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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Hi, I've only been playing guitar for a few months now, since November. I've been using a fender squier strat but I would like to get an acoustic, I listen to a lot of neil young, nirvana, radiohead, eagles, bob dylan (have started to learn blowin in the wind).. I saw Damon's Ohio video posted in the video section and was blown away by the sound, after reading the boards for a good five hours and having looked at Damons photo albums I realize he used a Adamas and thats probably part of the reason it sounds amazing. I don't have the kind of money to buy an Adamas and probably won't for a long time, however a friend of his recommended I check out the CC44, I did a search for it on here and it looks like you guys might not like that particular one. A search on my semi-local craigslist found a (discontinued) model CS257 Celebrity Deluxe with OP-24+ preamp for $400, is either better than the other? I dont have many shops in my area, I have a guitar center and http://www.kennellykeysmusic.com stores within reasonable distance, as well as this shop: http://www.mojomusicdiscount.com/
Unfortunately I have to stay under $500, I did some free lance computer work and got some extra cash otherwise I wouldn't be getting another guitar at all. I'm kind of hesitant to go try one in the store since I can only play a few riffs, I know I have to start somewhere though. I was wondering what you guys thought about either of those, or anything else in my price range. I have been reading that these guitars really shine when plugged in (right now I only have a fender frontman 15g amp but I am playing through headphones 95% of the time) but I would like to play unplugged on my couch or take it to my dads house and play unplugged.
So, thoughts? comments? |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | merc,
Within your $500 limit, you can find a used US made Ovation that will far surpass any Celeb you will find. I'm sure that some will chime in on my suggestion...
And welcome to the Ovation 'We'll assist you in spending your money but not lead you astray' Hive Mind! |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | whats a US made ovation? Celeb is that bad? |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Welcome aboard.
You can always go used USA made...
There are plenty models available including an original Deluxe Balladeer... |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | USA Ovations are of a higher quality standard than Celeb's which are imported |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | How would I know which ones are USA made besides the one your selling? Also, do the ones with multiple sound holes sound different than the ones with just the one middle sound hole?
Jeff, I noticed your says it has no electronics or wiring :( I really wanted one with a preamp for when I play with my headphones and I also plan to get an acoustic amp sometime when I get more $$ |
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| Originally posted by mercury187:
How would I know which ones are USA made besides the one your selling? Also, do the ones with multiple sound holes sound different than the ones with just the one middle sound hole? Welcome. US-made Ovations prior to 2008: Legend (including Custom Legend), Elite, Balladeer. Balladeer and Elite T production moved overseas in the last part of 2008.
Overseas models: Celebrity (just about all you see in places like Guitar Center, Sam Ash, etc.) Just about all Celeb models start with the letter C (CC, CS, etc.)
Yes, US-made models are higher quality - better quality tone woods, higher quality hardware, more "handwork".
As far as sound, there is a difference, but like ice cream no one flavor is necessarily "better" - it depends on what you like.
I would recommend a deep-bowl Balladeer or maybe even a Legend - I've seen some primo Legends up for sale crazy cheap lately, in your price range.
The folks here will give you good advice (if you ask for it). No one here will steer you wrong or try to sell you something you won't be happy with just because they might have a guitar for sale. This board is unique. The regulars here share a love for Ovations, and that alone sets us far apart from the rest of the guitar world. We look out for each other. |
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Location: NW Washington State | You might check with members close to you- MWoody and Damon67 are a couple- to see if they have anything to offer in your price range.
There are lots of nice used US made Ovations available now. Don't be in a hurry, there's always another one. It's a great time to buy if you have the cash.
-Steve W. |
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Location: Michigan | Merc,
First of all don't feel intimidated in a store. Hey if you can afford it you should be able to try it out. One of the nice things about having a good guitar is the warm fuzzies you get when you play it, regardless of your skill level. If someone gives you a hard time, nuts to them. There are a lot of stores. Remember you are the customer and everyone started somewhere. I frankly am not a very good player by any standards but if I dont feel shy about picking up a guitar in a store.
That said I would hang around here. Chances are a nice O would come up on the buy and sell board soon from a reputable seller and at a reasonable price. You will see the occasional Legend or Folklore come up in your price range.
Edit: Wow three resposes while I was typing. It looks like Jeff has your guitar :) |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Look on the Ovation website to see which are USA and which are not. There are a ton of models and some of the new Elites and Balladeers are now made overseas. The basic difference is that the foreign models are typically plywood tops, while the USA made ones are not, but there are exceptions to that.
There isn't a simple answer to the single vs. multiple hole question either. Yes, they sound different, but some people couldn't tell the difference and you might like one over the other. Most of us would prefer the deeper bowl for more bass, but obviously a lot of people like the super shallow bowls or they wouldn't make them.
