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Posts: 32
Location: Birmingham, Al | Hi plugged-in players,
I am a Martin/Larrivee player that recently decided to buy an Ovation. I thought I would get the 1867 Legend, but after finding this site, I have questions.
1) Elite vs Legend...is the Elite for rockers...what are the sound characteristics of each?
2) Are the LX models really that much better...do they resists sliding off a seated player's knee?
3) The 2005 Collectors new body shape...anybody played one?
4) I play a variey of stuff...fingerpicked blues, rock, and folk and I want a cutaway...which Ovation do you suggest?
Thanks,
Brent |
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Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Welcome Brent
You have asked some really good questions, and some of the answers have been on some recent posts. The O5 collector is intriguing us all, and the SX's have shown some great promise. I wont make a suggestion because I think you will hear from some owners of these guitars shortly.
Welcome
Bailey |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Short answers from my opinions:
1) You need to try them for yourself and decide.
2) Not better, different. And, no, no more so than any other Ovation product.
3) Not yet.
4) S771 spruce- or cedar-top Balladeer or 1771LX Balladeer. The Balladeer is the best for blues and folk, IMHO.
Roger |
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Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Dear LTP, I play both Ovation and Martin. Here's my opinions.
1) Elite vs Legend...
They sound different. There is a wide variety of Elites. Some are great and some suck. Same for Legends. No hard rule here. I prefer Legend looks vs. Elite but that's just a matter of taste. Deep bowl Custom Legend LX would be my favorite.
2) Are the LX models better...
YES.
Do they resists sliding off a seated player's knee? I only play seated and never have a problem with an Ovation slipping on my knee. I hear people complain about this and for the life of me I can't imagine why they have a problem. Maybe is just 35 years of practice.
3) The 2005 Collectors new body shape...anybody played one?
YES, I played one at NAMM. Very nice guitar. The contour bowl is fantasic and everything about this guitar seemed perfect. I think it is the Ovation most likily to attract non-Ovation players.
4) I play a variey of stuff...fingerpicked blues, rock, and folk and I want a cutaway...which Ovation do you suggest?
LEGEND LX or ELITE LX. Get mid or deep bowl.
Thanks,
Brent |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I never got the "sliding off the knee" thing either. My first guitars were all wood box and when I moved to Ovations, I've never expereinced them sliding off my knee. In some ways they are even more comfortable to play on the knee...
Guitars are a matter of personal taste, ear and feel so it's hard to say which is for you,
but I will suggest that you include a Folklore 6774(Mid bowl)and Folklore Deluxe 14 (deep bowl) as fodder for choice. Both are oustanding guitars.
Welcome to the site and goodluck |
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Posts: 396
| 1. A matter of taste
2. I'm very happy with my elite lx sound. I've never had a problem with Ovations slipping off my knee. In fact, I find them very comfortable.
3. No
4. The model you're thinking of is a shallow bowl. The shallow bowl I own is more comfortable to play, but the sound quality is not as balanced between highs and lows as you'll get with a mid-bowl. You should play it first to get a sense of shallow vs. mid-bowl. Also, I have played very few Ovation import models that I liked. Stick with the American made with solid tops. |
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Brent:
Welcome to the board. I've played the 05 Collectors as well as the LX's. The only Ovations I've ever had a problem with regarding slippage are my 37 year old shiny bowls. And even then, if you keep them up against your body when sitting, they won't slip.
The new contoured bowl on the 05 Collectors solves this problem both sitting and standing. And has almost the same volume as a deep bowl, giving it a deep sound. You'll like it both acoustically and plugged in.
The others are right in that you have to try these guitars to find what appeals to your own personal preference. Personally, I'd stay with the LX series or the 05 Collectors. The acoustic sound is very good, very warm. One thing you will find, in comparing the sound to your Martins and Larivees, if you are objective, is that as you play up the neck, the sound of the Ovation will stay consistantly strong, whereas your other guitars will have areas up the neck where they sound thin and weak.
I wish you well in your search. You're going to have fun! |
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Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I own 3 Ovations and 2 Martins and I think it's very hard to compare the two. Martin and Ovation both make great guitars, but they are very different animals. That's one of the reasons why I own both. I like the idea of having different types of guitars to suit either my mood or the situation.
I agree with those who have suggested that you stick with the higher quality, American made models. If you are used to the Martin "low oval" shaped necks, you may want to look into some non LX models. I have an LX and the one minor issue that I have with it is that the neck is a bit "chunky". I prefer the more tapered "V shaped" necks of the non LX O's. Of course, that's just a matter of taste. |
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Posts: 888
Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | Hi LTP:
I'm glad you joined us today. It's makes for interesting reading when comparing opinions from outside. We normally compare different O's on this board. Bring your friends on over.
