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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Los Angeles | I am new to OFC, buying a replacement for an old acoustic. My buddy had an ovation that I thought sounded great so I am looking at all options, ebay and otherwise. My budget is $500 and I live in LA - thinking of getting a Celebrity or Celebrity Deluxe (new/2nd) unless advised that US used model is better - saw one post that said parts support is better for US built etc.
Questions:
1. Is shallow body so quiet and hi end that I will regret it playing accoustic?
2. Is it really the same as an Applause so why spend the dough?
3. Should I go US made and used?
4. Does Koa wood sound better or just for show (I think the spruce is laminated on Celebrity Deluxe)?
5. What kind of home amp would you recommend (Roland Cube)?
6. Buy on line vs at store?
OK - thanks in advance for your advice.
Fishhed in LA
(Yes I love the Radiators) |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Hi and welcome to the club. You live in one of the biggest cities in the world, so do yourself a favor and go to one of those big Guitar Center stores and compare for yourself. Compare a supershallow bowl to a mid or deep bowl and see what you think. Look at an import model vs. a USA built model and see if you can tell the difference. Stick with spruce, not Koa. You can probably buy a used USA model for about the same as a new import model. I have my own opinions, but those may not be right for you. Also check out some non-Ovation guitars. There's some nice stuff available in the $500. price range either new or used.
Dave
PS - Personal opinion, look at the For Sale section of this site and contact Paul Blanchard. He's got a model 1768 USA made Elite with a few cosmetic scars for dirt cheap price. You won't do any better than that. |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Los Angeles | Thanks for the quick reply, I will go play some tomorrow. I am thinking the US vs Korea maybe is important for stuff like neck quality over time and staying in tune which is tough to tell in a store - any feedback?
My Yamaha sounded nice but would go out of tune after 3 songs...
Fishhed |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | The #1768 is a deep bowl for much bigger sound, has better wood for the top, a five piece neck, and a better fretboard. The neck stability will be better than an import. In my opinion, for the same money a used USA made guitar will usually be better than a new Celebrity as long as there isn't anything functionally wrong with the used one.
There are little tricks for installing strings that make staying in tune easier.
I would want more detail on the intended application before recommending an amp. Effects and other bells and whistles cost more, and for a reason. I haven't played the little Rolands, so have no opinion. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Hook up with Paul....can't beat the guitar for the price. |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Dave and Stephen -- thanks for the props. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Another prop from me. Paul knows his guitars.
You are correct that the Korean tops are laminated, as are many of the "fancy" USA tops. The sound difference is hard for me to describe, but noticeable. With a $500 budget, you should be able to do better than a Celebrity Deluxe. Get Paul's.
I don't mean to disparage the Celebrities. I had one and bought my daughter one, but each was about half your budget. The craftmanship is good, but the materials are not as good as US made. Her Nutmeg Quilted Maple Celebrity Deluxe sure looks nice hanging next to my 99 Collector's, and sounds about the same. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 234
Location: Phoenix, AZ | I can't vouch for the guitar Paul is selling, having never seen it. Nor, do I know if the price is unbeatable. But, I can tell you, you won't a better seller than Paul. I've bought from Paul. He is straight forward. He answers your e-mails and phone calls. He ships quickly. And, he's the best guitar packer in the world so you'll have no worries about receiving your guitar in great shape. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | 1. Is shallow body so quiet and hi end that I will regret it playing accoustic? No
2. Is it really the same as an Applause so why spend the dough? No.
3. Should I go US made and used? If you can yes, but the celeb is still good.
4. Does Koa wood sound better or just for show (I think the spruce is laminated on Celebrity Deluxe)? The koa is a laminate, stick with spruce.
5. What kind of home amp would you recommend (Roland Cube)? Use the one for your electric, and in the meantime try a bunch in a store.
6. Buy on line vs at store? Whatever you feel comfortable with.
For tuning problems, buy a set of planet waves tuners. On ebay for $40. Otherwise go with schallers. I've found the quality of grovers has declined. |
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Joined:
February 2006
Posts: 60
Location: Berkeley, CA | I've never used the auto-locking-auto-trim-with-optional-sunroof tuners. How would they hold up to some pretty extreme detuning (as much as a fourth)? |
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Joined:
July 2002
Posts: 1900
| ..if I had the extra cash, I would buy Paul's 1768 in a heartbeat!...it would difficult to beat the value for the price...a USA Ovation!, 5-piece neck!, great preamp!, Elite soundboard, a deepbowl!, It's a no-brainer! Buy it!... |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Los Angeles | Thanks guys I am talking to Paul to get pics for his guitar. It sounds good.
Just from curiosity how does Koa sound? Anyone have one?
I had acoustic before - any recommendations for home/practice amps? |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Koa sounds great on a ukulele.
I was not impressed with the sound of the Ovation Koa guitar but that's just my personal preference. I think others here really like it. To each his own.
Dave |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I've played a couple Koa Celebrities at Guitar Center. Pretty, but nothing special soundwise. Sounded bright and tight, like laminated guitars. I prefer the deep bowl sound. Some like shallow bowls. You get to decide what you like. It looks like most of us would recommend Paul's. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Planet Waves Tuners and detuning:
How would they hold up if detuned?
What do you mean? Why would they be hurt by detuning?
The tuning ratio is 18 to 1. I do a lot of bending, and they hold their tune better pretty good. |
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Joined:
February 2006
Posts: 60
Location: Berkeley, CA | I'm just not sure how the locking mechanism works... when it locks/trims, is there still enough string left for me to tune a string down (a fourth)? |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Michael bought the guitar (thank you, Michael) and is also a new member of the OFC. Great doubleplay, don't you think? Helped me out, anyway. One less thing to do before leaving for Honduras Friday where I will reunite with the Ovation Pinnacle I took down there and left last year. I think I will take some new strings.... |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Have a good trip, Paul. I'm sure Michael will enjoy his guitar. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Have a blessed adventure Paul! |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Los Angeles | Thanks everyone for your help; Paul thanks for my first Ovation. I am stoked and hope to Jam this weekend!!! |
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January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | There's a reason why spruce is used for tops, it has a true vibration, that's been proven over time. This is true on all makes of guitars. The only other top is cedar, for a brighter sound, and I like the way it smells. |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 17
Location: Los Angeles | OK then, it seems like its a good thing I duck the Koa, maybe its more of a collector thing, but not a player's axe. Also happy to have made in usa... |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Welcome to the OFC fished, and enjoy your new guitar! :) |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Is there enough string to detune a fourth?
Yes.
You can leave a little extra slack in the string when you wind it, if you think you need the extra slack.
When you detune, how many times do you turn the tuning key from concert pitch?
What's the tuning ratio on your guitar?
5 half steps down is what you mean right? Shouldn't be a problem. |
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Does made in Korea hurt?