You still should be able to get a used USA made Ovation, with a preamp, with no significant finish cracks, for $500 or less. Just spend a little time looking. Damon got his 1537 for $500, but few of us are that lucky. |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | Mercury, Welcome aboard.
Anything with "celebrity" in the title is made in Asia (usually China or Korea). They represent a gamble in that quality control may not be the same as the US factory. Also, most celebrities are made with laminated rather than solid tops. The top is responsible for a lot of the sound quality on an acoustic and as it is played over a number of years it "ages" and generates a better tone than when it was brand new. Laminated tops tend to stay about the same.
I have never really been taken by them (just my personal taste, but I have an Adamas and everything sounds so so after that) but a lot of members of this board believe that the Elite Ts offer the best bang for buck. You should be able to pick up a second hand one of these within your budget and it will come with a pickup and a good quality preamp.
Check the for sale section of this forum before you head off to Ebay, as you'll generally get a cheaper price and a more honest description of the guitar's condition and specs. |
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Location: Vernon CT | Welcome Merc!!
Listen to the adivise you are being given. When I joined I had 1 Ovation. I now have 4 ,but, 6 months ago had 5. There are so many great deal right now on USA made Ovations to be had. Take some extra time, use the knowledge on this forum and enjoy which ever one you get. Word of advice.
When you do get that special "O", post pics or guitar Porn as many here refer to it as. WE love PORN! :D ;) |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Mercury,
I am in Kitsap County and Damon is up by Bellevue.
Miles is in Mount Vernon and the best way to see which O is for you is to try them, lots of them.
Take a tour of the links in my signature first...
Where are you located?
We'll give you the Tour de GAS! |
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Location: NW Washington State | I checked out the music stores Mercury listed, looks like he's up near Bellingham.
Hugo Helmer in Burlington used to carry a few good Ovations, but I haven't been in there for a couple of years. Maybe Miles would know if they've got anything.
-Steve W. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Mwoody: I am in Bellingham, about 90 miles north of Seattle. I wouldn't mind taking a trip to look at O's and hear them being played and possibly try one myself. That would probably be the best way to experience them without a salesperson standing right there hoping to get something out the door. Who's Miles? He would be the closest, looks like its just over 2 hours to Port Orchard. I dont know Damon personally either, a friend of mine works with a good friend of his and we were talking about guitars and amps and he showed me one of Damons videos and I went through them all and was really impressed with the tones hes got and I've been thinking about getting an acoustic-electric for a little while now.
Looks like your Ebay store doesnt have anything for sale but the other links offer plenty of eye candy.
I read the UPS caveat horror story and that added fuel to my reason of not having a guitar shipped, I bought my LCD tv through a store because I didnt believe in having a big LCD shipped either, just too afraid of damage and then that could possibly be the end of the only money I had to spend on a guitar for a very long time. I really really would like to buy local because if something happened in the shipping I wont have any money for quite a while (we hope to buy a house this year) |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | There were several responses when I was typing, which reminded me of stuff I missed. Find someone who's a better player to go with you to the guitar store and play while you listen. Guitars sound different from the front. I bet Damon would love to go guitar shopping with you and help you spend your money.
You will really need to try out the guitar, though. What I usually try to do, even when I just started playing again, is play something I know on several guitars. I always play some barre chords up at about the 12th fret, just to see which plays easier. If I get too many clinky notes, the action is too high. Most can be reset to make them play easier, but some can't.
I also strum guitars that are hanging on the wall. Some sound like cardboard, some boom, but don't ring on the high strings. Ovations are generally good through the highs, mediums and lows, which is what I like. You might like the sound of one end of the spectrum better. If so, buy that kind. It doesn't matter to you what I like.
Finally, although a preamp is nice, if you can get a really good guitar without one for the same as a poorer sounding guitar with one, buy the one without and get a soundhole pickup later, when you need to play to that audience. By then you'll also be asking about acoustic amps, because you'll figure out that amps made for electrics don't really cut it on acoustic guitars. There are few people who think that one guitar will suit all situations. They are usually married to people with "too many guitars." |
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Location: New York | I just listed my Elite Special S868 on Ebay, starting bid $349. I have pictures of it on the photo section:
http://ovationfanclub.ning.com/profile/Hossman
ebay listing: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190285876626
It is a wonderful instrument that I am sad to part with, but I have found an incredible deal on a Elite Custom C778 LX for like half price brand new. I am still shaking with excitement.
So, this is a great guitar. I need the money to trade up.
It is a natural finish.
Not trying to be a pushy salesman here.
Welcome to the Board, I just joined myself. |
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Location: Michigan | "There are few people who think that one guitar will suit all situations. They are usually married to people with "too many guitars.""
