|
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Last week after church this guy came up to me and introduced himself. We got to talking and he told me his father had given him a Martin D-35 about 10 years ago. I asked him if he had ever played or owned an Ovation. What I got from him was a classic answer. He said, " I don't plug in like you, so I really never really needed one". This was just the break I needed. After everyone left church, I asked him to sit down and play my Legend LX unplugged. He was a good player, and after only about a minute of playing the LX he said "wow, this is one great sounding guitar". I asked him how it compared to his Martin D-35, and he said the LX played alot better, and he found the LX sound to be warm and mellow. I played a few songs for him, and again he could not get over the fullness of the LX tone. "I just might have to get one of these" was the last thing he told me. Seems this is one Martin fan that got to see first hand how wonderful the LX Legend is. :D :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Paul
Maybe what impresses a Martin owner is a guitar with not only the great acoustic sound, but one that doesn't have to be treated as if it were constructed of eggshells and linguine, requiring all kinds of humidity control and a secret service detail to prevent someone from walking off with a $5 grand guitar on the first break when you hit the john. An accidental bump of an Ovation roundback doesn't usually result in a shipment to the factory to restore a splintered rosewood piece of VERY expensive furniture.
Sturdy, and it sounds great, Take it to the beach and party, only in an Ovation!!
Bailey |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 648
Location: Florida | The only thought that comes to mind, is that church IS the place of conversion. The Lord works in strange ways, perhaps he'll see the light and actually buy an O. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Do I detect a little Martin bashing going on here? ;) As a devout Martin and Ovation fan, I feel like I must say a few words in defense of Martin. I have played out with my Martins for years and they have been banged, dinged, bumped, taken out in sub zero and hot and humid conditions, and basically exposed to everything that a "working" guitar gets exposed to. I must say that they have yet to let me down once.
I'm curious as to where all the hostility toward other brands of guitars comes from (even though I think that these particular comments were kind of "tounge and cheek"). I have seen many posts on this board bashing Taylor and Martin and I guess that I just don't get it. I mean, we're all guitar lovers here, aren't we? Why would anyone have such prejudice for such good guitars?
I really don't take this stuff too seriously, and I'm not looking to start a "flame fest" here. I'm just curious.
John |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Not sure you see too much Martin bashing around here.... some Taylor, but in a lot of cases.. they deserve it. I can relate to the "delicate" Martin issue. I friend of mine just bought one, and it's gorgeous and sounds fantastic, or at least sounds as it was intended too. But, as soon as he took it out of the case and offered me to strum a few chords, off came my jewelry, vest, and I pulled my shirt over my belt buckle. Frankly I was just afread to touch the damn thing. I know it's much more sturdy than that, but after playing and holding Ovations for so many years, and in fact TRYING to break a few already trashed ones, well.... I was just afraid I was going to damage is just by holding it. It was like I was holding a piece of art that sounded good, and as it wasn't mine.... well... that's just my reaction so I can relate to the above comments.
Just FYI, a couple of people of late asked about our no-Ovation bashing. I would suggest that you haven't read many of the posts. I did some research and we have ripped into more Ovation's than anything else. There has been the odd shot at other brands, and in fact most of them have been indeed observations rather than the "bashing" I have seen on other boards, but we've ripped into some Ovations over the past couple of years.
I'm not sure any of this means anything... it's just something I've noticed. I think many of us own more than one brand guitar. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | I don't think anybody here thinks that guitars made by other manufacturers are bad, just that there is tremendous hype about them. And very few guitars are as good as the hype.
Music stores push a lot of Martins and Taylors. I've played a few Martins that I thought were excellent guitars. I've yet to feel that way about a Taylor. But to listen to store clerks and owners of those guitars, they are the end all of guitars. They're not.
To be fair, I've got a friend who has a Taylor 6 and 12. We've played each others guitars and are extremely polite in our comments. But his guitars don't do anything for me as mine don't for him.
Plus, Ovation has been the under dog for a long time. And those of us who love them, feel passionately about them. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I think a lot of it stems that passionate Ovation enthusiasts have witnessed "their" brand constantly (and undeservedly) being "bashed" in various guitar forums (especially music stores).
Kick a dog long enough . . . and eventually it'll bite ya' in the nuts! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Miles: Your points well taken regarding the difference in the feel of a Martin as opposed to an Ovation. After playing my O's for a long time, the Martin's do feel pretty delicate. My Martins are not of the very expensive variety as I use them for gigs. They are basically "plain Janes" that are good guitars, just nothing fancy.
