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Location: Phoenix AZ | I keep trying to thin the herd to make room for more ukuleles, but every so often something pops up that just seems to have my name written all over it. From the front she's a beautiful Custom Legend LX with all the fine trimmings. Turn her over (so to speak) and low and behold she's got a Contour Bowl. Model number C2079LX-5 Contour Bowl Custom Legend LX. Sicne these were just announced at Summer NAMM, this is probably one of the first off the line.
Excuse the crappy photograohy. Taking pictures of a gloss black guitar is just about impossible.
So, what's it GOT? First let me tell you what it's NOT got. It's not got a single spec of dust to complain about. The guitar is absolutely flawless, perfect in every way. Arrived safe and sound protected by a few of Al's extra Pepsi cartons. As far as looks, that's easy to describe. It's just beautiful. I love black guitars even though they are a bitch to keep clean. The abalone and gold hardware with pearloid buttons is amazing and especially the inlaid rosette is just something to die for. The setup from the factory is perfect, as usual. Electronics are OP-Pro with XLR.
So, how's it play and sound. Well, you know already that it's got all the right ingredients and believe me you would not be disappointed to hear it. The most obvious thing is to compare it to the 2005 Collector. Actually this is a pretty unique opportunity, since I bet you never read a comparison before of the 05 to ANOTHER contour bowl. Essentially the guitars are identical except for the cosmetics. But low and behold there are some differences. The guitars are the same dimensions, but darn it for some reason the '05 feels like it has a longer neck. It's got to be an illusion or something. But the CBCLLX definately feels shorter and more similar to other non-LX Ovations. The sound is similar but not identical. The beauty of the '05 is that it really brings out the bottom and top ends. Ovations have always been midrange monsters, but the '05 really brought out the juice at the extremes. The CBCLLX is a bit more balanced accross the whole spectrum. Of course that could just be the strings. But my first impression was less boomy and more even than the '05. But not by much. The '05 is also slightly louder, but that's hard to judge and again could very well be the strings. It's a 50/50 which most would prefer. They do sound similar and they both do sound great.
So, there you go. If you're one of those like me that loves great sounding AND great looking guitars, this is one you definately have to check out. It'll be getting plenty of play time around my house.
Dave |
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Location: Upper Left USA | "Papa's got a brand new band!" |
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Location: SoCal | Ok, so if the guitar is perfect right out of the box, then we know that when Witko strums it and it sounds lousy, it's him, not the guitar.
Inquiring minds wanted to know....
Beautiful guitar! |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Should Johnny Cash spotaneously reanimate, he should play this guitar. Very nice Dave. Did you buy matching boots??? |
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Location: Parrish, FL | Hat?? |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | Word has it he got matching Hat, Boots and Leather pants. dave wants to put all theteenagers to shame!! Nice guitar Dave..Congrats! |
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Location: south east Michigan | Not just nice.....awesome baby!!! |
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Location: East Tennessee | Beautiful Guitar. :cool: |
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Location: SoCal | hmmm, no slothead??
very nice...now you need a matching 12-str for it.
watch out, Moody will want to try mediums on it. |
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Location: SE Michigan | Now that you've sampled a couple of contour bowls; tell us, do you think the contour bowls does anything for the sound? Or sound wise is it the same as a standard bowl?
And congratulations on a beautiful guitar, I too have a soft spot for Black and other dark-toned guitars, but it's true, you must wipe off their messy faces fairly often. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by BrianT:
do you think the contour bowls does anything for the sound? I am 100% sold on the contour bowl. It sounds incredible and is super comfortable to play. I was a little skeptical at first, but two guitars in a row, 05C and CBCLLX have convinced me it's for real. And not only is it more comfortable to hold, but it puts the guitar in a more proper position to also improve my technique (no more slouching the guitar like a lap steel).
The real comparison would be to play a CBCLLX and a standard CLLX side by side. My money would be on the contour bowl.