:) That got an audible chuckle from me. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Mark: yeah it would be nice if I could hook up with someone, the only person I know locally that plays is my guitar instructor and I really doubt he would take a trip to burlington, even the local shop down the road (mojo) might be hard to link up with him. It's really tough trying to get new gear with literally no one to help you. I had this same problem last year when I was getting into flying kitesuring kites, I found a forum dedicated to the brand of kites I wanted and then relied on their feedback to make a purchase because I didn't really have anyone local that could let me demo anything... |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | You're a popular guy, Merc. Miles is Mr. Ovation. He's got more electrics than acoustics. Don't worry about the salespeople. There are always people trying out guitars. Just sit and listen if you find someone playing something you like. I always thought everyone else played better than me, until somebody asked me how I learned some song. Everyone starts somewhere and after awhile they'll be asking you for lesssons.
I didn't know anyone around here that played when I started looking for guitars, but I've found a bunch since. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Who's Miles? |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | He's member number 2 or something. "Mr. Ovation" on this site. Go back to the Welcome page for this site and check out his Baron Audio link. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | is the Elite Special S868 pretty good? If It's shipped in that guitar hardcase it would be tough to get damaged? There's probably no way to hear it unless Hossman21 has recordings?? |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Hi Merc! Welcome to the Club!
I guess it would help to know what exactly you want in a guitar. (colors,wood,bowl depth, etc.) The choices for USA Ovations can seem endless. If you are looking for a really good starter within your price range, I just saw a really good deal on the For Sale section listed as 1778T Black ....Mint There are a lot of different wood-topped models also,(like that shallow bowl Elite Special) Either of those could probably be resold down the road if you decide on something else. Deep bowls project sound better than mid bowls, and shallow bowls project less than the mids. Shallows and mids are a bit easier to hold if you have a belly that may want to get in the way, but they all sound great plugged in. With a carbon top you don't have to worry as much about scratching it. There are some really good links above to check out when you have time, but a warning ... you'll get the buying fever. AS MENTIONED ABOVE ... DON"T BE IN A HURRY! Do your research and make an informed decision. You will be glad in the end if you do. Good USA Ovation guitars come and go frequently here. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | bvince: I really like the look of the black ones but I'm not too picky about color, I would think the sound is the most important because its an instrument... I'm pretty skinny for the most part so I dont think I'd have to worry about anything getting in the way, are deep bowls best for playing unplugged?
Looks like that black 1778-t is sold, said pending payment but they havent reported back yet.... |
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Location: Upper Left USA | If you are in Bellingham to are a stone's throw from Damon, Miles, Ovationluver and probably another handful of OFCers with many models to play and try. |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Sure sounds as though a 'local' gathering is in order to aid an OFC brother! |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | It has been said that single hole Ovations sound better to the PLAYER than the multihole models do.
Both types sound great to the listener. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | MWoody: yeah Im just over an hour and a half to Damon (Bellevue), used to live 5 minutes outside of Bellevue, ofcourse stuff like this comes along just a year or so after I move back. But yeah I would love to get together with someone and try some guitars out or hear them or whatever. |
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Location: New York | Hello Merc,
I don't have any recordings as of yet, need a microphone I think, however, if you can get to a store that has a shallow bowl Elite, I would guess that the sound will be very similar. If I can dig up a microphone, I will make some recordings and email them to you. I'll get back to you on that. Also, I have to agree with Vince that anytime you are purchasing something significant, it is always best not to rush, but rather to be patient and a great deal will eventually fall into your lap. I love the sound of my Elite Special, but it is not as loud as a deep bowl. (I do have a belly) I will try to make a recording for you. Played through the amp it is amazing. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Hossman: ok great, thanks. Not sure if any of these guys will want to meet up or anytime soon or anything. Would an Ovation sound good through any amp if I was wearing headphones? |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | If you've got great headphones, it'll sound great. If you've got sh*t headphones, it'll sound sh*t. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | my ipod photo headphones that came with my ipod sound great with my fender electric.... |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Welcome Mercury...
As to Oriental guitars... Celebrity's and Ultra's
(and I'm not quite sure about new Balladeers and Elites)...
My understanding is that they all have 'dove-tail' neck construction.
While this is considered good in alot of guitars, if they put it together wrong from the start, there is nothing that you can do about it.
I have never been to the 'Oversea Affiliate' factories, but their serial numbers run into the Millions!
Whereas my Newest USA Ovations numbers only run to 600,000 so far...
That is after Decades of manufacturing.
Each USO is individually made by people who make more that $6 a day, and are proud of their Company.
I paid $400 for a brand-new CC44 with case, and it was a nice guitar...
