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Joined:
January 2008
Posts: 49
Location: Canada | Hello all,
New to this forum :-). I'm looking to but my first Ovation and I have it narrowed down to LX series Balladeer or Legend/Custom Legend. Now I assume that the Custom Legend is merely a cosmetic upgrade to the normal Legend. Is this correct?
Its difficult to A/B test many Ovations in my neck of the woods and I'm a bit confused about Bowls. I played and liked a Legend 2077LX and Balladeer 1771 LX.
Any opinions on the differences between the new Deep Contour vs. other possibilities in either the Legend or Balladeer?
Cost isn't a huge issue as I'm getting the Ovation on a comp deal, so anything up to a Custom Deluxe or Sig series is possible.
Lastly, can anyone describe the difference in sound between a round sound hole (i.e. Legend) and an Elite series Ovation? |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Welcome to the Board, Arc Angel! Wow, you're gonna get a lot of opinions with this one. I prefer a deep bowl, and don't have a round front ( ;) ) so I don't find the need for a contour roundback. As far as traditional soundholes vs. epaulets, I find the grade of the top wood and bracing have more effect on tone than do the whole configuration, although people who like heavier bass prefer the the base-side-only epaulet configuration of some of the Elites. Given the choice between a Balladeer and a Legend, go for the Legend - better tonewood. After that, it's a matter of bling preference for Custom vs. standard Legend. HTH. |
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Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | So you want us to tell you how to maximize your comp deal, eh?
If it were me, I'd maximize my bling and get the most expensive one. Generally speaking, every dollar more is an increase in value even if it's only incremental.
Some may disagree ... but ... holes on the side give you a better sound since more of the sound board is involved in transmitting the vibration that you hear. Other manufacturers have compied this like Tacoma. Which is also owned by fender ...
Since you brought it up, what did you do to get the comp deal? |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | 1. Center sound hole is best
2. Deep contour bowl is best
3. Abalone trim is best
Whoever is comping this guitar to you, take them to the cleaners. 2079LX CUSTOM LEGEND.
Dave |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Whether you take them to the cleaners or not, the 2079LX Custom Legend would be a GREAT CHOICE! |
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Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Plus the Custom Legend or Custom Elite have AAA grade tops. |
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Posts: 4827
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | K' I'm not the most experienced member but I've discovered I don't particularly care for the epaulets. Could be just that my hands are all over the place (I've had comments) but they catch my flying finger once in a while.
Meanwhile my Custom Balladeer has been THE go-to guitar for 35 years. But I'm also amazingly loyal.
I would trust (some) members comments here about the Legend. The rest of us are only here to help build the next punch line. Truth comes at a premium....but then I've recently discovered I like vodka martinis. Actually, vodka gimlets but who knows the difference? |
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Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | fillhixx said: ....but then I've recently discovered I like vodka martinis. Actually, vodka gimlets but who knows the difference? [/QB] I do fill...but that's a long story...
Arc Angel, go for tha gusto, get tha most that they? will comp you!
and Welcome! :D |
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Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Originally posted by BegginJIM:
fillhixx said: ....but then I've recently discovered I like vodka martinis. Actually, vodka gimlets but who knows the difference? I do fill...but that's a long story...one I can tell ya about at Amelia, over a martini...err...gimlet
Arc Angel, go for tha gusto, get tha most that they? will comp you!
and Welcome! :D [/QB] |
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November 2005
Posts: 4827
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Hey! I'm not the only one looking for a good story! Spill Beggin! It's easy, all you gotta do is type |
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Posts: 4827
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | actually, I'm just killing time 'till the clock runs out on my first experiement with Ebay. (roland drum machine, currently $31 with 53 minutes to go. I have virtually no idea how this will all work out...nor much care.) |
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Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Beat me to tha edit fill....we'll just sample a few at Amelia....and I'll tell ya then. |
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Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Buyin or sellin fill? |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Sellin', I'll be at Amelia in word only....if I'm lucky. |
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Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Custom Legend!
BTW, welcome to the club. I notice we now have more than 6,000 members! |
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January 2008
Posts: 49
Location: Canada | Hi guys,
Thanks for the comments and recommendations. I was leaning towards to Deep Contour Legends (Std. or Custom). Re: the comp deal, depending on list prices here in Canada (which were way more than our exchange rate should dictate), I'd be covered for a Legend and maybe a Custom Legend. Basically, I'm getting covered at wholesale value of any guitar up to about $1000-$1200 CDN. Therefore, I might have to add a little $$ for an upgrade (Custom Legend or Sig Series like an Al D.).
I will settle for the Deep Contour (like the projection and feel) but did notice a couple of negative comments about the DC and new LX series bowls vs. the old Deep bowls. Can anyone elaborate?
Thanks again. |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Deep Bowl MIGHT have a VERY SLIGHT better sound than the Contour Bowl. But the problem with the deep bowl is that it slips off your knee when you play sitting and it angles up and points to the sky when you play standing. The Contour Bowl solves those problems. Dave |
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Posts: 2487
| http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=113480&item=...
