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Location: Edmond, Oklahoma | Is there any genuine playability or sound improvement reason to justify the extra expense of the MM68 mandolin, compared to the MCS148? I'm quite impressed with the MM68 model, but I don't want to spend unnecessary $$$ if I'd be satisfied with the cheaper instrument. Yeah, I know, the only ultimate way to tell is to try them both, but that's not an option at this time.
Tim |
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Location: NJ | I've never played either (wish I COULD), but I've heard it said (I believe by our own "StandingOvation") that the difference is night/day . . . |
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Location: Scotland | In a word, Yes. It's like comparing an Elite to a Celeb deluxe. The USA mandolin has a solid top, 5-piece neck with graphite stabiliser, ebony fingerboard, better machines, better materials. Every detail that is superior on the USA guitars also applies to the USA Mandolins. I own 2 USA Mandolins & as an Ovation Dealer have sold all 3 so I've had the opportunity to play all 3 (USA, Celeb & Applause) side-by-side, and the USA is vastly superior in terms of feel, set-up, playability & acoustic tone. The pickup & preamp is the same on all of them, so plugged-in they all do a good job. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | VAAAAAAAAASTLY superior. That's why I have one in the house! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | There is an old thread of mine somewhere about the sorry tale of buying a celeb mando when what I really wanted was a USA mando. I bought the celeb for something like $399. I spent a lot of money after the sale trying to get the damn thing playable (I think I spent another $180), and it was a complete waste. Neck had a hump in it at the body joint and the plywood top was caving in. Kaman Service (NOT OVATION SERVICE) was a complete freaking joke with no response what so ever. I was literally going to throw the damn thing in the trash can. Luckily I found someone willing to pay $200 for it. It was the worst round back instrument experience of my life. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE buy a USA mando. I finally did and it is just a wonderful instrument. Every single aspect of the USA is superior to the celeb - most importantly the playability and the sound.
Now, I know there will be members who reply to this post and say, Gee I love my celeb mando, it's perfect, blah, blah, blah. That's grfeat and I'm really glad they had a better experience than I did. I'm not putting down their instruments, just relating about my own experience. Peace. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | as a mandolin player who has played a Celeb, my opinion is this. Celeb sounds great plugged in, not so great acoustically.
I haven't played a USA but have seen some of the best Nashville players with a beautiful USA collector's model trimmed in abalone. That's the one I want.
Bailey |
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Location: Scotland | That's the 30th aniversary "Book" mando. I have one, so does Mr Witko. Doesn't sound a whole lot different to the standard model, but it sure looks pretty |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Hey, looks are everything, aren't they? |
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Location: NJ | there just is something about mother of pearl. |
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Location: Toronto | Interesting thread... I have an applause mando - which is just about as horrid to play as a $50 12 string guitar... The action is nasty, and the sound is - well no comment - it could just be my playing... It actually starts to hurt my hand after playing for a while - even after having the action lowered...
I have been on a search lately for a real mando - and had a traditional F-style (F-5 like) model in mind - the headstock is everything!
After reading this though - perhaps I need to do a double take and consider a USA mando. Can anyone tell me how it contends against some of the mid-range priced Weber's, Gibson's, Morgans etc...???
It's friday and life is good!
Dano |
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Location: Kent, England | There's no doubt that the USA models are the best having played one a good number of years ago, but...and it's the same old gripe they are just sooo expensive over here in the UK.
Anyway, I've got a celebrity mandolin which I'm still very pleased with and could justify the price verses use...but...I've got what I can only describe as an intonation problem on the 10 fret on the high E string. This is the only fret on which this occurs...the difference in tone is virtually a semi-tone worth, as if it is jumping from the 9th to the 11th fret.
I know it's ONLY a celebrity, but any ideas chaps?
Cheers
Terry |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | For those looking for a USA mando, Paul Blanchard is selling his for $625 in the For Sale section. Very nice mando for a fair price. |
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Location: Fort Worth, Texas | I own a Celebrity model, play it plugged in with the band on occasion - our REAL mandolin player owns an Epiphone that I usually play when it's my turn, don't have to lug one more instrument to the gigs.
They have different feels and sounds, not sure which one I like better. I got mine used for $250.00. It plays OK.
All that being said I've strummed some USA models and if I had the funds would get one in a heartbeat. Sorry Paul B. can't afford it right now - saveing for a new Hamer - if not I'd get that one!
And that being said I bought the Celebrity model to learn on as I wasn't a mando player before (tuned upside down from a guitar :D ~DOH!~)
I guess if you have the funds and are a real player get the USA model. The Celebrity is OK, but not nearly as good!
