Ozark 3515N

This is a resonator type "cookie" very sober. The manufacturer's site says it is plated steel, but the weight of the equipment requiring the approximation of models rather brass plated. It is difficult to know what metal this model of Asian manufacturing is actually built.
The finish is very good for entry level. The handle (varnish) is a beautiful carved mahogany, with a spoiler reinforcement at the junction of the head, which is rare in this price range. The head shape incorporates the standard Martin. Its decoration (painted black with a discreet logo Ozark perloïd) is tasteful.
The frets are polished reasonably well, although purists will feel a slight tingling in their fingers sliding on the edge of the handle. The junction body / neck is clean, but looking closely you can see a little light on the front, at the end of the key.
Apart from these minor details, the whole is very convincing, given the price.

UTILIZATION

Excess weight does not facilitate the handling of the machine, and although the construction seems solid, a little reluctant to lift the instrument by the handle without the help of the right hand of fear that it DOES hard.
Once the resonator tuned to the leg, comfort is good because of the petty cash curved shape OM.
The handle 14 boxes is pretty thick, but it is well suited to music styles that is intended instrument.
Actually quite rare in this price range, the setting is very good, high enough to play slide, while remaining comfortable to the finger-picking.

SOUNDS

Like the vast majority of entry-resonators, the Ozark is mounted with a cone of poor quality. If things are left as is, the sound is very flashy and lacks bass and harmonic richness. It does not matter, because for a hundred dollars, you can buy a cone of great brand, came with a biscuit. To remove some screws, the height of the saddle to adjust (just in the planing with sandpaper), we replace the cone, and voila. Then the sound has nothing to do! The construction of very massive Ozark even becomes an advantage for the slide because the game releases bottelneck depth and roundness that is found in general rather on tricone. The bass is terrifying and enormous projection.

OVERALL OPINION

Ozark with this model offers a very competitive tool. The finish is clean and tasteful, and the setting makes it a very versatile instrument. on the other hand, it is absolutely essential to change the cone to obtain a sound worthy of the name. This intervention is simple and inexpensive, and provides a harmonic quality that supports without blushing comparison with instruments 5-6 times more expensive.

If you love blues, ragtime, swing, jazz, new orleans ... and you are looking for a single cone resonator cool without breaking the bank, I highly recommend this model Ozark.