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June 2004
Posts: 1
| Hello all, I'm a long time Ovation fan, inspired by Nancy Wilson, having owned a couple different models over the last 25 years. I now only have my old 93 Std Balladeer with a deep bowl.
I've been wanting to buy a new one but in the stores I only see shallow bowls, and I really prefer the sound of the deep bowls over the shallower ones.
Which new models come with the deep bowl? |
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July 2003
Posts: 181
Location: North Carolina | As I understand it, the only production model nowadays with a deep bowl is the Al Dimeola model Legend. Otherwise, you have to special order it. I don't believe the LX models are available in deep bowl yet.
Franklin |
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Posts: 15686
Location: SoCal | Franklin is correct. |
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Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | The mid-depth bowl LX guitars, as well as some of the better topped mid-depth Ovations sound good enough that it takes a very, very good ear to notice the difference in a blind test between them and a deep bowl guitar -- everything else being equal, I think. |
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Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | At the tour it was stated that they were going to be making more mid bowls. Deep bowls can still be special ordered. At least that's my understanding.
Deep Bowl LX's will probably show up in January at Namm. |
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Posts: 26
Location: Canton, Ohio | "The mid-depth bowl LX guitars, as well as some of the better topped mid-depth Ovations sound good enough that it takes a very, very good ear to notice the difference in a blind test between them and a deep bowl guitar -- everything else being equal, I think."
I agree. I just purchased a Balladeer LX and it is mid-bowl.
I was concerned about it not being a deep bowl but the new way the bowl is made really projects the sound, unlike previous mid-bowls.
Just a suggestion...try one of the LX's if you can find one at a music store near you...it may have enough sound already... |
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March 2002
Posts: 15686
Location: SoCal | You guys are right in saying how good the mid depth bowl LX's sound. But you honestly can't say that a deep bowl LX wouldn't sound better. You don't know because none have been built at this time.
Somebody posted a few weeks ago that he bought a deep bowl Al D over an LX because it sounded better to his wife who was sitting in front of the guitar. That's one indication, but the bottom line is that we just don't know at this time.
Don't say you do when you don't
don't say you will when you won't.
There's a song in there somewhere. |
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Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | We don't know, either way. There is a caveat in my statement, viz.: "all things being equal." An Al Dimeola isn't equal to an LX with a A grade top.
Being empirically trained and born in Missouri, I would love to see an experiment done comparing the sound of different Ovations and having them rated without knowing the guitars. It is done in wine competitions all the time.
The more wine, the better they all sound.... |
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Location: SoCal | Paul B:
Remind me to tell you about a scotch taste test I did once. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I am the proud owner of the new AD-II. My other guitar is an old deep bowl Balladeer. For the past 9 months I have been playing any Ovation I could get my hands on in search of "the one". I was going to wait for a deep bowl LX, but I just could not wait any longer. I had the deposit in my pocket to order and Elite LX the day I played the AD-II. No contest. The extra money was well worth it.
I has to be tough compare deep to mid when only one model can be found in deep.
Moody, do you know how long the deep bowl has been out of standard production?
To the point, in my experience, the deep bowl does make a noticeable difference. I could not wait. If you can wait for an LX with a AA top and a deep bowl, do it. If not, the AD-II (AAA top) has all the jump & thump you can want.
Brad |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | Paul (Moody): I am sure there is a story there. It is arguable whether Scotch is an improvement over haggis. Double blind tests are in the offing. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | A quick "off topic" story:
When I first started in the tradeshow business, we were doing a wine show in one of the ballrooms of a rather prestigious NYC hotel. The show was WineAmerica, and basically was geared toward relatively new international vintners attempting to get into the NY/U.S. market.
Each exhibitor got a "package":
A booth, a table, two chairs, a wastebasket, and a spitoon. The "spitoon" consisted of a large, paper bucket (much like you carnivores get fried chicken in, only larger).
I don't know if it was just an "oversight" on the part of our Ops Manager or he was just "cheaping out", but . . . .
. . . . . he failed to purchase the paper buckets that had the "wax" lining in them . . . . .
. . . . it was NOT a pretty sight. :rolleyes: |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | That's gross.... I think that same guy got hired for quality assurance at F*nd*r.... |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | Yeah...Wahat Paul B said!! :cool: |
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Location: south east Michigan | Wait a minute...Isn't the 30th a deep bowl?
