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July 2003
Posts: 15
Location: Malaysia | Hi Everyone. I just started learning to play the guitar since last Feb. I heard an Australian group (Air Supply) play an Ovation in 1982 and I told myself that I will get one myself.
Well, when I started my guitar lessons in Feb, I went and bought an "Elite". No, it is not an original Ovation but a clone from Korea. Well built, great sound. BUT THEN, IT WAS NOT AN ORIGINAL OVATION.
So, I decided to buy the real thing as a birthday gift (July 10th: I've just hit 45yrs) to myself - a treat for all my hard work. I bought the "Elite Special"(Natural) for US$1,675 in Malaysia. Just one phrase for it : Ooo la la! |
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Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | Is there an echo in here? :)
It sounds like you did exactly the same thing I did over the past year or so, only I did it with 12 strings.
I'll bet everybody in here wishes I just had "Just one phrase" for my new Elite that arrived yesterday, I've been blathering on about it for 2 days now. Nice aren't they? Hard to believe two guitars that look so much alike can be so different.
Welcome to the board :)
Nils |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Welcome Innovator
Post often and keep us informed as you develop a relationship with your guitars. You will never regret investing in a quality instrument, and your attachment will get stronger the more you play. I've had some of mine for 30 years and they have become family.
Bailey |
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February 2003
Posts: 299
Location: Netherlands | Phheeow, there are worse ways to start playing.
I for instance started in 1985 with a Dutch Egmond acoustic with two strings, which had been painted blue by my cousin because he wanted to look like Ry Cooder on Bop til'you Drop. Egmonds were famous for their bow-shaped necks which you could shoot arrows with.
Next I bought a Japanese Ibanez Roadstar II electric, which I still own and am very fond of, (first real guitar).
Third was a Washburn KC-40 Electric, made in Korea, which i sold again within a year, because i hated the Floyd Rose Trem, and while doing some divebombing i just pulled the !@#$%^& thing off.
Fourth was a Japanese Ibanez PF-40 Acoustic which sounds rather thin but plays very well and i still use it a lot.
Fifth was a Mexican Nashville Telecaster which is IMO one of the best electric guitars ever made.
And finally: sixth was my Korean Ovation Ultra, which i bought 4 months ago for about 500 Euros.
... and hopefully, this year i will import an Adamas or Elite from the US...
Good luck and have fun playing. If you want to sell it again, just let me know :D
Martin |
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Posts: 27
Location: North Carolina | Welcome. I've had mine for nine months and won't buy anything else. I got my start watching ny brother in law play his. |
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July 2003
Posts: 15
Location: Malaysia | Hi people! Thanks for all the WELCOMES. I still like my clone Ovation, which I use for practises and areas that I have to move around alot. But my Elite Special gets to go to church with me.
And now, I am being tempted to buy the Adamas (black crossweave) - don't know the model. It cost a cool US$2650. It's a bit more difficult to play than my Elite Special, but the guys at the store say they could switch the strings to gauge 11. My wife will throw a fit if she sees me come home with the Adamas. She won't mind if I trade in my Elite Special, but to add the Adamas to my existing two, is something else.
I am also looking around for a inexpensive good acoustic amp. The store that sold the Ovation to me has a 30watt British amp going for US$600. The 100watt is going for about US$1500.
Am I going over overboard? I guess its just Ovation. BTW, my brother who has 4 guitars, is now planning to pick up an Ovation - getting away from the "everyone else" standard guitars. He loves all his 4 guitars. But having played my Elite Special, he says it "plays with you, not fight you". |
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Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Ovationism is like the SARS virus, it spreads rapidly to those who are exposed. |
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May 2003
Posts: 2
Location: Australia | Hi there, its great to hear about somebody else who has just picked up the guitar in their forties. And what
a great instrument to form a lasting relationship with.
One thing to remember is that guitars get under your skin, I am up to No. 6, a Breadwinner I bought today and I have been only playing for a year or two.
Cheers
Tony |
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July 2003
Posts: 15
Location: Malaysia | Stormy Monday - No.6 and still counting! Wow! And in your 40s, too.
