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Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | Trying to figure out what next...
Since my daughter has switched to the electric, I am thinking of getting rid of the Celebrity and getting a better center-hole wood topped guitar. Here are some of the one's I'm considering (I want a natural colored top). Any opinions.
1777LX-4 - New. LX package. What else is there to say.
1627 Reissue. Also new. This looks nice. Shallow bowl, not sure how it will sound. Don't have one to play/try.
2001 Collectors - Commonly referenced on this board to be one of the best. Didn't like the contour bowl on the 2005. AL, Do you have one of these? There is one on your website.
1651 - Al can get me one of these (you still have one, don't you AL? I'll let you know this week). Haven't heard much other than stonebobbo's very brief review.
Martin 00C-15AE - The local chain has one of these in AE. Nice voice. All mahagony. Rich full sound. I don't have a Martin. RETAIL PRICE. |
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April 2004
Posts: 234
Location: Phoenix, AZ | Originally posted by ttenn:
Didn't like the contour bowl on the 2005. Just out of curiosity, could you tell us why? I'm only trying to broaden my perspective (yes, I know that's a sufficient reason for expulsion from the OFC, but I'm willing to take a chance) and get as many viewpoints on the contourback as possible. |
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December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | I am one of the few here that don't like the contour bowl. It cuts into my ribs when I am playing sitting down. I never play standing. I prefer to have the guitar tilting up just a touch toward me.
Here is one thread where the contour bowl is discussed. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | t2en2, What is your goal for the new guitar? Play live, recording, just around the house, strumming, picking, etc ...
You own some nice instruments. Your 1681 has the sound and your millenium has the looks. What else are you after? Maybe a nice center soundhole 12 string. The Legend LX 12 string is really nice.
I've actually never played a 2001 redwood but everyone says they are really great sounding.
Of course you could always buy a natural finish, center soundhole ukulele ???
Dave |
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | 1777LX-4
It's going to give you the best acoustic sound, and it's got the most modern preamp. Plus, it's lighter weight, and stronger than any of the others.
Next question? |
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December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | I don't do much playing out. Mostly around the house, for friends, family get togethers. I agree on the 1681 and the Millenium, however I would like a woodtop too. I don't have a center hole (except the Celebrity which sounds like, um, a Celebrity).
I do about half and half - strumming and picking. |
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Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | pssssst ... buy the Martin.
Dave |
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April 2004
Posts: 234
Location: Phoenix, AZ | Originally posted by ttenn:
I am one of the few here that don't like the contour bowl. It cuts into my ribs when I am playing sitting down. I never play standing. I prefer to have the guitar tilting up just a touch toward me. Thanks. I actually like the roundback when playing sitting down. I am able to keep the face perpendicular to the floor. Haven't had any problems with either my shiny back DB or my LX. It's when I play standing that the body tends to tilt upwards. That's what I don't like and I think the contourback will eliminate. But, I'll have to track one down and play it to see if it digs into my ribs. No substitute for playing one myself before ordering. Thanks again for your explanation. |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | The 1651 is a really nice roundhole guitar ... but nutmeg not natural. Not sure if it's got the LX bits, but it sure seems like it. 1627 isn't what we have come to know as a shallow bowl -- really closer to a mid-depth -- it'll sound just fine. But if you don't have a Martin ... well ... they're really nice too. You might consider an acoustic only Martin unless you really, really need to plug in. The 000-15 12-fret slothead is a great guitar for the money.
If possible, get one of each. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Too bad you're set on natural, I've got a beautiful 1777-LX in trans burgundy I'm selling to help pay for my 1581. |
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January 2004
Posts: 1225
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I own a 1777LX and a somewhat similar Martin and they are two very different guitars. Like Dave said, you should really consider what your needs and expectations are. I have gigged quite a bit with both guitars and the Ovation is far superior for that purpose. Both guitars sound great, but the Ovation is more durable, less prone to humidity problems, easier to EQ, and just looks cooler. The Martin on the other hand is my easiest playing guitar and is great for recording and especially good for fingerstyle stuff. I'm a big Martin fan, but if I had to choose just one guitar, I would go for the 1777. Good luck. |
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Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I'd go for the 2001 Collectors. My 2002 Collectors is very underrated, if the 2001 is BETTER, it's a gimme.
