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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Trader Jim brough this up in the Koa-09 thread. Says that guitar "could be the ultimate center hole Ovation". Got me thinking, just what IS the ultimate center hole Ovation ...
Certainly no one single answer, and depends on how you skew the question. Looks? Tough to beat a Custom Legend. Sound? FD14 definately stands out. The whole package? Maybe the K1111 reissue.
This is a tough one. Some various contenders in my opinion, not necessarily in order ...
1. X braced deep shiny bowls: my GC model #7 and the K1111 reissue continue to astound me and they have that classic Ovation look
2. FD14. 'Nuf said. Still to my opinion the best sounding wood topped guitar Ovation has ever built and by a wide margin.
3. 2004 CL Reissue. I can't believe I've never owned one of these, but the half dozen or so that I've played were very nice and the looks are just beautiful.
4. A braced legends and custom legends, special kudos to the JL3. That is one honking guitar and pretty as could be.
5. GC Reissue A brace. This one is a bit of a sleeper, being an Artist Bowl. But jeez louieze I love the sound and of course the classic looks (especially mine).
There's probably a bunch more - 82 Collector, 10th Anniversary, 09 Collector, Josh White, etc.
What do you think ??? |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | There isn't a best, they are all good.
The 97 Collector should at be on the list, though mine is still in Austin! :( |
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Posts: 1486
Location: Cincinnati | I've only played 2, the FD14 and the 1719 30CM.
1. FD14 for it's great sound and simple elegance.
2. 1719 30CM is a hard to beat combination of great sound and bling. |
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Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Everybody here knows that I'm a huge fan of A braced, deep bowl Ovations. But I also own an X braced late 60's Glen Campbell Deluxe Balladeer and used to own an X braced late 60's Deluxe Balladeer. Both great guitars. And I've played Toby's K1111 reissue and it's wonderful.
And I have an FD14 which is wonderful. Hard question. I guess for overall playability, I'd go with an deep bowl A braced guitar (many of the ones Toby listed are the same guitar but with different features, ie, the 30th CL is the same as the Lennon, just fancier and different electronics), with old X braced 60's guitars coming in a close second.
I don't have enough experience with the new LX models to judge them.... |
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Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Here are my choices:
'81 1158-1 Custom Legend 12 Fret 12 String
'77 1615-1 Pacemaker 12 String
And for a Six string:
1976 1776 Bicentenial
Of course, the '82 Collectors is fine as well:
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | I'll put in another vote for either the 1719-30CM or the 1776. I don't know if it's something about that dark nutmeg stain they used, but the sound of that guitar is phenomenal.
As far as the ultimate, the 30CM is probably my first vote. |
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Location: Indiana | I'm a little partial to this one.
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Maybe a 1769 for the bling and electronics? |
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| Gotta go with Moody on this - A-braced deep bowl Legend - CL if ya like da bling. |
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Location: south east Michigan | I was waiting for someone else to mention the AD-II because it seems I'm the one always mentioning the AD-II.
So if no one else will mention the AD-II... I will.
The AD-II |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I just though that I should mention my K1111...
But my old-timey 1121 was sooo nice for a little artist bowl. It had a unique voice. |
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Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Jonmark Stone:
I'm a little partial to this one.
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Location: SoCal | All the 6 strings mentioned here (with the exception of JM's) are essentially, deep bowl A braced Legends, with varying amounts of bling and trim.
Anybody here partial to the new LX X braced guitars?
JM, if your custom CL is a mid depth bowl, then it should sound a lot like my GC RI and Toby's custom GC RI.
And Brad, I love DiMeola's, but again, it's basically a deep bowl A braced Legend (but a really great one)..... |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I would sure put up my CL without hesitation, but I would also like to get my hands on that '09, as I think it may give them all a run for the money. |
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Location: Indiana | Yeah moody, Mid depth, A braced. It's very warm and balanced but not a boomer. Smaller voice but a really nice flavor.
