Ovation mm68

[kieranbhoy]

Anywhere in the UK stock these or does anyone know any person/place selling a second hand one?

also, roughly, what should i be paying for a second hand one, american and korean

thanks

[trevor]

I've had them in used but nothing at the moment. Can I ask why it has to be an ovation? In my experience/opinion they are fine if you want to plug in only but not the best otherwise.

[Tim2723]

Here in the US the American made MM-68 sells for around US$800, the Imported Celebrity version about US $500, and the low-cost Applause version for US$200. Those are all approximations. Hope that helps. There is a new imported version of the MM-68 called the MM-68AX. Haven't seen those used yet. Since the Celebrity version sports the Ovation logo on the headstock it is sometimes confused with the MM-68, so shop carefully.

And do please tell us more about why you want one. Many players are disappointed because they have false expectations of this highly specialized instrument.

[kieranbhoy]

Thanks for the reply guys. I play live 3/4/5 times a week, i have a good eastman mandolin for recording with, but live i have had serious problems with different mandolins and the only one i seem to be able to plug in and play has been crafter or ozark ones with the build in preamp etc. I dont have very high expectations of these if used acoustic, my mandolins take a fair beating and i do a power of travelling with them so need something fairly solid, and as i am a tad clumsy, the ovations seem a nice solid one.

Having tried one out in Gran Canaria when i was out playing, i very much liked the feel of it and after many hundreds of gigs playing a similar style mandolin, it feels right. I know they are not to everyones taste but like i said, i have a good one for recording with and i would like one of these for using live. Struggling to find one in the UK though, any of them to be honest from the applause right through to the top end ovation

[Tim2723]

Well, you are certainly an Ovation candidate. Those are all the right reasons to use one. If you're playing that often and suffering wear and tear to that level, I would recommend staying clear of the Applause version (unless that's simply all you can get) as it's not up to par with the others mechanically. I'm not even sure I'd rely on the Celebrity version under the harshest conditions. I understand that the Crafter instruments are more commonly seen in the UK, so you might have to have a new Ovation imported to you. I have no idea what that would add to the cost, but a new MM-68 runs about $1200 here. The MM-68AX version (the imported MM-68) might be more affordable at US$800-900, but I couldn't speak to its quality having not seen it yet.

[kieranbhoy]

Thanks Tim, i am actually heading over to NYC and New Jersey in December, i may buy one in the states and have it shipped to my friend in New York then take a crafter over with me, simply give it to him as a gift and bring home the new Ovation :D although i would prefer to get one before December they seem to be few and far between in the UK

[Eddie Sheehy]

Hard to find a new MM68 off the shelf (I think they're discontinued)... they do crop up used now and again though for $600 to $800...

[Tim2723]

And you can count on the price going up. My understanding - very likely incorrect - is that they are discontinued as a production item but will still be produced on a custom order basis. Who knows what the price would be though. As long as the AX model is the same quality I don't mind where it comes from.

[Folkmusician.com]

I became an Ovation dealer last year.... I am still waiting on our opening order for mm68AX. Eddie and Tim are correct. The US made mm68 is no longer in production.

[kieranbhoy]

it was the american one i had a go on in spain, i believe the guy paid around 1000euros which i reckon nwould be about right for the instrument in such a farflung island

hopefully i will be able to track one down shortly in the UK

[Tim2723]

If my math is right, I think you're correct about that.

I wouldn't worry too much about finding an American-made one a this point. The Ovation instruments are much more a 'manufactured product' than a 'hand-crafted instrument', if you take my meaning. One of their advantages is that if you ruin one (as I have done) then next one off the assembly line is just as good. I have used the Ovation mandolins as my primary performance instrument for nearly two decades now and have played more samples of them than almost anyone on the forum; Over two dozen of the various iterations at this point. They are more identical than any other kind of mandolin in my experience. In fact, just a couple of months ago we had a fellow write in to say how disappointed he was in his Ovation. We quickly discovered that it hadn't been properly set up. Once that was set to right he was as delighted as any other Ovation player. As long as the import is made from the same quality materials and executed to the same exact specifications its point of origin should make no difference.

[kieranbhoy]

thanks Tim, i am 99.9% sure the ovation is right for me, both price wise and the fact they are fairly hardened instruments. Now just to track one down in Scotland or the UK

[Ed Goist]

I became an Ovation dealer last year.... I am still waiting on our opening order for mm68AX. Eddie and Tim are correct. The US made mm68 is no longer in production.

Robert; once you receive your first batch of MM68AX-5 mandolins I'd love to hear your opinion of how they compare to the MCS148 model (I see from your site you already carry this one). I'm wondering if the new imported MM68AX is worth the extra ~$300?

I recently played what I believe was an MCS148 at a day-long jam and was incredibly impressed by the playability and the tone (into a really nice acoustic amp). Oh, and throughout the 8+ hours of playing this thing freakishly stayed in tune, despite having strings that I think came over on the Mayflower.

This has me wondering how impressive the new, higher-tiered, import model might be(?). Has anyone played examples of both the MCS148 and the new MM68AX-5?

I wish there were some of these in my regional shops to test-drive.

[Ted Eschliman]

My very first mandolin was a Celebrity Ovation 14 years ago. It was a great starter instrument. My second was an upgraded USA model MM68, and I loved it, but I had a custom (Adamas) with carbon fibre top and abalone inlay purfling made for me and it was a superb stage instrument. There are times I regret letting it go, but I picked up instruments over the years I've liked better.



I've played the new MM68AX-5 when it came out last fall and am bitterly disappointed with it. Really bummed they stopped making them in Connecticut, and this import is an insult to the Ovation legacy. Just one guy's opinion.

