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Location: The Shop | VXT vid on my space. |
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Location: NJ | i saw that it looks cool.
I wonder if I can consider my guitar "the prototype" LOL...... |
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Location: Orange County, California | No. But it had to be inspired by "something"
;) :p ;) :p |
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Location: SoCal | "prototype"... that's the best thing anyone has ever called it. |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | Posted at MySpace:
The VXT will be making it debut at select Guitar Center® Locations throughout the US.
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Location: Orange County, California | :mad: :eek: Baaagh!! GC!! P'tuuy!!!! :mad: :eek: |
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Location: south east Michigan | link link link link link
link link link link link
link link link link link
******please****** |
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Location: Central Massachusetts | from the previous thread, check myspace |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Whose hands are those? Anyone recognize 'im? Get him drunk and talkative....it seems to work for the wife. |
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Location: NJ | . . . that what I've HEARD . . . |
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Location: ranson,wva | im not realy a electric player but that is one id love to have....second thought ill take al's viper/collector/mutt..lol jason |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | One things for sure, when it does make it to GC, I'll check it out. |
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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Who is that playing? I would have left out that clunker B natural string in the Bbm6 chord. Hopefully the guitar is not a clunker. LOL!! |
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Location: Reno, NV | Anyone have an idea how much this thing will cost? |
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Location: SoCal | How much it costs??? Heck, we're still speculating on what it is. |
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Location: ranson,wva | im thinking atleast $2500-3000....thats in the range of the t5.....jason |
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Location: Australia | Looks like they're dipping their toe back into the electric market, interesting
...I'm suprised they didn't have it good to go for winter NAMM |
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Location: south east Michigan | They were very careful not to show the headstock.
It looks more Hamer than Ovation.
...I'm suprised they didn't have it good to go for winter NAMM I know. That is strange.
Maybe... just maybe..The Guitar Center mucky-mucks said they would do extensive premier / promotion work IF they were given an exclusive. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Originally posted by johnny cash 83:
im thinking atleast $2500-3000....thats in the range of the t5.....jason Don't forget the proven Taylor / Ovation monetary exhange equation.
"Taylor retail divided by 2 = comparable Ovation out the door."
I'm bettin' around $1300. |
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Location: ranson,wva | brad, if it is that low i will defintly have to have one....but im still gonna stay with my first guess....jason |
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Location: ranson,wva | i take it that this is gonna be a solid board,not chambered body like the EA vipers?? jason |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I am curious to see how much it has in common with my Mahogany Viper Project ?
Except that the VXT will be clean, well finished and executed.
Consider it a Viper Level III. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | This is cool, it's like blind men trying to describe an elephant ... ok, this blind man takes a turn:
It sounds to me like a semi-hollow mahogany body with an acoustic pick-up, plus the two humbuckers and a blender knob. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Sounds to me like a hamer with an ovation neck and VIP added to it.
I understand that VXT was not the first name they chose for this guitar. They wanted to call it FRG, as in Fooking Radical Guitar, but they thought the name would just lead to confusion.
Dave |
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Location: Tennessee | From the myspace blog:
-------------------------------------------------
What does VXT stand for?
Variable cross tone.
What does that mean?
The VXT allows seamless blending of acoustic and electric sounds with the turn of a knob. From all acoustic to all electric and some amazing blends in between that create a whole new sound.
-------------------------------------------------
I'm not seeing the typical acoustic pickup from the CT crew ala the Viper or Duotone. It looks to be something like the Baggs X-Bridge or the Graph Tech acoustic saddles. |
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| As a point of interest I asked al about a Duotone and the rep told him 4 or 5 months - so maybe they only make them to order and Ovation won't be treading on their toes if they actually put this thing into production.
FWIW I think the duotone is one of the coolest looking guitars out there - way cooler than the similar PRS Holowbody series. |
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Location: Tennessee | Originally posted by schroeder:
Ovation won't be treading on their toes if they actually put this thing into production.
