I had one for a while, can't remember if it needed much setup, I'm fairly sure the nut was too high as is so often the case, but once that was sorted it played nicely.
I only sold it after I'd built myself an A5 style mandolin.
Always easy to say "ah you should spend far more money than the amount you've said" but I thought it was good value for money, (subject to a bit of setup needed.)
look at the ozark A series clone model 2251 its similar price and twice the instrument, and whatever you buy, get it from a dealer who'll set it up properly before sending it to you
At the current rate of exchange ($254.00 US dollars) or 150 English pounds, you might want to look at a Kentucky oval sound hole A style mandolin. That's if they import the Kentucky brand into the UK. Kentucky provides the most bang for pound or dollar. Check out Saga Instruments website.
On this side of the pond they called the model I am referring to as a Kentucky KM 172.
For me-- the neck - especially at the nut end - is way too narrow. Strings so close - with my medium sized hands - hard not to dampen adjacent strings.
Shame, because tone is OK, and small 'travel mandolin' size is attractive.
Most far east manufactured, mass produced mandolins have necks too narrow for me.
ozark army model mandolin
ozark army model mandolin
Hi,
Has anyone out there in "thesessionland" played this mandolin. It is very cheap (less than £150) but it has been recommended by one person I know.
Any comments?
Thank you
# Posted on September 13th 2009 by mandomary
Re: ozark army model mandolin
I had one for a while, can't remember if it needed much setup, I'm fairly sure the nut was too high as is so often the case, but once that was sorted it played nicely.
I only sold it after I'd built myself an A5 style mandolin.
Always easy to say "ah you should spend far more money than the amount you've said" but I thought it was good value for money, (subject to a bit of setup needed.)
# Posted on September 13th 2009 by TomB-R
Re: ozark army model mandolin
look at the ozark A series clone model 2251 its similar price and twice the instrument, and whatever you buy, get it from a dealer who'll set it up properly before sending it to you
# Posted on September 14th 2009 by millionyears_bc
Re: ozark army model mandolin
At the current rate of exchange ($254.00 US dollars) or 150 English pounds, you might want to look at a Kentucky oval sound hole A style mandolin. That's if they import the Kentucky brand into the UK. Kentucky provides the most bang for pound or dollar. Check out Saga Instruments website.
On this side of the pond they called the model I am referring to as a Kentucky KM 172.
# Posted on September 14th 2009 by Cape Cod Struggler
Re: ozark army model mandolin
For me-- the neck - especially at the nut end - is way too narrow. Strings so close - with my medium sized hands - hard not to dampen adjacent strings.
Shame, because tone is OK, and small 'travel mandolin' size is attractive.
Most far east manufactured, mass produced mandolins have necks too narrow for me.
# Posted on September 14th 2009 by Col Arco
Re: ozark army model mandolin
Thank you all. I'll check out that other Ozark model and Saga instruments website.
# Posted on September 14th 2009 by mandomary
Re: ozark army model mandolin
CCStruggler :
Re: KentuckyKM172. Great value at US prices.
Unfortunately, here in 'Rip Off Brirain' $242.00 US does not tranlate into £150.00 --- but £279.00., or 321.00 Euros !!!
See
http://www.hobgoblin.com/local/bigpic.php?ID=GR3135H
Surely some pretty big profit somewhere in there?
# Posted on September 15th 2009 by Col Arco
Re: ozark army model mandolin
I have an electric Ozark at £150 which is excellent, but not the loudest at a session played as an accoustic.
I have another old mandolin made in Romania, forerunner to Ozark I think, which is loud and very good.
In short I would recommend Ozark, especially for a session.
If you are performing at Wembley stadium/Sydney Opera House or Houston Astrodome, maybe try something slightly upmarket.
# Posted on September 15th 2009 by bodhran bliss
Re: ozark army model mandolin
was planning to keep the expensive one for those gigs, thanks bodhran bliss!
# Posted on September 15th 2009 by mandomary