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Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Hi,
OK so I have 2 shallow bowls (S868 and 84 Collectors) and a mid bowl (the 6778LX).
Now interested in a deep bowl. So any thoughts?
I wonder as the 84 is often said to be the best shallow bowl Ovation made I wonder is there a similar collector that is a great deep bowl else I look at getting a 2778... |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | 1537 |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Thats very handy as you have one possibly have one up for grabs! Is that a happy coincidence? |
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Location: south east Michigan | The Al Dimeloa model is currently the only production deep bowl model.
I really like mine. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | I ought to point out the budget is low :-) |
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Location: south east Michigan | Then keep an eye on e-bay on the OFC For Sale section.
I'm sure one will turn up before long. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | The 1537 certainly gets a great review on Harmony Central, never have I seen so many 10 scores across the board! |
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Location: south east Michigan | The 1537 is special.
And ones in good condition are not going cheap compared to other models of that vintage. |
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April 2008
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Think a 1537 would be more suited to me as opposed to a 2778 as I just love the lived in feel of old Os.
I'm in no rush so will hold out for a 1537... |
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Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | If I had to choose between selling my 1537 and my 87C, I'd probably sell my car...saves on one type of GAS anyway. :rolleyes:
BTW, I personally think the 2001 Collector's is the best sounding mid-depth. Just food for thought. :p ;) |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Ah so how does the 84c compare to the 1537 |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | The 1537 doesn't really compare to anything. An 87 is probably the best deep bowl collector. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | If you get a deep bowl Ovation I suggest a non-cutaway model. I think they sound fuller.
There are many low-cost deep bowl models that are available on eBay. The best is an old 1619 or 1719 Custom Legend. Personally I like the 1619's better because they have the old truss rod neck which I find more comfortable. Moving down the line there's the 1617 and 1717 Legends. All 1619's and 1717's have A bracing, but only the later 1617's did, so you have to be carefull with the 1617's. On a round hole deep bowl Ovation you want A bracing. There's also the 1719 Custom Legend but they are rare and usually higher in price. These Legend models all have pick-ups and pre-amps. The acoustic only models are the 1119 and 1117.
In the Elite line there's the 1718 which is a lower cost alternative to the 1537. These are very nice guitars.
Probably though the best value in deep bowl Ovations are the Custom Balladeer 1612's. These have the original modified X bracing pattern which many folks here love along with the original 6 element pick-up, FET pre-amp and a volume control. I've seen many Custom Blladeer 1612's sell for around $350 on eBay, some of which were in excellent condition with an original case. The no pick-up models are the 1112's but I haven't seen many of these around. |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | For immediate GAS relief try:
1612 for $200 w/no bids yet, ends today |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | I like the neck on the 84C over the 6778LX.
Praps should have mentioned I don't want a round hole...
I think I have ruled out the 2778 even though they are bargains at £300 or so.
SO it still looks like a 87C or 1537. |
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Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Originally posted by dweezil:
Praps should have mentioned I don't want a round hole...
Why? A Custom Legend 1619 will be a whole lot less than either an 87C or 1537 and are IMHO some of the best O's ever made. I own both a 1619 and 1537 and although I love them both, I prefer the 1619. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Just prefer the look.... |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by dweezil:
Ah so how does the 84c compare to the 1537 Hmmm, haven't been asked that one before.
Personal opinion?
The 84C is more subtle and woody with greater distinction note-to-note. I imagine all of these characteristics are at least partly due to the SSB configuration.
The 1537 is a well-refined boomer. Exceedingly well-balanced tone that simply cannot be over-strummed. Even finger-picked, the sound leaps from the instrument. I've learned not to play the 1537 (or the 87C) in my office because the sound literally bounces off the walls in such a small space.
They are both fantastic guitars. In ideal circumstances, use the 84C for amplified events and use the 1537 whenever you need to cut through (or absolutely bury!) the acoustic mix.
