|
|
Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Canada | Thank you for welcoming me on board. I have been dreaming of owning an Ovation classical since high school - crikey, that was eons ago - and was searching the net when I came upon this group. After having read a number of the posts (instead of prepping for school) I feel this forum will provide me with the knowledge I need to make an informed decision before making the investment (and a number of good laughs - loved the dyslexic agnostic reference). I admit to knowing nothing about Ovations except that I have always found their sound, feel and appearance sensual. Please excuse my naivete.
I presently have a Yamaha CG-110 which my teenager is eyeing (and strumming) - soon enough she will claim it as hers. Bought second hand, the guitar sat in a closet for 12 years, seldom seeing the light of day until this spring. I have now set a goal for myself to play better than I did all those decades ago (actually not a great feat, but a place to start for now).
So, here I am looking for an Ovation classical guitar. At a slight 5'4", I must also consider size. Price is a consideration, but the quality and condition is what is most important.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated (and would give me a break from prepping ;)
Thank you all.
Kit |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | aloha "cannot take it" and welcome to the OFC :D :D . love your screen name! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Canada | Aloha Lanaki. Oh, how funny! - Cannot take it - Kana:ta (pronounced Ganada - accent second syllable) is a Mohawk word meaning village - mistakenly heard as Canada; Kit is a variation on my name. Isn't it funny how we interpret things! I am using that in school next month when we look at historical interpretation.
Thanks for the welcome lanaki.
Kit |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Welcome, Ovation makes a slew of nice classicals. Someone here might be willing to give one up. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Here's a nice one that may go for a reasonable price. I have one simular to it and it plays and sounds great.
Ebay Page |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| All Ovation classicals are nice. If you want to see the nicest of the nice (and then some) go to Member's Access, Photo Gallery, moody p.i. and look at his custom 1773LX. Sounds even better than it looks and is totally wasted on its owner. I think he's planning on giving it to me for Christmas. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by schroeder:
Sounds even better than it looks and is totally wasted on its owner. I think he's planning on giving it to me for Christmas. :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Or possibly it was a smack around the head. It was one or the other. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 15
Location: Michigan | The guy over at lost art vintage (http://www.lostartvintage.com/mainframe.asp) has some listed on his page. I'm not sure where the link I provided will take you, but if you click on instruments on the left side the scroll down to number 84 you can see some pictures of this GORGEOUS classical in koa.
You did say price was a consideration, so this might not be for you - I don't know what the asking price is.
good luck. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | think 1123 or 1623. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | #84 on the LostArt page is a steel-string, not a classical. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Incidently and not an uncommon occurance, Yosemite (the national park) was named after a Miwok (tribe) word, pronounced Ooz-ah-MAH-tay meaning, "short, irritable, orneriest red mustachioed galoot who, ever packed a six-shooter"
(or... "great bear"... I can never remember which) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Originally posted by lanaki:
aloha "cannot take it" and welcome to the OFC :D :D . love your screen name! I thought the same thing.
I'll have to study up on my Mohawk - bit rusty. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Canada | Thanks for all the replies. Vince, I have noted the one on ebay and there are some others there as well - I do not feel I know enough about the guitars to make a wise purchase but you list of prices is helpful. Had a wonderful time touring moodie p.i.'s albums - the 1773LX is gorgeous. If he is into playing Santa, place me on the list.
Mauvais Beal - 1123 or 1623 - I could only find 1124 or numbers under 23 - is 23 a special order?
Tell me, do all the guitars come with the electronics?
So, if you had a bit to spend ($500-600) what would you buy.
Is there a certain individual or business you would recommend to purchase from
Ebay has me a bit worried, although I do use it for less expensive items or where I have knowledge of the seller.
Will check back after work. Thanks for all your suggestionns.
Kit |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Since you are alluding to your diminutive stature, hence, infering that your hands are small, you might be interested in a Country Artist nylon string model, with a slightly narrower neck. These come up regularly on ebay. And they are in production as new models. Plugged in, it is the best amplified nylon string I have ever played. Unplugged it's still above average. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Let me add:
The CA model number is 1624 and the one I have was made in 1976.
The CA was made to be plugged in. The older ones come with the warmest FET preamp you'd ever want.