I've gotta believe there is a lot of cooperation between Hamer and Ovation on the VXT. In fact, Hamer has got the shop, tools and wherewithal to build this thing, not Ovation. I imagine there is a lot of Jol behind this design and execution. Definitely a good thing ... if anyone can pull off a new world-beater, it would be Jol and crew. |
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Location: Omaha, NE | I hate to sound like a wet blanket here, but what is it about this that has everyone so excited? The fact that Ovation may get back into the solid body business? Is that really important in a world where we can already buy Hamer's? What am I missing? |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I don't know enough to make any type of informed guess, but I hope an4340 is close to being correct. I would personally be interested in a chambered EA Viper with the current slimline pickup plus an additional pick-up to allow more "electric" sounds typical of a solid body. The picture showing the upper bout and the cutaway do look similar to the forward profile of an EA Viper. |
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Location: The Shop | Stone are you saying that the Ovation crew couldnt build a guitar like that? Just asking. |
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Location: closely held secret | Tread carefully there, Bobbo... |
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Location: Tennessee | No, no, no ... not saying that at all, cms-man. The Ovation crew is full of very talented people. But if you have a Jol Dantzig upstairs and you were embarking on this kind of a project, you'd be insane not to consult with him. I'm sure the Ovation factory could easily gear up to build the VXT and find the people internally with the skills to perform the work once the suits gave the project the go-ahead. What I was really referring to was the design and prototyping ... and the boys upstairs deal everyday with solid body design and ergonomics, pickup selection, electronics wiring, etc. And they have the right machining and construction already in place to run a prototype ... I'll bet it would be hard to convince the suits to buy more stuff and expertise when you're already got it in house. |
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Location: Tennessee | And I meant to add that if this in fact an Ovation guitar (I haven't see that publicly acknowledged anywhere by anyone of authority), then I am sure that there are Ovation designers and production experts that are part of the product team. |
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Location: closely held secret | Nice recovery, Robert. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | So... he can dance as well as sing and play guitar? Cool. |
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Location: Orange County, California | Ladies & Gentlemen... I give you Bob Seger!! :p :D :p :D |
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Location: Tennessee | I saw Bob Seger last weekend. One thing I can say ... that man CAN'T dance. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Conceptually, this guitar is not a hard stretch for ovation.
Ovation makes first class necks. Ovation has the technology to make a first class acoustic pick up, which is harder to do, in my book than an electric pup. (I believe the acoustic pup will be what sells the guitar, along with the blender). Ovation has experience with the viper body. All they have to do is adjust the chambering in the body. Or use a machine to rout the chambers from a solid piece. Put a nice piece of spruce on the top --- without the soundholes please! There you go. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | If the thing is made by Ovation or Hamer, or some joint effort who cares? Call it a Hovation. As far as I'm concerned the whole building is filled with master craftsmen, both upstairs and down. Personally I've love to see some blurring of the lines. Didn't you always wish that Hamer would build a Breadwinner, or that a Monoco would come with an Ovation looking headstock? Really anxious to see what this puppy is all about. Dave |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | If the thing is made by Ovation or Hamer, or some joint effort who cares? Call it a Hovation. As far as I'm concerned the whole building is filled with master craftsmen, both upstairs and down. Personally I've love to see some blurring of the lines. Didn't you always wish that Hamer would build a Breadwinner, or that a Monoco would come with an Ovation looking headstock? Really anxious to see what this puppy is all about. Dave |
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Location: Central Massachusetts | 2 new vids on myspace .. looks like an O headstock to me.
Also looks like you germans may get the first look at it on March 31st. |
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Location: Australia | I thought shred was dead....unfortunately not
My jazz teacher used to call it "finger diarrhoea". |
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| There's a bunch of new info on the vxt website: http://TheVXT.com
Should answer much of your speculations. I think that along with the info up on YouTube and MySpace ought to be enough for you to piece it together. |
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Location: Orange County, California | From the website: "My dad has an established history of building electric guitars, and mom pioneered the foundations of acoustic/electric guitar craftsmanship. Some people say I'm more like my father, others think I'm more like my mother"
I did see what appears to be an ovation headstock in one of the videos, but this statement says "Hamer/Ovation joint project" all the way. |
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| A guitarcenter/musiciansfriend exclusive? Al tell us it aint so!! I want one..
Glenn |
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Location: PDX | That's my conclusion as well. The guitar itself screams Hamer. Ovation's contribution may be the acoustic preamp?
_____
gh1 |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Let GC have the black ones. Al can sell us the naturals, tiger striped maples, and sunbursts! |
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Location: SoCal | This is a really cool guitar, but unlike everybody else, I have no interest in it at all beyond just watching all this..... |
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Location: ranson,wva | id like to have a natural finish one....jason |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I just want the innerds...
It would make a nice Deacon! |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Well this puppy has my name all over it. My own tunes and a large majority of ones I listen to, mostly heavier rock, have a clean acoustic guitar somewhere along the way. When I played out, I had one amp clean the other for overdrive and I rarely played through just one. Blending a clean Wah with a separate heavy distortion from another amp is amazing. Putting the crunch through one amp, but having it's echo go out clean with a slight delay (and vs versa) are sounds I love to play and hear. Until now it seems, there was always compromise when it came to tone.
