Made in Japan in the 1960s, the Kent 744 is an iconic and functional classic. The 16-inch scale inspires some players to set them up as mandolas, but they can also be played as mandolins with ultralight strings. (Any heavier and it's kind of like playing a cheese slicer.) I have a soft spot for the 744: not only does it look terrific, but the first instrument I ever sold on Emando.com was a Kent 744.
     This is a standard sunburst model in very good condition, with original pickup and screw-on tailpiece cover. The bridge and two of the tuner bushings are replacements, but since I poached them from another 1960s Japanese electric (a Kingston) that had its neck busted, you wouldn't know unless I told you. It's common for old instruments like this to develop crazing and lacquer cracks in the finish—so common, in fact, that it's usually regarded as normal aging—but this mandolin has none of that.
     Outrageous 5-ply binding all the way around. My luthier has added a grounding wire and now the electronics work as they should. The G tuners are stiff—in fact, the lowest one is so stiff that a guitar string winder is required to turn it (but it does turn smoothly with the added torque). Apart from that, there is nothing to complain about here. It is currently strung with ultralight mandolin strings, but I will cheerfully set it up as a mandola if requested.
     See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. Used. 48-hour approval period. $850 plus shipping.