But later I bought a coupla used USA Ovations for Less than that and they just sounded Much Better.
(I ended-up selling the CC44 for about half what I paid for it)
So... If given the choice, I would buy a Used USA Ovation before I bought a New Celebrity.
Even though you can buy a Solid Top Celebrity for $400 or $500, you can get a really nice USA Ovation for that much...
BTW- I started-out with a phony strat... But 'Heart of Gold' just didn't sound right on it. |
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Location: New York | I made a few little "demos" with my video on my cell phone, but the quality of the sound kinda sucks. So I wouldn't be doing either of us any favors by sending that to you. Not sure what to do now. I found a computer mic, but it needs batteries, and it is getting late. It probably will sound like crap too, it is a radio shack cheapo mic. I'll keep trying. It was kinda fun making the recordings, but it is also difficult as you are your own worst critic. lol |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Old man arthur: thanks the information!
Hossman21: no worries man
Just had my weekly lesson and my guitar teacher actually recommended against getting one as my first guitar, he recommended like a regular ibanez acoustic to start out with first. Not sure where ill go from here, probably just need to try out a few for myself and/or hear them... |
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| merc - could you please ask you instructor what specifically he dislikes about an Ovation? I'd be curious to know. Just ask nicely, I really am wondering what his objections might be.
My opinion - you can spend $500 for a new Ibanez, and it will have a laminated (plywood) top, plywood back and sides, rosewood fretboard, and (probably) no pre-amp. Or, you can pick up a used Ovation Legend with a AAA-grade solid spruce top, ebony fretboard, and pre-amp for about the same. I will guarantee that the Legend will blow the Ibanez out of the water in tone, volume (unplugged) and playability. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | well he said that ovations tend to slide down your lap and he was talking about a plytop top also (maybe hes only looked into the imported ones) and he mentioned that in order to get a good one i'd have to spend a ton of money. I mentioned that I saw some used ones and he also said that not a lot of artists really use ovations in bands anymore, he mentioned some chick that I had never heard of so I cant recall her name. He said my suggestion would be to not get one. The ibanez he was referring to belongs to a student of his so its used, and as you said he doesnt think it has a preamp and he said he likes pickups that are put in after the fact more than guitars that have them straight from the factory. He said the ibanez would only set me back like $300. Maybe he just doesnt have all the facts about the higher end ovations? |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by mercury187:
Maybe he just doesnt have all the facts about the higher end ovations? Sorry, no maybe there! Ya need to gather with your regional OFC members. Actually, your teacher needs to do the same! 
BTW, I consider music teachers pushing other students guitars as 'pimps'; especially when they bad mouth something of which they have no knowledge!
Sorry for the rant, but your teacher pizzes me off! |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | I guess I'm kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place. He said he would ask the student to bring in the ibanez so I could try/hear it. Looks like I'll have to sample both... If I could find one for sale in my price range I could def. forward him the specs and see what hes got to say.. I guess im on my own again unless I can get him on board with me.. |
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| OK, I'll tackle these 1 by 1.
Slide off your lap - that's an objection commonly heard from people who've never played them & heard that complaint from someone else or who tried one out once. As long as your thigh is straight out and not pointed down there's no reason an O would slide any more so than any other guitar held improperly. A strap would fix that tendency in any case.
Plywood top - the only Os you ever see new in the big box stores are the Celebs, which are almost all laminate tops. As I said, you can get a used O with just about the highest grade tonewood top for the price of a new woodbox that's all laminate. The difference in tone and volume between a solid wood top and a laminate is large.
Not used by many bands these days - absolutely true. But that's due to many factors, not the least of which is that big guitar manufacturers sign popular artists to endorsement deals, then every guitar wannabe sees their favorite artist playing a certain brand and wants only that same brand, on the theory that the guitar is what makes that artist great, and not talent plus years of practice. Brands go in and out of style, and IMO there are a lot of people who pay big bucks for a particular brand of guitar based only on marketing. No different than cola or shoes. During the 70s, 80s, and into the early 90s Ovation owned the guitar market, they had to be doing something right.
The chick - probably Kaki King. She plays an Adamas (carbon fiber top), which is well out of your price range anyway.
Soundhole pickup - these can reduce the volume and tone unplugged since they both block the soundhole and, by way of attachment, can reduce top vibration. To get a good one you'd have to spend more than the asking price on the Ibanez.