On the first video when the guy blends for full clean to full crunch... I was sold. |
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Location: RI. That small State out East | Does anyone need another reason to "visit"
"The Ship" in May?
I'm sure we will hear all about it.
Woz |
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Location: NJ | ". . It would make a nice Deacon! . ."
But you wouldn't have a chambered body
(unless of course, you MADE one ;-) |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I agree with Mr. Ovation, but come at it from a different angle. I see value in this from a country rock perspective, for example, doing a Johnny Cash like number like Ring of Fire, where you have an incessant acoustic rhythm and a tele chomping out a single note rythym, and then each one stepping out for a lead. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
I had one amp clean the other for overdrive and I rarely played through just one. Blending a clean Wah with a separate heavy distortion from another amp is amazing. Putting the crunch through one amp, but having it's echo go out clean with a slight delay (and vs versa) are sounds I love to play and hear.
As much as I'd like to agree with Miles, I can't because I'm not sure I understand exactly what he is describing. I could probably figure it all out, but it would be great if, during the tour, we could have some technical sessions and demonstrations on amps, effects, and options for various sounds, much like he described. |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | I"m not involved in the electric guitar world at all...so forgive me if this is an ignorant question, but isn't this what the T-5 is all about?
Would the main thing about this be that it might be less expensive?
Don't mean to ruffle any feathers. Just asking.
John <>{ |
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Location: SoCal | The main thing about the VXT is the acoustic preamp with the modeling (I'm sure I'm not using the right term here) built in it. Way beyond the T5.... |
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Location: Upper Left USA | ". It would make a nice Deacon! . ."
"But you wouldn't have a chambered body
(unless of course, you MADE one ;-)"
Father's Day is around the corner, which usually means an excuse to get more shop tools...
I applaud their efforts but no one model is going to remain on top for long. The competition must be plotting away as well. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | The T-5 looks like an Acoustic. Even the Hamer Duotone is focused on the acoustic sound and format with the ability to act/sound like a solidbody. The VXT seems, at least from what little info there is, to be an Electric first and foremost, with the ability to sound like an Acoustic. Price point is going to be crucial. |
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Location: Round Rock, TX | Actually, I've always thought the Carvin AE-185 trumped the T5. Two outputs - one for acoustic, one for the dual humbuckers; 24 frets; ebony (or maple or rosewood) fingerboard; choice of inlays; lighter weight; blend knob (a la VXT); choice of top woods and finishes; less than 1/2 the price. I like Ovation necks and I love the VIP which would help this one trump the Carvin, but I wish it had an ebony fingerboard and 24 frets. I'll definitely be checking this one out, though. |
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Location: ranson,wva | id like to see a lighter wood on the fretboard..like maple or walnut. i just dont like the looks of ebony or rosewood on most guitars...jason |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I meant like a tic-toc rhythm. I hadn't given much thought about price point. I guess one way to look at this is what are you willing to pay for an acoustic, then how much are you willing to pay for an electric. If ovation can do it for the price of one electric or one acoustic, then I'm on it, no hesitation. As the price goes up I'm less likely to buy it, though the "performance" could induce me, until it reaches the price of one acoustic plus one electric. Then it doesn't make sense, on an economic basis. For me. Again I agree with Mr. O, it's closer to an electric with acoustic possibilities, like a Parker Nite-Fly M. I hope they can beat the price on those. |
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Location: Orange County, California | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
Price point is going to be crucial. From GC:
Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (Barry) - 03/19/2007 02:32 PM
Thank you for your recent inquiry.
We will be carrying the Ovation VXT very soon. The estimated price will be around $1,600.00. They are due to arrive about mid-April. Keep checking back with us for updates.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any more questions or concerns. We appreciate you choosing Guitar Center.
http://www.GuitarCenter.com
1-866-498-7882.
---------------------------------------------------------------
I feel kinda dirty now..... |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | It's intriguing and maybe the answer for some people. I don't have any use for a one size fits all guitar, since I have lots of room for guitars and plenty of time to switch between them. My only concern with this is if it ends up being a compromise from every angle, like all-season tires, not really very good anything. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | If I put my acoustic hat on, I'd agree it smacks of compromise, but, if I put on my electric hat, it's another kettle of fish. Depends how you look at it.
Form the electric vantage, if they're as good as the parker flys, (or hopefully better!) it's a synergy, with an increased sonic palette, which is pretty desirable. The parker's I've played go for about $1500, so it's in the ball park of the competition. The build quality on the parkers is pretty good too.
