Ortega RMFE40SBK
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
The Ortega RMFE40SBK is a solid, affordable option for aspiring bluegrass players or anyone wanting a mandolin with a built-in pickup. It’s got a bright, clear tone and a comfortable neck, making it surprisingly easy to play for a beginner. While not a high-end instrument, it offers excellent value for the money.
Product Description
- Ortega RMFE40SBK
- Mandolin with Pickup
- Type: F-style
- Top: Spruce
- Back and sides: Maple
- Fingerboard: Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)
- 50 mm Body depth
- Neck: Maple
- 2-Way truss rod
- Scale: 345 mm
- 24 frets
- Ortega Double Bow fingerboard inlay in the 12th fret
- UKM-4 Electronics
- Piezo pickup
- Bridge: Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)
- Chrome-plated machine heads
- Colour: Matt black silk matt
- Includes gig bag
PROS
- • Spruce top delivers a bright, responsive tone suitable for bluegrass.
- • Rosewood fingerboard offers a smooth, comfortable playing experience.
- • UKM-4 pickup system provides a usable amplified sound for stage.
- • Solid maple back and sides contribute to focused projection and sustain.
CONS
- • Matt black silk finish can show fingerprints and smudges easily.
- • Rosewood is becoming increasingly scarce, impacting future value potentially.
- • The shorter scale length (345 mm) might feel cramped for larger hands.
Product Video
Key Features
Body Style
F-style
Top Wood
Spruce
Back & Sides
Maple
Strings
Steel (likely .010-.047 gauge, typical for bluegrass mandolins)
Scale Length
345 mm
Weight
Approximately 4.5 lbs
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Frequently Asked Questions
The UKM-4 is a decent piezo pickup, offering a usable amplified sound, but lacks the nuance and clarity of higher-end magnetic or condenser systems.
The neck is a standard 'C' shape, which is generally comfortable, but the 345 mm scale can feel a bit compact for those with significantly large hands.
The gig bag is functional, but a padded hard case would provide considerably better protection, especially for frequent travel.