The 1651 would be a close second choice.
Pssst...DON'T buy the Martin....it's the worst of the lot, definitely overpriced. I've OWNED a Martin, I won't again. Just my opinion.
Roger |
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December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | OK, to recap. I've got two votes for the 1777LX, one for the Martin, one for the 1651 plus a second place vote for the 1651, one vote for the 2001, and one vote against the Martin.
You guys aren't really helping. |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | 1651. Deep bowl. Non-cutaway. AAA spruce top. Gloss Neck. Schaller tuners. Stereo output. Beautiful finish color. RARE. Probably less money than any of the others. No brainer. |
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Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | I'll confuse you more. I've owned my LX 1777 for almost 2 years now, and its my workhorse acoustic. I also play a Taylor 514CE, but the LX I like better than the Taylor, for the same reason John B. does with his Martin. The roundness of the neck may take a little getting used to, depending on your likes. For sound unplugged, it compares with the big dreadnoughts. Plugged in it sounds balanced in all positions, something my Talyor does not, especially with a capo on the 5th fret. I also own a 12 String LX, and it plays and sounds great. The LX guitars seem to really capture the best of plugged and unplugged sound. Color is just a matter of taste. I prefer the Burgandy or Black. Try a few out at your local GC. Have someone sit across from you and strumm it. You'll be able to gauge the sound better that way. |
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December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | Here are the two front runners. Life is full of tough choices, idin it?
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | I like the old style fretboard on the Lennon, but I really think the modern LX is a better guitar. |
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June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Big Money,
IF you take away the difference in electronics, to me the Lennon wins hands down. Equal acoustically, better looking, and a rare collectable to boot. I own a Lennon and I own a (custom) Legend LX, so I know first hand. Moody is right, the LX is better but only if you place importance on the electronics. If you're not going to be gigging with it, I would choose for the Lennon. Plus you can buy the LX anytime in the future. The Lennon is only 50-100 guitars and the opportunity to get one is now.
Just my opinion. It's always fun helping other people spend their money.
Dave |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Hate to admit it but have to agree with Dave (again) ;)
Lennon reissue is actually limited to about six in the US, rest of the 100 were to go to Japan.
Very light bowl, ebony fretboard, A brace, AAA spruce - actually a Legend Limited (or Custom Legend w/o abalone), upgrade from Legend. Believe that the last Legend Ltd. was made about 1983. |
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Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | It would be simpler if Dave just listed the guitars he hasn't owned or played. His signature of those would be shorter than most of ours. |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | buy them all. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Sh*t, but Dave's right again. Get the Lennon.
I think, from what I've heard, that the Lennon has the ANS and the lighter bowl. I would guess that it's a better guitar than the original. |
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December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | ANS? What is ANS? Anything like the Chinese downhill?
I will probably get the Lennon. Gotta move some bills around. Having a baby is expensive. Last kid was 6 years ago. We had given away all the old stuff. |
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Advanced Neck System |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | When it doubt it is always better to grab the rarer of the two guitars. The Lennon won't be around long and once they are gone, they are gone. |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | heck, I thought mine (demo) was the only one (in US), then Al comes up with a couple more :rolleyes:
surprising what they may have hidden away at the factory.
from a search, this guitar is selling for over $2,300 in Japan.
again, this is a limited run of 100 for the Japanese market; no intent to sell to US market.
you want comparisons? I sold a 2004 Di Meola, a Custom Legend, Custom Legends (not all of them), FD-14, etc.
this is a keeper... |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | Ordered the Lennon model. We'll see what happens. Al's gonna wait until after the holidays to ship it so it won't sit on a cold dock or in a cold warehouse for a few days. Thanks Al.
Tony, can you compare the sound to anything? Specifically to the w597s or the 1681 (the ones I have now). |
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June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | I must say I was very surprised by the Lennon. I expected it would sould very much like a late 70's Legend. But Ovation did us a big favor. They recreated the LOOKS of the original, but the sound is much more modern. It does not have the brashness of the original. Maybe it's the new bracing, neck or bowl, but the sound is right up there with the best LX's. I compare it a lot to my CLLXCB and it stands up well. You made a good choice. Dave |
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Opinions: 1777LX vs. 1627 vs. CY2001 vs. 1651 vs. 00-15