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Location: jacksonville, fl | we all know that O's have a killer plugged in sound....but I was wondering which model sounds the best unplugged...? I'm looking for a full deep balanced tone that will rival an all wood box....what are your thoughts? |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Folkore Deluxe 14
Elite 1537
1987 Collectors
Adamas 1581 or u681t ....
Custom Legend LX
2005 collectors
CL30 |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | FD14. Of the wood topped ovations, this one is the standard bearer. Dave |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I haven't played everything on Jeff's list, but played Dave's FD and Ute recently. I don't know if "rival" is the right word. The FD has a cedar top and a softer tone than my Folklore, which has a more "traditional" Ovation tone. The 1537 has a more mellow tone, perhaps more like a wood box. The Ute was unlike anything else, but it was also the first Adamas I've ever played. Dave also has 2 great Martins. They are all great guitars and all different from each other. I couldn't say that any one rivalled the other, although at any given minute I could prefer any one of them. |
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Location: SoCal | I own the first 3 on Jeff's list (obviously a man of great taste in guitars). Any of those three would do the trick (assuming that you could find one). I've played my 1537 against some pretty great and expensive box guitars and never felt outgunned.
But the new LX's, especially those with the contour bowl would put you in good standing as well.
One thing to keep in mind tho' --- many of the wood box guitars that's you'll play against, cost 2-3 times what these Ovations cost. The fact that they compete at all is pretty remarkable. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | I'm still hoping one day to play (and own) the legendary FD14 which seems to get the most votes when this comes up.
The nicest O I've ever played is my Elite 1537. It would take several large men with sharp implements to pry it from my hands. |
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Location: south east Michigan | mine |
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Location: Chicago | My personal favorites are the very early Balladeers and Legends (circa 1970) with no electronics inside.
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dobro/v
"sub fives are good with jalapeno and some mayo" |
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Location: East Tennessee | The best sounding Ovation.
You will find almost as many opinions as there are members.
:)
I like my 1758 12 string Elite but I also like my 12 string pacemaker.
The 97 Collectors is also pretty good.
I've never played an Adamas but from what I've read for other members, they are awesome.
I must sound like the politican who when asked what his favorite color was, answered plaid. :D |
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Location: Australia | Many non "O" players tend to lump them in together as a "one sound" guitar.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
An Adamas sounds distinctly different from a Legend - sounds different to an LX Legend
...etc...etc
For me, my texture top Adamas is the best I've owned but I recently played an Al Di Meola which sounded absolutely wonderful unplugged. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Maybe the best way to get that wooden box sound is to use the real thing... ok shoot me, but that's just my opinion. What I mean is, why would you buy an Ovation if your goal was to sound like a Martin? Am I missing something? Put it another way, which model of Strat should I buy that would give me that fat sustained Les Paul sound? Duh, maybe just buy the Les Paul? My advice is to buy an Ovation for all the good reasons that make it an Ovation (and there are plenty). If you buy it because you want it to be somethiing else, you'll probably be disappointed. Dave |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Rick, the guitars that Jeff listed are all great but in most cases also difficult to acquire.
The 1581 and u681t are Adamas and terrific. I would also add the 1681 to that group.
The '05 collectors is also a very nice guitar that can be had for a very reasonable price. I don't like it as much as the Adamas listed above but it is a very nice guitar nonetheless.
Any of the Adamas will set you back probably $1200+ for ones in excellent condition.
The '05 collectors pop up with regularity in the $850-900 range. |
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Location: SoCal | Witko's right and hit the nail squarely with his head. If you want a box guitar sound, get a box guitar. When I talked about playing my 1537 against a number of box guitars and looking good, it doesn't mean that it sounded like a box guitar... it just meant that the quality of the sound was so good so as to compare. But it still didn't sound like a box guitar. And I wouldn't sell it for one. |
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Location: Central Florida | I've been a faithful -- and I mean faithful -- Ovation player since 1971, and up until recently I thought I'd played the best (and the worst) of them. I've owned some pretty amazing sounding O's in my time, but by hanging around this forum, I become painfully more and more aware that due to my southpawed inclinations I've missed out on what the consensus always considers to be the creme de la creme of Ovation guitars.