Bottom line - don't be hasty. Try out as many guitars as you can, both woodboxes and Ovations. Ask people to play different guitars for you, because the sound of a particular guitar is different if you're in front of it vs. playing it. Pick the guitar that "speaks" to you. It sounds like this will be your only guitar for awhile, so you owe it to yourself to get one that you'll be happy with. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | yeah I probably made a few mistakes by not really knowing what im talking about, he did say laminate, im not sure if he said soundhole pickup or just a custom preamp being put in the guitar, can you have any "woodbox" installed with a preamp just like an ovation? maybe thats what he said, it was before we started the lesson so its hard to remember exactly what he said but basically it sounded like he hadnt checked into them that much or used them that much for that matter. From the videos I've seen on this site and ones that are on youtube I def. like the sound of an ovation... |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Serge,
Thanx for taking the high road and your patience.  I kinda lost mine...
mercury187 ,
You've been given some excellent info. Now go out there and get the best 'bang for your buck'. Good luck on your venture! ;) |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | G8r: yeah my birthday isnt until August so yeah it would have to last at least until then |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Your teacher has the standard Anti-Ovation bias... Which is Cool.
[Personally, I love owning guitars that everybody hates... Just my Anti-Establishment bias]
Every time I went into a store to look at Ovations, they always wanted to sell me something else cuz Ovations are crap. Of course, all they ever have for Ovations are new, cheap Celebrity's...
So they are Right.
Understand that one of the Joys of owning an Ovation is that everybody thinks they Suck.
Then you can play it for them and watch them Grudgingly admit that yours I nice...
[But all the other Ovations still suck]
BTW- Kaki King has a Hamer, Nancy Wilson has a Takamine and a Hot Pink explorer-looking thing...
And probably Dozens of others.
When you get famous you can play whatever you want.
I saw Kim Simmons of Savoy Brown on stage with a $97 Wal-mart First Act, and it sounded great!
[Your teacher probaly told his other student that he would help sell that Ibanez. :p ]
Like the G8r sez, take your time. |
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Location: Central Florida | What G8r said, Merc.
You'll get very little argument that there's a bit of bias here but there's plenty of reasons for it.
Definitely owe it to yourself to try a couple deep bowl U.S. Ovations before buying anything. You need to hear what we're talking about. Bring your teacher when you do. He'll probably end up wanting one, too.
Welcome to the board, by the way.
Otto
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Location: Boise, Idaho | There are some nice sounding Ibanez guitars out there cheap. I helped a guy pick out one new for $150 that had a solid top. I haven't seen one that good since. If you want one with a pretty top, it is probably a laminate. My daughter's teacher told her the same thing and she bought an Ibanez. Took her 3 times to get one that worked properly and it's a laminate top. Now she has an 83 Collectors Ovation that sounds much better, even with a shallow bowl.
Have him teach you how to hold the guitar correctly instead of telling you they slide off your "knee". You won't have a problem. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I've got a beat up old 1537 within your price range that will kick but on most Woodbox specials. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | unfortunately I dont see my teacher ever having the time to take a couple hour trip to the nearsest store that has nice ones, not unless I paid him for his time or something, hes pretty busy. But yeah, I'll try out the ibanez he was talking about and just keep it in my mind and try an ovation as well and anything else the store has. I'm not going to make any hasty decisions unless theres a killer deal that you guys think I should jump on but I would like to buy one pretty soon..... Been thinking about getting an acoustic since I started playing, I've just happened to have this electric for a while so its not like I went out and got something when I wanted to start taking lessons.
Mwoody: does it have a preamp and everything?? |
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| I would pay to see a video of that instructor's face listening to an A/B between an Ibanez (any Ibanez) and Mike's 1537.
Merc, the 1537 is a kick-ass guitar. I have one, and I'll never get rid of it. It's one of Ovation's all-time best wood-top guitars. They had some extra mojo-juice lying around in the factory when they made these, and they poured it on. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | MWoody: I sent you a private message, I figured out how to send it but im not sure how to check if you replied, maybe something will pop up and say new message?
G8r: the 1537 is electric right? On the ovationguitar product page it shows 2 knobs but doesnt mention a preamp. I went through his albums and in the for sale album is a 1537 with a -4 with those same knobs, a photo of the backside looks like it has 2 holes where it could be plugged in? |
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Location: Vernon CT | Merc,
I'm going to add and suggest something here. I was a huge fan of Taylor guitars that goes completely against the "Thinking" of some long standing members. I still enjoy my one Taylor.
Paid $1100.00 for it new back in 2002 I now own my 2077lx, 1758-1 Elite 12 string and a 1112-1 Custom Balladeer (and a 1778Lx). All bought used and for less then then what I paid for my Taylor Combined!
For Tone and volume the Legend and Elite blow away my Taylor as there is very little Bass response fron my "Woodbox" as these guys refer to them. My point is, it's not about Name recognition or How much you spend. It's what sounds/feels "right " to you.
