Ovation mandocello

**Kirk** · Apr-25-2006, 2:48pm

I have been thinking about picking up a mandocello for use in our mandolin orchestra. I periodically see an Ovation mandocello on eBay for what appears to be a great price. However, I have questions about the sound quality and quantity from these instruments (un-amplified) . Any opinions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks !!

**delsbrother** · Apr-26-2006, 1:57am

I've never played a "regular" mandocello to compare, but my Ovation isn't very loud unplugged. I would guess you'd get lost in an orchestra setting. Ted, ever play yours out sans amp?

**Ted Eschliman** · Apr-26-2006, 7:09am

Oh yeah!!!
Love mine. It sounds great unplugged. Plugged in, it sounds even better. The Ovation technology allows you to keep the string tension low and play very well.
These are very much underappreciated!

**delsbrother** · Apr-26-2006, 7:06pm

I defer to your Hackness.

**Bob A** · Apr-26-2006, 10:52pm

If you've never heard an Ovation, you might want to listen to one before you went that route. With all due respect to those who love them, it might not fit well with wooden-bodied instruments.

FWIW, I have an old Gibson archtop that I've often thought would make a wonderful mandocello, with the obvious modifications; even with a six-string tuner setup, I suspect a new nut and bridge with the two treble courses doubled, and the two bass strings left as singles, would be an option worth contemplating. (I don't mean to sound as though I'd be interested in selling mine: just offering an alternate route).

**Pedal Steel Mike** · Apr-27-2006, 7:58am

I can't speak for the ovation, but the Weber is wonderful. If I had the bucks, I'd buy one in an instant.

**Kirk** · Apr-28-2006, 10:52am

Thanks for everyone's thoughts.

Which Weber cello models have you played (& would you recommend ?)?

**trevor** · Apr-30-2006, 9:39am

Kirk,
I'm not sure of the price of the Ovation but I think the Moon I have is cheaper. Its guitar bodied which I guess doesn't give the traditional look but the sound is awesome. Simon Mayor commented that it was the strongest low C he'd heard in a cello, I agree. Its on my website, sorry for the commercial plug but just trying to offer an affordable alternative.

BTW for the US I can deduct UK sales tax (17.5% on = 15% off)

**Chippsta** · May-04-2006, 4:43pm

I've got one for sale or trade ... would consider a nice mandolin, mandola or Fender tube amp. chipsmith@comcast.net

**glauber** · May-04-2006, 5:24pm

One what? Ovation? Moon? Weber?

**steve V. johnson** · May-06-2006, 3:52pm

At a shop in Ohio I once played two brand new Weber Absaroka (their base A-model) mandocellos, one had the Weber D-hole and one had f-holes. I was really surprised at how heavily they were strung. The low course must have been .86 or so! They were like power cables, both of them! The tensions were very low and I had no fun at all playing them.

I didn't have a tuner right there right then, or I sould hae tried to dial them up higher, but they were in tune with themselves, in fine and even fifths.

I still wonder about Weber mandocelli, esp. when they show F-body models on their "Available Now" page of their website, but I have a Phil Crump zouk that has a 25.4" scale and any instrument at that length or longer would have to be... Well... I don't think there's another that could supplant it from my favor... <GG> True it's not a -mandocello-, but any more bass response in my life and I'll just melt... <GGG>

As for Ovation... If you play plugged in a lot, there are few tools better matched and suited to electronic tone sculpting and simplicity of use. Acoustically speaking, I too will defer to Mr 'Hack.

stv

**Chippsta** · May-08-2006, 10:14am

Sorry, i have an Ovation Mandocello for sale or trade. Pretty cool instrument ... i just don't have the hands for it!

**Alex Fields** · May-08-2006, 3:02pm

Ted, how does the acoustic sound compare to fully acoustic mandocellos? I played two 'cellos yesterday (a 1921 K4 and a 40s K2) and I loved them both (prefered the latter actually because of playability) and now I'm set on getting hold of a mandocello, and I'm looking for any opportunity to trade for one, but I don't want one that I would need to plug in most of the time because I don't even own a decent amp.

**Chippsta** · May-08-2006, 3:46pm

I can't speak to how it compares to regular solid wood mandocellos, but the Ovation is an acoustic instrument with electronics built in, but the intention of this 'cello is not to be a hollowbody electric, like most jazz boxes. I'd love to trade this one for a decent mandolin or mandola or sell it outright for what i've got in it.

**Alex Fields** · May-08-2006, 4:01pm

Chip, I sent you an Email...best not to talk about commercial deals here. That said, do you have (or could you record) any soundclips?

**PhilGE** · May-08-2006, 4:04pm

got to try out a Weber Tamarack mandocello at Elderly a long while back. I'd love to own one. Great volume and tone. Long reach, of course, but what can one expect?

-Phil, back to lurk mode.