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Posts: 16
Location: Canada | I was rrecently looking at an Ovation CK057 (inexpensive Korean-made acoustic-electric with a built-in tuner). I don't have lots of money and would be using the guitar pretty much just through an amp. My main guitar is an electric, and this would be used only for a few tunes. Nevertheless, can anyone here tell me if the lower-end Korean-made Ovations are okay?
Thank you!
gord |
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Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | they are OK |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Gord
The general opinion on the board is that the Korean instruments aren't up to the American ones acoustically, but the electronics are equal. If you are going to use it plugged in, it will work fine.
Bailey |
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October 2002
Posts: 16
Location: Canada | Thank you Bailey and alpep. I am currently able to purchase the CK057 for $500.00 Canadian (case and strap included). Alternately, I can get a 2000 Standard Balladeer in mint condition for $850.00 Canadian (case included). Considering that I will use it plugged in (except when practising), you reckon the Celebrity should do me fine? It won't fall apart on me any quicker than the American-made Balladeer, will it? I mean, if I can expect 20 years from the American product, I can reasonably expect 20 years from the Korean? |
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Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | I strongly suggest and prefer the usa made instrument |
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Let's talk about USA v. foreign. The USA built Ovations all have solid spruce tops. The foreign built Ovations have laminated tops. Right there, you find a major difference, and it's a differnece that even with equal electronics will yield a better plugged in sound. The pickups generate sound based upon the string and top vibration. If the top doesn't vibrate as well, the amplified sound will not be as good. Enough to make a difference, well, you've got to play two guitar with the same strings thru the same amp. Then you can make a decision.
Personally, I'd go with the USA built guitar.
[ October 20, 2002: Message edited by: moody, p.i. ] |
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October 2002
Posts: 16
Location: Canada | Guys, you've been great so far. Thanks.
Sadly, I am going to have a tough time coming up with the extra bread for the American-made Standard Balladeer. I do, however, have a lead on another American-made Ovation. It's a Custom Balladeer 1612. Serial number is 322261, which indicates that it was manufactured in 1984. It has just a single volume control rather than an EQ system like today's models. I think I can get this guitar for $300 Canadian (with original case, from the original owner). It's in almost pristine condition and has been rarely played.
I value the opinions you've all given me so far, so I have one more question. Does anyone here know of any reason why this particular model/year may be problematic?
Thank-you once again.
gord |
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Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | i'd check out e bay for ovations in canada, as i think they generally eliminate many perspective buyers from the usa. some of my ovations are around 30 years old. i agree with alpep adding buy a good used ovation made in the usa for as much as you can afford. i doubt if you will ever be sorry or lose money on it. buy a korean axe new and you certainly will at least lose value when re selling and you will likely become better faster with a better guitar. i have purchased some really good ovations in the 300-400 us$ range on e bay. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Gordholio
You just gave the reason for going for an American made guitar, and it is 20 years, if you divide the cost by 20 years you will find that the cost difference is pennies but the quality is dollars.
Bailey |
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Location: Scotland | This is a no-brainer, buy the Custom Baladeer, which is a far superior instrument in every respect to the Celeb, for less money. |
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October 2002
Posts: 33
Location: Pittsburgh PA | Gord,
I've had a Martin D-35 since 1974 and just recently purchased a CKO57 like you are looking at. I really did not want to sink $800 bucks in to an american made Ovation at this time - having never owned one before. I just ran accross the CK057 at a guitar store and it played better and had a better feel than my Martin. That's why I bought it. The tone can not match the Martin unplugged, but I had put an electic pick up in the Martin and the CK057 sounds better throught he amp than the Martin. Actually, I had a Washburn electic that I traded in for the Ovation, so I really had no cash outlay. I don't know how the Ovation will hold up over the years, put it plays great. The intonation is perfect.
Mike |
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Location: SoCal | Buy the custom balladeer. With good strings on it, it will sound wonderful. And it is a better guitar than the Korean built O. Better quality and better sound. |
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Location: NJ | Gordo;
I heartily agree with "The Brothers Paul".
Balladeer, baby!!
You'll have a friend for life!
If eq is an issue, you can gat a good (if not better) outboard unit down the road for cheap.
Just my $0.02 |
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Korean-made Ovations?