Now the other point I want to make is that just because "Top Artists" don't play Ovations doesn't mean anything. Go over to the Ovation "Ning" site and listen to some of the Audio/videos of members here. If I could play half as good as them I'd be happy. They choose Ovations because the Ovation makes the music "speak"!! In my opinion these guys are not far behind talent wise as some of the big names your instructor is talking about. These Guys and Gals here KNOW what they are talking about.
Don't let anyone talk you into anything you don't want. Like others have said, It's what you like not what an Instructor tells you just because he is your "Mentor" of the moment.
Ok I'm done ranting. Good luck and what ever you buy, ENJOY PLAYING MUSIC. Thats really what this is about!! |
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Location: Maine | Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
merc,
Within your $500 limit, you can find a used US made Ovation that will far surpass any Celeb you will find. I'm sure that some will chime in on my suggestion...
And welcome to the Ovation ' "We'll assist you in spending your money but not lead you astray" We'll assist you in spending your money but not lead you astray' Hive Mind! Iffy, are you a US Senator or Congressman perhaps? |
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Location: NW of Philadelphia | Merc,
First.. Welcome to the asylum. If you haven't noticed, the inmate rule here.
As to the Celebs being crap. Not quite true. I have two 6-string O's, a Celeb and an Elite-T. Two VERY different guitars. The Celeb plays well for what it is, a low end Ovation. It sounds and plays nice, but when compared to the Elite-T, its no contest. The Elite sounds, plays and feels THAT much better.
The Adamas is a whole 'nother level up.
The best advice is to keep looking and playing guitars until you find one that picks you. You will know it. The For Sale section here, craigslist.org and ebay are your best bets in finding something used. With the For Sale section here being the most reliable source.
Happy hunting. |
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| Merc - yes the 1537 has a stereo pre-amp - that's why you see 2 jacks in the bowl. One jack is mono only. When you use a special stereo cable with both jacks you get strings 1-3-5 out of one stereo channel and strings 2-4-6 out of the other channel. Interesting, but few people use it. That was a design asked for by Jesse Colin Young of the Youngbloods. |
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Location: NW Washington State | Mercury-
If you think your teacher is a good guy and won't lead you astray, then his advice is worthwhile. It's also possible he's helping out someone else he's known longer by selling you an overpriced guitar. If your teacher is pressuring you, it's a bad sign. You'll have a better feel for this than we do.
Before you agree to buy any guitar, check out the prices for the same model online. Online stores like Musician's Friend and Sweetwater are good for checking prices. List or suggested retail prices mean nothing- find out what they really sell for. Remember that a used beginner's guitar should be MUCH cheaper than a new one these days- the market is slow. Again, don't be in a hurry, there are lots of good guitars out there for very reasonable prices. Keep playing your electric until you find the right one.
-Steve W. |
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Location: NW Washington State | One more thing, a Korean made Ibanez is probably a lot better than a Chinese made one. Hard to imagine that a Chinese one would be worth $300. If there's no label, don't take anyone's word for it. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Merc,
It is obvious that you have received some realy good advice here, some of which comes from some very experienced players. I too would be a bit leary of an instructor trying to push another student's guitar on you (probably so the other student can buy an upgrade)
There's really no reason for you to have to make a decision yet, since you already have something to practice on. I would take time to hook up with some of the OFCers in your area to be able to see/feel/and hear USA Ovations first hand. One more thing ... If you are making comparisons of guitars in a music store, make sure they have fairly new strings on the guitars. An old set of strings will make even the best guitar sound dull. Good Luck |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Hi Merc. I haven't read all the threads here, and maybe it has already been said, but our advice to beginners is always to buy the best quality used guitar you can afford. It will provide you with an easier playing, better sounding, and much more satisfying instrument to learn on, and it will most likely hold its resale value in the event you decide that guitar playing is not for you. If you buy cheap now, and you keep playing, you may come to regret it later on. However, if you buy quality now, chances are, you'll keep the guitar into the future, even as you buy additional guitars. First guitars tend to become our sentimental favorites, so it is best to have something worthy of the sentiment. I was 8 years old when I started playing and my first guitar was a pawn shop Christmas present in 1959. My dad paid $25 for it. Even though it was pretty much worthless and alost unplayable 15 years later, I still lugged it out to the desert for evenings around the campfire. |
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Location: south east Michigan | 36 years later, I still have the first acoustic guitar I ever bought. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Thanks for the advice everyone, I will have to try diff guitars out and hopefully have other people play stuff for me also so I can hear what it sounds like when played by an experienced person. It didn't sound like my teacher was trying to push the students ibanez on me, he simply said his suggestion would be to not get an ovation and to check out his students ibanez. I try to play every day and when I hit notes just right and get that sound I was going for it just makes me want to keep playing, so I def. want to invest in a really good sounding guitar that I can keep for a long time, and like professorbb said I'd like to take it camping and play around the campfire also, we go at least a few times each summer... |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | . |
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Location: New York | Originally posted by mercury187:
G8r: yeah my birthday isnt until August so yeah it would have to last at least until then Wink Wink! I think you know what to get Merc for his birthday Gator! |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Wagonmaster:
Iffy, are you a US Senator or Congressman perhaps? Nopper, my backgroundt is too 'clean' to qualify. Besides, I enjoy the real world!  |
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| Originally posted by Hossman21:
Wink Wink! I think you know what to get Merc for his birthday Gator! Yeah, if I still had my old Legend:
It was (still is) a 1981, AAA top, ebony fretboard, had no finish cracks - just a couple minor dings - and an absolute tone monster. Wound up selling it for $500 before the economy went south. That's the kind of guitar I keep thinking about when someone wants to get their first Ovation. Hard to beat. Only reason I sold it was SWMBO's 1-in-1-out rule when I got my 1619. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | G8r: nice looking guitar you posted there! So that special stereo preamp you were talking about works just like normal if your using a regular guitar cable? Do you have any recordings of anyone using the special cable or does it pretty much sound the same? Sounds like a very interesting idea...