I guarantee you will be able to find one in your price range.
I'd first haunt your local guitar stores and check craig's list. I'd also look at ebay at sellers with a good rating and a return policy.
Good luck. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | There were several Country Artists on ebay last weekend. Look there first.
Schro', you're nose looks like I already hit it a couple of times. You wanna play my 1773LX, you'll have to come out here to do it..... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1131
Location: NW Washington State | I too have a 1624 Country Artist. This model has a slightly shorter scale and a slightly narrower fingerboard than a typical classical guitar. This makes it easy to play- nice for smaller or otherwise limited hands. It isn't a tiny "student" model, though.
Downside is that the shorter scale and mid-depth bowl (O's come in various depths) make the unplugged acoustic sound a bit weak compared to the full-size classicals.
It's not unusual to find these on eBay in the $350-$450 range. The 1624 has a pickup and the 1124 doesn't.
Watch out for the 1114 and 1614. These are steel string "slotheads" that people sometimes mistakenly offer as classical guitars.
-Steve W. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Welcome to the club. I missed the Mohawk, my Iroquois being limited only to Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Oneida, and the bits of Mohican I picked up from Fenimore Cooper.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Welcome Eastern Foreigner.
(I can say that,'cos only 29 people live west of me in Kanata....and there's that Western Separatist Movement.)
Ovations may be a little thin on the ground up here. you may well find what you're looking for here, I've had good luck (with guitars, anyway) from this bunch. Post a request over in the For Sale Forum and see what happens. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1374
| I have a deep bowl wide neck 12 fretter 1613 classical with op pro and xlr you might be interested in. sunburst.
pm sent.
Glenn |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | There! See? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | WELCOME to the Odd,Feverish Cult... :)
Vic |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | Originally posted by kana:takit:
Aloha Lanaki. Oh, how funny! - Cannot take it - Kana:ta (pronounced Ganada - accent second syllable) is a Mohawk word meaning village - mistakenly heard as Canada; Kit is a variation on my name. Isn't it funny how we interpret things! I am using that in school next month when we look at historical interpretation.
Thanks for the welcome lanaki.
Kit i didn't really think your name was pronounced "cannot take it", that was just the first thing that entered my lightning-like brain when i saw it. nevertheless, a hearty welcome and it looks like you are already on your way to finding out what you need to know. stick around awhile and enjoy this place. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 782
Location: Waurika OK | I have a 1624 (county artist)that would be in your price range. Not trying to hijack Glen's offer, but choices are nice. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | y'know...some folks could read your screen name as the state in which O's come from: "kanatikit". in fact, uncle beal hangs out there when it's hot in the south. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | See now, the picture in MY mind is the engine room of the starship Enterprise.
"Cap'n, we can'na go to warp speed with the engines like this. She kana:takit." |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | the 23 is an old model, basically a shallow bowl 13, 12 frets, easier for people of your size. Better tone with 12 frets rather than 14 frets of teh 24. But there are newer models that would be good too, ask Al. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 15
Location: Michigan | Originally posted by cliff:
#84 on the LostArt page is a steel-string, not a classical. Doh! You're right. I didn't look very closely at the bridge and the photo of the headstock looked like there were nylon strings in there.
Thanks for correcting me. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Canada | "cannot take it", that was just the first thing that entered my lightning-like brain [/QB]
Got to love lightning-like brains! Anyway, I really liked that take on it - think I will keep it for a while - and the "Beam me up, Scotty" posting had me in stitches!! Even when I find what I am looking for I intend to stick around for a while - you all seem to have such a great time.
Kit
"Better a witty fool than a foolish wit." Twelfth Night, Shakespeare |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Canada | Today I took my research to the guitar store. There are a number of Ovations there but they are all made in China - is that a concern? The sales person stated that I would be paying 3x the price to purchase a made in USA than a made in China and that there was no difference; that really does not make much sense apart from a mass production explanation.