I feel a bit embarrased going to music school for my guitar lessons. Most of my tutor's students are under the age of 15yrs. And he is only 20 - a protege of sorts with the classical guitar. |
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February 2003
Posts: 299
Location: Netherlands | Don't be embarrased. Music is about having fun and a great pastime and not about breaking speedlimits or getting your name in the Guinness Book.
I admire you for starting playing whilst in your fourties. Lots of people want to do something like that but never get to it...
Good luck and have fun,
Martin |
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Posts: 2
Location: Australia | No need to be embarrased playing keeps you young,
just have fun.
Cheers
Tony |
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January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | If you're interested in lessons, then a good place to check is the local junior colleges. A lot of them have guitar classes and they're usually inexpensive. Another plus is that if you want to learn music theory, you're in the right place. |
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July 2003
Posts: 15
Location: Malaysia | Thanks, guys. My E.S. gives me the inspiration to play and play with gutso; even though I'm a newbie. |
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Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Innovator
You are only defining yourself as a "newbie" on this board, you have obviously lived long and experienced much. We welcome your advice and knowledge, I would outlaw the term "newbie" except for a child under 5 years old. You are an experienced adult that has come upon a bunch of others with the same interests, who was first or last has no meaning here. |
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July 2003
Posts: 15
Location: Malaysia | Thanks, Bailey.
As I mentioned earlier; I play in my Church's Music Ministry. I am the only one not plugged in, yet; to the amp. Have not built my confidence level yet.Everyone else is in sync except me. But the people in my group are very encouraging; many saying they started out the same way I did; and now, they perform like professionals.
My main problem is when I take my eyes off the songsheet to check if I am playing the right chords, I soon lose track of where the rest is at that moment. It's still all new to me, to concentrate on the guitar playing, the tempo, the rest of the band and singing at the same time. I used to just sing - now that seems to be the easy part. I need to get the hang of it. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Innovator
You are doing exactly the right thing by playing with other people. There is no better way to learn, the more you do it the better you will get. My friend Bill that owned Poway Music and I started the Poway Bluegrass Club to give people who wanted to play bluegrass a chance to do just that, jam with others. We went to Poway Lake every Sunday and had as many as 30 people at times sharing in the jam session. We formed a band out of it and played here and there and any one from the jam sessions was welcome to set in and strum along or take a break if they were able. It was great fun and, I hope, got some people started who are still pickin'.
Bailey |
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Posts: 15
Location: Malaysia | Bailey,
All that jammin' sounds like great fun. Even though I can picture the settings, music, laughter of people, singing - the atmosphere created will linger long after the event. But I'm sure I'm not doing enough justice in discribing a whole lot of people enjoying absolutely great music!
Thanks for the moral support. |
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January 2003
Posts: 146
Location: Germantown, MD | Hey, Innovator,
You're taking exactly the right steps to make progress fast--playing in front of people, playing with a group that isn't concerned about gigs or paychecks--and getting on this site. You'll get great advice and a lot of encouragement.
And BruDev, as a teacher in a community college, I want to thank you for mentioning them as a resource. Too often, people overlook what these schools make available to their communities. |
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Posts: 27
Location: North Carolina | INNOVATOR
Sounds like you and I are in the same place. I started playing three years after spending a weekend immersed in praise music during a weekend conference. I've been playing with my church praise choir for two years now. We all play unplugged. If I haven't mastered the chords of a song yet I just skip that part. With the other guitar players and the piano, no one misses that part. |
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July 2003
Posts: 15
Location: Malaysia | Thanks, everyone,
I will keep you all posted on my progress.
Alan |
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Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | This is a great thread
I hope anybody who has had the experience of jamming as they are learning will contribute, that is the best way to learn.
Bailey |
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July 2003
Posts: 4
Location: Minneapolis MN | Well, similar story here. I took over leading just the singing at church 2 years ago; I realized quickly that my musicians were not really stable and were in transition, and decided in February 2002 to pick up the guitar (at 32 yrs old) so I could be prepared if something happened.
By May 2002, my piano player and drummer had left the team for personal reasons, and I found myself leading on my guitar twice each week with only 3 months experience under my belt. The pressure forced me to spend up to 3 hours per day practicing, and I know I've come along much faster than I would have otherwise. My congregation was extremely gracious and encouraging, even though I know it was sometimes hard on the ears.
