![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]()
Ron Oates (Rono
Strings)
Based in Colorado,
Ron has produced quite
a number of highly
esteemed instruments. He first rose to
fame by building
electric mandolins
for members of two
of Boulder's best-known
"jam bands": Leftover
Salmon's
Drew Emmitt
and the String Cheese
Incident's
Michael Kang
(who has owned
seven Ronos).
Other Rono players
include
Lewin Barringer,
formerly of Standing
Wave,
Shawn Chase of Barefoot Manner,
and
Carter Gravatt
of Carbon Leaf.
Ron refined and
popularized the
"baritone" mandolin
concept: a 5-string
instrument tuned
like an octave mandolin
with a high B string.
On the left are three of Ron's standard-sized mandolins: two 8-strings and a 5-string designed for Kang. On the right is a baritone-sized resolectric "Mandonator." Despite rumors to the contrary, Ron is still building—mostly "to spec" rather than taking orders, but you can reach him at to learn what's coming up on his bench. |