Ed Elliott Bench Copy of the TK Smith Tarver Bigsby Mandolin TK Smith Pickups Natural

No sales tax for customers outside California.

This one-of-a-kind 5 string electric mandolin by Ed Elliott was built as a bench copy of the TK Smith Glen Tarver Bigsby mandolin.  

So yes, you have that right.  TK Smith had the Tarver Bigsby for a month, examining and x-raying the instrument to make an exact copy, then Ed Elliott put the TK on his bench and nailed it with this beautiful build.  

Bruce Harvie commissioned the build of this instrument and finished it himself, applying the authentic ageing.  

About Ed Elliott:

Ed Elliott, a master luthier based in Checotah, Oklahoma, is renowned for his meticulous craftsmanship in creating custom instruments inspired by Paul Bigsby's iconic designs. While he is widely recognized for his work with Mosrite-style guitars, Elliott has also dedicated significant effort to building Bigsby-style electric mandolins and guitars, capturing the essence of mid-century American instrument aesthetics.

Elliott's Bigsby-inspired creations are characterized by their exceptional attention to detail and use of premium materials. For instance, his 1952-style five-string solid-body electric mandolins feature flame maple bodies, ebony fingerboards, and black walnut burl headstocks, adorned with mother-of-pearl inlays. These instruments are equipped with custom-wound pickups and hardware, all handcrafted by Elliott himself, ensuring a unique and authentic tonal experience .

His builds are available in various models, including Standard, Custom, and Deluxe, each offering different configurations such as solid or chambered bodies and neck-through designs. All models come with custom handmade cases, reflecting Elliott's commitment to quality and detail .

About the Tarver Bigsby:

The 1953 Bigsby 5-String "Glen Tarver" Electric Mandolin is a rare and historically significant instrument crafted by the legendary luthier Paul A. Bigsby. Commissioned by California fiddler Glen Tarver, this mandolin is one of only two known five-string electric mandolins built by Bigsby—the other being made for Tiny Moore of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.

This mandolin has a storied provenance. After Tarver, it passed through the hands of Tiny Moore, who used it while his own instrument was being serviced, and then sold it to one of his students, Alvin Willmett. The mandolin has remained in that family for decades.

Currently, this exceptional piece is available for purchase at Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee, listed at $50,000.

• Color: Natural
• Weight: 5lbs 8ozs
• Top: Maple
• Body: Maple
• Neck: Flame maple
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Inlays: Mother of pearl
• Frets: Original
• Fret Count: 17
• Nut Material: Aluminum
• Nut Width: 1 5/16"
• Scale: 14"
• Overall Length: 27 1/8"
  
• Body Width: 10 1/2"
• Body Depth @ Edge: 1 13/16"
• Neck Thickness At 1st Fret: 0.80"
• Neck Thickness At 8th Fret: 0.93"
• Action 1st String @ 12th Fret: 2/32"
• Action 6th String @ 12th Fret: 2/32"
• String Gauge: .010-.052"
• Hardware: Aluminum and nickel
• Bridge Pickup/Brand: T.K. Smith
• Bridge Pickup Reading: 4.99k
• Pickup Original?: Yes
• Neck Pickup/Brand: T.K. Smith
• Neck Pickup Reading: 3.92k
• Pickup Original?: Yes
• Switch: Original
• Pots: Original
• Tuners: Original
• Pickguard: Original
• Case: OHSC

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