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August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Okay-- need a little advice. A local music emporium has two CS-257's--one is green with an OP-24 preamp, the other is quilted maple(?), sorta blonde, with an OP-30 preamp. They're selling both guitars for the same price (seems to me the OP-30 would be more up-to-date and should cost more--or the OP-24 should cost less?). I didn't notice a whole lot of difference in the sound, although they didn't have an acoustic amp to play through. I seemed to like the OP-30 a touch better--really sweet bass response. They're holding both guitars for me until Thursday. Both of my O's have retrofitted Fishmans in them, so I'm not too familiar with Ovation preamps. I'm going to take my Roland AC60 amp in so I can see what they sound like through an acoustic amp, but I'd like some feedback, especially from any CS257 owners out there. Which preamp is better, in your esteemed opinions? Both guitars sound great, are gorgeous and extremely playable, although I am a bit partial toward the quilted maple. Any suggestions? |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | The OP 30 is newer. Does the OP24 have a tuner and are you sure the one with the OP 30 isn't a 247 with a mid-depth bowl? My daughter' is a Nutmeg Quilted Maple CS247 with a mid bowl. |
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Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Hey, Mark--
Both are DEFINITELY shallow bowl, and they are 257's (model # OVCS257HBQ on the maple, OVCS257GR on the green). I know the OP-30 had a tuner, and I think the OP-24 did as well-- to be honest, I was kinda partial to the maple and paid more attention to it. The list price of the maple was $789, and the list price of the green was $689, but the sale price for both was the same. I thought that was odd, too. |
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Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I got my daughter's 247, one year old but in perfect condition with OP 30 (I think) for $290 with the case, if that helps in your decision. To me there is a noticeable difference in the unplugged sound between the 247 and 257. I like the 247 better, but others like the SS bowl. |
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August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Thanks for the info, Mark. I'm not too worried about the unplugged sound, but it would make a nice gigging guitar plugged in. My humble old '71 Balladeer 1113 with its deep bowl blows the CS257 away acoustically, but I wouldn't get it to play unplugged. The CS257 has a nice tone unplugged, but not much volume. I am impressed with the preamp, though. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Sounds like a good gigging guitar for you, and you have the deep bowl sound of the Balladeer for playing unplugged. I know that people who have to stand up doing gigs like the SS bowl. The Preamp and tuner are great. |
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August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Another thing that impressed me was the action out of the box. The factory setup was just about perfect; the music store hadn't touched it, and it was actually a hair UNDER 3/32" at the 12th fret and didn't buzz. I usually set my guitars up for 3/32" at the 12th fret; they usually play like an electric then. That's a really nice, tight neck on that CS257! |
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December 2004
Posts: 370
Location: Isle of Man, UK | Hi Rick
The CS's are flipping good guitars. I've had mine for nine years now, and it's still as good and tight as the day I bought it. Good hardwearing quality, without a massive price and you don't feel too bad bashing it about a bit...
SS is really comfy when you're stood.
There you go - I've contributed without actually adding any value to the discussion.
JB |
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August 2005
Posts: 616
Location: cincinnati, ohio | Hey, JB--
Actually, you HAVE added something of value to the discussion-- you've actually used one for 9 years and it's been a good, reliable guitar-- not that I'd expect anything less from an Ovation, even a Celebrity. You and Mark both have field experience with them (in Mark's case, the 247, which is very similar), and that's what I was looking for.
Thanks,
Rick |
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OP-24 vs. OP-30 in CS257?