I still have a long way to go, but I decided I've got enough experience to "reward" myself, and bought my first Ovation (CS245) a couple weeks ago.
Keep at it INNOVATOR - stick with people who LIKE you and have a vested interest in seeing you succeed, and you'll learn and enjoy it more.
SeanMac |
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July 2003
Posts: 15
Location: Malaysia | Sean,
Funny thing you brought up the subject of people leaving. Just last evening, I was told that one of our very talented young lady guitarist/singer is leaving for England to further her studies.
So, it is part of the process. People come, people go. I believe that this is good because it encourages others to come forward to fill in the places. This lady will be sharing her great talent in UK, possibly gathering a new group of those who like music. |
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Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Wow
The church is emerging as a great way to develop music ability, when you think of Elvis, Johnny Cash and some others, it (the church) has produced some of the greats. Let's keep this resource alive and in the forefront for the members to think about.
Bailey |
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March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | Bailey-
Don't forget Little Richard :)
Nils |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | or Charles Manson
JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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July 2003
Posts: 5
Location: Malaysia | Hi, INNOVATOR, thanks for the introduction to this club. I didn't know you are 45 :eek: I alway thought I was the most senior guy in the other Forum.
Anyways, I bought a Craftsman Ovation copy for US$170.00 but wasn't satisfied with it. So I bought a 50W Trace Acoustic to compensate for the drop in sound quality. Nope, couldn't do the job either. In the end I just had to get an Ovation original. Now, the sound is divine. Then I plugged in a Zoom 504 and now it produces heavenly sounds.... kinda makes my spine tingles if you know what I mean. |
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Posts: 15
Location: Malaysia | Hi, Danny
I am looking around for an acoustic amp, inexpensive(if possible), light (portable to carry to church,etc. as a feed back amp) and small so that it could fit into my car boot with the Ovation. My car boot is rather small.
Mahogany was trying to sell me the Trace Collector's edition for $1,285. It's small, nearly everything is goldplated, it has a "49/100" Number 49 of 100(produced) on it. But it is just too pricey, especially for a beginner like me. The Guitar Galerie branch in Subang Jaya will be showing me an AER 60 watter tomorrow. It is going for $740. If you are in my area, we could meet up and exchange ideas. We can then share our experiences with the great guys and gals on this forum. |
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Posts: 15
Location: Malaysia | Originally posted by INNOVATOR:
Hi, Danny
I am looking around for an acoustic amp, inexpensive(if possible), light (portable to carry to church,etc. as a feed back amp) and small so that it could fit into my car boot with the Ovation. My car boot is rather small.
Mahogany was trying to sell me the Trace Collector's edition for $1,285. It's small, nearly everything is goldplated, it has a "49/100" Number 49 of 100(produced) on it. But it is just too pricey, especially for a beginner like me. The Guitar Galerie branch in Subang Jaya will be showing me an AER 60 watter tomorrow. It is going for $740. If you are in my area, we could meet up and exchange ideas. We can then share our experiences with the great guys and gals on this forum.
What's a Zoom 504? (pardon my ignorance) |
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July 2003
Posts: 5
Location: Malaysia | Originally posted by INNOVATOR:
What's a Zoom 504? (pardon my ignorance)
Zoom 504 is a guitar effects processor. 504 is for acoustics guitar, 505 is for electric |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 299
Location: Netherlands | I would recommend a Boss GT-3 or 6 Effects Processor. It has a pretty good digital acoustic amp simulator + a good Anti Feedbacker + Noise Filter + EQ + ++ +++
I feel it's often overlooked as an option for acoustic guitar but it has big advantages:
1. You can plug it directly into a mixing desk
2. It does not weigh a ton.
3. The GT-3 is available (used) for about $ 150 in thet US
4. If you plug it into a Keyboard Amp (it sounds crazy, I know, but they are supposed to have a flat response, no tweaking of the signal), it sounds super.
Great resource for this is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GT-3/
Good Luck,
martin |
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July 2003
Posts: 34
Location: Yerington,NV | I just got my first ovation guitar off of e-bay, it's a 83 collectors edition. What a great guitar :) I've been a bass player for 29 years.I have owned alot of guitars and basses over the years and should have owned an ovation alot sooner!
Frank the new guy. |
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NEW OVATION OWNER