Finally, I'm a lover of Adamas guitars...the predecessor to the Elite. My only advice, stay away from the shallow body O's as well as the imports. And like everyone else here, I've never had a problem with any of my 5 Ovations slipping off my lap.
Jim |
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Posts: 32
Location: Birmingham, Al | Thanks for all the great responses. I will try to play some Ovations today, especially mid-deep bowl American models. Boy that 2005 Collectors does have the features!
Thanks,
Brent |
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December 2004
Posts: 26
Location: Detroit, MI | After owning all variety of manufacturers (except Ovation) I settled on and own several Martins. I prefer models with wider (1-3/4") necks for fingerpicking and flat-picking blues, country and folk. For this reason I like the Folklore and Country Artist (nylon version) but they are hard to find if you don't want to special order one. I own a 6773 CA and an Ovation LegendLX 12-string which also has a wider neck. I don't think you could go wrong with any LX if you are comfortable with the neck. But I ran into Roger (OldApplause) yesterday and he pointed out a S771 cedar-top Balladeer that sounded extremely good for finger-picking and I'd have to assume it would be brighter and louder flat-picked. |
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January 2005
Posts: 32
Location: Birmingham, Al | My local music store is out of Ovations...I may have to order one. I will take an online look at that S771. Since I started playing a banjo, I am comfortable with the standard neck width.
Thanks,
Brent |
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October 2004
Posts: 124
| Have you had any experience with Ovation? There should be some dealers in your area.
Which Martin/Larrviee do you have? They make a wide range of guitars, so a blanket statement could be meaningless. Why did you decide to buy an Ovation? What are you looking for in a guitar? How much would you like to spend on the new guitar? |
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Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | The S771 has a more "Martin-like" neck profile than most other Ovations, if that matters to you. I own a cedar-top S771 like the one I pointed out to Folklore yesterday; I think they are a wonderful guitar, shame you can only get them at Guitar Center. It is my guitar of choice for country and blues.
Roger |
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Posts: 100
Location: Asheville, North Carolina | I own both..and like others it isn't a problem really for sliding off the knee..if it is just use a strap. Ovations are cool because they angle up a bit as you play them and IMO are very comfortable this way. Yes the new LX's are that much better all around.
Here'e one at a bargain!
LX for Sale |
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Posts: 4413
| Stay away from shallow bowls????????
If you intend to play mostly plugged in - look at a shallow bowl. Played several times through over 2 kilowatts and never a hint of feedback.
What moody says is VERY true - much more consistent all the way up and they are a damn sight more in tune at the 15th fret than anything else I ever played.Strats and ES175s included.
You should never ask questions on this site if you expect only one answer. Unless you ask which are the best guitars that a mere mortal can buy. |
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Location: NJ | . . I think I like this guy . . |
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Location: SoCal | Well, yeah. Taught him everything he knows.... |
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Location: NJ | . . . make that everything YOU know . . :rolleyes: |
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Location: SoCal | Now THAT, would take a while. |
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Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Thank God - Finally a Brit that makes some sense!
PS - Before all my UK OFC brothers get bent out of shape over my comment let just say that it was a JOKE pointed at one brit in particular who knows exactly who he is and has a great sense of humor (also a rarity among island dwellers). JUST KIDDING! |
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| I live on an island? |
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Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Sorry about that. I guess I just assumed that UK = United Kingdom = British Isles = you lived on an island. Didn't realize you were from Upper Kansas (ha ha). Actually I guess we all live on islands, don't we? |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Gee, a small island would be nice...actually I would accept being able to build a moat around my house. Course my SoCal "let's all hold hands" homeowners' association would get upset.
I know, has nothing to do with the post but it is a nice thought. :cool: |
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Location: Midland, MI | No man is an island. He's a peninsula.
I heard that somewhere... |
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Location: SoCal | yea, but a drawbridge would be nice... |
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Location: N W Ohio | I live on an Island! In Ohio no less. |
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Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Sorry to get back to the subject but I just got back fom a rehersal. I let a high school kid play my O and was amazed to watch the darn thing slide off his lap over and over. I've never had a problem with it sliding when I play it. I have no idea what the difference is. |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| At a certain age the shape of your lap changes. In fact it tends to disappear. Maybe that's why we love 'em and kids can't keep 'em under control - they ahve too much lap to contend with. This may also explain why there seems to be so many beer experts in the OFC.
Could be a new advertising angle for the big O:-
Ovation - the guitar for fat men.
Ovation - shielded electrics guaranteed not to affect your pacemaker.
Ovation - easier to play sitting down.
Ovation - the body that's shaped like yours.
I looked at a map. You're right - it's an island. |
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From Martin to Ovation...questions questions