There were no classical models at the store - the sales person said that most people buy Yamaha for classical - actually spent quite a bit of time trying to turn me from the Ovation to the Yamaha. I "tried on" a few of the Ovations and found that the mid bowl was a good fit. Then I found that with a steel string I can actually reach past 3 frets - my hands or not that small, being proportional to my height. The sales person suggested I consider a steel string. He then stated that steel and nylon are not interchangeable, that to place steel strings on a guitar meant for nylon strings would damage the guitar. The guitar I found esthetically pleasing was a honey burst quilted cut away but am also drawn to the classic natural cedar with inlay. So now I have to possibly reconsider. Here is the question:
Is there an Ovation that is a mid bowl with a narrower neck than a classical that can be strung nylon or steel? I like the nylon because it is what I am accustomed to; however, I am open to change. All I want to do is play for personal pleasure and in small intimate groups - ie campfire, family gatherings etc - there are no gigs in my future. But, I would prefer to invest more in a solid guitar than pay less because it was a "deal". I have the Yamaha (at least for now until my daughter claims it) so could go for a steel string.
Thank you all for answering my past queries. I am really enjoying reading this group - you wild and crazy guys (and gals?)
Kit |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | There's a huge difference between USA made O and imports. You should really look at a 1773Lx
Other than the Academy, there aren't any O's that you would want to interchange Steel and Nylon strings. Guitars are braced to withstand the force of the string tension which makes it incompatible other string materials. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Hmmm....True that |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Nylon and steel are pretty much two different kinds of guitar. (duh!)
If you like the sound/feel of nylon strings. Go for that. One local trio here, the guitar player loves his nylon/classical O.
If it's just because the steel strings hurt your fingers and you plan to play more. Embrace the pain, get the narrow neck/steel string (Balladeer or whatever) and GET ON WITH IT. (It only hurts for a bit. Stop me if you've heard this before...)
few females here. They make us behave a little better than we might otherwise....right Karen?> ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Originally posted by fillhixx:
(It only hurts for a bit. Stop me if you've heard this before...) Ahh yes... brings back the memory of that night I spent in prison. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1131
Location: NW Washington State | This Country Artist might go for a reasonable price: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130144623713
I'd like to see a few more pictures and check on the shipping cost to Canada before bidding.
-Steve W. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Shipping isn't so bad, from my one experience, but the taxes were a bit of a shock. Still, most of the O's available for sale in North America are in the U.S. so it's just the price you pay.
I'd still hold out for a deep bowl though, if you plan to play it around the campfire more than plugged in on stage. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Canada | I go to the US daily to get to work so do not worry about that customs thing - thank goodness- it can be a real killer if they decide to get a broker involved! Broker for sure!
I have narrowed it down and know that I want a mid bowl with steel strings - I know a bit of a turn around but, hey, that's a woman's perogative - right? What of a few more callouses - all for a good cause.
So here is the wish list:
- mid bowl
- steel strings
- nutwidth- 1 3/4" - is there smaller?
As far as electronics go, I would like the tuner - not that I cannot tune the guitar but it would be nice to start in key.
Caught between the classic look:
- natural wood (Sitka spruce or similar)
- black back
- ebony fretboard with inlay
- decorative work around the "O"
and the Elite Special in a slightly darker wood.
I read with interest the discussion on the benefits of the "O" compared with the multiple holes - something to consider but the Elite Special is just all that.
And a hard case.
Most important of all: no cracks, major dings, missing /broken parts, assembly required - do not need to add to the "issues" pile.
Is that a pretty reasonable wish list? Can it be done within my budget?
Kathryn |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Canada | Oh, and one other thing - made in the USA.
Kit |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | you just described an LX |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Pretty much. Custom Elite if you want the ebony fretboard. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Kit, most nut widths are 1-11/16" on USA Ovations which you probably would find more preferable based on your posts. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Hmmm ... steel strings,a narrow neck,$500-600 ... that pretty-much opens the playing field for a LOT of USA Ovations. If I were you, I'd be patient and look for a used guitar. There are lots of excellent ones out there (some on this board) and you will get a lot more for your money.
Just my humble opinion |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | There was a 1122 talked about over in the for sale sectionm. Check that one out. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | "They make us behave better than we might otherwise...." That remains to be seen..... ;)
The LXs are great guitars, Kathryn--I have a SS Custom Elite LX that gets rave reviews from the people who have played her; if my shoulder were up to a mid-depth box, I'd definitely have one of those instead.
Best wishes as you search,
Karen |
|
| |
Guitar search