Best acoustic electric for around $1000 or less?

**ryevick** · Dec-06-2009, 10:42am

Looking for a full warm tone unplugged and very clean plugged in. What would be your vote for best acoustic electric mandolin for around $1000 or less?

**Tim2723** · Dec-06-2009, 4:33pm

Personally, I'm a fan of the Michael Kelly AE models for instruments in that price range. If you can stretch the budget a couple of hundred more, the Ovation MM-68 is one of the best on the planet. Ovation also makes a budget priced model in their Celebrity line that is very good for the money. I don't recommend the low-cost Applause version.

But to be frank, I've come to view AE mandolins as very specialized tools. For anyone desiring top acoustic performance with the ability to plug in, I think it's better to find an acoustic model you like then add external electronics. With AE models you get the convenience of on-board electronics, but cutting big holes in a mandolin and stuffing the sound chamber full of preamps and batteries reduces their acoustic performance. AE models are designed to shine when plugged in and fill that role best.

**mrmando** · Dec-06-2009, 4:35pm

If you can find a secondhand Rigel A+ or A+ Deluxe around that price, grab it. That's your best choice.

There are used Ovation MM68s for sale at $600 every now and then. The unplugged tone is not to everyone's liking, but the plugged tone is fantastic.

**mandroid** · Dec-06-2009, 4:47pm

Like Tim above, less acoustic : the MK A-E,, Ovation mm68 or Godin A8, they have a 9v battery compartment in them to run the onboard preamp ..

More acoustic , consider getting one with the tone you like, .. blindfold test ..

things made out of wood are not identical so I leave off brand names..

plenty of that has already gone on, so you can wade thru years of archived brand loyalist's posts who like the one they have and extrapolate it was the brand that made the difference..

then get it equipped a pickup piezo and preamp for that pickup.., but that may push the combination past your Kilo$ , but you can play the acoustic, then invest later on the electric bits.

The ones at the head are good loud gig instruments .. particularly the Godin , there is no soundhole , just slots cut in the top for 3 band EQ and volume sliders.. [used to own one of them ]

**Tim2723** · Dec-06-2009, 5:08pm

I'll go ahead and second the Rigel and Godin. For the Rigel, you'll be scouring the used market as Martin says. It will be a great performer if you can find a good one used. The Godin is an excellent loud stage instrument, but it's not a true acoustic electric (it has a hollow body but no soundhole) so it lacks the full, warm unplugged tone you mention. The Godin is more of a semi-acoustic designed for amplified use.

And oh yeah, welcome to the Cafe!!

**allenhopkins** · Dec-06-2009, 7:17pm

What about the Rigel-licensed Gold Tone GM-110? It has a built in piezo and lists for $900. Has anyone played one? Looks like the basic design of the Rigel.

**Tim2723** · Dec-06-2009, 8:01pm

I never played one, but I seriously considered it when I bought my second Ovation. I have one of their banjos and I like the Goldtone product quite a lot. I rejected the mandolin at the time because of concerns about casing it.

Funny thing too, it has come up a number of times at the Cafe, but I can't recall any review of it.

**Marcus CA** · Dec-06-2009, 9:51pm

Originally Posted by Tim2723

The Godin is an excellent loud stage instrument, but it's not a true acoustic electric (it has a hollow body but no soundhole) so it lacks the full, warm unplugged tone you mention.

I tried out a Godin and thought it had a really nice clean sound. If I listened to it blindfolded and had to say whether it was acoustic or electric, though, I would probably (who knows?) say that it was the most acoustic sounding electric mandolin I've ever heard. With just a touch of reverb, it starts sounding even closer to acoustic.

For my left hand, the neck was perfect.

**mrmando** · Dec-06-2009, 10:15pm

The Godin has a very nice plugged-in sound, but the OP wants a "full warm tone unplugged" -- which, IMHO, you don't get from an instrument with no soundholes.

**ryevick** · Dec-06-2009, 11:23pm

Thank you, for all of these suggestions and the warm welcome from Tim!

I thought about getting an acoustic that I liked then adding electronics to it but I guess I was taking the easy way/lazy way out and figured the manufacturer would probably do a better job. I'm sure this isn't true the more I consider it though.

It might be simpler just to ask if you had around $1000 what mandolin would you buy, keeping in mind it needs a pickup added if it isn't already electric?

**mrmando** · Dec-07-2009, 1:32am

Originally Posted by ryevick

It might be simpler just to ask if you had around $1000 what mandolin would you buy, keeping in mind it needs a pickup added if it isn't already electric?

Definitely not simpler.

**Tim2723** · Dec-07-2009, 7:48am

Originally Posted by Marcus CA

I tried out a Godin and thought it had a really nice clean sound. If I listened to it blindfolded and had to say whether it was acoustic or electric, though, I would probably (who knows?) say that it was the most acoustic sounding electric mandolin I've ever heard. With just a touch of reverb, it starts sounding even closer to acoustic.

