for something out of the ordinary.
     This 5-string solidbody electric mandolin is patterned after the old Gibson 3-point design. It’s built of solid mahogany, both neck and body, with a narrow center stripe of what might be ebony. Ebony fretboard; dark tobacco brown finish. It has 23 jumbo frets, a 15-inch scale, and a comfortable but relatively wide neck (the nut width is 1 3/8 inches). Twin-rail humbucker with coil tap switch. Nickel hardware includes Schaller-style guitar tuners, bridge plate with individual saddles and string-through-body design, tone and volume controls, and strap buttons. A deep cutaway on the back allows for access to the upper frets.
     Although it’s in good shape, this is a used instrument that has been around the block a few times. It received a lot of repair work from Andrew Jerman and is ready to go again, bearing just a few minor scuffs and signs of wear. It’s somewhat heavy, but the solid body adds a lot of sustain. Gig bag included, or upgrade to a custom gig bag or hardshell case. $1,800 plus shipping.
     See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. 48-hour approval offered.