Ovation MCS148 Acoustic-electric Mandolin, Red Ruby Burst

by Ovation

Product Features

• Mandolin Cutaway
• Spruce Top
• Multi Soundhole with 5-piece Epaulet

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.6 x 28.4 x 12.7 inches ; 4.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0002CZQHI
• Item model number: MCS148-RRB
• Batteries: 1 9V batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,177 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #95 in Musical Instruments > Folk & World Instruments > Stringed Instruments > Mandolins

Product Description

Ovation presents the first mandolin designed from the ground up as an acoustic/electric instrument. the ovation mandolin features a spruce top with lightweight, mando-quintad bracing designed to enhance punch and projection. ovation’s pioneering multi-soundhole design enhances string vibration and sustain by improving soundboard efficiency.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good sounding, solidly built mandolin, July 18, 2011

By 

K. Nguyen "musicLover" (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ovation MCS148 Acoustic-electric Mandolin, Red Ruby Burst (Electronics)

This is another mandolin in my possession. I had chances to ("own" and) play 6 other mandolins (2 still in my possessions not counting this Ovation). Out of the 7 that I have played, the Ovation MCA-148 is the best to my taste
1) it is very solidly built, sounds more like guitar, clean sound, weights about 3 times as heavy as my Fender FM-53SB (acoustic only, I added a pickup myself, sounds great thru an amp) or my Fender FM-52E (acoustic/electric). The later two sounds truly mandolins (of course because they are).
2) string spacing is more like my acoustic guitar, not too narrow as other mandolins
I got this second hand, like new, so the action is high for my style. Luckily the bridge height can be adjusted by removing shim(s) under the saddly (quite easy procedure). However, the nut action has to be done by a luthier. Once done, it's a pleasure to play this mandolin.
3) the built-in pickup and preamp is similar to what typical acoustic/electric guitar has, very clean.
4) the top does not seem like solid pruce, however, it looks very thick and very solid compared to all other mandos I tried.

I would say the Ovation MCS-148 is a very small size acoustic/electric guitar with 4 double strings to be tuned like a mandolin AND I really like that.
If you never play mandolin and like to learn, this is the one. You won't have to buy another one.
Honestly, if you love the bluegrass sound, then this one is definitely the wrong one to get.

Update after 3 months owning this mandolin: this mandolin is not easily setup for proper intonation when first bought it (note: all new mandolins have to be setup), I had to bring it to a luthier to do the setup. I can setup traditional mandolins (A style, F- style) but not this one because of its fixed bridge.

5.0 out of 5 stars cannot wait to plug it in, January 12, 2012

By 

Kent W. thompson "icarusxat" (UT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ovation MCS148 Acoustic-electric Mandolin, Red Ruby Burst (Electronics)

The picture showed up purple on my computer screen, but the mandolin showed up beautiful, sounds great, and although I will do some tweeking it was already set up rather nicely. Plays great, feels great in my hands, and I am happy I spent the extra few buck to get the Ovation instead of the Applause I was considering.