For my left hand, the neck was perfect.

Yes, I think you misunderstood me. You're quite correct that the Godin has one of the best acoustic-like tones available, but it happens when you plug it in. The Godin's actual acoustic sound is fine for practice, but you wouldn't get far with it unplugged. Leaving the soundholes off is a means to address feedback during amplification.

**Tim2723** · Dec-07-2009, 8:58am

Originally Posted by ryevick

I thought about getting an acoustic that I liked then adding electronics to it but I guess I was taking the easy way/lazy way out and figured the manufacturer would probably do a better job. I'm sure this isn't true the more I consider it though.

It might be simpler just to ask if you had around $1000 what mandolin would you buy, keeping in mind it needs a pickup added if it isn't already electric?

It's not that manufacturers don't do a good job, it's that AE mandolins are niche instruments intended to solve specific problems. They're not for everybody, and that's how it should be. It might help if you tell us more about what you're trying to accomplish with an amplified instrument. Everyone wants great acoustic sound - that's a given - but why do you need to plug in?

For instance, I use AE mandolins almost exclusively. I earn my living in an acoustic duo. We play small, loud, crowded clubs and bars where microphones simply don't work well. I have limited set up time and need to plug in and go. The conditions are cramped and difficult, and I can't have the luxury of lots of gear to help me. I work in environments where the subtleties of fine acoustic instruments go unnoticed by everyone. I need ruggedness, simplicity, and reasonably good tone. That means AE mandolins, despite their inherent compromises, are perfect for me.

But I also have a couple of nice acoustic instruments that I love for playing with friends or recording. For me, the best solution has been an AE for work and an acoustic for fun. And there's nothing wrong with owning two or more instruments. You might end up going that route.

**ryevick** · Dec-08-2009, 4:56am

Originally Posted by Tim2723

It might help if you tell us more about what you're trying to accomplish with an amplified instrument. Everyone wants great acoustic sound - that's a given - but why do you need to plug in?

And there's nothing wrong with owning two or more instruments. You might end up going that route.

You are correct sir, details usually help

A few years ago I had to sell nearly all of my instruments and now want to build back up my collection. I would buy more than one mandolin but I have a list of instruments I am trying to get by spring which include a 12 string acoustic, 6 string acoustic, a nylon/classical and a mandolin (looking at around $1000 each). I would prefer all of them to be AE for recording purposes. It's so much easier/flexible for me to plug-in and record direct into my PC and enhance the instrument in the mix. I also would like the flexibility of using them on stage if that need arises.

**Tim2723** · Dec-08-2009, 8:35am

Well, under those circumstances any of the instruments we've mentioned would fill the bill. Even the Godin A8 will record beautifully when plugged in and it's a super stage performer. It just doesn't sound its best unplugged for straight acoustic play.

Since you're hoping to do this by Spring, the Rigel might be out because you'll need to search for a used one, and who knows when one will show up in the right condition at the right price. The Michael Kellys, Ovations, GoldTone, and Godin are available new all the time.

Of course, you can record any acoustic instrument with a good microphone, but I'm not sure if that option suits your recording and live play needs. They don't suit mine! You're right that AE mandolins fill the niche nicely.

About the only thing I'll go out on a limb and recommend NOT to get are the mandolins you'll see with the magnetic pickups (like an electric guitar). While they can sound OK acoustically and are temptingly priced, their plugged in sound is not especially natural. They're more like a little electric guitar. They have their place, of course, but I doubt they would satisfy your needs given what you've told us.

If you need mostly to record and play amplified live while still being able to play acoustically with friends sometimes, the Micheal Kelly or the Ovations would work very well, IMO. I've used both of those for all three purposes and have had great results.

The Kellys are traditionally styled F-5 type instruments. Their arched tops create a more Bluegrass type sound. The Ovation is a flat-topped, bowl-backed instrument with a sound more akin to a classical mandolin. The choice depends on your musical tastes, but both are surprisingly versatile and can play any kind of music.

A final option would of course be to invest in all acoustic instruments (guitars too) and get one very good, top of the line pickup system (not a mic) that could record them all and be used for live performance. That might allow you to put more money into each instrument rather than several sets of electronics. If you're going to record, you probably want the best acoustic sound you can get. That means leaving the electronics on the outside where they belong. You can also usually get a better instrument (of any kind) for a given price if it's a straight acoustic.

That's just some food for thought. But if your needs truly dictate that you must have AE instruments, then I would personally go for the Ovation. They represent, IMO, the state of the art in AE mandolins.

**fred d** · Dec-08-2009, 9:04am

I play a gold tone Gt110 and really like it althou it's a little light acusticly but ok but fine pluged in. It's not an A or F and I get a lot of questions on what it is. So I tell them it's a baby strat and will grow up some day that's why it has 8 strings and not 6

**Big Joe** · Dec-08-2009, 11:26am

I have a new Loar LM600 that with a pickup installed (Baggs Radius) or similar would still be under that price point and would give you good acoustics and electric functionality.

