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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I have had this guitar for nearly two months now. When it first arrived it had string issues and didn't impress me. I made a trial of two other sets of strings before I fell back on the elixir13's.
since the elixirs...
This guitar has really turned me on. It has beautiful deep harmonics that give it a mellow ringing tone. It is not as rangey as the Uterus (and keep in mind, I have never changed the string type on the Uterus, it has the factory D'adds 12 ). It does not sustain as well as the Uterus...But the FuD has that woody romantic tone you can't help but melt over. If the Uterus is lightning, the Fud is thunder.
On my next string change, I will put elixir 13s on the Uterus and I'm sure there will be a sonic epiphoney, yet again, and I will add to this thread when it happens...
I am fortunate to own both of these guitars and very glad that I do. Both are remarkable instruments. |
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Jeff, I'll be interested in what the U sounds like with the mediums. I've always felt that mediums just make Ovation boom. I've also always felt that the FD14 was one of the best guitars Ovation ever built.
My short list now consist of:
OFC'er (a definite "will" buy)
Classic LX (gonna have to sell a few to get it but I will buy it next year)
And somewhere down the road just because I love them so much...
87 Collectors
FD14 |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Paul,
I am AT LEAST as interested in the the sound of mediums on the Uterus as you...
...but, I have this weird "thing" about playing strings out to the end. I have Elixir Meds ready to go on the Uterus, but these D'Adds still have some life before I cut them...maybe tomorrow.
Nice short list.
Nice long list too. |
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Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | I've got a set of Elixir 13's waiting to go on my UT also. Like you, I use the full life of my strings. I'll see what you have to say before I swap out mine. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | So Jeff, are we near a string change on the FD14?
Still waiting on that review of the 13's. |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | The review above was for the Fudd with the 13 on.
I did however change to Elixir 13 on the Uterus. It did not make as big a difference as on the Fudd. Still sounds and plays excellent. They did give it a volume kick and warmed it up a bit. Clearity has improved as well, but I have to say the difference in sound is much more subtle than it was on the Fudd.
My next set on the Uterus will be the Elixir custom lights. I think they will give it a whole new sound...
The Fudd is still wonderful...it actually gets more play time than the Uterus, mainly because it has a great percusive, rhythm tone for traditional music. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | The grasshopper finally learns.....
I am glad the FD14 has become a favorite. I remember how diasppointed you were based on all the hype from Dave, myself, and others and how you didn't feel it originally lived up to expectations. |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | It's lived up, it just needed the right strings for my playing style and ear. |
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Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | I just put Elixir Mediums on me Custom Elite. Can't say that I like them too much. Like the lights better. The mediums, although they have more volume, seem to have lost some of the tone quality. Sounds louder, but muffled. |
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Try the new Elixir phospher bronze mediums. Might just be the best of all worlds.... that bright phospher bronze sound with the big depth of mediums, and they should last a good long time..... |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | It amazes me that there is actually so much difference between feel and sound of the various acoustic guitar strings.
What sounds good on one guitar sounds terrible on the other. Even tho it is a pain in the butt, I think those of us who have just used the same brand/gauge of strings on all their acoustics might be missing out on some remarkable changes in the sound quaility. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I guess what I was trying to say is that I am going to purchase a few of the brands/gauges that we have discussed frequently and try them out on a few O's that I have never felt performed quite up to snuff. |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Good idea, Stephen.
Three or four years ago the only thing I cared about was string gauge. Since then, I have really become sensitive to the sound of different types of strings as I can better hear and feel the differences.
I am intrigued by the phos-bronze Elixir custom lights.
In additon to Moody's suggestion, I got an email from the Lowden factory staff suggesting I try them as well. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I put some of the Dean Markley PhosBronze on the 1537 and I am not sure I like them. The golden look of the strings on the black body looks awesome but I think it lost some of it's incredible tone. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I've had Martin Marquis on my 1537. Elixilrs sound much better. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I have been around the block and back with strings for my AD-II. I'm back to Martin Marquis and am very happy about it.
However....I have not tried Elixers. My logic has been, why buy strings that cost twice as much and make them last twice as long? I end up spending just as much so the only downside is more time spend changing strings.
However....concidering how much I have spent on the guitars, amps, stands, mics, guitar shirts, the OFC Tour, capos, polish, computers to keep up with this board, etc, etc,...I should not be bitchin' about the cost of a few lengths of wire.
I guess it's time to give the Elixers a try. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Brad, I've found that Elixirs cost twice as much but last a minimum of 3 times longer. I've had sets that have lasted, with active playing, 3-4 months. My max on uncoated strings has been a month, but more like a week. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Brad,
I, too, find Elixirs last months.
You are crazy not to, at least, try them. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I just put elixirs on the 30th anniversary legend last weekend. Man, did they make that guitar shine! |
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | .13's or .12's? |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | They were the 12's.
I only have one set of 13's that came with my DS768 and have been slightly reluctant to try them on another guitar. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | S28, I used Elixir .13's for several years and have recently come to decide that they don't have enough "ring" (brightness?) on my 1537. I put on .12's (lights) and the guitar really came alive. But I like mediums for the depth. I'm going to try the Elixir phospher bronze when they become available. |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | HOWEVER.....I don't believe the non-wound strings last two or three times longer, do they???? This applies to both Elixirs and D'Addario EXPs. I don't think there is a coating on the non-wound strings.....I usually find them going dead same time as the normal sets, so I buy extra non-wound strings and replace them at least once during the life of the wound strings.
I use D'Addario EXPs and they are usually good (the wound ones) for two months.
Roger |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | I've never noticed the B and E strings going dead. Rusted, yeah, but dead? Nope. |
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FD-14 review