Applause MAE148-4 Mandolin

Burgundy-burst Ovation-style, round-back mandolin, probably from 1990s. I think they are discontinued now, at least you can't seem to get them brand-new in the UK. 3-band OP-14 EQ system (no onboard tuner, but you do get a battery warning light - see below). Guitar-style bridge requiring ball-end strings, tulip-head tuning keys.

I bought this secondhand and I wasn't overly impressed with the sound at first. A bit dry and scratchy when played acoustically, which I rationalised because it was cheap and would do the job.
With new strings, however, and played through a Fender Acoustasonic amp, it comes to life. I haven't heard the next level up Ovation mandolin, but I reckon this model would compare pretty well.

The feedback-resistant design is effective, which is very handy for playing live.

The neck is very narrow, wouldn't suit everyone. Reasonable action, and the overall look is quite attractive.

Decently made, seems fairly tough and durable. Some people complain about the tuning keys, which are not the best, but I find them stable enough. Not had any problems with it.

Just to add my bemusement and displeasure about the battery compartment. Applause obviously thought: 'What's the stupidest, most complicated and inaccessible place we can put this thing?' Getting the battery out is a feat, putting it back in requires skill and patience. Ridiculous.
You get a warming light on the EQ panel when the battery is low, but heaven forbid if I had to change battery mid-gig. This rating would be an 8 otherwise.

Bought S/H, never dealt with Applause.

I'm an ocasional mandolin hacker, a little folk and country in my band's set, and this is probably all the intstrument I will ever need. It's a waste to get something top-end to drag around bar and club venues, when most of the audience can't tell the difference anyway.

Still, if I lost it, I would probably trade up and get something better. It sounds perfectly acceptable plugged in, but I would go for a model with a classier pure acoustic sound.

This is a follow-up to a review I wrote on this mandolin. Grover now makes mandolin tuners. I put a gold set on this black mandolin and they look SHARP. AND THEY WORK!!!!. These things retail for about $40 so "they ain't cheap". They fixed a major problem on this unit.

Think this was made about 97. This model had been out only a short time when I purchased it and the list on them was about $1000.00 (Talk about GALL). I paid half that - WAY TOO MUCH. Think these things are going for around $250 new now. That's about what they are worth. I can't get my money out of it so keep it so remind me not to be in such a hurry to buy. It's my "take to the lake" instrument. I'll turn the hose on it if it gets filled up with potato salad.

Sounds pretty good for what it is.

Tuning machines are a disaster. Other than that the setup, and finish were excellent. The problems with them pull a rating of 10 down to a 2. Tuners must have been made from old Coor's cans. Some ass at the factory reamed the peghead holes out so much I gave up on replacing the tuning machines. Teflon tape wound around the bushings was the answer I came up with. If I could come up with something like Grovers and the correct size bushings I'd replace them. Have not been able to find anything like that so far. Lots of good stuff for "F" models though.

This thing is built like a tank. With the exception of tuning this has been trouble free. I have owed it for quite a while and put it in harm's way. Problems with tuning pull a "10" down to a "5". Gig bag is one of the best I have seen.

I've dealt with the company. Tried to get the peghead fixed. The tuners fit very loosly. The holes were bored too big then shimmed. Lots of "wobble" when unstrung. Spend too much time tuning this thing. Tech rep at Ovation factory said, "That Korean junk." Dealers (I went to more than one) were very unhelpful. Buy at your own risk. Factory support was non-existant - Buck-passing 101.

I lean toward Jethro Burns style (Jazz/Swing) and have been playing mandolin off and on since '48 or so. (and got paid for it) I have put it through a varity of amps and it does pretty well. It sounds better than the Fender solid body I bought in '58. (Sold that for 5 times times what I paid for it, bought a new 5 sting Fender (made in Korea) that sounds much better than the old 4 sting. I currently own three mandolins, all electric. I grew up playing dances with no amps and have little time for the no electrics crowd. If this were stolen I would call the insurnace company and rejoice. I paid too much (my own fault, they were new and I had to have one) and the tuning machine problems and non existant factory support have left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

New, made in 2000? Laminated top, Ovation type bowl back. EQ, pre-amp. Uses Adamas ball-end mandolin strings (the only maker of complete sets) or buy guitar strings by gauge.

I'm a guitar player mainly, all styles, have played mandolin off & on and wanted one to do some home recording. Played unplugged for months, fell in love with the sound, then plugged it in, and fell in love with the sound all over again. It is not your average mandolin, and that one of the things I like about it. Can really dial in sounds with on-board EQ & pre-amp (sounds great using effects, too). Very pleased - has inspired me.

The action, fit & finish couldn't be better. Wish all of my instruments came this playable. Don't see any trouble with bridge. Neck is small, and is part of it's unique character.

I think this mandolin would withstand gigging, and seems genuinely dependable and solid.