**ryevick** · Dec-08-2009, 4:54pm

Well this is definitely helping hearing the feedback on this forum. Right now I'm thinking maybe the Michael Kelly Legacy Dragonfly Flame Electric, or maybe even the Ovation MM-68 or Godin A8. I do go through Knoxville every month or so and noticed The Mandolin Hut is located there. I am going to have to stop by there. I hope they have the ones I mentioned, it would be nice to compare those against what they have in their store. Anyone ever dealt with them?

**EdSherry** · Dec-08-2009, 5:05pm

I'm not particularly impressed by most of the out-of-the-box acoustic-electrics (other than the Godin A-8, which sounds great plugged in but has very little in the way of acoustic sound).

There's a lot of demand for acoustic-electric guitars, which is why many manufacturers make them. There's much less demand for AE mandolins.

IMHO, you're better off retrofitting a good pickup onto a good mandolin that has an acoustic sound you like. I've retrofitted pickups onto a bunch of my acoustic mandolins with good success.

The Schertler Dyn-M is great, but probably out of the OP's price range. I like the Baggs Radius, and have had good success with the Pick Up The World pickups. I've also had good success with mini-mikes.

My main mandolin has a combination of a Baggs Radius and a Crown GLM mini-mike, wired to a stereo Carpenter jack and running into a Rane MAP-33 preamp. But that combination will bust the OP's budget.

Two downsides: (a) it's a bit more work than just buying a "stock" A/E from a manufacturer, and (b) you can't be entirely sure what it will sound like plugged-in until you have the pickup installation work done.

Hence my main suggestion: find a luthier you trust who has experience retrofitting pickups onto mandolins, and listen carefully to what he/she recommends.

Unfortunately, in many parts of the country, that's a tall order.

In summary: I agree with BigJoe and Tim2723 that retrofitting a pickup onto a good-sounding instrument is the way to go.

**mandroid** · Dec-08-2009, 5:35pm

It is determinately 3~6X the OP's price point, but the Mix with the C-dyn-s internally mounted Schertler pickup...
does a good enough job of acoustic, (it aint wood, but carbon fiber, so it's sound is unique) .

still a very resonant sound-box, and it sounds fine. ..with a TRS cable,
plugs into a Mic/combo input on any mixer, just like the removable Dyn M.

low humidity, Hot/cold, and dampness, Beer resistant makes it good for outdoor and sketchy weather jobs, and beer resistant for rowdy bar gigs.. if that is where your playing opportunities lie.

**ryevick** · Dec-08-2009, 5:44pm

The more I look at the Michael Kelly Legacy Dragonfly Flame Electric the more I like it. Just found a video clip of it. Very nice.

**mandroid** · Dec-08-2009, 5:52pm

Ah, the seduction of the scroll ..

**Tim2723** · Dec-09-2009, 11:03am

Well, that's a good point. The Godin looks like an electric guitar, the Ovation looks like an acoustic guitar, and the Rigel has very futuristic styling. But the F-5 shape of the Kelly is an absolute icon of the mandolin world. It's a sculpture that plays music.

But one last point about the Kelly. Know that, of the four mandolins, it has the least technologically sophisticated electronics. They do the job well, but if you're after state of the art, the others will bring more to the table. The Kelly's pickup is a section of microphonic coax beneath the saddle. The others are piezoelectrics. The Ovation's preamp is the most advanced of the four.

**cyeiser** · Dec-09-2009, 11:25am

Originally Posted by allenhopkins

What about the Rigel-licensed Gold Tone GM-110? It has a built in piezo and lists for $900. Has anyone played one? Looks like the basic design of the Rigel.

I own one of these. It is rock-solid for plugged-in use. This may be important only to me, but all the high-stress areas such as the strap buttons, the tailpiece, the plug-the-wire-in-spot... they are all stout. There is an intensely satisfying click when you plug in. I really like the tailpiece. Just a big ol piece of metal with big meaty hooks. The fretboard is smallish and flat.

Its acoustic volume and tone are not mind-blowing, but certainly serviceable.
As with any mandolin, a good setup is important.

**ryevick** · Dec-10-2009, 9:00pm

Originally Posted by Tim2723

But one last point about the Kelly. Know that, of the four mandolins, it has the least technologically sophisticated electronics. They do the job well, but if you're after state of the art, the others will bring more to the table. The Kelly's pickup is a section of microphonic coax beneath the saddle. The others are piezoelectrics. The Ovation's preamp is the most advanced of the four.

I don't know a whole lot about the electronics end... as long as it records a full clean signal I suppose that I can handle any needed adjustments in the mix. I know you could get probably as technical/expensive as you want with the electronics... but in the end with each one mixed and adjusted would you be able to listen to the tracks and take the Pepsi challenge and tell me which one is which?

I feel if I have to sacrifice a little on the electronics that's OK if it means I wind up with a better looking and better acoustic instrument. Wouldn't you agree?