I am selling this one. this one is stunnning to look at in person.
Randy |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I prefer (deep) round back for sound and comfort of play... but, with the Standard LX series, which are built on the mid bowl, I'd go for the Custom with the deeper Contour bowl. |
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January 2008
Posts: 49
Location: Canada | Thanks. One point of confusion, do the Custom Legends now come with the OP Pro Studio pre-amps? Any suggestions on the various electronic options? Are they dealer/distributor installed?
The Ovation website and LX brochure is a little confusing on this point (and maybe a little out of date). |
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November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Originally posted by Tupperware:
1. Center sound hole is best
2. Deep contour bowl is best
3. Abalone trim is best
Whoever is comping this guitar to you, take them to the cleaners. 2079LX CUSTOM LEGEND. +2 |
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August 2007
Posts: 1008
Location: Tuscany, Italy | I have played both deep and mid bowl Os.
To me the new LX series it plays much clear in the whole range, more mellow and deep even if it feature a mid-depth bowl. The return at the scalloped X bracing vs A bracing have given a boost and a more "open" sound to the guitar.
R. |
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January 2008
Posts: 49
Location: Canada | Mare Nostrum. That's one of my favorite Panerais!
I've pretty much decided on a Deep Contour Custom Legend or possibly Al Di Meola Signature (any comments appreciated on that model).
Anybody know what Pre Amp is coming standard with the Deluxe Legend? Is it the Op Pro Studio? How does Ovation handle Pre Amps on its models. Is there an upgrade path at retail? |
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Posts: 1008
Location: Tuscany, Italy | AA.....Panerais.... you mean the famous watches manufactured by Panerai in Florence (now in Switz ?
Riccardo |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Given the choice of with or without the bling, go for the bling. Round hole or epaulets? May be just my set up, but I have a more difficult time with feedback on the round hole model, all other things being sort of equal (same preamp, pedals, amps, house board, volume settings, etc.) |
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Posts: 49
Location: Canada | MN, yes the Panerai watches from Firenze. Too bad they are now no longer made locally :-( I guess you now have Anonimo being made in town with some of the same employees.
ProfessorBB, thanks for the info. How is the sound acoustically with the Round hole vs. Epaulets? Have you tried to deal with feedback on the Round hole via the Feedback Buster for Center-Soundhole Guitars. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Contact DOBRO about the Al Di Meola Signature.
He might even been willing to sell his since he has recently been converted to the Adamas world! |
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October 2005
Posts: 4046
Location: Utah | Originally posted by Arc Angel:
The Ovation website and LX brochure is a little confusing on this point (and maybe a little out of date). Yup. A little.
BTW, the preamps come from the factory. Some may be interchangeable but you'd have to contact the factory and do an after-the-sale deal with them. They might have to do some rewiring etc.
The OpPro works great for me, although the OpPro Studio would be a nice little upgrade.
Honestly I don't think you'd be disappointed with any of the guitars you've mentioned. They all sound and play great. |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Why not an ADAMAS..?..less prone to weather changes and Laminate Tops are Good , Right away ,...unless you do n`t mind waiting several years for a Solid Top to settle in..
Vic |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Since it looks like an opportunity to put in a sales plug here, I am looking to sell my 90s Cedar Top Cutaway Elite. It has the deep bowl and epaulets, natural non-gloss finish, and is in very nice condition, with the top already opened up very nicely. I don't like the idea of parting with it, but I already have the two Adamas 6 strings. I am looking to try and trade up or sell and get a baritone and a Viper. So the nice old classical and the Cedar top Elite will be on the selling block any time now. |
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Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | Comes down to preference on woods too. I prefer ebony fingerboards so my choices narrowed considerably, then I wanted the OP Pro, narrowed again. I wish the contours were an option when I bought, but they weren't so I went with mid.
Eventually, it came down to my Elite LX |
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January 2008
Posts: 49
Location: Canada | Well, I think I am down to a decision between the Custom Legend LXwith Deep Contour and OP Pro Studio and a Al Di Meola II.
Any comments between these two from people who've played both extensively? I like the satin neck on the Al D. but also like the idea of the Contour bowl on the Custom Legend. I've played Legends, an older Custom Legend, Balladeer LXs, but not a Custom Legend LX 2079 yet. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | I'm partial to the ADII, but then I like the deep bowl, A braced top, and OP Pro. You'll be happy with either choice as they are both top of the line guitars. Good luck..... |
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December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | I prefer the multi-hole/epaulet O's myself. It takes the sound a little longer to get out. a lot like swishing wine over the pallet!
I suggest a Baritone Contour with OP Pro Studio and a lot of Abalone. the D-scale will give you more range and tone. |
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March 2006
Posts: 482
Location: enid, ok | Be a man! Buy a solidbody electric! |
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January 2008
Posts: 49
Location: Canada | I've got a bunch of solid body electrics ;-) |
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Please advise me on first Ovation purchase