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September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | What is more important to you?
Playability or Tone?
As we know, the attributes that give great tone aren't really the same attributes that give good playability. I.E.. Strong break angle (high action), and larger strings.
As a guitar player, do you sacrifice one for the other?... or do you go for maximum playability or do you go for maximum tone?
If you go for a blend of both, do you have a bias towards either side?
Im kinda in a pickle here. I love the sound of 12's at maximum action height (7/64)= strong break angle. But, my fingers tell me that they like 11's at minimum action = shallower break angle.
I just need the opinion of this board as to what we are willing to sacrifice in tone for that great playability. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | A blend of both.
Great playability means nothing if the guitar sounds like crap. Great tone is nice, but it's a drag to have to take breaks to wipe the blood off the fretboard. |
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Posts: 972
Location: PDX | Get a solid body electric. That would "unpickle" you :)
Seriously: What is not to like about these tones? (2 links)
_____
gh1 |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I won't play a guitar if the tone doesn't appeal to me...
but, then again... I've sold a couple of truly great sounding guitars because I prefer the playability of a wider neck |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Both have to be there but playability has the edge. |
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Posts: 1900
| A C-standard Baritone with mediums, best of both worlds.. |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I like woman with big breasts AND a nice personality.
Dave |
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Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Originally posted by Tupperware:
I like woman with big breasts AND a nice personality.
Dave ......and playability?? |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . Easy Action. |
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Location: Cicero, NY | ...and no strings attached. |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | made in Thailand |
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Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Originally posted by Jeff W.:
made in Thailand ding ...ding .. ding ....We have a winner!!! |
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Posts: 5327
Location: Cicero, NY | I don't typically correct others spelling errors, John, but I believe you meant "weiner", no? |
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Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Either is acceptable in this case. :) |
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Posts: 382
Location: USA | thats like the term caught between a rock and hard place...or you cant get blood from a stone...lol
if i really really really had to...i would pick the tone...if the tone is there...hopefully the playability will be in your hands.
What good is a guitar that plays good but sounds like...crapola |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Playability. Since I am 99.5% amped, tone is usually not a problem, and can be manipulated should there be a problem. |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
A blend of both.
Great playability means nothing if the guitar sounds like crap. Great tone is nice, but it's a drag to have to take breaks to wipe the blood off the fretboard. I usually am attracted to the tone of a guitar first but playability is a factor.
Sort of like the old days, "Paper or Plastic?". |
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December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | I haven't found an Ovation that I couldn't adjust to get both. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | Although I agree with Dave, I think what originally drew me to Ovation was the tone. I had a handmade dreadnaught that sounded great, but was a finger buster. The Ovation sound was different, not necessarily better or worse, but the playability was worlds better.
This is one of those areas that a little compromise is necessary. I played a used shallow bowl Custom Legend last night that had really high action. It was not worth paying for a neck reset, so it had no value to me. If it had a deep bowl, I might have considered it. |
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April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Playability; if I can't play it, it doesn't matter how good the tone is.
--Karen
Gertrude, Jewel, Jazzie, Blanca, Gilda, Ivory, Sugar, Plink, Twang, and Shriek |
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December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | I have owned a ton of instruments. I don't care what name is on the headstock or how it looks. it has to sound and play well. Without that why own it? |
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June 2005
Posts: 1320
Location: Round Rock, TX | originally posted by alpep:
it has to sound and play well [emphasis mine] I agree with Al. Both or nothin'. |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | I prefer playability first and foremost. And then, I would make (or take it to a professional to make) the necessary adjustments to improve the tone, somewhat, once the certain level of playability that I'm comfortable with has been achieved.
One thing I like about Ovations is that they come alive when they're plugged in. That holds true to my one and only shallow bowl balladeer. I don't mind its weak sound unplugged, for it's perfect for practice purposes. When I'm gigging with it, however, it's plugged in and I can really appreciate the sound that this guitar gives out. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I'm just a 50-year-old beginner. (I will be learning until I Die!) I go for lighter strings, low action, and playablity. I play for myself anyway. I can always plug-in, and between the on-board EQ on two of my O's (and the 12) I can make 'em sound pretty much like I know what I'm doing.
Couldn't you comprimise? Light and Low for your own head. Heavy and High, if you are gigging?
And if you are not playing for some-one else's money... Do what makes you happy! |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | sound and playabilty come first. most of my guitars aint the best looking but thats how i like them(with the exception of the adamas)
the set up i like is med strings low action and a fat neck....jason |
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March 2003
Posts: 555
Location: Wooster, Ohio | I always lower the bridge for the best playability. I know that I am sacrificing tone but I love a low action. I have a small amp at home and I find that plugged in the lowing of the action makes no real difference. The low action of ovation is what drew me to that guitar. Still some of the best action in the industry.
Steve |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | my folklore has a tall saddle with 2 abalone shims with super low action with 13's on it...jason |
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November 2004
Posts: 286
Location: Idaho | Maybe I am getting too fussy, but I demand both playability and sound. Not so much what other peoples's opinions are, but what I hear and feel. Probably why I keep the roundbacks. |
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Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I don't know gang. Tupp throws in a classic OFC thread takeover bid, and you guys bring it back to talking about guitars.
