Developed in partership with Paul Jerome, the MB8 is a direct upgrade from "P Bass" type pickups with 61mm hole spacing fitted to Epiphone Mandobirds.

The MB8L gives a warmer, more balanced tone and string response to compensate for the "weak E" commonly found when guitar based pickups are used. The 5.5k wind is slightly hotter than standard resulting in an output boost. With the L magnet configuration, this pickup is ideal for blues / jazz style playing.

The MB8HC is a 4 wire humbucker with each coil wound to 4.0k which opens up a range of switching options - particularly useful is series/parallel wiring giving a noticeable boost when switching from rhythm to solo.

Adjustable pole pieces give the potential for fine tuning the string balance and to minimise feedback, the MB8 is resin potted. These "half a P Bass" pickups are also ideal for any similarly equipped E-Mando with a string spacing of around 11mm.

Please note, some Mandobirds have hole spacings as wide as 64mm and so filling and re-drilling may be necessary.

"Fitting the pickup in the cavity was straight forward enough. It only went the one way anyway because of the routing for the cable under the scratch plate..The output is much improved, and the sound has a much warmer tone than before. String balance is also much better. Thanks again for this. ".

Paul Jerome, Havant UK, Dec 2009

Just put the pickup in, and wanted to let you know how pleased I am.  The response was easy to even out, and I really like warmer tone.   Massive upgrade from the standard p-up.

Kailo Schlegel, Palmyra VA. USA, Jan 2010

Thanks so much for making this pickup!  The tone is really great and the balance is superb!  My Mandobird sounds like it should at long last. I plan to convey my satisfaction on the Mandolin Café board tonight, as well. Thanks again for a fine job.

Geoff Orr, Charles Town WV. USA Feb 2010

Holy Cow!!!
This pickup is just what the Mandobird VIII needs. The sound is quite clear and sharp, and relatively even across the strings. It also has a LOT of output relative to the pickup that came with the Mandobird VIII. The sound reminds me a lot of a Gibson SG guitar (sharp, clear highs). You can play very LOUD without distortion. This would probably be great for someone playing in an electric band and competing with other electric instruments in the mix. If you add distortion at the amp, the instrument screams. I'm already delighted with the range of sounds. The pickup plays well with the volume and tone controls, and really makes the Mandobird a serious instrument.

David Heffer, Rochester NY. USA June 2010