Am the proud owner of a cheapo mando. I've a feeling these instruments are made by the same manufacturer. Mine was made in Korea and for the money is quite suitable for learning. It came w/a single coil pickup and a laminated top. These are entry level instruments with a surprisingly good level of playability and tone. Mine is called an Encore and I've seen exactly the same mandolin with Fender on the headstock. It would stand to reason they would make all manner of student level instruments. I just wish they'd come out with a cheapo mandola so I can complete my set. I don't know if he's still around, but a few years ago there was a guy whose expertise fell under the general heading of 'cheesey guitars'. Not that I'm calling your guitar cheesey as the ones he would talk about were real bad electrics for the most part. I think he called himself Teisco Del Rey. Anybody remember him? I think he even had a column in GP mag for a while.