(Man, Tom Waits is on NPRs Fresh Air right now - what beautiful music and horribly fine voice!) |
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Location: Connecticut | Reading the posts about the New Hartford built mandolins has been a real kick for me. I've been building them since the very 1st production models left the factory back around '95 or so. I take alot of pride in my work and try to build the best quality I can into each one. Thanks for all the kind words about the mandos. |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | DaveO...Thanks for the input and the good work. It's always nice to hear from you guys. |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | I have just cited Paul Templeman as an unnamed 'experienced authority' in my description of the MM68 I have for sale on eBay. I am grateful to all of you for this thread, as I have no experience with Mandolins beyond enjoying them in the hands of those who know how to play them. |
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Location: Queens, NY | Maybe Ovation should come out with a "Balladeer" mandolin: a USA model that's better than the MCS148, but not as expensive as the MM68. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | That's not a bad idea Tony, but I just wonder how much market there is for Ovation mandos and does it justify having 4 models in the lineup. If anything, take the Applause and Celeb mandos which are basically the same and move the Celeb "up-scale" by going to solid top and a better 2 piece neck. Maybe price point them at $400, $800 and $1500 instead of todays $400, $500 and $1800. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | As a mandolin player, some of these comments have touched a nerve.
Some questions, why do we not see more mandolins played outside of bluegrass/folk? I always felt a mandolin could add quality to any type of music, and really enjoyed playing in a country/rock type band as my soon and I did for some time, the mandolin always got a good reaction from the audience on typical 70's rock songs and country songs. An Ovation mandolin is great for this type of music, but the Gibson F type seems to have monopolized the genre, so nobody even thinks of playing an Ovation until they hear one in a modern band situation and realize that it can be plugged in and sound great where the good old F requires a mike and tons of feedback.
Just a thought.
Bailey |
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Location: Scotland | Bailey, there are countless examples of the Mandolin being used outside of bluegrass/country. Counting Crows, John Hiatt, REM, The Band, Rod Stewart, Hootie & The Blowfish are just a few rock-oriented acts who regularly use mandolin. There's also a strong tradition of mandolin playing in Blues, the most famous being the late Yank Rachell, but there are contemporary players such as Ry Cooder, David Lindley, Steve James & Alvin Youngblood Hart. There's also examples of mandolin in Jazz & Be-Bop. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Matt Smith plays a very good slide mandolynn in his shows. There isn't enough exposure to this but that is getting into why the record companies promote what they do (and not the good music we all listen to) |
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Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | Excellent thread here guys. I have an MM68 that I really enjoy. I'm not really a mandolin player per say, (actually not at all, I only know 2 songs). So I was thinking about selling it because Tony forced me to buy his FD 14! So I need to find a way to finance it. Maybe I should ask my wife to get a job instead! |
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Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | And didn't Jimmy Page play mandolin (can't remember the name of the song) on the Zep album that included "Black Dog" and "Stairway to Heaven"? |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Good idea about that spousal job. That way you can afford more gitters. Of course you won't want to phrase it that way. |
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Location: Queens, NY | On Led Zeppelin IV, I believe Jimmy Page played mandolin on "The Battle of Evermore" and "Going to California". |
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Location: Upper Left USA | 1979 or 1980 in the Kingdome, Seattle, Jimmie played on this three necked instrument. Said it was their Studio Special. It was a Mandolin/6/12 I believe.
When R.E.M. launched "Losing my religion" they said in an MTV interview it was the first time a mando was used in a Top 10 song since Zeppelin. Of course they only meant their genre but it is interesting to ask what kept the Rockers away from the Mando for all that time?
As for me, more cowbell baby! :D |
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Location: NJ | . . guess REM'd never heard Seals & Crofts OR the Hooters . . . :D |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I've heard of Hooters |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | Well, I know Hooters Too and they have Great wings! But then there was a group called The Hooters.EveryBody Sing....And We Danced...
What a great Fun Song!! Thanks for reminding me cliff! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | 23 years of marriage, so I don't near Hooters as often as I used to. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Paul T
Ha Ha. I knew all that stuff, I just wanted someone to say it here. Sort of like the old "made you look" gag. Right ON!!!!
Bailey |
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Location: Midland, MI | I kind of like the mandolin sound, but it's way overused in so-called 'country' music. Speaking of which, I've conducted a non-scientfic study and determined that if you removed the slide guitar and mandolin from what passes for country music now, you end up with cheesy 80s rock. :) So, while Top40 isn't making use of the mandolin, TopCountry is making use of Top40, eh? |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | cruster
Can't help but agree, is country ready for another revolution?