I'm not turned on by the T-5, but this may just have the mojo. Of course, the proof is in the pudding so we'll just have to see. |
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Location: PDX | Well, if it plays like an electric, and can really get those acoustic sounds like on one of the clips i'd be very interested! There are lots of acoustic modeling channels but none of them sound as clear as that clip.
One of the big challenges i have is going from electric to acoustic guitars. I alway rip the strings right off the fretboard on the electics.
And the change in neck width is challenging for me as well.
I am really kind of excited to try one out.
I agree the body options should include some natural or mild bursts that show the grain. Anyway, pretty cool idea.
_____
gh1 |
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Location: Midland, MI | Just as an aside, can someone tell me what the difference is between an "acoustic-electric" and an "electric-acoustic" guitar? |
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Location: Upper Left USA | If your dyslexic, not a denmad thing. |
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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | LOL!!!! |
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| Apart from the Ovation pre-amp this is the exact same spec as a duotone. But cheaper. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Doesn't seem much like a Doutone to me..
http://www.thevxt.com/specs.html |
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| Carved semi-hollow mahogany body, spruce top, mahogany one-piece neck, 2 Duncan 59s, rosewood board, bridge acoustic pup. Blend control. Built-in preamp.
Barely a similarity at all. |
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Location: Scotland | Originally posted by schroeder:
Apart from the Ovation pre-amp this is the exact same spec as a duotone. But cheaper. The Duotone was good in it's day but the T5 raised the bar. The major difference with VTX appears to be the VIP techology derived from the Fishman Aura for the acoustic sounds. Apparently there's going to be a sneak preveiw at Musicmesse next week. The Ovation booth is pretty close to G-band. I'll post pics if I get a chance. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I guess people see different elements of a guitar, very differently. I see a wood bridge vs a metal bridge, a active eq vs modeling pre-amp, chambered vs. semi-hollow, different neck scales, and to me the only thing they have in common is they are guitars. They do share the '59 humbuckers, but with all the other differences, they are not going to sound even remotely similar. |
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Location: Scotland | OK, I saw the VXT today at Frankfurt. VERY cool. What wasn't apparent from the pics I've seen so far is the way the back is carved to look like the contour bowl. I was busy demoing all day and missed Matt playing the VXT, but I'm going to make a point of catching him tomorrow. Rick H told me that list price is around $2500 with an expected street price of $1600. I've sent some pics to Jerome, so they should be on his website soon. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | This guitar is sounding ever-more interesting. |
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Location: Paris/France | Paul, thank you so much for sharing!!
Like I've said to Paul, I've asked to John Budny from the factory for using the pics on O.T.
I don't want to use them without their agreement because I don't want to disturb the official launch of the VXT!!
Even if the VXT is shown in Frankfurt, I'll feel much relieved if they're ok.
The page is ready and you can be sure that it will be viewable as soon as I will have a positive reply from New Hartford!!
J :) |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | For anyone going to Musicmess in Frankfurt, would it be possible to check out the new Takamine small bodied acoustic. Is it "a tuned", or is it, just a short scale. Thanks. |
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Location: Scotland | There is a Martin New Yorker style (0-size) on the Takamine booth. This is a full scale guitar tuned regular. It is VERY nice. |
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Location: Scotland | Got a chance to get a closer look this afternoon. It´s a 14 fret slothead, koa back and sides, looks bigger than an 0, probably closer to an 00. Direct-out preamp without controls.
Also got to hear Matt demoing the VXT. This will give the T5 some serious competition. Very impresive electric performance and convincing acoustic tone. At one point Matt played with an overdriven electric tone blended with the acoustic sound. Totally unique and very cool. Nice to see a new electric solidbody with an Ovation headstock after all these years. |
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Location: NJ | I really think that Taks are gonna start gaining aLOT of ground (and deserved respect) with the WoodBox Cogniscente . . . |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Thanks for the update on the taks. If I got a wood box, it would be a tak.
I bet that VXT sounded good. Can't wait to try one. |
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Location: Tennessee | New info available on the VXT. From the myspace page:
Also, a video with Rick and Matt can be found here: VXT with Rick and Matt |
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Location: Paris/France | With John's agreement, the page for the VXT is now available on the site.
THE VXT IN FRANKFURT
It's been a so long time since we saw an Ovation logo on a solid body headstock...
J :) |
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Location: Lebanon, TN | As ever Jerome, great job on publishing these. Many thanks |
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VXT!!