Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I've owned this instrument for about 6 months. I have an Ovation guitar and I bought this mandolin mostly because it is asthetically the same as the guitar, only smaller. The preamp (model OP-14) is not as nice as on the guitar (model OP-30). The preamp on the mandolin includes a volume control and three band EQ only, the guitar also includes a tuner, EQ on/off and mid shift switch. It does have all most folks will need though. It is difficult to replace the battery through the panel in the back of the mandolin for the OP-14 preamp, unlike the easy to replace battery in the OP-30 preamp on the guitar. It is slightly quieter when played acoustically than most A or F body mandolins, but it sounds great and has excellent tone. Like Ovation guitars, it sounds best through an acoustic amplifier. These mandolins use ball end strings which may be a bit more difficult to find at your local store than loop end strings. Despite the above noted items, this is my favourite mandolin. It stays in tune remarkably well despite temperature changes and humidity changes. The action was great from day one, the round back body is comfortable and the neck shape is is great and while it is thicker than on a fiddle, it just feels "right." It looks more like a miniture guitar than a mandolin (which I don't mind, but some might find the appearance unusual). It sounds decent unplugged and great plugged in. It is comfortable and easy to play. It is well made and the only real difference I see between it and its much more expensive Ovation brother are the machine heads. I am more than happy with mine.
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Applause by Ovation MAE148-5 Mandolin
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