Don't get me wrong, I take care of my guitars, but I also believe in using them, so I don't worry if they get a few "war wounds" on them. I gave that up long ago. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Cliff:
Stay away from my nuts! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Two things I have learned on these posts:
1) There is a definite learning curve for all new posters. It takes about 50 posts to settle in.
2) This is a "Family Friendly" site and bad habits learned from other sites and especially chat rooms (think fast, flame first).
3) Conduct yourself as though you will be meeting with each person the next day. Treat them with respect and the understanding that you will want to ask to play their guitar!
4) Remember that your Wife, Kids and Coworkers can access this site as well! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Woodrow is correct. Therefore I'll edit my post...
"Cliff, stay away from my cojones". |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | So, . . . what your saying is . . . . if my response to Moody's comment about his "nuts" woulda' been:
"Too late, Paul . . . Bush & Co. already took 'em"
. . . that woulda' just been "wrong".
Right?
:D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I see that we have sunk to an appropriate level. :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | "I think a lot of it stems that passionate Ovation enthusiasts have witnessed "their" brand constantly (and undeservedly) being "bashed" in various guitar forums (especially music stores)."
I think that people who bash Ovations probably fall in to one of three catagories.
1.) They've never played one. In which case the person is just an idiot.
2.) They've only played a poorly set up floor model in a store.
3.) They've tried Ovations and for what ever reason, just don't care for them, which is an opinion that they are entitled to, even if they are WRONG.
;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Even though we've never "met" yet (soon to be recified), Paul and I have an "understanding".
Even though we can "thrust & parry" with each other about just about anything, the foils have buttons on the ends, and nobody really gets hurt.
A type of friendship I particularly like ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | What Clifford said. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Cliff,
You came dangerously close to using the terms "Bush" and "Rectify" in the same post, not to mention, the same sentence. I'm sure you and Paul will have many hugs at the Tour - especially since I know you'll both want to play each others guitars.
I have been trying not to use words like tangent, MOB, celebrity and banjo. Let me know if I slip up occasionally please. :D
M(and who made you say that? could it be... satan?)Woody |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Did somebody let that big red dog in here again??
(like I've never heard THAT one before!) :rolleyes: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Bruggy;
#2 in your post probably hits the nail most squarely on the head.
We've discussed/argued this WAY too many time in the recent past, but the gist of it seems to be:
A great deal of the uneducated guitar-buying public will go into a GutarCenter (or whatever) and plunk their way through the limited selection of lesser-quality Korean-made Ovation models (and nothing ELSE because that's ALL that's available to them) and wrongly assume that this is ALL that Ovation is about.
A search of previous posts will find this discussed WAY past "ad nauseum". :rolleyes: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Cliff,
Keep in mind the Analogy of the 10 Blind Men describing the Elephant as they all touch different parts.
Most of us have had the benefit of grabbing it by the "cajoles". |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Cliff:
You're exactly right. It's a shame that more people are not exposed to what Ovation is really all about. You know how much I like Ovations and even I had some preconceived notions about Ovations that were totally off base. I had no idea how great of an "all acoustic" guitar an Ovation could be until you showed me your Adamas Slothead. That was a real eye (and ear) opener for me. Sometimes people just need someone to educate them a little bit. I, for one, don't mind admitting that I was wrong. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | spoken like a true "married man". |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | That may be true but I did get the OK to buy the new "Legend"! You gotta give me a little credit for that one. :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | hmmm . . . .
I may have it all wrong, but I thought that it was Joanna's idea that you buy the Legend . . :) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | It's never Joanna's idea that I buy anything. She did say that she liked it in the store, so I knew that I at least had a chance. Normally, if I mention guitars, her eyes just sort of glaze over and I can tell she's thinking "how much is he gonna spend THIS time!". |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | I never meant for this post to knock Martin guitars. I just wanted to show that when someone has the time to sit down and play an Ovation like the Legend LX, they can see and hear for themselves how good these guitars really are. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | back on track - I have had plenty of conversations at church come up over guitars. I have also had several conversations about church come up over guitars!
M("I don't have a religion I have a Relationship" and "I don't just play guitars, I play Ovations")Woody |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Jeez Paul. See how much trouble you started! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | I played my first LX last night and thought the neck seemed a littl fat. Anyone else have that impression? Nice sound and really nice preamp controls. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Bill, I had a 30th anniversary Custom Legend for a short while before I got my Legend LX. I found the 30th Custom Legend neck to be kinda fat, but I find the LX neck to be thinner. Real nice feel to it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Fat? Must be a better word to describe...kinda like deep bowl v. fat bowl.