BT717: Thanks for all the info in your post.. |
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| Originally posted by mercury187:
So that special stereo preamp you were talking about works just like normal if your using a regular guitar cable? Yep. Just plug into the jack labeled "Mono". I don't have any sound samples of it. Maybe The Youngbloods' "Get Together" was recorded that way? |
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Location: Alagoas, Brazil | Welcome Mercury. All the advice here is nice, as well as your teacher may be well intended, BUT, I think you must have in mind that it is your hard earned money AND you deserve the absolute best it can buy.
My $.02: Go to the stores in your area, take SWMBO whith you and try LOTS of guitars, EVEN those you have no money to buy.
Don´t worry about your player skills. You are there to spend money, so you are running the show already. Just sit and play. Ask your wife what she thinks. Play both plugged and unplugged. Take your earphones along and try using them. Spend the whole afternoon in the shop.
When I got my guitar I told the salesperson that I wasn´t buying it, I would just try it because it was raining and I couldn´t go anywhere right then. She said "fine" and made a good profit from a lousy day.
Good salespeople will be nice to you even if you make it clear that you are there only to try the guitar. They know that, sooner or later, if you are satisfied, you´ll be back.
Good Luck, and welcome again.
Miguel |
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Location: Alagoas, Brazil | I also did a fast search on GuitarCenter and found all these nice O´s:
http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedgear/details.cfm?listId=105068080
http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedgear/details.cfm?listID=104891062
http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedgear/details.cfm?listID=105043539
http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedgear/details.cfm?listID=105030705
http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedgear/details.cfm?listID=102852547
http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedgear/details.cfm?listID=104942455
All of these are under 500.
Miguel |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | MWOODY ,
How beat-up is that 1537 ?
Vic |
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Location: Upper Left USA | This Beat up
And I have a nicer one too! |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Miguel,
Now that's contributing to the effort! Great job...  |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | MWoody ,
PM sent.
Vic |
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Location: Nashville TN. | Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
merc,
Within your $500 limit, you can find a used US made Ovation that will far surpass any Celeb you will find. I'm sure that some will chime in on my suggestion...
And welcome to the Ovation 'We'll assist you in spending your money but not lead you astray' Hive Mind! I secound that |
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Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Originally posted by mercury187:
whats a US made ovation? Celeb is that bad? USA made guitars are proffessional instruments
made with a lot of hand work & top grade materials.
They sound a lot better than Celbs.
Celbs are imports and a lot of guitar for the money.
They are beginner/novice instruments. |
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Location: Nashville TN. | http://www.musicgoround.com
Has a few USA Ovations as well.
Including a Custom Legend for $599
Try offering them $500
see it they take it. |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | That Custom Legend is a tempting one. My first guitar was a legend - it was way too good for me, but I never regretted it and it firmly ground my Ovationaphilia. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Thanx Merc, for this thread...
There is NOTHING that the Old Farts Club loves more than Shopping with Other People's Money! :D |
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Location: NW Washington State | Mercury-
Ovations show up once in a while locally, like this Craigslist Legend in Lynden . Not much info in the ad, doesn't really state the condition.
-Steve W. |
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Location: Alagoas, Brazil | Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
Miguel,
Now that's contributing to the effort! Great job...
You know, some people just need a small nudge in order to jump ;) |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | numbfingers: wow great find, I hadn't searched my local CL since I started this post, looks like I need to keep actively searching daily!
