We've been at Winter NAMM the last three days logging in pictures and taking in some of the new products. One of our surprises was the new Ovation MM80-NWT carbon fibre top mandolin. Ten years ago, we lay claim to owning one of only two of these made, the Coco Ltd, but they've scheduled thirty to run this year. At a hefty $4999 list ($3499 MAP), folks probably won't be rushing to pull their credit cards out, but there's still a place for the plugged-in prowess of this instrument in the acoustically hostile stage, especially in large arena venues.

The weave top is gorgeous. Conspicuously missing this the built in chromatic tuner we had in ours, but being USA built in Connecticut, the neck and action are premium, a far cry from the current MM68AX wimpy import.

From the Ovation website:

Distinctively powerful tone sings from the diminutive Lyrachord GS body with cutaway guitar shape and the carbon fiber twill top. The top features a thin birch core and Quintad "T"-shaped spruce bracing for superior acoustic response and projection. Other premium appointments include natural walnut top binding and classic Adamas hardwood "epaulets"; a smooth-playing walnut neck with soft "V" profile; bone nut; a black acrylic heel cap; a 21-fret resin impregnated walnut fingerboard with maple dot inlays and 1/16" white side dots; a rear loading wide walnut bridge with OCP1-K compensated ivory saddle; Schaller® MG3 gold tuners with pearl buttons, and the Ovation mandolin pickup for loud, clear amplified tone.

Manufacturer's Link: Limited Edition Adamas MM80-NWT Mandolin.
Only 30 will be made.

Posted by Ted at January 26, 2013 7:20 AM