Dave |
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Location: Central Florida | Absolutely gorgeous, Dave... Congratulations! :)
Alas, I and all the other leftys here will just continue to watch from the sidelines as Ovation rolls these beautiful new babies out. :(
Jeff |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I the time you're waiting (years?) you could probably learn to play righty! Dave |
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Location: NJ | i should have another one of those in the next few days.
enjoy dave! |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | WOW! I'm surprised it's available already. I'm NOT surprised Al got one of the first ones. Only bad thing about this is that it's gonna kill sales of the 2005-ES....many are still "in play" at guitar stores (my GC still has one). The extra bling (I consider the 2005-ES a little plain) will be hard to resist. Probably depends on how much more the C2079LX is over the 2005-ES.
As far as the mid-bowl/contour-deep comparison, I think it depends on what you want. There are evenings I prefer playing my panelmaster 2002 Collectors to the 2005.
Beautiful guitar, Dave. Enjoy!
Roger |
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Location: Phoenix, AZ | [/qb]... super comfortable to play. ... And not only is it more comfortable to hold, but it puts the guitar in a more proper position to also improve my technique (no more slouching the guitar like a lap steel). [/QB]
How about standing? Some have complained it's harder to reach around the top, like a big wooden dreadnought, with your stummin'/pickin' hand than a roundback. Your thoughts? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I think one of the issues with the old bowl was that the guitar took on a very different position sitting vs. standing. When sitting you could use your leg and kind of hold the guitar in an upright position. But standing, the bowl tended to make the guitar rest at an almost 45 degree angle. The face of the guitar pointing up at the sky. The new bowl puts the face of the guitar much more perpendicular to the ground. Standing up it feels very much like a wooden box guitar. Dave |
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Location: Indiana | Darn, Just when I thought I was gettin over my G.A.S.
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Location: Central Florida | Originally posted by Standingovation:
[In] the time you're waiting (years?) you could probably learn to play righty! Dave Yeah, you're right... Or, I could just buy more Martins! :D
Dave, you're not the only one here that got a new guitar this week. ;) But since this is the OFC and not the UMGF I won't go into details here. But that is one beautiful Custom Legend you got there... Enjoy! :)
Jeff |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Hey Jeff, this is a capitalist society, right?. If Ovation can't satisfy you as a customer because they don't make left handed guitars, then screw 'em. Buy from a company that does. Martin does make some really nice stuff. And even left handed! Dave |
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Location: SoCal | At the January NAMM show, Ovation had 3 05's for people to try, and all had straps on them to show how they felt when standing. It was a selling point. |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | That was one of the things that struck me when I first saw a real 2005-ES, was that the lower back and side profile was extremely similar to a box guitar. Not a bad thing at all, and one of the things that convinced me to buy it.
Roger |
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Location: Denmark | Congratulations. A very appealing guitar. So the new contour lets the guitar rest in a more playable position. Interesting. Gotta try one somewhere. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | you can have any color you want, as long as it's black, a good -Z Ovation configuration. |
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Location: NJ | Congrats, Dave!
NICE Guitar!!!
(I Hate You) |
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Location: Omaha | Jeff,
(Warning: more lefty whining and ranting - hah!)
I received an e-mail back this morning from Ovation Customer Service: Still no plans in the works for lefty LX guitars...
...which makes me wonder (since I haven't been an O player for that long); how long did it take Ovation to produce their first lefty cutaway O's after that body style was produced right-handed? Anyone know?
Doesn't help my GAS any - if I knew in 6 months or 12 months (or even 18-24 months!) there would be lefty LX's produced, I would patiently wait. Now I'm thinking, "Why not just go ahead and order what you want in the old bowl/body style?"
Okay - I'm 47; I'm not gonna whine or cry...
:rolleyes: |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Oh sinister one! Have you ordered the #47 Remake in a Lefty model yet? How could they say no?
And consider the rarity! |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | "The extra bling (I consider the 2005-ES a little plain) will be hard to resist."
I have always been partial to the beauty of the Custom Legend, and have had two black ones-loved them both dearly.
The "plain" aspect of the '05 took me by surprise, and I really like it too. Somehow the lack of "bling" I find classy looking. The work around the sound hole is stylish and very cool, without being too ornate. Somehow, the simplicity is striking.
Of course, when a 12 string custom legend LX with a contour is released, I will be overtaken with the shakes. |
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Location: Central Florida | Mike,
The first cutaway Ovations were introduced around 1979-80.