Goes back to trying before buying (if you can find one.)
I felt the LX Legend's neck very close to the 2002 Collectors...as to the 30th Anniv CL, similar to past Custom Legends which IMHO was their intent as a 30th Anniversary. As the owner of three 30th CL Anniversaries, I am confident that anyone who has played a Custom Legend will find it comfortable. Even if we see the LX technology included in future CL's, I would hope they keep the same neck.
I look at the Custom Legend as an acoustic that you can also plug in...I look at the LX or 2002 Collectors as trying to find that compromise between an electric and acoustic. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Tony, I see it as the opposite of how you see the two guitars. I see the LX as an acoustic first. The scalloped bracing really helps this guitar sing. In my humble opinion the 30th Custom Legend did not have the tone that the Legend LX has. But then that is just me, and how do you describe tone. Now I am confusing myself. (lol) :confused: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | First of all, I really like the LX. However, the LX is not a deep bowl and side by side with the 30th Anniv, the 30th Anniv ranked better IMHO. Not taking anything away from the LX. Mute point as all 30th Anniv have been sold by the factory. Might still be available through a dealer.
We can measure specific parts of the guitar, the neck diameter is a good example; however, feel and tone is subjective. IMHO, the 30 CL Anniv is an outstanding example of Ovation's work, past and present. I will not try to rank it against other O's unless I have played them for a long enough period. What I have found interesting about the three Anniversaries that I have is that they all "sing" slightly differently...kind of like three great tenors. The bear claw spruce and possibly the bowl create a guitar that even though new outshines the 1619. I have to believe that it would outshine the newer CL's with mid or shallow bowl.
This is what I have found when comparing several hand made guitars by the same luthier. They have a slightly different personality, a different "voice".
Looking forward the the Adamas Millennium (CVT) coming in. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | The last few comments have led me to again stress to Ovation that they need to come out with a deep bowl LX, with the new bowl material. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | No Martin bashing in my original post, just a little historical joke. The first Ovations were compared to a famous Martin that has been discussed by the son of the original owner of that Martin on this board. There was some feeling that the early Ovations had surpassed that Martin in acoustic sound, and definitely in sturdiness and general ruggedness that was touted by Ovation in the early years of it's manufacture. The fact that a Martin's sound was the target would suggest a respect for that marque from the inception of the innovative round backs.
The price of a modern Martin makes it very hard for anybody but a Lotto winner to feel comfortable in taking it into the venues where most music is played, and they don't have acoustic guitar parlor groups any more where you can play for hoity-toity tea gatherings.
Bailey |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Well that explains it. When I was at NAMM I was testing the LX's, the new probably never to be seen again slothead, and the 30th CL. In my little shootout although the CL and the Adamas came out on top for my taste, they were all quite great. My "test" consisted of both open struming and chords in the 1st position and on the 12th fret, and also simple scales on the 1st and 12th frets. WHat I was looking for was when comparing the two positions was volume. The Adamas of course was best at maintaining the same volume all up and down the neck. The LX's and CL were too close to call. I ended up liking the CL a little more because when using a pick (I did all the tests with and without a pick) it seemed a little fuller, almost as full as the Adamas, but without the projection. The LX had the projection, maybe even a little more than the CL, but not quite as full. It was actually a lot less scientific test that it might sound like. I was in the sound booth, there was no one there, the guitars were sitting there... I parked myself for about 45 minutes. From my notes, here was my conclusions.
- Both the Adamas and CL were very full sounding, but the the Adamas was articulate where the CL was warm and smooth.
- The LX was punchy and clean, a little louder than the CL, not as loud as the Adamas not quite as full sounding as the Adamas or the CL.
If I was performing, it would be a tossup between the Adamas and the LX for the projection, with a lean towards the LX because of the neck length (more than 12 frets) eventhough the Adamas is fuller sounding overall. As who knows if they'll actually put the Slothead into production... that choice is simple.
For just playing, maybe when playing with other branded instruments, the CL I think would blend in better. Very warm, smooth and full without overpowering everyone else.
For recording, as the Adamas Slothead isn't available, I would go for the LX. You want a punchy guitar to record especially if other instruments are in the mix.
Just some random thoughts based on 45 minutes of noodling after listening to a combination of the the convention floor noise and riding a motorcycle for 3 days.
- |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Miles, nice review. Another reason why this board is so valuable to so many of us.
Woz, take care of her, as I will the one you will be sending to me.
Don't know if others appreciate what Al did concerning the Adamas slothead - he could have sold to highest bidder but kept it in the OFC family. |
|
| |
LX Legend does it again!