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Joined:
June 2003
Posts: 35
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska | 
This is a picture from a Matt Smith Clinic. Matt (mandolin), our Ovation Rep, Bob Adler (guitar), and I (mandolin) finished the clinic with an impromptude rendition of "Satin Doll."
More about my Custom made "Adamas" Mandolin. (Really!) Here:
Adamas Mandolin |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | There was a carbon-topped Mandolin on one of the benches in engineering during the tour, very cool. An Adamas mandolin is just below the Ovation reso on my "to do" list. |
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November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Ted, Adamas mandolin.....awesome! |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Ted
I guess that proves that you are dedicated to both the mandolin AND Ovation. Great idea, how does it sound acoustically? Have you listened to any of Jethro's music, he had a jazz/swing mandolin book out 20 or so years ago?
Bailey |
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Joined:
June 2003
Posts: 35
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska | Paul just summed up its sound... "Awesome"
I find myself drawn by peer pressure to play my other axes (Rigel CT-110, Gibson F9, Hodson Djangolin) in performance--you know, the traditionalist roundback "persecution."
But ultimately, if I have to deal with plug-in logistics, and especially if I'm play with horns, I need the sonic "leverage" of this wonderful instrument.
Really, it's the ultimate stage mandolin. It has a warmth and color all its own. The neck is stable, fretboard comfortable as a broken-in pair of sandals, a breeze to change strings. I just can't say enough good things about it.
I just wish it wasn't so misunderstood by the rest of the musical community.
I just started using Thomastik (ball end) mandolin strings (154K--hard to find), and it sounds like butter. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | The difference is that the Ovation mandolin tends towards guitar design where the other brands lean toward fiddle technology. All I care is what works, and the Ovation theory is great for jazz and blues.
Bailey |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | There was an Adamas mando made early on. It is the Bleen finish. |
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May 2003
Posts: 45
Location: Oakton, VA | Ted,
I followed the thread into your site ... it's quite impressive.
Within your site review of the your new Ovation you mention that the MM68 shouldn't be confused with the cheaper Applause or Celebrity versions. I've played both the Applause and a MCS-148, but haven't run into an MM68 yet. What, in your opinion, differentiates these models so very much?
Thanks,
Tom
BTW, I agree whole-heartedly that Niles Hokkanen is a most gifted music teacher. |
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Joined:
June 2003
Posts: 35
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska | Tom,
This is a difficult question, in that we are dealing with generalities. The imported series are built with economy in mind, not the attention to detail.
For example, the Celebrity (my first mando!) was showing potential signs of deterioration where the string fits into the bridge, even after a couple months. Seems everytime I changed strings, "shavings" were coming out of the holes. Not a problem then, but I knew it would be in the years to come as it would erode. Quality of wood? Maybe, but my American made (I owned an "off the rack" MM68 prior to my custom) seemed tougher, better made.
The neck felt better on the MM68, the frets "cleaner," more polished were they met the edge of the fingerboard. Better machine heads, the action much easier to adjust to my liking by my tech.
I'm grateful to have "gotten into the pool" with my initial import model, but once I knew I was going swimming for a lot longer, it was definitely time to move up.
I'd heard nightmares of "Applause" mailorder customer defects--Bridges pulling off, necks warping--all okay if you have a good relationship with a local dealer who can remedy this seamlessly for you (ultimately, Kaman backs their stuff...), NOT so good if you bought it from some fly-by-night Ebay "mercenary."
I guess it's what my Dad taught me, though: you really don't get something for nothing. |
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Mando/Mando/Guitar Trio Picture