I've only played one LX and it was a noisy surrounding. I remember thinking it sounded more like a Balladeer. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | 30th CM is a definite contender, along with the Josh reissue, and the Balladeer. Of course there's the FD, and any A braced Legend, then there's the 97 collector..... etc. I still like the looks of that one Al has. Koa has a special place in my heart. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I only heard the 09C in a noisy trade show hall so couldn't really tell how it sounded. Sure is pretty, but for $1000. less I still think the Lost Art Koa Special is a better looking guitar. |
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Location: PDX | '05 Collector deserves a mention.
_____
gh1 |
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Location: SoCal | I have had six of the CL 1719-30CM (now, just two)...every one perfect. |
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Posts: 793
Location: Texas | I have played Ovations for over 30 years and have owned almost every model and my favorites are the "Artist" series, for many reasons.
1627 "Glen Campbell Artist"
1621 "Artist"
1624 "Country Artist"
And these are the only 3 models I still own.
:cool: |
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Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | My CL 1619 1982 model is one of the best guitars ever made. The neck and intonation are perfect. This guitar truly sounds like a classic Martin, and plays like a Strat. The electronics are dated, like Fender tube amps. |
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Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | My CL 1619 1982 model is one of the best guitars ever made. The neck and intonation are perfect. This guitar truly sounds like a classic Martin, and plays like a Strat. The electronics are dated, like Fender tube amps. ...
You should hear what it sounds like with the OP Pro Studio! |
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Location: Gig Harbor, Washington | Though I've had a couple CL's over the years - the FD is still my Top Dog (though I appreciate the vote Sergio offered on the Artists!)... |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Originally posted by gh1:
'05 Collector deserves a mention. Deserves a lot more than a mention. As far as I'm concerned, there's your winner right there. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Well, we've named about every center hole model there is.
Tastes come and go. Now-a-days we seem to be on a burst finish kick. Many of the models mentioned only differ in the amount of bling.
If I had to choose, I'd to go with the one model that has recieved consistant praise over the years dispite any current fad.
Ladies & Gentleman... may I present...
The FD-14. |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | Originally posted by gh1:
'05 Collector deserves a mention.
_____
gh1 +1 |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Now you know why ovation doesn't just make one model. I guess it's like dogs. Everybody thinks theirs is the cutest, no matter what kind it is. |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | Woof! |
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Location: Nashville TN. | I really happy with my black 1719
I love how warm it sounds with silk & steel |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Now you know why ovation doesn't just make one model. I guess it's like dogs. Everybody thinks theirs is the cutest, no matter what kind it is. And ya gotta love it!
:D :cool: |
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Posts: 847
Location: Munich, Germany | 1651-7 Ltd. Reissue aka JL3
All the good innovations (neck, lighter bowl) combined with a good soundboard and the best bracing Ovation ever offered (for center holes). The same guitar with scalloped-X wouldn't do it, but this combination makes this the best sounding wood top Tupperware I have ever heard.
Best regards,
Kurt |
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Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | I agree with that combination --- ie, deep bowl and A braced. But I'd also include, hand laid cloth bowl, bone saddle and nut, the best wood possible for the top, and no electronics to get in the way or make the guitar heavier......
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Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Jonmark Stone:
Yeah moody, Mid depth, A braced. It's very warm and balanced but not a boomer. Smaller voice but a really nice flavor.
That's exactly how I think of my GC RI. Warm, balanced, great tone, but if I'm going to be playing an acoustic jam with a lot of Martins, it's not the guitar to bring... |
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Location: Munich, Germany | Moody, the custom way's always the best.
Yours, especially without the electronics, would be my first choice as well!
Great guitar!
Kurt |
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Location: SoCal | Karl did the exact same configuration with one of his guitar, but did it in a sunburst. |
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Location: Indiana | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
but if I'm going to be playing an acoustic jam with a lot of Martins, it's not the guitar to bring... That's what my Adamas is for. It's gotta big mouth.
There sure are some pretty guitars in this thread... |
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Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Jonmark Stone:
Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
but if I'm going to be playing an acoustic jam with a lot of Martins, it's not the guitar to bring... That's what my Adamas is for. It's gotta big mouth.
