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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I needed something to help brighten a couple of really tough weeks, so I took half a day off to drive to CT a couple of weeks earlier than I planned.
So what do you all think? I've been planning this one for over a year, and as usual, the factory knocked it out of the park and into the river! The top is flamed walnut with Custom Legend trim and lighter walnut binding. I haven't had a chance to look inside, but John says it's "some type of A-bracing". I've definitely got to get a mirror in that bowl because it sounds Oh So Good!
Strummed or finger-picked, it has an enthralling shimmer acoustically that beggars the adjective "smooth". It's not as loud as spruce, but the tone is definitely unique in a very, VERY good way. What's most amazing about it though is the playability. It's as easy to play as any six string and the only 12-string ever to rival my old, well-broken-in Custom Balladeer. For the first time since I bought it in 1987, my trusty old standby has a soul mate. I've got some spruce to boom with and this walnut to sweeten the mix.
But enough talk (type?), I know most of you click threads like this just to look at the pictures. So here you go. You can find more pics HERE. I have to admit, the lighting outside today was not good at all. But between a mix with and without a flash, I think you'll get a good impression. But if you think these look nice, you should SEE it in person..........  
Edited by Patch 2012-05-23 8:21 PM
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Location: Massachusetts | Patch, that is right out of the ball park!! The colors in the wood are gorgeous. I don't have to tell you to enjoy it, you already do! |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Yup, that is scrumptious! |
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Location: Jet City | two thumbs up! |
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Location: Chicago | Gorgeous! How does ir play and sound? |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | That's a cutey... With a preamp and tuna, too. |
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Location: New Hartford CT | That walnut has a beautiful grain. Walnut is a dense and heavy wood and all things being equal will resonate at a higher frequency and be more controlled overall. Maybe that's why it has a nice shimmer and a tad less volume.
A really unique guitar Patch, congrats. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Beautiful and very special. Was this your creative idea? I don't know that I have ever seen flamed walnut before. Don't you just wonder what other exotic wood the factory might have tucked back in some corner? |
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Location: Italia, Zianigo di Mirano (Venezia) | wonder |
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Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | Beautiful guitar! They should rename the Ovation factory to "Patch's Custom Guitar Shop." |
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Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | nickbtx - 2012-05-24 3:43 PM
Beautiful guitar! They should rename the Ovation factory to "Patch's Custom Guitar Shop."
LOL, but his guitars are really wonderful!!
I have a 5858 ESW supershallow bowl guitar and I have a 1615. I've had strung both with the same strings and in the direct comparison the 5858 sounds very tight, without any volumeand sustain. Plugged in the 5858 is the beater, cristal clear without any feetback problems. I would be interested in the sound of a deep bowl walnut guitar. Patch, let us know......
Bernie |
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Location: sitting at my computer | patchmcg - 2012-05-23 9:17 PM ... But if you think these look nice, you should SEE it in person... OKAY!!! so... when are ya gonna bring it down to South Florida?!  |
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Location: Caribou, ME | So this may sound dumb but I have to ask.... Ovation will pretty much build whatever you want? And are we talking a king's ransom? I'm sure it depends on what you get but is it beyond what mere mortals can afford? |
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Location: Tuscany, Italy | Bellissima ..... are you collecting many patch-stom guitars there, isnt it ?
Congrats on this new baby.... |
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Location: Ohio | ksdaddy - 2012-05-24 3:01 PM
So this may sound dumb but I have to ask.... Ovation will pretty much build whatever you want? And are we talking a king's ransom? I'm sure it depends on what you get but is it beyond what mere mortals can afford?
I got a recent quote on a project similar to one of Patch's and while it's not cheap by any stretch of the imagination, I think they are on par with what you would pay at other custom shops. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Thanks for the many questions everyone. I wound up having to make an unexpected road trip today that took all of 14 hours. So I'm afraid I got to spend little to no time with this guitar since my first post.
The good news is that I brought it with me and hope to have some informative answers for you all soon.
What little time I've had with it is soundly impressive. I can't wait to really hit some breaking in time! |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Wow Patch. That is one stunning guitar! While they may not rename the factory, Ovation should put out a "Designed by Patch" line of guitars! Simply beautiful. I'm sure it sounds and plays as great as it looks!
Congratulations! |
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Location: So Cal | Really nice Patch. The walnut is beautiful. |
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Location: Nîmes, south of France | Unique and elegant !
I love the figured top and some details like the offset of the abalone trim.
Congrats Patch. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I gotta say the only thing that bugged me just a bit when I picked this one up was the plastic truss rod cover. But when I mentioned it, the John took all of 30 seconds to produce a carved TRC. I need to stain it to match the carved bridge and after that it will be nearly impossible to wipe the grin off my face when I look at this incredible guitar! |
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Location: Australia | A truly beautiful guitar, very contemporary looking. Perhaps it's a direction the company should have taken a few years back. I think this classy look would appeal to no O players. Reminds me of some of the newer high end Taylor's with Koa tops etc.
The acid test of course is how does it sound. I'd be interested to hear how the walnut top performs. I have always though that the slotted head, 12 fret, Glen Campbell style 12 strings were one of their coolest models.
The only thing this guitar needs is to be played and played.
Edited by richardd 2012-05-26 9:49 PM
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Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | A little bit of follow-up on this guitar is in order. When I picked it up, it had the plastic truss rod cover seen in the photos. I really did not care for it and asked for a carved ebony TRC to match the bridge.
They did not have one in ebony, but did have one in natural walnut.
So, with a few extra minutes on a long holiday weekend, I broke out the Fiebing's and rectified this completely intolerable situation.
What do you all think?
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Location: Nashville TN. | Stunning what basing pattern? |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | PEZ - 2012-05-29 8:18 PM
Stunning what basing pattern?
I just took a look. It's A-basing....  |
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Location: Munich, Germany | Man, that's beautiful. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Since someone asked me recently, I thought I would provide the answer for all to see....
Specifically, the top on this critter is CLARO Walnut.
I need to go play it some more now....  |
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Wanna see what the factory can do with a really nice piece of Walnut?