View Full Version : Interesting ovation-ish mandocello-looking ebay auctions
downtowndalebrown
Oct-12-2009, 4:25pm
http://cgi.ebay.com/8-string-Acoustic-and-Electric-Guitar-Round-back-New_W0QQitemZ170391513096QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar ?hash=item27ac202808
http://cgi.ebay.com/8-string-Acoustic-and-Electric-Guitar-Round-back-New_W0QQitemZ170384925234QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar ?hash=item27abbba232
I'm not sure what the quality is like, but judging by the ceramic tiles on the floor, it looks to be about a 25" scale (give or take), and for $150 for an ovation-type mandocello, that's not terrible at all.
Desnosfan
Oct-12-2009, 8:34pm
Well, that's the thing. The seller lists it as "copy of a ovation" and doesn't list a name. I'd be a little worried about it. Although, a two hundred dollar mandocello would be a nice deal
Jake Wildwood
Oct-12-2009, 9:09pm
These knockoffs are terrible. I'm pretty sure the bulk of these are Korean made with fairly low quality and I've seen them in shops here in the NE...
...but all the best to you. :)
Hal Loflin
Oct-12-2009, 9:12pm
What would you think would be the tuning on this? It looks big enough to be an octave...GDAE?
allenhopkins
Oct-12-2009, 10:54pm
...and for $150 for an ovation-type mandocello, that's not terrible at all.
Well, an Ovation costs $1,800 or so (discounted); this one's less than a tenth of that. If price bears any relation to quality -- and it probably does -- you can assume it won't be in the same ballpark.
On the other hand, if it's a complete dog, you're only out $150, and the seller does offer a return policy.
delsbrother
Oct-13-2009, 1:24am
Oh c'mon! FLAMES!!!!
http://i.ebayimg.com/12/!BWni53!!Wk~$(KGrHgoOKkIEjlLmVgL3BKYRvS0b3g~~_12.J PG
Rob Powell
Oct-13-2009, 1:33am
Well, that's the thing. The seller lists it as "copy of a ovation" and doesn't list a name. I'd be a little worried about it. Although, a two hundred dollar mandocello would be a nice deal
Actually, one of the listings (maybe both) list the instrument as a Maestro. Didn't the Big G buy Maestro?
Having taken a chance on Ovation copies very similar to the posted instruments, I just wanted to give an opinion for the benefit of those who might be thinking of taking the plunge.
I'm a fan of the Ovation products, and have had great success with having them set up for mando instruments.
I'm also a fan of making something work better than as it was sold. I'm not against cheap guitars or inexpensive knock-offs. One of my favorite guitars is my Joshua, which turned out to be a great guitar even beyond it only having cost me $30 initially.
But.
I have NEVER been able to make an instrument of the listed type play or sound like I wanted. I will NEVER buy an instrument of that kind again.
I look at the photos, and wince when I remember the soft plastic nut and saddle, the inability to adjust the neck and action well, the bad tuners, and the general cheapness of the thing. Even though my initial glance at it made me wonder about turning it into an acoustic 7- or 8-string guitar, the greatest factor which puts on the brakes is the awful *tone*.
Often, I'll think that spending $50 on shipping to check out a plausible instrument will be well worth just knowing. In this case, I know it's a $50 round trip which just won't pay off.
If anyone goes for it from the Cafe, of course, I'd be interested in hearing if their experiences differ from mine....
Bill Snyder
Oct-13-2009, 9:11pm
Actually, one of the listings (maybe both) list the instrument as a Maestro. Didn't the Big G buy Maestro?
Yes, Maestro is a Gibson owned brand. I checked out their website and did not find anything like these. Seems odd.
Found another guitar company using the Maestro name. They are in Singapore. I did not see any Ovation copies in their offerings either.