Sheesh!
What's this board coming to??? :D :D :D |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I agree with muz. I'm deeply disappointed in all of you. Dave |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | it's the Manifesto . . . |
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January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | The tone on Ovations suffer more than other acoustics when the action is too low. That being said, because of Ovation's neck design, you don't need to set the action too low. The necks on Ovations are sleek, more like electrics that fat dreadnought necks. I would say that most of the folks on this board bought Ovations for their playability. |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by cliff:
it's the Manifesto . . . Screw the manifesto, and that coconut assed dough boy who posted it. Time to unite and stand up for our rights. This forum was founded on sexual innuendo, thread highjacking, and asking what kind of strings to use on a Legend. Time to organize and get back to our roots.
Dave |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Attica!!! . . . Attica!!!! . . . |
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December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Decaf Dave!
Maybe some of that Tai Chi or Chi tea... |
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Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Tup's posting a lot today. He must be in a boring meeting.... |
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Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I like my guitars unplayable and without tone. |
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November 2005
Posts: 4820
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Whichever one is likely to get me 'lucky'....
....haven't actually found it, yet.
(post edited in deference to The Manifesto) :rolleyes: |
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November 2005
Posts: 4820
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by Tupperware:
....and asking what kind of strings to use on a Legend. I come with no strings attached. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Dave... your passion is getting the better part of your memory capacity.
Coconut assed in not accurate.
You should know that since you're the one who dressed me. ;) |
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Posts: 4820
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | It's just....he can't get that perfect image out of his mind.
Passion is a dangerous thing. |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | And by the way... I wasn't the only one in a grass skirt ya know! |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Two words, Brad:
Coconut
Bra |
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October 2005
Posts: 5327
Location: Cicero, NY | Originally posted by cliff:
Two words, Brad:
Coconut
Bra BRA?? I thought that was a coconut BIB!
(Just kidding, Brad. :D ) |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Originally posted by cliff:
Two words, Brad:
Coconut
Bra Well yeah....there was that.
And another BTW.... I know there were multiple sets of coconut available. I saw other Fishsticks trying them on..... How did I end up being the only baqnd member to wear one???(or is it two?)
Next time I'm gonna do a shell count before anybody leaves that men's room. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | works every time . . . |
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Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Why is it a pair of underwear but a bra is just one item? |
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Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Am I the only member here who occasionally buys a guitar because of the way it looks, playability and tone notwithstanding? |
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December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Nope, when I first saw the Breadwinners and Deacons it was a gotta-have-it thing.
Then I found out how great the necks were. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I would pick playability over tone but there is no reason to have to compromise. |
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January 2006
Posts: 387
Location: Whitecourt, Ab | Playability or tone might be why we keep a guitar, but if you have ever bought a guitar without physically playing it(ebay) word of mouth or playing a similar unit might be why you bought it |
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July 2002
Posts: 280
Location: Waterloo, IL | I usually try a guitar becuase it looks good, then listen to how it really sounds. If the playability is as good as the looks and the sound we have a winner!
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September 2006
Posts: 713
Location: Alberta, Canada | The ultimate double edged sword...looks without playability and great sound is just art.
A guitar can have glitz up the yahzoo and be nothing but a expensive wall hanger. Point in fact... I know a guy with a beautiful D-45 that plays just OK and doesn't sound too bad, but given a choice I would take his beat up old D-35 that looks like hell but plays and sounds, to my ear, absolutely fantastic.
If the instrument does not sound pleasant to my ears and I have to fight the action for every note, my enjoyment is severly compromised and the instrument will not call to me to pick it up.
I do not have the economic freedom to be able to have a large selection of guitars to choose from, so the instrument needs to appeal on those levels first. If it has looks too, that's just a bonus.
Dave |
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June 2005
Posts: 1320
Location: Round Rock, TX | I've bought several guitars on eBay that looked fantastic. It's not that much of a risk, really. If they don't play or sound worth spit, then it's easy to sell 'em back on eBay, because they look fantastic. As serendipity would have it, three of the ones I got on looks were also the best playing and sounding guitars I've ever had (the Soulmate, the LP and the 137). |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I agree with Bill. Ebay is basically the worlds biggest "demo" room. Just make sure you don't significantly overpay. I end up reselling almost every guitar I buy there. Usually not for any profit. PayPal is the same way. Basically I keep playing with the same slush fund of money. Sell one for $500. Buy one for $500. Repeat as necessary. Certain aberrations like 47-RI's, custom new orders, and wooden guitars have been a bit more difficult to deal with.
Dave |
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March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | I've bought guitars on ebay. Of the acoustics, the only one I still have is the 87 C, which needed a new neck. Both of my electrics were purchased on ebay with no problems.
If you want to purchase a guitar with no surprises, then buy where you can check it out personally. You pay more for that option, but often it can be worth it. |
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What is more important to you?