That being said, they both more than hold their own in any venue.
FWIW, I started a thread a while back comparing the 1537, the 87C, and the 01C side-by-side. I had way more time to kill than I do at the moment, so the review is a little more thoughtful (sarcastic, whatever). Here's the link:
Self-righteous, opinionated, know-it-all shoots his mouth off in an anonymous web forum.  |
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Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | I play fingerstyle and unlikely to use amplified other than to record. Cutting through other instruments is not an issue.
Just want lovely woddy tone... |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | In my opinion the best fingerstyle Ovation is the Folklore, but it has a center soundhole. The best Ovation for "woody" tone is probably the 1537. |
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May 2006
Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
In my opinion the best fingerstyle Ovation is the Folklore, but it has a center soundhole. The best Ovation for "woody" tone is probably the 1537. Can't argue with that. |
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Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | dweezil,
PM sent |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Yikes well it seems that a 1537 is not only going to be very hard to come by but it big $
So perhaps I compromise and look for 87C or even the 2778 LX (at £300 ish surely it's a good compromise for the money). |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | The price of an 87C should be comparable to a 1537. Maybe your standards are a little too high. I think all the LX models are mid-bowls, which, to me, give up some of that rumble that I'd associate with a dreadnaught or larger woodbacked guitar. Do some checking on 1718s, which I think is the model number for deepbowl Elites. You might be able to get a used one of those within your budget and they don't have the bling of the 87C or the collecibility of a 1537, hence the lower price. |
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Location: Jet City | My 6774 Folklore would fit the bill nicely for your style, but it's a mid-bowl.
PLus I'm just teetering on the idea of selling it, not for sure yet. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I guess if I was not looking to pay a lot, and was more interested in tone than looks and collectible value, I would try and find an 80's model that has been played a lot over the years but still well cared for. Some of the standard Legends and Balladeers fit this definition. The more they've been played, the better their tone. |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Contact Bobbo about his blue 82 Collector. It used to be mine. She's got some stage scars but sings like there's no tomorrow. Seriously, it's a great sounding guitar and unless Bob is being a total profit whore (which I know he's not) it should not cost you much.
Dave |
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Posts: 1486
Location: Cincinnati | Try a 1718 Elite if you don't want a center hole. Fantastic sound and less expensive than the 1537. Someone else here can help you with the best years if you decide to get one. |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | As far as I know, all 1718 Elites have the same specs. No one year is better than another.
Dave's advice on an '82C is right on the mark. That guitar is the same in construction as the 1619, my personal favorite O. Very unique in appearance also. The only reason I don't own one is that I bought the 1619 first. |
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Location: Cincinnati | As far as I know, all 1718 Elites have the same specs. No one year is better than another.
I wasn't sure because the Ovation website shows the 1718 as both a current and a discontinued model with slightly different specs. I didn't know if there was any significant difference. |
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Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Standard production on 1718 Elites was from 1986 to 1996. All of these have the same specs. New ones would have to be special ordered ($$$$) and can be customized to the buyer's preferences. |
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Location: Cincinnati | Thanks for clearing that up for me. |
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March 2008
Posts: 354
Location: nashville | I would play any deep bowl I could find the older the better. My 1111 has a nice rumble. Great for my John Hiatt covers. Paid $225 for w/case Has 1 very thin short finish crack, and 2 little dings. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Thanks for all you input.
I plan to sit back and enjoy my three Os, now some might say three Os is two too many but they really do all have their own unique feel / tone and would be sad to part with any of them.
As I have added a LX and 84C in the last week I think perhaps I ought to hold back buying a deep bowl at the mo and get to playing... |
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Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by dweezil:
some might say three Os is two too many...
Heh, not in this club! :rolleyes: |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Look at it like this Ovations make up 30% of my collection so it's a good representation for the moment ;-) |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | So what is the going rate for a decent 1537? |
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Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | $900 if you get your rear in gear and buy that one. |
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Recommend a deep bowl