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December 2005
Posts: 5
| I was thinking about buyinga MCS 148 Ovation mandolin for about $400
I read about a lot of people who were satsified with it and others who are not and say when the recieved it through the mail it was not even play able.
But if i go to a store that is selling it, and it is playable, and to me it apears great. Is it?
or is it going to fall apart on me or something?
thanks,
David |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | You can get a nice USA built one that is much better on the used market for $200 - 300 more. The quality of the USA made mando MM68 is 2-3X better than the MCS148. |
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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 5
| thank you for the reply.
is there any more advice you have for me on my search for a decent priced, and quality instrument?
(not nessisarily ovation, i just want to get a good mandolin) |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | First question is what kind of mando do you want? A style or F style? Or does it not matter?
The Ovastion has been described to me as between the A and F in tone and gets some of the best of both. If you like the import and it looks, feels, sounds good go for it. If you think you might sell it in the future maybe the US one. I'd guess it would bring better resale but this might not matter to you. |
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June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | You're in a great position because you can try it and inspect it before buying. Let you eyes, ears and hands decide for you. For the money there is nothing wrong with the celeb mando as long as it is playable. My own experience is that any adjustment or other work that's needed on it will be a nightmare. So make sure it's good from the get-go. I lived the whole painful experience from Applause to Celebrity to USA Ovation mando and it was frustrating and expensive as hell. There is a long thread somewhere in the vault. But check out the one you mention and if it seems good to you, go for it. Dave |
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November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | I'm partial to F-Style mandos. I just sold my Washburn on eBay. You can buy a nice used M3SW for around $400. Take a look on eBay at item #7377439729. Something like that may work for you.
I've played a couple of Ovation mandos. Nothing wrong with them. I just like the F style better.
Jeff |
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December 2005
Posts: 5
| thanks alot for the reply Standingovation.
about this "Let you eyes, ears and hands decide for you. "
Im a relitivley new mandolin player. I actually started out playing a 100 year old banjo mandolin, and wanted to get off it.
The thing i was woried about is that i wouldent know what sounds good in a mandolin, or what isent a good instrument.
What should look out for when i go and look at the mcs 148 tomorrow?
I was thinking I should try playing each fret on each string to see if the string taped against another fret on any of them. But is there anything else?
thanks,
David |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | There's a beautiful MC868-4 here on Ebay . Is that a realistic price? Seems awfully high... |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by david_w:
What should look out for when i go and look at the mcs 148 tomorrow? Check if there is a "hump" in fretboard right where it goes over the spot where the neck joins the body. See if the top is flat, or has sunken. Those 2 issues ran my introduction to a starter mandolin up to $1600. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Waskel, that's a mandocello and if in really good shape that is a very reasonable price. |
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MCS148 Ovation Mandolin - Is it worth it?