Electric mandolin 4-string version. A related instrument, the Bahian guitar, was developed in Brazil beginning in the 1940s. Bahian guitars typically have a solid body and 4 or 5 single-course strings tuned in fifths, but are considered to be electric versions of the cavaquinho rather than the mandolin. Both four string single course and eight string double course solid body mandolins have been produced by several makers, as well as five string single course models. From 1956 to 1976, Fender produced a four string version which they simply called the "Fender Electric Mandolin". Its body shape was based on a smaller version
Classical Mandolin Society of America a Convention in a different city in North America each year. Among other functions, the CMSA Convention hosts an En Masse Orchestra, which for its brief existence each year, is the largest mandolin orchestra in the United States, and has historically included as many as 180 musicians. The CMSA serves as a source of information about how to find or create mandolin ensembles around the United States, Canada and the world. The organization is staffed by unpaid volunteers and is structured with Officers of the corporation (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer), and a Board of Directors, which currently has