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Joined:
October 2002
Posts: 61
| Over the last few weeks there has been an on going debate over the shape/feel of the ovation neck.So here at the mothership we are looking once again to change it.The LX shape was taken from the 1778t series,which is round and thin vs.the standard semi-v shape of the k-bar.The powers that be want to bring that semi-v back to the LX series in a thiner version and loose that more rounded feel it has now.I was wondering if anyone had any comments on what is preffered at this fourm.I also think on a personal level that the 1.688" width is narrow,any thoughts on this as well. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I aggree, I find the standard nut width a little tight. Personally I like the old V-profile a lot, though my favourite Ovation profile is the 1 7/8ths wide neck.
A Brit guitar mag reveiwed a Legend & Elite LX this month. The review wasn't particularly positive, though that's par for the course & usually down to lack of objectivity by the reveiwer, however they was a comment that the Legend LX neck profile "means a lot of wood in the hand, particularly at the higher positions"
though I can't remember that from any of the LX's I've tried.
They also commented that the Op-Pro volume pot was "ridiculously non-linear" with no change in gain until the last quater of the travel. Again not a problem I recall from other Op-pros, so maybe it was a faulty pre. Typically for a guitar magazine reveiw they tended to point out the alleged tonal shortcomings compared to all-wood guitars while singularly failing, as ever, to spot the advatages & benefits. |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | I vote vor the V. |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | I like the V, though during the tour I was excited to hear that removing the K-bar allowed for a faster neck. I say go back to the V, but thin down the neck. John <>{ |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | There will not be one answer here. If the choice is to have a new neck shape they will go where the most sales are today. Probably thinner and rounder or whatever the dealers are saying is "hot" right now. That's OK but won't make everyone happy.
Another option would be to have a second neck shape that would be 1 3/4 at the nut and a fatter V shape for the more acoustic oriented players. This will be a pain to offer two shapes and all the production headaches that go with that but so what.
This will allow them to make a wider range of people happy, the electric oriented and the acoustic focused groups. There isn't really any middle ground here that works. |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 648
Location: Florida | Soft V is good. 1-11/16 is good. But thats just me.
The problem I think the Mothership has is the following:
There are players, mainly electric players, who want and are used to fast necks, and play their acoustics plugged in 90% of the time. These folks are gonna want a slim and fairly narrow neck. They play comparatively lightly with both hands, with lighter strings, like you'd play your solidbody.
Then there are other players, I think a growing number, that are playing acoustically, looking for great unplugged tone and volume. These folks are probably gonna want and be used to a slightly deeper and wider neck. The hands are working harder with heavier strings, and the extra bit of meat on the neck.
So for me... going from 1-5/8 on my Fender's to 1-11/16 on the Adamas seems just about right, because I play it differently, and usually I play it unplugged.
So, here's a suggestion: Why not put lighter narrower necks on the shallow bowls, and something close to whats available now on the medium and deep bowls? Of course, by special order, any neck goes where ever its paid to go. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15684
Location: SoCal | My understanding is that there are not going to be any super shallow bowl LX's sold in the U.S. At this point, it's all medium bowls and possibly in the future, deep bowls (I think I got sandbagged in March on this, but this isn't the place for that disucssion).
It's obvious to me that Ovation, in building the LX, is trying to make an acoustic guitar that is, above all else, an acoustic guitar. If that's the case, put an acoustic guitar neck on it. It seems to me that a lot of people are playing Taylors, Gibsons, and Martins on stage, and that they are playing acoustic guitars that can be plugged in. Why should Ovation, which is once again becoming an acoustic guitar company, be different (besides better sound, feel, etc).
Put on the slightly wider soft V. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | I don't know exactly what they are called, but my two favorite Ovation necks of all time are 1) the pre k-bar 1-11/16 necks and 2) the FD14 neck.
My preference would be that the pre k-bar 1-11/16 be the standard neck and a 1-3/4 be available as an added cost option. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I generally prefer the slimmer, electric-type neck myself, although I adapt to whatever is on the guitar I'm playing. My Legends, old and new seem to have a slimmer neck. My new Balladeer has a fatter neck and that seems to work OK too, but my preference is for the Legend neck.
Actually, the neck I've tried lately that I REALLY like is the neck on the GC-special flamed Elite....tried number 183 of 200 at our local one yesterday and the neck just felt "right".
Roger
1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
1978 Ovation 1617-4 Legend 6-string
1981 Ovation 1118-1 Glen Campbell 12-string
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Ovation 1777-NAT Legend 6-string
2004 Ovation GCS771-C Balladeer 6-string |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Forgot to mention width....I'd vote for a little wider neck, also. My fat fingers step on each other sometimes with the current width. The FD-14 played like a dream.