[Folkmusician.com]

Robert; once you receive your first batch of MM68AX-5 mandolins I'd love to hear your opinion of how they compare to the MCS148 model

Hi Ed,

I am still waiting on these. At this rate, I may not see them this year!

The MCS148 is not bad at all for what it is and the price. It fails miserably for acoustic tone, but in a lot of amplified situations it fits in nicely. Think, high volume, less than perfect room acoustics (most small clubs), a poor sound guy (or no sound guy), Rock bands, Country bands, etc... In these situations, a nice great acoustic tone is second to eliminating feedback and getting a mix that isn't muddy. For this, I would take the Ovation vs most standard mandolins.

Having not seen one of the new MM68AX-5 models myself, I have no opinion there.
I do respect Ted's opinion, so I am a little worried.

[Tim2723]

I not only respect Ted's opinion, but it's scaring the heck out of me. I haven't seen the AX-5 yet, and I'm sort of hoping (assuming?) that it would be a direct drop-in for the MM-68. But as I was just saying to Ed elsewhere, I have my reservations about it. The AX-5 is only $300 more than the Celebrity and while that might be due to lower labor costs, it worries me. It's a little too low, if you get my meaning. Based on Ted's input, I would probably be tempted to replace my MM-68 with the Celebrity model if disaster should strike again. At least that's a known quantity.

[Tim2723]

...Oh, and throughout the 8+ hours of playing this thing freakishly stayed in tune, despite having strings that I think came over on the Mayflower.

That's an Ovation trademark. It's freakishly stable. It's something few believe until they experience it. I'll bet you could have put it in the case and carried it in your car for a week, and it would still be in tune. And when you're using the Ovation for its intended purpose - playing loud in loud places - that characteristic alone makes the Ovation worth it. Anybody who has tried to tune a mandolin in a loud club will know just what I mean. It's so freakish it's almost supernatural.

[Ed Goist]

Well, I found a very good deal today on a new MM68AX, and went for it. I should have it within a week.
Some of the specs this model has over the Celebrity do seem to make it a wiser choice:
* AA Grade Solid Spruce top (vs. just "Spruce top")
* 5-piece mahogany/maple neck (vs. 2-Piece Nato neck)
* Ebony Fretboard and Bridge (vs. Rosewood board & Walnut bridge)
* Improved OP-24+ pre-amp and Custom Ovation Mandolin high-output pick-up (vs. standard Ovation Mandolin PUP)
* 9157-0 Hardshell Case included (retails for +$100 on its own) [vs. no case]
I'll be sure to report back here once I've gotten to know the 68.
Oh, and I'll be jamming again tomorrow on my buddy's Celebrity, so I will soon be able to report back on the differences between the two.

[Tim2723]

Can't wait! Good luck!!

[Ted Eschliman]

I should probably back down from the negativity. Understand, I am a huge fan of the Ovation mandolin design, despite the scorn and criticism of my peers and mando traditionalists. It is the hands-down best solution for amplified playing in an acoustically hostile environment, competing with Marshall stacks, screaming lead guitar, and double bass drum pedals. You can't crank any other mandolin as hot as an Ovation without feedback. The sound remains "acoustic" in quality. (Even with the new MM68AX.)

Having been a devotee of the MM68, my expectations were high. The manufacturer didn't even change the model number, just added a suffix. That's what wrought my bitterness more than anything. It is an instrument that's almost half of what the USA was in price, and in defense of the good folks at Connecticut, they felt they couldn't compete with an American made equivalent. Simple business realties. It's been sad to see them back away from the mandolin world over the years, from dropping their custom work to elminating their mandocello, in my opinion, one of the best designs for that instrument. Ever. I bought mine under the advice of John Jorgenson. He used one touring with Elton John.

Charlie Kaman tackled the mandolin for years, despite the fact they were losing money on these. I guess I should be grateful for the years they did produce these, after all, I owe my beginnings to the design. I might not have ever started mandolin were it not for that ruby red Celebrity hanging in my showroom in 1998, mocking me for several months.

You don't get something for nothing, and with the scale down in price, one should expect some compromises.

[Tim2723]

Thanks for that, Ted. It makes me feel a little better in some ways, a bit worse in others. The fact that they only added the suffix made me think it was going to be the same instrument just built elsewhere, maybe even with a few improvements to boot. As long as the specs, materials, and workmanship are the same, I don't care what color skin the luthier has. (And I mean that in the most respectful way.)

Do you have any thoughts on why they didn't just drop the MM-68 and offer a couple of improvements on the Celebrity? The 148 is a copy, sure, but it's still a very good mandolin. With the 148 and AX only priced $300 apart, I would have thought they could make a couple of upgrades, let the Applause cover the low end market, and then drop the 68 while allowing it to retain its status as the flagship model without damaging its reputation. I'd sooner see it pass into history intact than be whittled away.

Personally, I'd rather sit around and reminisce about how good the old ones were rather than complain that they aren't what they used to be. Does that makes sense?.

[Ed Goist]

Tim makes a great point here, which is amplified by the fact that the current street pricing of the AX includes the 9157-0 Hardshell Case, making the true pricing difference between the two instruments only about $180! It seems very odd for a producer to position two models so close in both price and description.

Frankly, I'm a little excited to be right in the heart of this controversy!

I'll be playing my buddy's 148 this afternoon and I'll be doing so much more critically than normal so I'll get a good comparison when my new AX arrives next week!

[Tim2723]

When you get it, could you include a lot of pics please? If you can photograph the insides through the hatch it would be informative, and a complete run down on the preamp and battery compartment is a must. Thanks. I for one am waiting with bated breath! My current 68 has maybe two years left in it, and I really need to understand the new model.

[Tim2723]

For those who've followed along, Ed has recently taken possession of his new MM-68AX and has graciously begun a new thread about it here:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...83#post1088183