Blue Star Mandoblaster 5-string by Bruce
Herron. $750–800.
For years and years,
Michigan luthier Bruce Herron made fun,
eye-catching electric Blue Star Mandoblasters, but
he is semi-retired and makes them no longer. Hence they
have become difficult to find. You may have seen Blue Stars in the hands
of pro players like Otis Taylor, Bucky Baxter (with
Bob Dylan), or Don Herron of BR5-49.
These 5-string Mandoblasters feature a "psycho-burst" phenolic finish, a single-coil lipstick-tube pickup, 2-piece black/pearloid pickguard, volume and tone controls, tuneable bridge with fully adjustable saddles, 14" scale length, 1-3/8" nut width, rosewood fretboard with standard mandolin fretwire, and 1-piece maple neck. I have four in stock:
These 5-string Mandoblasters feature a "psycho-burst" phenolic finish, a single-coil lipstick-tube pickup, 2-piece black/pearloid pickguard, volume and tone controls, tuneable bridge with fully adjustable saddles, 14" scale length, 1-3/8" nut width, rosewood fretboard with standard mandolin fretwire, and 1-piece maple neck. I have four in stock:
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No. 160 has a silver finish. There is moderate player wear and fretwear, and a dent along the side. There are a few "bubbles" in the layer of phenolic material on the front, which can occur over time with Blue Stars. Gotoh tuners. Gig bag included, or upgrade to a custom gig bag or hardshell case. See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. $750 plus shipping.
160
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No. 1128 has a silver finish. Good condition with minor player wear; has a scrape near the endpin and another one near the strap button on the upper bass bout, which suggests that someone used a strap with exposed metal near the ends. (I don't know why anyone makes such straps; even less do I know why anyone uses them.) There are also a couple of spots of green residue on the back and side that seem to have transferred from a velvet case lining. Ping tuners. Gig bag included, or upgrade to a custom gig bag or hardshell case. See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. $750 plus shipping.
1128
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No. 102 has a silver finish. It has been modified with an additional piezo pickup and dual-signal tone and volume knobs. Gig bag included, or upgrade to a custom gig bag or hardshell case. See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. $750 plus shipping.
102
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No. 1165 has a gold finish. It's in spectacular condition—clean as a whistle and looks like it was never played. It has locking tuners, which are something of an upgrade from what one usually sees on a Mandoblaster. Gig bag included, or upgrade to a custom gig bag or hardshell case. See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. $800 plus shipping.
1165