Roger
1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
1978 Ovation 1617-4 Legend 6-string
1981 Ovation 1118-1 Glen Campbell 12-string
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Ovation 1777-NAT Legend 6-string
2004 Ovation GCS771-C Balladeer 6-string |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 795
Location: Texas | A couple of weeks ago I played a new Legend LX and I thought it sounded great, but the only thing I did not like was the neck's shape and feel.
I was expecting the great feel of my '85 Legend.
One thing that is great about testing any old 70s or 80s Ovation is the neck shape, thin, fast, with a slight "V".
So, my vote is to go back to the old style shape.
Serge
www.sergiolara.com ;) |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 79
Location: Toronto, Canada | I prefer the "V" profile as well.
wemedge |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 181
Location: North Carolina | I prefer the soft V with 1 11/16 width.
Franklin |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Just went from the Adamas I to the FD-14 to the Millennium to the 30th Anniv to the 1127 to the 2001 Collector's to the 1619. Although 12-strs - also the 1658, 1659, 6759, and GC. And, although it might take me a moment to get used to when I first pick it up - the 1763 nylon.
All felt great, whatever the model or truss rod. Guess I haven't tried an Ovation or Adamas that I didn't like. For me, can't beat the CL or Adamas I neck.
Weight of guitar (or specifically the neck)is not a factor as long as the guitar is balanced when using a strap. Lighter bowl of LX - no big deal to me unless the different bowl affects the characteristics of the guitar. Design of the neck, again no bid deal. However, was impressed by the 1777LX overall - not giving any of the design features a thought, the guitar itself is a great addition.
One thing that I do value is the finish on the neck. Just haven't gotten used to the oiled neck. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | Have a 1778Lx and recently a CL12 (6759).
The LX is good, I wouldn't go any narrower and if it did get wider it would definetely need the "V".
I like the idea of an LX Standard and an LX Wide neck option. It would give us more to argue over! |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 795
Location: Texas | You can get used to almost any neck shape.
But the big test, to me, is playing the same guitar for a couple of hours, without changing instruments.
When you are just practicing or recording, you can stop and relax the left hand and take your time, but the big test is if you are playing a gig, party or event where you only have 1 guitar with you and you are either loving it or thinking that you have to trade it the next day.
I really think the neck shape and size are extremely important in a guitar.
With a guitar you love, you can easily spend 5 hours straight writing a tune or just practicing or recording and your left hand will be relaxed and used to the feel of a neck you enjoy.
Very personal matter.
Soft "V" 1-11/16" wide at nut for a steel string Ovation.
Serge
www.sergiolara.com ;) |
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Joined:
March 2003
Posts: 555
Location: Wooster, Ohio | The V on my 93 Collectors is my favorite neck period.
Steve |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 2
Location: Pine Bluff, AR | I've got an old ovation, all I know is the model number says 1139. But the neck feels great, just needs to be a "little" bit thinner. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I thought that a thin neck was for the shallow body, and the acoustic neck was for the mid-depth. To me, the shallow depth is for the electic player who wants to switch right over to an acoustic, while the mid-depth is for an acoustic player who wants the option of plugging in. Though a CVT with a thin neck would give freer access (in my opinion) to the upper frets. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | I really like the old V shape on Ovation necks. My 1657 Anniversary has a very slim neck with a nice V taper. The Legend LX has a rounder shape to it's neck. It has a nice feel, but to me you can't beat the feel of those old Ovation necks. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 183
Location: Denver, PA USA | soft V
1 11/16"
Bill |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3666
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I find myself gravitating toward my 1127-4, "Connelly". She's a nice fit, and I can play comparatively longer and more comfortably. I believe that's the Legend syle, right? I have real average size hands, so larger fellows may like larger necks. I really like the feel of Ol' Faithful's neck, though. I don't know, if I was a better player, it would help. The neck on Dillinger seems to be kinda thick, and slow, but I love the fortissimo it projects.
I have an audience of one, also. Not by choice, I just wish I was getting more inspiration. Trials and tribulations, I suppose.... |
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Joined:
October 2002
Posts: 153
Location: Huntington Beach, CA | Its nice to know that the Mothership cares what the fans think. Personally, I like the a modest V shape, 1 11/16" nut width and slim line if possible. Does neck shape, thickness effect sound? All other things being equal, make it easy to play. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | My favorite is the V neck on the Collector's 2000. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | I like the wider thinner neck....very slight V |
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Neck profile?