N/A

Have been playing for 37 years, own an Epiphone Howard Roberts archtop, Kramer Bass, Framus acoustic, Johnson Strat-copy, Fender Frontman Amp, 7 Danelectro effects. I just love this mandolin! It has it's own feel & character. Tried several other brands in the under $300 range - BORING. For me, it's comfortable, sound good acoustically or plugged in. Would replace if I had to, but hope I won't. Maybe not the feel that hardcore blugrass players want, but honestly, I think that anyone who can think outside the box would love it.

Bought one a couple of years ago, saw it in shop, picked it up and the balance was (for me) the best I've experienced after 30 years of playing. It just fitted me like a glove. Yes I've played better instruments, but the other band members can tell that I love this little beauty and it reflects in my playing. I agree that the battery is in a crap position, the bridge should be better on a box of this quality, but at the moment, I'm very chuffed.

Mainly English

Very good accoustically, bright and clear. I rely on the sound man for the electric noise but the punters always comment positively.

Excellent action for me but limited scope for adjustments

Wait and see

N/a

Playing for decades, know what I like. Balance is ace sound is excellent. Own lots of other mando and related instruments. This compares favourably with some top notch others I own.

Ovation style round-back mandolin. Surprisingly easy to hold (feels mcuh more natural than roundback guitars), good accoustic tone. Lots of preamp features for the electronics. Downside with the bridge--it is a guitar style bridge rather than a mandolin style, which creates two problems: 1, you have to either buy ball-end mandolin strings, which I have never seen, individual accoustic strings, or take the ball-ends off of a few old guitar strings and use them on your loop-end mando strings. 2, every player i've talked to that has owned an applause mando for more than a few years says the bridge eventually rips itself off. So the mando has a few very good features and a few bad ones. I give it a 6 because although it sounds good both unplugged and plugged in, it can be tedious to change strings and has the potential to fall apart.

Sounds great plugged in and unplugged. Very crisp, clear. The plastic back, which usually tends to give ovation guitars a tinny sound, complements the mandolin tones nicely.

Tuning pegs seem cheap on all models i've played, but these can be replaced easily. The bridge is my big issue.

I don't mean to rant about the bridge, but aside from that, this instrument seems very reliable. The plastic back is nigh indestructible, and the top seems pretty well lacquered. Seems quite dependable, especially if new. I would definetly keep another mandolin around, 'cause you really can't do much with it if the bridge rips itself off.

I don't actually own one of these, I've just played on a ton of them in music stores across the country. They sound terrific and have the best electronics I've seen on a mandolin, but with both above mention problems with the bridge, I would recommend keeping a backup nearby. I've got a rogue mandolin that just isn't cutting it, and am looking for an upgrade. If in future models the bridge is set like a normal mandolin, I would wholeheartedly recommend this instrument. If there are any players out there who have owned an applause for a number of years and have not encountered bridge problems, please email me.

This is a Ovation style bowl backed mandolin. This mandolin was made in 1997 and I bought it in January 1998. It has the Ovation style sound holes and a laminated top. I paid extra for the hard shell case (included in the cost I quoted here). The mandolin has the Ovation pickup and preamp system. It has open back tuning machines, a natural wood finish top, and a separate phone jack for the pick (separate from the end pin for the strap). You change the battery by removing a back cover panel, which I do not like, and the battery holder is held in place with some way bogus 1/4 screw which I do not like either.

The acoustic sound of the mandolin is well balanced and has an even projection for both picking and chop. It is NOT a loud instrument. This is the main problem I have with the sound; lack of volume. I have a old Martin "B" style that has twice the volume.
The pickup sound is great. I was worried that the "chop" sound of mandolin rhythm would not come out correctly, however the pickup does seem to do a good job with it. Also lead sound is clear and clean. I use a Marshall AS80R for the amp and it is as loud and crisp as you would want with little EQ on either the amp or the preamp.
I use the mandolin for church and duets. We play a modern music style (not the old blusgrass style, however I do play bluegrass as well), and this mandolin is ideal for this situation.

All in all I think that this is a well built and very nice instrument. I have only two problems. The tuning machines do seem cheap and do not work smoothly. Second, the string pairs are too far apart. The neck is as wide as my Martin, however the string pairs are farther apart making it harder to play lead.
I did not have a problem with bridge placement as the other reviewer did. I also think the overall quality and setup of the instrument is quite good.

Except for the tuning machines and the way the battery holder is mounted the mandolin is very well built. I have used it a LOT. I have played it 2-3 hours a week for the last year and a half.

Have not had a warranty issue.

If you are looking for a practice mandolin, beginners special, or something with a good acoustic sound with a pickup, I would NOT recommend this instrument. However, if most of your playing is plugged in and you do jazz, modern or various music styles, I would highly recommed this mandolin.
Also play a Martin DC-1E and a old cheap strat copy. I have been playing the mandolin for 20 years. If you are in this type of situation I am sure you would like this mandolin, however I could see a lot of people buying this instrument on looks alone and not being happy.