Framus
Framus
This German company made a few of everything—violins, string basses, guitars ... and electric mandolins.  On the left, an 8-string solidbody; next, the 10-string Framus "Strato Melodie" model and the headstock thereof. The Strato-Melodie also existed as a semi-hollow entity with F-holes. It was a 4-course instrument, not a 5-course one; the upper two courses were meant to be triple-strung.
     Below are several options in an 8-string hollowbody with the pear shape common to German mandolins. One soundhole or two? Cat's eye or F-hole? Pickguard or no? Magnetic pickup or piezo? Original pickup or after-market? We've got them all.
Framus
Framus Framus