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Location: Sydney Australia | HI,
Great site-stumbled on it while looking for reviews on Ovation Guitars.
I have a Cole Clark, Epihone and a Takamine acoustic guitars.
The Cole Clark is fantastic, but I have had an ovation in the past, and I am seeking one now to add to my collection.
Any thoughts on which Ovation for about $1000 worth looking for? The standard balladeers look good.
Again, a great site for ovation fans. |
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Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | james4321 - 2012-02-16 3:21 PM Any thoughts on which Ovation for about $1000 worth looking for? The standard balladeers look good. Welcome to the group. That's a pretty tough question to answer without knowing what you're looking for in a guitar. What do you want to do with it? Do you need a electronics? New or used? Starch or no starch? <VBG>
Edited by Nick B. 2012-02-16 3:42 PM
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Location: Sydney Australia | Thanks.
I suppose I should be more specific.
I play a range of styles; and mostly I gig with others playing electric guitar songs on my amped acoustic. I use the acoustic for working out songs and for some original song writing. I need a fast action, prefer a standard sound hole, with the ability to be amped.The Cole Clark does all these, but the emphasis, by it's neck is more on the acoustic side.
I have an epiphone wiltshire electric; but I'm finding the transition to electric guitars not smooth-I love the feel of an acoustic.
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Location: Sydney Australia | I should add, that I play guitar for the love of it; not for the adulation and such.
cheers |
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Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | As you've already suggested, the Balladeer would be a good choice or even a used Legend would fall in that price range. Generally speaking, the deep bowl is going to sound better acoustically. If it matters to you, the USA built models are designated LX, while the offshore models are TX, and AX. Maybe some others will chime in with their recommendations. Lost Art Vintage ships overseas and has some of the best prices around. If you find something you like, you might want to check with Al before you buy. www.lostartvintage.com |
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Location: Sydney Australia | Which model of ballader or legend?
I remember playing an s771 balladeer, it turned my head with ovations.
I have seen reviews of ovation legend series, all good, but there are quite a few out there-new and 2nd hand.
cheers |
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Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | Unfortunately, my hands-on experience with the newer models is somewhat limited and up until recently, my interest has been strictly acoustic. I love the vintage Balladeers and am also a big fan of the Adamas line. Once you get access to the other forums, try posting this question in the "General Posting" forum. I bet you'll get lots of advice. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I dunno Nick, the same people would visit here as there.
Anyway James, I hope that you stumbled into the right place.
Since you are down in Oz maybe you should ask the DownUnder folks what they've got for sale.
But as far as opinions go, I have an S771 and it is a Nice guitar.
I would recommend you look for a used USA Balladeer or Legend, BUT!
I also know that USA Ovations are spendy downunder, so you might do well with a Korean O.
They could be more available at reasonable prices mail order or at Guitar Center (or whatever big-box guitar store you have over there).
Go over and ask These Folks and they might be helpful. |
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Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | arthurseery - 2012-02-16 8:50 PM I dunno Nick, the same people would visit here as there.
Yes, but not everyone can respond to the "Welcome Center." I suspect there are lots of opinions, but some don't have the reply button. Just say'in. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | nickbtx - 2012-02-16 6:54 PM
arthurseery - 2012-02-16 8:50 PM I dunno Nick, the same people would visit here as there.
Yes, but not everyone can respond to the "Welcome Center." I suspect there are lots of opinions, but some don't have the reply button. Just say'in.
Oh! Learn sumptin new everyday.
Edited by Old Man Arthur 2012-02-16 9:13 PM
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Or this thread can be moved as its more than just a quick question  |
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Location: Sydney Australia | Hi, can I be moved to gen eral discussion?
RE Ovations: yes they are pricey here in OZ, and there aren't many models available to handle in stores.
The ones I have seen have been either 2nd hand, or 'just in'.
And very expensive.
I'm looking at an import from the USA or UK.
But the korean ovations are expensive also, where buying a Maton or cole clark (epiphone etc), is more justified.
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Location: Sydney, Australia | James, the best bet, if you are patient is a two step process. First, look on this site and/or US Ebay for a guitar you want. Another good option is to visit www.lostartvintage.com (by one of the founders of this site) and check out his second hand offerings. The high Aussie dollar makes US shopping very attractive. You should then cue up someone you trust to baby sit it in the US until you find a guitar mule - someone going over on holiday who will agree to carry it back for you. Start by paying attention when someone talks about going on holiday. I've got a mule lined up for April for my latest purchase.
Shipping can easily be $300-$500, whereas most international airlines will let you carry it on as hand luggage (i.e. free!). Also, if it gets shipped with a declared value over $1,000 (which it will be if the shipping gets included on the invoice), then you can add another 10% to that.
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Location: Sydney Australia | Takkar thanks for the info.
I have seen sellers on ebay quote freight between $85-150: is that a reasonable quote.
I've contacted customs in the past, and I was told that the total cost of the item and the frieght must be no higher than $999.99.
Don't have a mule Im afraid, but good tip. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Wow... Lessee?
It is sunny and warm in Oz...
And it is Cold, Wet, and Nasty in the USA.
But NOT enough snow for good Skiing.
And you need to find someone going to the USA?
But you still Might find a Mule. |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | Not so much that we need one going, but one coming back. Mine is starting in the US (Portland, by a strange coincidence) but will be leaving from Richmond, Va. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | My daughter will be going to Melbourne in May. I won't volunteer her to take a guitar down, but she is an Ovation fan and might be talked into it. My wife might be going with her, but she always has two carry on bags, so she couldn't take on a guitar.
Someone brought a guitar on the Southwest flight from Phoenix last night and got on late. She was one of the last to board a full flight, but they moved a few bags around in the overhead and she got the guitar in a soft case up above her. I boarded in the first group when I carried guitars on a few years ago, but you can't alway do that with Southwest even if you get your boarding pass online exactly 24 hours before the flight. |
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Newbie Ovation Seeker