I recall a conversation I had with Kim Keller back in the late 90s in which he told me then they were finally going to start offering lefty cutaways as non-custom orders, with mid-depth bowls only. So, based on that information, it took Ovation the better part of 20 years to roll out the first non-custom ordered lefty cutaway.
Jeff |
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Location: Central Florida | Originally posted by leftovertion:
Doesn't help my GAS any - if I knew in 6 months or 12 months (or even 18-24 months!) there would be lefty LX's produced, I would patiently wait. Now I'm thinking, "Why not just go ahead and order what you want in the old bowl/body style?"
I hear ya, Mike... But why pay top dollar for something that's now considered sub-standard?
I could see it if you happen to run across a new-old-stock item in a store somewhere (you might even be able to wrangle a discount for being "last years model," so to speak). But I sure wouldn't pay '05 prices for technology and developments that have been obsolete for over two years.
Jeff |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Jeff, In all honesty you're best bet is to shop non-Ovation. Martin, Taylor and others can produce LH guitars of any model. They are not bound to tooling for pressing LH bowls, etc. It's a shame. I can feel your frustration, but I can also appreciate the realities of the factory. There is just not enough ROI to get into LH bowls just now. What they DO owe you (or your dealer) is a clear response to "if not now, when?" Dave |
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Location: SoCal | "There is just not enough ROI to get into LH bowls just now
What do french kings have to do with this? |
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Location: Central Florida | Oh, I agree with you ,Dave. I've already been shopping other brands. I've acquired three Martins since May (2 new, 1 used), and, to be honest, I sold a few Ovations to help off set the cost. So, I'm not whining over a lack of availability of quality left handed guitars.
I too understand (to a degree) the realities of the factory's possition. Still, it sucks after being loyally committed to one brand and one company for so long, to suddenly feel that you no longer matter to them. I know it's not personal, but the feeling still sucks. :(
Jeff
PS- "ROI"... Reason or incentive? |
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Location: Omaha | sheesh...only 20 years! Anyone got a Rip Van Winkle pill? (Just kidding of course - it's not THAT big a deal...)
I also understand what you're saying about ordering something that is old technology at today's prices. Unfortunatley, as a lefty - and especially in the mid to upper end acoustic guitar market, that's probably what you have to do; you're just NOT going to run across much out there - even with the internet.
That's what I did with my L777; ordered it right after the LX's were introduced. I haven't A/B'd mine with a LX1777, but I'm pretty happy with the sound of mine - both plugged and unplugged.
So the debate is whether to spend the extra $$ to get some bling like this thread is bragging about (how's that for trying to swing back after hijacking the thread?!).
What I'm interested in is a 1773 - a Legend nylon string, customized with a spruce top painted black. But right now the price puts it a little out of reach. However, since it would be a 'custom order,' and would take over 6 months for them to build, I'd have some time to collect the money for payment (after coming up with the 50% down payment up front, of course).
That's all...
:rolleyes: :cool: |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I would suggest that the "old technology" still produces a great-sounding guitar!!!!
The LX and the deep contour bowl are very nice flavors of ice cream...but the old standby flavors of non-LX and mid-bowl still do taste good. If Mike can't wait for the lefty LX or lefty deep contour bowl, then a nice lefty in his choice of what is available sounds like a good idea to me.
A guitar in your hands that you can play is worth two that will be available next year.
Roger |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | "ROI".....Return On Investment.....
Roger |
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Location: Central Florida | Originally posted by leftovertion:
I also understand what you're saying about ordering something that is old technology at today's prices. Unfortunatley, as a lefty - and especially in the mid to upper end acoustic guitar market, that's probably what you have to do; you're just NOT going to run across much out there - even with the internet.
Mike,
I swear I'm not trying to go on an anti-Ovation rant here (as I'm anything but), but the truth is, there are PLENTY of mid to high end options out there for leftys, you just have to be willing to think outside the (round) box to find them. At first, I didn't want to have to consider this either. Geez, I've played nothing but Ovations for over 35 years. I still kinda get that feeling like I'm cheating on my wife whenever I play any acoustic guitar other than an Ovation. But it's going on three years now since the LX upgrades were introduced and still no leftys. And Ovation's silence on the subject leads me to believe it's probably going to be a loooooong time before they finally show up. As for a lefty contour bowl, I frankly doubt we'll ever see that. As Dave said, Martin and Taylor make some exquisite left handed guitars.
