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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | Want an idea preamp? get a guitar for free.
e me for details
Thanks
al
alpepATlostartvintageDOTcom |
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June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Now you tell me!!......lol
AJ |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Great deal for somebody! |
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December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | just found out about it today |
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May 2008
Posts: 160
Location: Montana | Would anyone recommend an Idea for a kid's first guitar? |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Absolutely!
Then they could show you how to use it!
Seriously, yes. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by ScottMt:
Would anyone recommend an Idea for a kid's first guitar? Particularly. Kids just intuitively know how to fiddle with the Idea's electronic controller buttons. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Originally posted by ScottMt:
Would anyone recommend an Idea for a kid's first guitar? Sure would. Or second guitar, as it was for Max. It's not a great sounding guitar, but it plays pretty well, it's cool looking, plus it's got that whole indestructible Ovation thing going on. And of course the iDEA preamp is the cat's ass. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | My daughter, who is 23, didn't really like the looks of the guitar. Otherwise, I'd buy it for the preamp and give her the free guitar. |
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August 2009
Posts: 602
Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | Just buy it and give me the free guitar, Mark :D |
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March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | Something similar in the works with an "old" OFC friend already, Meuti. I don't know if I'll ever figure out how to use it. Sometimes I think my list of things I'm going to do when I retire is getting too long, especially when improving my golf game appears to be an impossible task. |
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August 2009
Posts: 602
Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | Wow, now that's really nice of you. Don't worry about the golfing. I heard you have to retire first to see an improvement. It won't work the other way around. And you could still try minigolf for a quick success ;) |
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March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | A win-win deal. I get a preamp cheap and someone else gets a guitar I didn't need cheap. |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 370
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | I received my CC54i today...
Here are a few thoughts for anyone thinking about buying one of these (in the form of a review, so as not to sound like an info-mercial)...
I will speak on the guitar itself, as there has been much written (here and elsewhere...) about the iDea pre-amp itself, and this has been for the most part, positive...
As to the guitar's build quality...
I was rather disappointed (and surprised...) to find a 'Made in China' sticker on the back of the headstock. In all of the reviews I had read of these, it was stated (inaccurately...) that they were made in Korea (along with the rest of the Celebrity line...). I know many of you wouldn't make a distinction between Korea and China, but from a strictly political viewpoint, they are worlds apart (one is our ally and the other an adversary, seen by many as an enemy, whether they are willing to admit it or not...). I won't belabor the point... if you aren't averse to buying something made in China, please read on...
I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of sustain the instrument provides as well as a general even-ness of tone. At first, the D string did seem a little bit 'deader' than the rest, but this seemed to wane somewhat, the more I played it.
The neck for the most part is comfortable (a little narrow for my tastes...), but no more than other Celebritys or lower-end Ovations and most people familiar with those would feel right at home with one in their hands.
The guitar itself is very light and I suspect that would put off some people who are used to a more 'chunky' feel. I however, found this very refreshing. It seems like a guitar you could wear for extended periods with far less fatigue than most other acoustics I have played.
The factory setup would be what I consider to be a 'medium' action. Possibly not as low as it could be, but comfortable to play and unlikely to give less seasoned players much trouble. The guitar comes set up with D'Addario strings and the tone is bright and responsive without any buzzing or fret 'weirdness'.
Aethetically, I really like this guitar a lot. I know that is strictly a personal opinion, but I am confident that people who are generally into clean lines and a modern, uncluttered look would find this guitar appealing.
To sum up...
For someone looking for a student guitar, a guitar for your kids to learn on, or just a guitar for everyday use (and somewhat 'disposable'...), this is a no brainer!!.
For this price, you are unlikely to find another instrument from a major maker that will give you anywhere near as much bang for your buck and (for what it's worth...), I would highly recommend it.
Thanks for your consideration. :D |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Great review, John.
Now head on over to \'idea for Dummies\' and let us know how ya do...  |
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March 2010
Posts: 370
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | After having played the iDea guitar for about three hours today, I came to the conclusion it really needs some type of 'snot blob' or stick-on pick guard thingy.
I, (like a lot of other players...) tend to play with my little finger braced on the top when picking and because the surface is so smooth it feels a bit awkward. I think some type of plastic pick-guard with three horizontal lines cut in it (mirroring the three sound holes...) would look quite nice as well. Anyone else have the same problem?
Might have to have one made. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Avatar4550 asks:
Anyone else have the same problem? I'm not positive John, but I think that you are the only member that owns a CC54i...
Alot of members have the iDea module, but I don't think too many have the guitar.
That is one reason that I read your review with such interest.
(I almost bought one of the Black ones... Then I sought counseling and bought the 1114 instead) |
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March 2010
Posts: 370
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | As I mentioned in the original thread about the iDea guitars... We bought two of them. One for knocking around the house and one to keep in the studio. The studio one is sort of a general purpose, 'go-off-into-a-corner-and-noodle' guitar.
A few people have played mine and they were all quite favourable. Even more so, when I told them what they cost. A guy that played it today compared the sound to a Larivee he played on the weekend. I can't see that myself, but I also haven't played a Larivee in 25 years... so who knows.
It definitely has something about it. It's so light, it's almost like picking up one of those 'Rock Star' game guitars... which is kind of cool.
