Emando.com is one of the few places you can purchase a Rono solidbody electric 5-string baritone mandolin for GDAEB tuning by Ron Oates of Longmont, Colorado. Semihollow, 2-piece bookmatched alder body, 3-piece curly maple neck with 2-way truss rod. Mesquite headplate and fretboard with medium frets. Two custom Mandobuckers, American-made CTS electronics, Gotoh sealed tuners, unbleached bone nut. Sunburst finish with multiple coats of nitrocellulose lacquer.
     This instrument offers the semihollow construction that's usually available only in Deluxe models, but it omits binding and fancy inlays to keep the price down. Serial number 060624. Gig bag included. $2,750 plus shipping. Rono's recommended string gauges are .050/.038/.028/.018/.011.
     Rono does not take orders; he builds on spec, and I sell the instruments when they're available. Please if you'd like to be notified about the next one.
     Of late, three-time IBMA Mandolinist of the Year Sierra Hull has been playing her Rono baritone on the road and in the studio. It’s featured on the single "Escape" from her 2020 album 25 Trips (see below). This is your chance to be like Sierra. There aren’t many choices out there for players wanting to jump on the baritone bandwagon, but here’s a rare opportunity to own one from the pioneer who popularized the concept in our times.
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