Jeff |
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Location: SoCal | Why don't you people all give some thought to the reissue of #47? Easy enough to special order the bridge to be cut for a lefty.... |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Thank you Paul. You are much more eloquent and detailed than I was. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Just understand that Ovation vs. Marlor in this discussion is not an apples to apples comparison in each companies willingness to make LH guitars. Marlor can make LH guitars a HELL of a lot easier than Ovation can. If Ovation could add a few lefties into the production line as easily as Marlor can, I'm sure they would do it. |
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Location: Central Florida | Originally posted by Old Applause Owner:
I would suggest that the "old technology" still produces a great-sounding guitar!!!!
The LX and the deep contour bowl are very nice flavors of ice cream...but the old standby flavors of non-LX and mid-bowl still do taste good. If Mike can't wait for the lefty LX or lefty deep contour bowl, then a nice lefty in his choice of what is available sounds like a good idea to me.
A guitar in your hands that you can play is worth two that will be available next year.
Roger Hey Roger,
I agree with you 100% about the pre-LX Ovations. They're top quality, and I hope nothing I said implied anything different. I was simply making the point that as a matter of principle I (personally) wouldn't pay LX prices for a non-LX guitar, anymore than I would pay the price of a Custom Legend to buy a Balladeer.
Jeff |
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Location: Central Florida | Originally posted by Standingovation:
Just understand that Ovation vs. Marlor in this discussion is not an apples to apples comparison in each companies willingness to make LH guitars. Marlor can make LH guitars a HELL of a lot easier than Ovation can. If Ovation could add a few lefties into the production line as easily as Marlor can, I'm sure they would do it. I know that's true, Dave. I also know I'm sounding more and more like a man on a rant about this so I'm not going to pursue the issue any further. To put it in a positive context, let's just say that the current state of lefty Ovations has forced me out of my acoustic guitar comfort zone and allowed me to broaden my outlook. In the end it's all just ice cream anyway, right?
Jeff |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Hypothetical conversation between Jeff and Rick Hall:
Jeff - "So, Rick, when will you finally announce left-handed LX and Contour bowl Ovations?"
Rick - "About 1 week after you buy your lefty Martin."
Dave |
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Location: SoCal | re: "Easy enough to special order the bridge to be cut for a lefty...."
then they should be able to do it for the OFC Adamas also... |
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Location: Massachusetts | How different are the necks between the 05 and the CL?
As you know the 05's seem to have very skinny narrow necks which really bother me. Old O's had a fat v neck which are comfortable.
Are these the same lousy necks or is the CL fatter?
Just frustration talking. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Corvairfan,
Sounds like you might want to find an old Adamas II. It would be in your price range and has the fat V neck that you like. A 1537 would be another good choice that has a good feeling neck.
I am sure someone in the OFC could help you out if you ask around. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | It's all an illusion. I've measured the frigging things and the neck on the 05 an on the CL are exactly the same width. And they are exactly the same width as my older Ovations and Adamas necks. What's different is depth (thickness) of the LX necks. Plus maybe the string spacing is a little narrower, but I've taken conflicting measurements on that one. Dave |
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Location: Anchorage, Alaska | I've measured them both as well and found them to be the SAME!!! It is an illusion for sure though. My 2005 feels "skinner" than my ADII but it measures the same. I'm using it to my advantage now. I practice for a while on the 2005, then take one of the other "O's" and it feels like I have a super wide clasical type neck. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Have you measured the depth (thickness) of the neck 05 vs. ADII ??? |
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Location: Omaha | Jeff,
Not trying to reopen the "ol' wound" again, just wanted to comment that I'm coming at this from a very different place than you are, having been a "wood snob" guitarist for many years who only recently was won over to Ovations. I have two Larrivee's that I love and will never part with. I'd like to have either an all mahogany 'Larry' or Martin. In the past I also had a Lowden - if they weren't so expensive, I'd love to have another one; definitely another nice flavor of ice cream.
I find it difficult to believe that building reverse bowls could be all that difficult in this day. And why not come out with a non-cutaway LX bowl? Then it would be very easy to have at least a few lefties, and isn't there still some market for non-cutaways? A nice non-cutaway nylon string might tempt me...
