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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | The ongoing thread RE the 2000 Collectors', which includes a picture of Tim's beautiful 2001 got me thinking of which tops I have found most impressive.
Among the Collectors', the nicest I have seen are the best of the 1990 Nutmeg Birdseye Maple and the best of the 2001. One of my latter had a Redwood grain that made it look three dimensional. It was very, very cool.
Many of them are extraordinary, as they should be, including the Lacewood 2000. |
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June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Great thread idea, Paul. The 1999 Collectors Waterfall Bubinga is a beautiful finish. It's got to rank among the prettiest. In fact, I was torn between the 1999 and 2000, and I eventually bought the 2000 because it played and sounded better. |
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February 2004
Posts: 171
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma | I looked at and played many different models and I guess I am just a bore but I love the look of wood.. The little 76 balladeer I've got has the most beautiful white top I've seen... It isn't painted but more like bleached... you can see the grain and it really shows off the with the clear finish... This little guitar catches everyones eye because it is so different...
I guess I am just alittle traditional with a twist... |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | I guess I'm ultra conservative. Favorite top is '68 GC natural finish. I also like black and origial adamas blue fade. Dave |
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December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | Well, cast my vote for Blue Sparkle finish - since it's what my Legend is.
Sounds glittery, but it is quite beautiful! Nice blue-gray color..... |
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December 2003
Posts: 420
Location: On the beach in Southwest Florida | MY favorite has nothing to do with looks. I like the textured finishes. No fingerprints & to me they sound better. |
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January 2004
Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | N and Blue fade. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Other than the original Adamas blue, I'd have to say the Redwood. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | High Gloss and anytime the tone enhances the wood grain and makes it look 1" deep.
Some of the quilted maple Celebs make quite an impact. The 2000 and 2001 Collectors are right up there in the Ooooooh, Aaaaaaah Department. |
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July 2002
Posts: 1900
| Speaking of finishes....I am curious as to whether Ovation maintains a minimal supply of the more exotic woods for custom orders?; the majority of the anniversary guitars have been various grades of spruce; with the remainder being birdseye and flamed maple, ash, bubinga, lacewood, redwood, and cherry, including cedar for the classicals....; interesting challenge to combine the cosmetic and acoustic qualities of the different woods for the best overall result.
steve |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Come on the "Tour",
and Ye shall See ;) |
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November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | I am a big fan of the natural finish. I have always liked the 5 piece neck, and the natural finish really shows the beautiful wood Ovation uses on their necks. |
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May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | It wery much depends on the make and model but for Ovations I like the Bluebird finishes on electrics, the reverse variation for Adamas's (which used the same colors) and much prefer a nicely figured spruce top for round hole O's.
Wayne |
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June 2002
Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | Overall, I prefer Natural, but I also like the elusive Nutmeg as on the Patriots and Legend LTDs. And, I like black, but only on Custom Legends, because it so beautifully off-sets the abalone detailing. Guess I'm pretty conservative too...
Jeff |
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February 2003
Posts: 2178
Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | For me it's gotta be the Natural finish! Ovation has mastered the art of producing the best and most stunning natural topped guitars! The warm honey glow of spruce is (IMHO) simply beautiful!!!!
.. .. .. ..
Mike :cool: |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | For the Adamas, I vote for the blue, for the Elites, I vote for the New England Burst, and the round hole guitars, I vote for the "tobacco sunburst"(like my GC 12-string).
Roger
1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
1981 Ovation 1118-1 Glen Campbell 12-string
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Celebrity CC01 Spruce Top 6-String |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | It really does depend on the model - for me, the Custom Legend dark sunburst. Still remember the shock and awe when I saw the 1658 dsb 12-string in Jan of 1981. Almost uncomfortable with the glare and flash - thought I needed a sombrero with silver dangling down. Went back for three days to play and stare at it - then took home. The spell had been cast. Stood out like a rose among thorns with the other guitars (Martins.) |
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December 2001
Posts: 7236
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Depends on the model and style of the guitar for me. I love the original textured-top Adamas in reverse blue-burst. As a rule however, I like the natural wood tones. I love the 2001 Collectors but most of the natural spruce I like also. |
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January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I love the black finish on my new Legend 12 string but the fingerprints are a problem. So far, that's my only complaint about the guitar. Otherwise, we are bonding very nicely. It made it's debut at a gig last Friday (and even got a test drive from Cliff!). |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Awright.....! Finally got a plug for a black one. My main stage guitars are a natural finish Custom Legend and a black Legend. I rather like the black (tho neither the black nor natural are my favorite O. finishes). BUT the black DOES show fingerprints AND little spit marks from the spray my mic screen doesn't catch.
I never knew I sprayed while singing so much until I started using a black guitar. |
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December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | Another vote from me, cherry cherry sunburst on the Viper bass.
Hey, so happens I got one of those, too!!
:D |
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April 2002
Posts: 196
Location: Shelton, Washington, USA | i'm partial to the natural for round hole tops and the adamas cobalt blue (on the smt) |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Jim!!!!
Where the hell've you BEEN???!!!
