The Ovation MM68 is one of the best American-made acoustic/electric mandolins you can get. (It's far superior to other mandolins in the Ovation line—MAE148, MCS148, MM68AX—which are made overseas and have suffered from poor quality control.) Purpose-built as an acoustic/electric, it features Ovation's state-of-the-art onboard OP-24+ preamp, with volume control and 3-band EQ. If you need good amplified acoustic tone at high volume levels without feedback, and without having to mess with extra EQs or signal processing, then the MM68 is your best friend.
      This one is in good condition, although it has a small ding in the end of the headstock. The original circular cap on the back, which provides access for changing the battery, has been replaced with a black silicone plug. Serial number is 510550, indicating a build year of 1996.
     Solid spruce top in redburst, with rounded back of space-age composite plastic. 13-7/8" scale. High-grade tuners and components; custom onboard pickup. Hardshell case included. Tragically, Ovation has ceased production of the MM68. When available, it listed for $2,149, but you can get it here for a little more than half of that. It is becoming increasingly scarce, so snap up this one while you can.
     See more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. $1,250 plus shipping.