Brad |
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Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Yes, the 30th CL IS a deep bowl and full body. And I still believe it is one of the best sounding Ovations I have played. But I also believe that the AD and the 30th are not to be considered as 'all things equal' with other deep bowl Ovations. (And for their prices, they shouldn't be... imho.) |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | There is a VERY noticeable difference between a deep bowl and the current mid-bowl. I have an old 1978-vintage deep bowl 1617 Legend and a new 2003-vintage non-LX 1777 Legend and the 1617 has way, way more bottom end and volume.
The FD-14 Folklore Deluxe is the best sounding new Ovation I have ever played. Deep bowl.
I don't find the LXs to project better, but they do have a more "open" sound. I believe I could tell the difference between a Legend LX mid-bowl and a 1617 deep bowl if I was playing each blindfolded(and I would't sound any worse than I usually do). :)
Roger |
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Location: south east Michigan | I don't know if you can compare any new model to something from the 70's because of the "aged wood syndrome".
Does the 30th and the AD have the same bracing?
Brad |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | re: "The FD-14 Folklore Deluxe is the best sounding new Ovation I have ever played. Deep bowl." I believe it was Dave (standingovation)who said best wood top O.
Maybe I lost a little hearing because of the two GE J-79 engines on a Phantom but I play the FD-14 then play the 30th...gee, absolutely love them, can't figure out which is better, but different.
Yes, 'A' brace. |
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Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | Go with the LX. I own a deep bowl, for 23 years. I love it. The LX mid-bowl, has got it beat.
LX 1777 Try it, you'll like it............
Tommy |
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Location: Canton, Ohio | I'm not saying the LX deep bowl wouldn't be different or better than the mid bowl (and it's true none of us have heard enough to make a definate call because it isn't out yet).
I'm just saying if your refernce is a deep bowl of the past and you haven't played the mid bowl LX yet, try it. I think it projects more than previous mid bowls and may suprise you.
And the manufacturer thinks this as well. |
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Posts: 15686
Location: SoCal | I want to be clear in that I think the LX models are wonderful. I've played them and I'm very very impressed. They are great unplugged, and great plugged in. Anybody who buys one won't be disappointed.
I just want to wait for a deep bowl LX. Most of my playing is acoustic. And at the plugged in volumes that I use, feedback is not going to be a problem.
I just want the best acoustic sound I can get, and that will always translate into a deep bowl. I've played mostly deep bowls and I'm very comfortable with the size. It feels right to me.
Regarding bracing mentioned earlier, the CL 30th has "A" bracing. The FD 14 has a modified "A" brace pattern. The Al D has the new "X" bracing pattern. Different guitars. Different sounds. All great. To have the choices that Ovation is now putting out is great. Pick the guitar that works best for your needs and your ear.
My 1537 Elite doesn't sound like my 68 Deluxe Balladeer. And neither will sound like my deep bowl LX of the future. All will be played. All will have their time and place. All will be appreciated for what they are.
There's no right or wrong answer here. Just opinions. And except for Temp's, all are right.
Just kidding. |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | I have several mid bowls, played the 1777 LX Legend for a couple of hours, and have older and new deep bowls.
As an a/e, electronics take over.
The question is as an acoustic. Driving hard pick, mid bowl holds its own. Soft to medium fingerpick - the old and new deep bowls excell. I could not visualize a FD-14 with a mid-bowl.
However, one thing I realized recently was how playing position is so important (especially when I got a parlor for my wife.) A mid or shallow bowl is more comfortable for many.
Depends on how we play, style, acoustic or plugged in. |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Don't tell my wife right now but I still would like to have an Elite LX someday. I don't have a multi-hole. If I did I would never want anything else.....ever.....really....I mean it.
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I also thing the mid-bowl LX is a fantastic improvement.
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Brad |
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January 2004
Posts: 16
Location: uconn | I think guitars are like snowflakes.. no 2 are EXACTLY the same. Based on what I've seen in stores.. even 2 identical models sound different. So I'm guessing that the LX bracing and the mid depth bowl produce the most consistant good sound, and that the differences in the guitars is greater than the differences in the 1/2 inch of bowl between a mid and deep bowl |
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Which models have a deep bowl?