I still haven't fiddled with the pre-amp yet, but am quite confident that will be everything people here have said it is.
All in all, a great guitar to sit on the deck and plink on.
BTW OMA, isn't an 1114 a 'real' guitar, lol. |
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March 2010
Posts: 370
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | Just back from a two-hour road test of the iDea pre-amp...
Once I memorized the functions, it was a piece of cake to use. Very easy!! Kids will love this thing!!
And what fun it is! My single most favourite thing about this guitar so far, is having the ability to play along with yourself. This alone is worth the price of the guitar. It's one thing to be sitting in the studio doing that (seems like work though, sometimes...), but to go sit in the park under a tree or on the deck and do the same thing... is awesome!!
Come up with a nice set of chords... PRESTO!! Turn on the play function and start working out melodies instantly.
Several musicians I know have mentioned not being able to remember song parts they have come up with when they haven't been recorded or written down.
The iDea guitar makes that super easy...
(OK, that does sound like an info-mercial :D ) |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
I think that you are the only member that owns a CC54i...
Not so.
The iDea preamp is cool. The guitar itself is just so-so, taking into account the list price, but it does have that Celebrity sound which is not bad. BTW, Ovation makes a LOT of guitars in China these days. The nice thing about the iDea guitar is that it has the aux jack.
I think Ovation made a mistake by not giving it the contour bowl ... if you're gonna go all hi-tech, go all the way.
I am a fan though. I like the way it looks and it is a great knockaround guitar. I'm glad I bought one from Al back when they first came out ... even if I did pay 2x what they are now. That's technology for you. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I stand corrected Bobbo...
It's just that nobody ever got around to giving a real review.
But I did notice that a few members had the module.
Originally posted by Avatar4550:
BTW OMA, isn't an 1114 a 'real' guitar, lol. Yes, Definitely... And it sounds awesome! |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I guess it depends on what you mean by real review. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I said I liked them when I first played one with Matt Smith at a clinic he held here in Denver.
I thought for the money they were a pretty decent guitar.
It appeared at the time that most OFC members did not share my opinion.
I did not need another low end guitar but I did buy one of the iDea preamps to drop in my Adamas. |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 370
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA | Nobody is ever going to try and sell you this guitar as a substitute for your Adamas... It is what it is.
That is the reason I tried to give it a fair and unbiused test drive. There is a fairly substantial group of people here, that read this forum regularly where a guitar like would suit them down to the ground.
A lot of places on the internet that do reviews of guitars are anything but unbiased, whether they purport to be that or not. I thought having a near to 'top of the range' Ovation, a sort of 'middle of the road' Ovation and now a 'cheap & cheerful' one would allow me look at it objectively...
I think the proof is in the pudding...
Ask Al how many he sells and that will tell you whether there is a market for these guitars or not. My bet is he will probably sell quite a few (and I hope he does!!).
:) |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | The guitar alone is worth a couple hundered bucks, and compared to other guitars in that price range it's prety good. Sorta like being the tallest midget in the circus. |
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December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by Avatar4550:
Just back from a two-hour road test of the iDea pre-amp...
Once I memorized the functions, it was a piece of cake to use. Very easy!! Kids will love this thing!!
And what fun it is! My single most favourite thing about this guitar so far, is having the ability to play along with yourself. This alone is worth the price of the guitar. It's one thing to be sitting in the studio doing that (seems like work though, sometimes...), but to go sit in the park under a tree or on the deck and do the same thing... is awesome!!
Come up with a nice set of chords... PRESTO!! Turn on the play function and start working out melodies instantly.
Several musicians I know have mentioned not being able to remember song parts they have come up with when they haven't been recorded or written down.
The iDea guitar makes that super easy...
(OK, that does sound like an info-mercial :D ) That's pretty much what I thought when I tried it the first time. I wish I had the scratch to get the pre-amp and drop into my Adamas.
I took your review a step further... I see someone else play a riff, and want to learn it. With an idea... just drop the thing into record and hand them the guitar "Could you play that riff for me on this guitar?" then take it home and at leisure figure it out. Same for coming up with lead riffs for someone elses tune. Just have them play it... Of course if you have a recording, I believe you can just play along with that too, and not need to set up in the studio to do it.
I don't really think the full potential of the "iDea" pre-amp has yet to be realized. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | I just copy mp3s onto it and have fun playing along with my favorite tunes. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | We'll soon see if any idiot can really use one. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | Ordered from Al on Tuesday morning and arrived on Saturday. That's lots faster than I expected. Still haven't had the chance to see if it's idiot proof, but the preamp will be along for the ride to the Black Hills, so maybe someone there will have to show me how to use it. |
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October 2005
Posts: 4044
Location: Utah | Somebody is bringing a 12 yr old to the Black Hills. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by FlySig:
Somebody is bringing a 12 yr old to the Black Hills. I don't think Toby's going to be there..... |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | Originally posted by FlySig:
Somebody is bringing a 12 yr old to the Black Hills. Good. Maybe he or she can teach me how to use both the iDEA and my GPS. |
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Joined:
May 2010
Posts: 46
Location: Michigan | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
Good. Maybe he or she can teach me how to use both the iDEA and my GPS. WOW, it has a built in GPS too!!?? |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | I hope not. I'm still looking for the on button. |
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FS idea guitar and preamp