Ovation mandolin?

**sroberts** · Jun-25-2007, 1:05pm

Ar they any good at all? I don't mean comparible to any pro models, but how does it compare lets say to an Eastman 615 or a Gibson A basic..sound more important to me than looks? Thanks

**12 fret** · Jun-25-2007, 6:12pm

Opinions vary but the ones I've tried don't sound like an A style. Close to a flat top sound but without the range of overtones, complexity, and projection. Better choice might be an all wood A or flat top. If you need the pickup you can always have one put in. Better to amplify a good sound than try to tweak the electronics to get you there

**Bruce Clausen** · Jun-25-2007, 6:27pm

I have to disagree here slightly. Probably most of us would rather play on a good acoustic instrument, and amplify it somehow when necessary. But if you're going to amplify routinely, the instrument with the best acoustic sound is not a good bet. I've just been trying many pickup options, plus the Ovation and Godin electric/acoustics, and to my ears the Ovation and Godin, which are heavily built and so a little dead but very even acoustically, amplify much better than any of the pickups on a good mandolin. (Plus you get controls on board.) I actually preferred the Godin to the Ovation for both acoustic and electric sound-- but as many people have noticed here, the Godin company does a terrible job on setup and action. The Ovation seems well built for the job it's meant to do.

BC

**Richard Russell** · Jun-25-2007, 6:59pm

Ovation mandolins have received great reviews on the cafe. Amplified sound is highly rated.

I think Bruce is correct. Seems like the qualities that make good instruments sound good tend to lead to higher chances of feed back when on stage with high volumes.