There sure are some pretty guitars in this thread... |
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Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I bought my 1651 Ltd new and played it exclusively for the next 20 years, so it has thousands of hours of play time, and it plays and sounds like only a guitar with so many hours on it can. Nonetheless, if I could have perfection, it would have a cutaway, an AD boost switch, and some abalone purfling. |
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Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | I was watching a recording of the Chris Isaak Show the other day with Glen Campbell on it. They had acoustic guitars that they played while they talked in the interveiw and I realized that Campbell, for about the last 15 years that I can remember, has been playing, when he's just playing straight acoustic on any show in an unplugged setting, an old black Custom Legend, with a stacked volume/tone preamp. I'm guessing it's a late 70's to early 80's guitar.
So I guess he's making his statement as to what acoustic Ovation is the best in his opinion...... |
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Posts: 335
Location: Reisterstown, Maryland | Originally posted by Country Artist:
I have played Ovations for over 30 years and have owned almost every model and my favorites are the "Artist" series, for many reasons.
1627 "Glen Campbell Artist"
1621 "Artist"
1624 "Country Artist"
And these are the only 3 models I still own.
:cool: And your name is CountryArtist, see how that all fits together. See how smart I is?
BTW guys, I can't seem to find a Model # FD14, is this an O?
Anita |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | This is a Folklore Deluxe... FD14
 
Courtesy of Dave. |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | And yes ... THAT could very well be the ultimate center hole Ovation. |
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Posts: 194
Location: Huntington Beach | 1617 with VT8 bracing. The A bracing on the same guitar sounds "thuddy" and boxy. VT8 is more balanced and open. But it looks like I'm in the minority here. |
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Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by 1617:
1617 with VT8 bracing. The A bracing on the same guitar sounds "thuddy" and boxy. VT8 is more balanced and open. But it looks like I'm in the minority here. 1617, one of the great things about this board is that there are as many opinions on what the perfect sound is as there are members, and they are all correct. I may not agree with you, but my opinion shouldn't mean squat to your ears..... |
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Posts: 335
Location: Reisterstown, Maryland | Thank you OMA, what a gorgous O.
I'm drooling again, I think I may have to change my online name.......
Anita |
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Posts: 27
Location: southeast michigan | I love my model 1869 custom legend ssb! |
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June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | While I own several fantastic Adamas guitars, until recently I did not own a centre hole Ovation.
I was lucky enough to stumble on to a mint 1651 John Lennon reissue here in Oz.
What a fantastic guitar as has been lauded in a previous post.
There was a nice Pacemaker 12st for sale here recently and didn't need a 12.
I know it would have been a killer.
So I'm a "keepin me eye out"
Custom Legend, GC ?????????
AJ |
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November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | For me personally I am overwhelmed by the sound out of my K1115. Even with poof strings. I can't help but wonder how nice the 1680 would be. It seems like the perfect match of everything in a guitar, alas perfect except for the price :) . |
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Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Lots of opinions here, and lots of beautiful guitars, but I don't think there is any way to pick a "best model". I say that because when I was inspecting guitars in Moosup, I had played thousands of Legends, and although they all sounded good, only two of them stand out as "the best I ever heard". The first one was a natural that just had more depth and volume than any other O I had come across. I put it aside on my workbench for a while 'til I could afford to buy it. Well, for many reasons at the time, I COULDN'T afford it, so my buddy Glenn at the next workbench bought it instead. The second one to catch my attention was the black one I have talked about so many times here. (Pictures on the ning site.)
So what I'm saying is, while all ovations have a great sound, and the fiberglass bowl is consistant, the top is made of wood, and there can be a HUGE difference in sound between consecutive serial numbers.
Now that I have that 2077LX, I can tell you that I compared it to my old Legend. TOTALLY different sound. And I honestly couldn't tell you which I like better. One is deep and rich, the other bright and clear. So what'll I do? Keep them both, play them both, and love them both! |
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Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | This may be one of the most interesting posts of the year. People talk about how consistant all Ovations are, and here's somebody who's probably played more of them than anybody here, who says no they are not. The wood and the top is THAT important.
I find that very interesting and I'm surprised that nobody else here has commented on it.
And I agree..... |
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Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | I always seem to enjoy the one I'm playing at the time.
Hopefully others do too. :D |
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What Is The Ultimate Centre Hole Ovation ?