I've probably owned somewhere in the vacinity of 75-80 different O's over the last 36 years, but not once have I had the pleasure of touching my fingers to the strings of an Adamas, or an Elite 1537, or an FD14, or a Collector's Series (of any year). I have owned a '68 Deluxe Balladeer, a 1651 Legend Ltd (now known as the "John Lennon" model) and several Legends and Custom Legends -- all of which I thought were the bomb in terms of tone. But apparently, I've been merely hawking around the minor leagues all these years, or so it would seem, to hear some folks tell it.
I have had the pleasure of discovering some pretty incredible sounding acoustic guitars in the last year or so, but I've had to step outside the Ovation family to do so. BTW, it's going on three years now and STILL no lefty LX's! :rolleyes:
I'm in total agreement with Dave (Standing O), in that an Ovation is best judged by how distinctly "Ovation-like" it sounds. I recently posted in another thread about my friends Elite-T, and how damned good it sounds, even when compared to my beloved '81 Custom Legend. The reason his guitar sounds so good to me is because it possesses all the classic tonal elements that made me fall in love with the "round sound" all those years ago: big, full-bodied tone with lots of ring in the upper ranges and plenty of balance and distinction of individual notes all the way up the fretboard.
I honestly can't tell you whether my buddy's Elite-T or my Custom Legend sound as good, or better, or worse than any of the "holy grail" Ovations that seem to garner all the praise around here. But I know when a guitar sounds good and when it doesn't, and any of the models I've mentioned in this quasi-rant I would nominate for inclusion into the "Ovation Hall of Fame" for best sounding Ovation(s). |
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Location: Gig Harbor, Washington | Well, I'm votin' with Dave (and I too have owned dozens & dozens over the last 30+)...
I stole my FD14 from a fellow member over Labor day weekend in 2003, and have enjoyed more unsolicited complements from all who've heard or played it than all others combined!
I recently added an '82 Custom Legend 12 (which is practically itentical: slot-head, deep-bowl, twelth fret, 1 & 7/8's neck, etc.)...the fundamental difference is abalone rather than tortoise, and of course, an extra handful of strings...I'd rate it the very best 12, having owned well over a dozen of those O's...
So, consider me a very bless and satisfied snob in the deep-bowl, 12 fret slot-head school...
Did I mention I love my custom NOS Preacher DeLuxe, and wouldn't trade it for ANY other solid body active rival!?! :cool: |
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Location: East Tennessee | Dave is right.
I also have a Martin 12-20. It is a 12 fret slothead 12 string.
Sounds very different than my Ovation 12 strings. Not necessarily better, just different. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Sing to the tune of "Charlie Brown, He's A Clown ..." by The Coasters, you know - the guy with the deep bass voice.
WHY'S EVERYBODY ALWAYS 'GREEING WITH ME ???
Actually, it's taken 4.5 years but I guess my mission is finally paying off. Like I always say - just do as I do and do as I say, follow my advice, and don't waste any effort on opinions of your own. The world will be a better place for all of us.
Dave |
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Location: East Tennessee | Dave,
You're up early. :D |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Originally posted by Standingovation:
Actually, it's taken 4.5 years but I guess my mission is finally paying off. Like I always say - just do as I do and do as I say, follow my advice, and don't waste any effort on opinions of your own. The world will be a better place for all of us.
Dave I knew it. He's a Pod from Ukuzoid. |
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Location: Cicero, NY | You could almost say Dave's the original iPod. |
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| spelt egoPod.
:p |
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Location: Chicago | I would add that there is NOTHING as dark and beautiful as the tone of an Ovation that has been played hard for some thirty years. Off-the-shelf anything just does not compare! I absolutely LOVE my brand new Al DiMeola signature, but acoustically it doesn't come close in richness or volume to my early 70s Legend.
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dobro/v
"put the metal to the pedal tones" |
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Location: south east Michigan | Greg,
As of now I have an early 70's, non-electric Balladeer and the new DiMeola model. I know just what you're saying.
Except...I would not discount the DiMeola as much. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Lets see if the photos are back on line.  |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by schroeder:
spelt egoPod. :p SPELT ??? I don't think that's a word in the English language. Maybe on some islands or something. I checked the dictionary. Spelunker... sperm... sphincter. NO SPELT.
Dave |
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Location: closely held secret | Oooo. He's got you there, Schroed.