Old Man Arthur: no problem, thanks to you and everyone for all the great info! |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Just wanted to give you guys an update since so many people posted in my thread... I went down and visited Mwood last Saturday with my fiance and tried some of his guitars, he even let me try his adamas. I decided to take his worn 1537 off his hands and although I've been pretty busy since, the other night I got a chance to play it and I do like it, after playing for a good hour or so the deep body doesn't bother me at all and it didn't slide off my leg at all. Pretty happy with the guitar and it should last me quite a while. I found a good source of video tutorials online so I plan to start on those either tonight or tomorrow night, going to start off with maybe Hotel California or Tequila Sunrise...
Thanks again everyone for all your help! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | You made a good choice. 1537s are among the best. If you're an Eagles fan, check out the links to the song books G8r just posted. Lots of easy Eagles songs. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
You made a good choice. 1537s are among the best. If you're an Eagles fan, check out the links to the song books G8r just posted. Lots of easy Eagles songs. Wow thanks, I wanted to play those Bob Seger tunes also! I'm also looking at getting the Neil Young Greatest hits songbook... |
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| Hey congrats. That is a GREAT guitar, one of Ovation's all-time best. Superb choice, and you know if you ever want to get it restored the factory will do a wonderful job. Enjoy! |
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Location: GA USA | Originally posted by mercury187:
...it should last me quite a while. I should say so. Awesome first Ovation. |
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Location: Alagoas, Brazil | Congratulations. Whenever this guitar don´t serve you anymore, I´m sure I can find a place here in Brazil for it. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | check out the links to the song books G8r just posted. Lots of easy Eagles songs. ...
OK ... I missed this somehow ... Where is is at???
And Merc ... That was a good move in taking the fiancee with you. That way when you want to spend more money on guitars she'll remember how much fun and excitement you had, and she'll probably be more supportive.
Congrats again!
Bryan |
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| Originally posted by bvince:
OK ... I missed this somehow ... Where is is at??? Look on my ning page , scroll down just below the albums, and click the blog post titled "Links to OFC Gathering Songbooks". That will take you to a list of links to the pdf files. |
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Location: GA USA | Nice, g8r. I didn't realize the new additions were online. The Otto book probably has more Eagles than the others.
If you want Beatles tabs, anyone, email me. I can send a PDF to you.
captain at captainlovehandles dot com |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Originally posted by bvince:
check out the links to the song books G8r just posted. Lots of easy Eagles songs. ...
OK ... I missed this somehow ... Where is is at???
And Merc ... That was a good move in taking the fiancee with you. That way when you want to spend more money on guitars she'll remember how much fun and excitement you had, and she'll probably be more supportive.
Congrats again!
Bryan
Captain_Lovehandles: I took you up on your offer and sent you an email, I got plenty of email space so feel free to send whatever you got.. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | There is a precedent for your fiancee to buy your first Ovation for you so that you can play it at your wedding. If the two of you choose to follow that precedent, let me warn you that it can be very expensive, but so is any marriage.
There's also precedent for her to buy you another much more expensive guitar for you to play at your anniversary party. You might not want to wait 30 years like we did, though. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | It was great to meet both of you and even if you didn't go away with a guitar I was glad to make friends and even more satisfied that you were now a little more able to make your choice.
I'll count this as an Ovation intervention since your first real guitar was a 1537 and not one of the over priced boxes.
When you are ready for another just let us know! |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Mark: funny you should say that, I was thinking about having my guitar teacher help me write a song I could perform on that day... heh guess I'll have to see how far I can advance my abilities by then..
Mwoody: will do! It took my fingers a little bit to get used to those strings, after a few hours though my fingers are fine and I can play as long as I want.
Found a few videos online for how to play hotel california, tequila sunrise and pink floyds wish you were here, should keep me busy for a little while. |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Just wanted to throw another update in here, had my lesson earlier this week and when we were finished my teacher asked if he could give my O a run. He played a few bluesy kind of licks and I think he actually liked it, he liked how the neck played fast and commented how he thought O's sounded brighter (Mwoods other 1537 did sound brighter, but I like it just the way it is) and he said it's a pretty nice guitar. It sure sounded great listening to him play it also! |
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| :D :D
music to my ears... |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by mercury187:
...my teacher asked if he could give my O a run. He played a few bluesy kind of licks and I think he actually liked it, he liked how the neck played fast and commented how he thought O's sounded brighter (Mwoods other 1537 did sound brighter, but I like it just the way it is) and he said it's a pretty nice guitar. And it didn't even slip of off his knee, huh? :D
(aw... Don't be such a wiseass Arthur) |
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Location: Upper Left USA | So I think I scored a "Two-fer" on that intervention! |
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA | Arthur: yea that's what I was thinking ha
Mwoody: I would say so! I'd like to see his reaction after trying an Adamas heheh |
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looking at getting my 1st ovation