Ortega RMAE40SBK-L
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
The Ortega RMAE40SBK-L is a solid, affordable option for left-handed players looking to get into bluegrass or folk music. It's surprisingly well-built for the price, offering a decent tone and playability – a great starter mandolin for students or hobbyists.
Product Description
- Ortega RMAE40SBK-L
- Mandolin with pickup
- Left-handed model
- Construction: A-Style
- Top: spruce
- Back & sides: Maple
- Neck: Maple
- Fretboard & Bridge: Rosewood
- Scale length: 345 mm
- Nut width: 28 mm
- 20 Frets
- Pickup: Piezo
- Controls: Tone
- Volume
- Passive electronics
- Chrome plated machine heads
- Colour: Black satin
- Includes gig bag
PROS
- • Spruce top delivers a bright, responsive tone suitable for bluegrass.
- • Maple back and sides add warmth and projection, balancing the spruce.
- • Piezo pickup provides serviceable amplified sound for stage or recording.
- • Rosewood fretboard and bridge offer a familiar, comfortable playing feel.
CONS
- • Piezo pickups can sound brittle and lack the nuance of a magnetic system.
- • Black satin finish may show fingerprints and handling marks easily.
- • Scale length is shorter than some mandolins, potentially affecting intonation at higher frets.
Product Video
Key Features
Body Style
A-Style
Top Wood
Spruce
Back & Sides
Maple
Strings
Steel (likely .010-.040 gauge)
Scale Length
345 mm
Weight
Approximately 1.7 kg (3.7 lbs)
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Frequently Asked Questions
It's a basic piezo; expect a more direct, less nuanced amplified tone. It's functional for small gigs, but a quality aftermarket pickup would significantly improve the sound.
The maple neck has a fairly standard 'C' shape, which is generally comfortable. However, the 28mm nut width might feel a bit snug for those with very large hands.
The included gig bag is functional, but basic. It provides a layer of protection, but a hard case is recommended for serious travel or frequent transport.