Is Rick Hall or anyone from Ovation reading/listening? Charlie, have you left the building? Where's that entrepeneur spirit?
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Location: SoCal | It's the tooling for the bowl mold that's the expensive part. But that idea about a non-cutaway LX is kind of interesting...... |
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Location: Omaha | As far as necks go, the new necks (LX guitars)feel very similar to my Larrivee's, a nice C shape which I really like (even holding them upside down!); the older necks, like my 1777, have a much sharper V shape to them - took me awhile to adjust, I actually had some pain from it for awhile, and am still tempted to reduce the V a little. |
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Location: Massachusetts | I absolutely need the contour bowl for an Ovation now.
My friend won the Adamas 2??? at the OFC tour. It sounds great, has a huge fat neck and sits well on the leg. But standing up with my belly? Nope.
I need the contour so it's either an 05 or a CL right now.
It's got to be the fatness and the shape. I think the s771 is so fat and v shaped it keeps the hand more in an up and down proper holding position naturally.
I'm gonna play a regular lx CL at lunch if they still have it. I got to try one. |
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Location: SoCal | It was an Adamas I that your friend won. Is it being played? How does your friend like it compared to his other guitars? |
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Location: Central Florida | Paul, I'd pondered the idea of a non-cutaway LX myself. Who knows, maybe someday.
Mike, it sounds like you and I really are coming at this from opposite directions. Me, I feel like I just rediscovered all wood boxes again, and I'm rather enjoying the getting acquainted process.
My recent rants have probably given everyone the impression that I'm just sitting around seething over Ovation's lack in left handed offerings. Truthfully, it's not something I give a whole lot of thought to.
The Bible says that "all things work together for good" (Lord, forgive me for taking this way out of context). While the apostle Paul wasn't speaking of guitars, the principle is that while Ovation has been busy trying to keep up production of their bread and butter products, it's given me the opportunity to rediscover that there are other acoustic guitars out there besides Ovations. Frankly, I'm blown away by the tone I get from my Martins. Had Ovation been swift to come out with LH versions of their new stuff, I might never have experienced the joy of playing and owning my Martin guitars. Does that make me appreciate my Ovations any less? Absolutely not.
It was never my intention, if, in fact, I did so, to speak negatively of Ovation, either as a company or a product. By the same token, it was not my intention to give the impression that I felt "forced" into buying my Martins. Like y'all say, it's all ice cream. Well, I'm now discovering that for myself. :)
Jeff |
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Location: Tampa, FL | Originally posted by p.i. 'Money Fret' moody:
It's the tooling for the bowl mold that's the expensive part. But that idea about a non-cutaway LX is kind of interesting...... |
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Location: Massachusetts | My friend won the Adamas at the OFC tour. He never wanted an Ovation(the bowl thing) but has one now. He does like the tone of it and hasn't complained yet about the bowl though that may change in a few weeks when we do a show and he has to stand up.
Well, I played a regular LX CL and the 05 and yes the 05 feels a tad narrower but not much. I also played a Martin and my conclusion:
It is me. 1 11/16 is very narrow and I guess the S771 just feels wider and more comfortable than any other 1 11/16 acoustics for some reason.
Oh well... still will play a CL contour when they hit the stores.
Glad you enjoy yours. I still like ccb color though. |
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Location: uconn | not sure they are obsolte.. just different |
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Location: Central Florida | Originally posted by linshuchen:
not sure they are obsolte.. just different linchuchen,
I think you're referring to a comment I made a few days ago regarding non-LX Ovations. I was making a point more about pricing than quality.
The non-LX O's are fine guitars, no question. However, it's not without reason that the LX package is referred to as an "upgrade." Or as you put it yourself in another thread when asked if the LX guitars are better than the "regular" Ovations, "way more awesome.. great sound, better neck attachment system, better preamp." There you go...
Jeff |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Dave
Beautiful guitar.
My GAS has always been to have a CL like Paul Simon played at the Central Park concert.
Wow, now I could have one even better and prettier. My children may have to support me 'til I die as I spend their inheritance on one of those.
Bailey
Does Al take green stamps, I found some in an old trunk we brought from California in 1980??? |
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What's Black, has Lots of Abalone and a Contour Bowl ?