Word cop hauled off for egregious error. "But it is spelt that way!", claimed the Brit. "You Americans don't know how to talk proper English, you stonkers!" |
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Location: south east Michigan | BrianT gets on me all the time about how my next guitar just has to be a wooden box model. Although I test drive many Martins, Taylors, and whatever I can get my hands on, I have not found any that I would want to bring home.
Call me close-minded if you must. And excuse me for waxing philosophic. But in this fast-paced, unlimitied choice, hyped up sales pitch world, I find comfort in having a few constants in my life.
*
One wife (a combination of effort and luck)
Chevy trucks
Ski downhill only
Ovation guitars
*
So much can change on the whims of fortune, misfortune, or fate. Please forgive my few futile attempts to impose some type of order in my little corner of a chaotic world. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Brad: a.k.a Slipkid...Thread-killer extrodinare!
Sorry about the above post. It seemed to be on topic at the time. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | ... " I would add that there is NOTHING as dark and beautiful as the tone of an Ovation that has been played hard for some thirty years" ...
I also agree with this statement. I have decided that I will never purchase another "new" guitar. I'm just getting too old to wait for it to season. I CAN tell those of you who have newer guitars, that a good luthier friend of mine said he has heard of individuals placing their guitars on stands, in front of speakers. He says the repeated vibration simulates playing for a long time, and swears it helps break in a new guitar. There's obviously nothing like actually playing one for 30 years, but the idea sounds good to me. The TREASURE is in the old ones. |
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| "spell, spelled, spelt. Read (words,writing, a book, etc.,) letter by letter; peruse or make out slowly or with difficulty."
The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary.
I rest my case Your Honour.
(although I will admit that even as I wrote it I wasn't sure. I just couldn't be bothered to check.)
(And it was meant as a joke not an insult). |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Sure. The Oxford Dictionary. Shoulda known't. |
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Location: Spain | Come on Schroed you don,t have to justify your use of the language they can,t spell colour!!!! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I put my faith in the Webster Dictionary of the American Language. Period. I don't trust books named after shoes and neither should you. Spelt, indeed !!!
Regards,
Dave the Uni-Pod |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Those guys in England don't speak English anyway. Since when does "honor" have a U in it? They try to add letters where they don't need them and take them out of words like "spelled."
My Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, does have "spelt" in it though. |
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Location: Yucaipa, California | ...now, now... he can't help it if he was hungry when he posted:
Spelt
btw, howz come nobody has mentioned the 2001 Collector's Redwoods in this "Best Sounding" list..??? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | btw, howz come nobody has mentioned the 2001 Collector's Redwoods in this "Best Sounding" list..??? because we don't own one ;) |
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Location: Yucaipa, California | ...I do....
...neener, neener, neener! :D :D :D |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
My Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, does have "spelt" in it though. Well I'll be fuckt. Guess I need to appologize to my dear brit friend. And buy a new dictionary. Who would have guesst it that the same folks who invented the dictionary were the guys who showed up for a war wearing red jackets. Cheers, Dave |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | It's probably not in the new ones. Mine is from the late 60s or early 70s. |
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| Apppollllojee not necessary - although it is in the dictionary it does say "archaic" alongside it. But there again so am I.
The red coats were a symbol of what it means to be British. Brave but really, really stupid. (Although personally I'm not brave.) |
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Location: Chicago | SPEAKING OF the 1117s:
I see these early 70s gems turning up both as Balladeers and Legends; When exactly did the changeover occur? Is there some ambiguity? Did they ever co-exist?
One of you OFC experts please divert some of your frustrated orthographic scholarly energy to answer this queschun.
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dobro/v
"The Phrygian lives in mortal fear of Harmonic Minor mode #5: I've seen it and it's ugly!" |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | In about 1969/70 the Standard Balladeer turned into the Balladeer. Difference is bowl texture, bracing, stuck on rosette, winged bridge and shallower peghead angle. About 1971 the Kluson tuners were replaced with Grovers and the winged bridge was replaced with the current shape bridge.
Also about 1969 the Deluxe Balladeer was discontinued.
Also about 1970 the Glen Campbell Deluxe Balladeer turned into the Legend. Difference is bowl texture, bracing, peghead angle, stuck on rosette, and current shaped bridge.
In 1971 the Legend was introduced in a shallower bowl version with different bracing called the Glen Campbell Artist Balladeer.
