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January 2005
Posts: 26
Location: uk | Can anyone tell me what the Ovation Ultra's are like ? compared to the ballideer or legend ?
Thanks... |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | An Ultra can be a decent entry level Ovation if picked up cheap, and some of them have very interesting tops. But the quality of the parts and construction is well below that of the USA made Balladeers and Legends, so there really isn't a direct comparison.
If you find an Ultra that sounds good and plays well and the price is right, it's a good buy for you. But -- imho -- the price should be very cheap. |
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January 2005
Posts: 26
Location: uk | Thanks Paul, I have an old baladeer and I would hate if the sound was what "not so good" I might just wait until I can find a Legend Deep Bowled that I like...
Thanks... |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Some Ultra's were made in the USA ... before they moved the production offshore (some Balladeers were also made offshore for a while). They have laminated tops, not solid like the Balladeer or the Legend. Also, the early USA Ultra's had a neck made from aluminum and foam (called Urelite) with a rosewood fretboard.
I have a USA made Ultra, and to me it sounds better than a lot of other "better" Ovations I've played ... but maybe it's the deep bowl and a bit of nostaglgia built in. If I was in the market for another guitar right now, I would find a nice Deluxe Balladeer or Legend to get my hands on ... the price difference is not going to be that drastic. |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Note that the Ultra is a CURRENT model as well. I don't remember the model numbers, but Marshall Music in the Michigan area has been carrying the new model. It says something on the label like the basic assembly was in Korea, and the completion and set-up is done in CT.
There are two models, the Ultra with a round-sound hole and the Ultra with the "Adamas" sound holes. I know they aren't on the website, but they exist, they are NOT used instruments. They come with an OP-30.
Roger |
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January 2004
Posts: 16
Location: uconn | I saw an Ultra at Daddy's Music.. it was partially made in Korea, but all the final assembly, inspection and setup is done at the USA factory. Its only available to a small number of dealers.. not sure why.. it looked and sounded and played great!!
Lin |
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January 2005
Posts: 640
Location: boulder | hi,
At one my local music chain stores they have an ovation ultra deluxe, model # 1578 for $650. The label says designed in usa and assembled/made in korea. It is a figured mahagony top and a op-30 in it. (I am not sure of year).
It played pretty nice, not a bad tone at all. I do not think the tone was worth $650, but the manager said the story is...The chain store is part of an alliance and they special ordered a low number so each store may get one or two of this model. (approximately 70 guitars, based on 2 x 35 stores).
I noticed the same model on lost vintage website. Like I said not a bad guitar at all, low production run, but I am saving my money for the OFC model if at all possible.
Personally, I love my 20 year old applause almost as much as my 2002 collectors edition. At least tone wise, but maybe that's due to the grateful dead stickers on the applause. peace mike |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Hrmm, for $650, I'd be inclined to check out the S778 with the cedar top at Guitarget. YMMV. |
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November 2004
Posts: 100
Location: Asheville, North Carolina | Ultra's I've never seen one. Are they a step above or below the Celebrity? |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Around! |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Seriously, above. Ultras are meant to fill in the price point between the top Celebrities and the Balladeer, slim though it may be.....
Roger |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | So where does the Pinnacle fit? I thought IT was the tweener of the Celeb and USA models. |
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Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | What we need is a chart of current models (USA and Celeb, etc) and then a tree of the discontinued models.
Anybody? ;) |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 26
Location: uk | Great Idea Paul, surley someone can up with one ? have a prize for the most accurate "tree" ...
;o) |
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Ovation Ultra's .. ?