I believe the movie "Day After Tomorrow" is a parable for today's country music, where the atmosphere completely reverses itself, destroying most of Nashville, and flushing thousands of executives from their cushy offices spending money made on Rascal Flatt and Shania videos, and exposing the dirty bottom of Nashville where REAL country bands exist and play like cockroaches in a trailer park, only more palatable, and MORE HUNGRY.
F@@k "Modern Country", I hope the ghost of Hank Williams materializes with a modern chainsaw. Sorta like Freddy only, instead of virgin cheerleaders, the victims will be failed rock players who try to make it in country. Sleep well you urban s#@theads who think you can change Hank's music.
Bailey |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | It's all part of the progression.
high school gigs
opening bar bands
headline bar bands
out door concerts
outdoor festivals
small auditoriums
major venues (10,000 seats+) and TV shows
opening act for major venues
reunion tours
go country and move to Nashville
play country fairs
move to branson
apply and get turned down for opening act in Vegas
Find Jesus
put out a Christian CD
work the nursing home circuit. |
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Location: NJ | . . I think "star in a 'reality' TV Show" fits somewhere in the latter part of that equation, Bill . . |
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Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Jeez, CWK2, now I'm depressed; I think you just described the arc of my life!
Bailey, so I gather you're not a Castro or modern country music fan. You're a man of strong opinions but, in this case, I have to agree with you on both counts. However, I find the other "ism", fascism, as repulsive as communism. Extremes of any kind always seem to end up hurting a lot of people. |
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Location: Yucaipa, California |
It's allpart of the progression
high school gigs
opening bar bands
headline bar bands
out door concerts
outdoor festivals
small auditoriums
major venues (10,000 seats+) and TV shows
opening act for major venues
reunion tours
go country and move to Nashville
play country fairs
move to branson
apply and get turned down for opening act in Vegas
Find Jesus
put out a Christian CD
work the nursing home circuit.
...hmmm... went from
#2) Bar Band to #14) Finding Jesus and then directly to #16) working the nursing home circuit
... did I miss out on anything? :rolleyes: |
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Location: NJ | . . just the 80's and the 90's . .
(y'didn't miss much) |
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Location: Yucaipa, California | ...somebody told me I was around during the '70s... can't seem to remember...maybe I didn't miss anything after all... there are still periodic "what-was-that?" images... :eek: |
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Location: NJ | Tim, don't feel so bad,
I'm approaching 50, and STILL
in the "bar band" phase . . . .
:rolleyes: |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Maybe the reality show comes in after the nursing home circuit or before Jesus. I guess it depends of the total experience.
I do have to laugh about part of this since there are 2 guys who come by and play with my father "to keep the spirits up" They are a white guy piano player and a black bass player. They play Moonlight in Vermont and Georgia etc. Charlie plays palm clusters on a nylon viper. One time I sat in with them and started playing The Thrill is Gone and white Norm stopped dead in his tracks and was lost. Howard came in on the second chord change and hit the vocal right on cue.
They had to leave after that tune to be at their other gig across town at a different home. I think Norn didn't like being showed up and since he be the driver he said, We outta here! |
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Location: NJ | LOL!!
I'm sure that the phrase "damn hippies!" got muttered somewhere during the drive to the next gig.
Good to hear that at least the "palm clusters" are still there . . .
I'm sure that I speak for everyone here in wishing the best of thoughts. |
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Location: SoCal | Ditto what Clifford said.
"palm clusters"? Chord melodies?
How old is Charlie now? |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Interesting end to a posting
I am an old mandolin playing geezer, as is or was Jethro Burns, Chet before he died, Glen Campbell, etc. I have played for years, and I played a week or so a go at a bluegrass jam in front of a big crowd, and was asked to play by the many people I have played with over 20 years in this town. Never once, never once did I hear ANYBODY say, "don't let that old geezer play, most of them don't even know that I am an old geezer, and the wise ones wouldn't risk their healthy future by calling me that, I can say it but fighting words might evolve, the band I played in has my son, 220 pounds of strong belief and a bass player who stands 7 feet tall.
Bailey |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Oh, and one step left out of the progression that may sound dated;
LOTS OF POONTANG!!! |
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Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Bailey:
Oh, and one step left out of the progression that may sound dated;
LOTS OF POONTANG!!!
Bailey, if you're thinking/posting that kind of thing, there is no way on G-d's green earth that you qualifly for 'old geezer.' :)
Wango, tango, wango, tango, wango... |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | cruster
Just thinking dang it, the gigs I've done the last few years end up with a quick trip home before anybody asks me why I look so old for my age.
Bailey |
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Which Ovation Mandolin?