In 1972/73 a Custom Balladeer was introduced which was basically a Legend neck with chrome hardware stuck on a Balladeer body.
I can't understand why you would be confused.
Dave |
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Location: Scotland | It's kinda like this:- The Legend evolved from the Deluxe Balladeer. The Deluxe Balladeer was the original model 1117. Sometime around 1970-ish the Deluxe Balladeer aquired a slighlty busier fingerboard inlay pattern and fingerboard binding and was eventually renamed Legend. A little later a model was introduced to replace the Deluxe Balladeer which kinda sat between the Balladeer and Legend. This was the Custom Balladeer. It wasn't particularly "Custom" the only differences being the dots and diamonds fingerboard inlay, better quality tuning machines and unlike the 1111, available with a pickup. The Custom Balladeer Model no's were 1112 and 1612.
As Dave said the Glen Campbell Deluxe Balladeer was also involved and adds to the confusion. The only real difference between the Deluxe Balladeer and the later GC Deluxe Balladeer, apart from minor cosmetic/decorative details, is bowl depth, although the early GC DB's were deep bowl. The GC DB evolved into the 1127/1627 Glen Cambpell Artist Models, which were in every respect except bracing pattern the Legend with an Artist depth bowl. Legend bracing was VT11, GC was VT8. I guess that's about as clear as mud.
To anyone who is not anally-retentive, especially on ebay, the terms Custom Balladeer, Deluxe Balladeer and Legend seem to be pretty much interchangeable. |
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Location: Chicago | Wow, that's an interesting genealogy! I would imagine that, in terms of acoustic sound, it is hard to differentiate between the deep-bowl Balladeers and Legends.
When I finally converted to Ovation in the early 70s I simply had never heard a sexier acoustic sound. Al D. and John M. had brought an acoustic guitar into the high-energy cosmos and I have ever since been a fanatical devotee. My only reservation at the time was the plugged in sound. Better than anything comparable but still not 100%. I noticed that most studio work was still condenser mic. What is the story of the evolution of pickup and pream in this period ('69 - '74)?
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DOBRO/v
"Dom. 7th slain by Mel. Minor Mode 7" |
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Location: Hicksville, NY | With regrads to getting a good unplugged acoustic sound with Ovation guitars, I believe that you can't go wrong with a deep-bowl model. I tend to like the crisp sounds coming from the deep bowl legends, and the Al DiMeola signature models.
Just my opinion ... and hoping to own one someday ... |
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Location: Scotland | Originally posted by gregory dobrov:
What is the story of the evolution of pickup and pream in this period ('69 - '74)?
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DOBRO/v
"Dom. 7th slain by Mel. Minor Mode 7" According to legend (pardon the pun) Jerry Reed was using a Baldwin electro classic with a basic onboard preamp & fairly primitive saddle P/u (called a Prismatone, still famously used by Willie Nelson on his Martin classic) Jerry Reed & Glen Campbell were on a TV show together and Glen borrowed Reed’s Baldwin. Ovation's were acoustic-only at this time. Ovation freaked when their main endorser showed up on TV without an Ovation Guitar. Initially they acquired Baldwin P/u's and preamps and installed them into some Ovations so they’d have an electro model. Jim Rickard reckoned he could make a much better job of it, and of course he did. The rest is history. As far as I’m concerned the original Ovation Pickup that Rickard designed in the early 70’s has yet to be bettered, and the simple Fet3 pre-amp while it lacks the bells and whistles of the laterst pre's, still holds it's own soundwise 30-odd years on.
As for the difference in sound between Balladeers and Legends. Balladeers from the 60’s and 70’s were X braced while the Legends had the VT bracing. IMHO VT bracing stinks, and a lot of 1111’s kill 1117’s |
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Location: Chicago | "As for the difference in sound between Balladeers and Legends. Balladeers from the 60’s and 70’s were X braced while the Legends had the VT bracing. IMHO VT bracing stinks, and a lot of 1111’s kill 1117’s"
This is getting to the heart of a distinction I have heard made over the years. Thus, if I like the "69 - 73" acoustic sound (and I DO!!) I'd be better off looking for a 1111, i.e., a Balladeer of some sort. Any special one?
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dobro/v
"where some have found their paradise,
others just come to harmonics" |
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best sounding o