Welcome back!! |
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March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | I really like the Black Cherry Burst on my 1858. At the time it was the only finish available to me & I couldn't have been happier, it would have been my first choice anyway. My 1612 is gloss Natural Spruce & so is my ES-175. I like them real well too. My all time fav is the gloss African Cherry on my 2002 Collectors that originally came from Paul Hebert. (Who I've been teasing lately, sorry Paul :) ) I guess my favorite finish is anything that ain't green!
/\/\/ |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Just some observations relating to guitar color/tone:
Black goes with everything. Johnny Cash really just hated trying to figure out what to wear.
With that, Abalone goes with everything too - unless your wearing more glitter and tassel than Dolly Parton at a square dance.
Natural is ... well... natural. Folksters and Activists (and you know who you) will avert negative criticism when attending rallies and cofee shops. You won't even stand out in a sea of Martins and Taylors - that is of course until you start to play! Dress code is denim,Dockers or any of the "Tropic Latitude - Got the Right Attitude" shirts (as found in Moody PI's gallery ;)
Dark Burst/Cherry Burst/Tobacco Burst - Now these look like real guitars - therefore you need to look like a Real Guitar Player. I suggest any of several caps from, say; John Deere, Catapillar, Detroit Deisel, etc. The Ovation cap from the OFC Store will definitely set you apart. Those of a younger generation may opt for something in flames (see "guitar club" string for examples).
Blue Burst/Bluebird/Textured Blue - I don't have the seniority on this board to post an opinion except that it should be approached with extreme caution. This is the choice of the most experienced Connisueur. It is rumored that when Moses came down with the 10 Commandments he was also packing a blue burst Adaamis. No original hard shell case though - if there was it would be in cwk2's collection today.
Green - Like starting to write poetry where the first line ends in orange.
Red - Must have sufficient attitude and persona to match your instrument.
White - Not seen too often. You must employ diverse polarity tactics - wear very little (swimsuit and flip flops or thong) or borrow an old Porter Waggoner outfit. There is no middle ground.
Customized Colors - You are on your own.
All views expressed are meant with love and kindness. Time to take my meds, gotta go.
Peace |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I always thought that the Academy in natural finish was the best, That greenish/yellow smc top with all the material flow lines and the natural finish foam neck. Sorta looked like a bad bowling ball with a piece of styrafoam stuck on it, like a beautiful sunset over a land fill and the wind in your face. |
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March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | Originally posted by cwk2:
I always thought that the Academy in natural finish was the best, That greenish/yellow smc top with all the material flow lines and the natural finish foam neck. Sorta looked like a bad bowling ball with a piece of styrafoam stuck on it, like a beautiful sunset over a land fill and the wind in your face.
That's friggin' beautiful man.
/\/\/ |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . . like a beautiful sunset over a land fill and the wind in your face. . ."
Ahhh . . . so you HAVE been to New Jersey!!!! |
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August 2003
Posts: 396
| Of the ones I have seen.....
1. I like the blue 12 string Nancy Wilson plays in the Heart in Seattle DVD.
2. The Kaki King model she used on Conan looked ultra cool (bluish).
3. The Redwood top collector model looked very good.
4. The vintage top yellowish/natural on the 2003 collector.
5. The natural finish on my elite lx where it highlights the inlaid wood colors. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | "5. The natural finish on my elite lx where it highlights the inlaid wood colors"
Amen Brother! |
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January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | The 'book' guitar. |
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February 2004
Posts: 33
Location: Clermont FL | Hi All, I just found this forum today. I have an Elite 5868 with Angel Step Walnut finish, I think it looks great. I would like to learn more about the model, I bought it from a friend. Stu |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | "Stu Gotts" LOVE that name!!!!
(this guy's GOTTA be a transplant from Jersey :-)
WELCOME to th'Board!! |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Maybe some of the snake skin or dragon skin graphic finishes that were used on the Thunderbolts towards the end. Those were very cool. |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | funny I would have thought it would be the "steaming pile of runny carpet staining baby dog spoo" finish.
ps I agree the snakeskin was VERY cool
why am I the only one that loves those thunderbolts!!!!! |
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November 2002
Posts: 28
Location: Oregon USA | Can't beat the natural beauty of Urelite. :D
Seriously, though, the "barn burst" color of some of the UK2s is really interesting. Wouldn't say it's my favorite, since I've never seen it in person (mine's black) but if I run across another UK in that color I might have to grab it just for that. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Yes the barnboard that was introduced on the UK2 was a great finish. It actually looked more real on the foam than the wood neck. I didn't mention it because marketing liked the color and saw some success with it and then everything became barnboard, other solidbodies, collectors series, legends, balldeers, all kinds of imports. They even made the korean factory paint their conference room in that color. An excellent example of how to wear something out and then beat it to death and then stomp it into the ground and then go "What happened to it? Well, Let's try cherry cherry burst......" |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7236
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Don't know if I mentioned it here before, but my Barnboard UKII has the access panel off the back because no one who sees it ever believes me that it's foam over aluminum. I didn't want to wear out the screws, so the access panel and screws are in the pick holder in the case. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . sounds like a job for "velcro".
(the OTHER handyman's tool) ;) |
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What's Your Favorite Ovation Finish?