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Location: Virginia | What Do You Think The Best Ovation Guitar is? |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Mine. |
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Location: SoCal | How many people are on the board? You'll get about that many different answers. |
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Location: Tennessee | My mullet says the Thunderbolt. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | It is well known that CWK2 kept all of the best ones for himself.
If you don't have a copy of one he has it ain't no good at'all. |
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Posts: 4413
| When all the raving and discussion is over, I'll give you the CORRECT answer. |
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Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | One of the below:
Adamas Slothead
Elite 1537
"Book" Elite
1983 Collectors
1997 Collectors
2001 Collectors
2005 Collectors
"shiny bowl" Balladeer
FD-14 Folklore Deluxe
1719-30CL Custom Legend
None of the above
Roger |
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Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | That will get you almost as many answers as there are owners of Os. But assuming that you asked your question earnestly, I'll just scratch the surface with a brief answer.
The mothership in Connecticut has made very few real duds. Having said that, IMHO, many people here would probably agree that the old Balladeers and Legends (25-35 years old) are really fine instruments. In the same way, there are some standout models from recent years that many also would agree are worth mentioning. The U681T Adamas slothead, 12 fret re-issue for instance is spectacular by all accounts, although I have never played one. Others that come to mind are the 1719-30CM, Elite 1537, Elite 1768, Book Elite, 2005 Collector's, 2001 Collector's, Any of the LX models and the Elite T (bang for the buck).
Of course, as has been said here many times, the different US made Ovations are different like flavors of ice cream are different. Everyone has a flavor that they like the best...for now. Tastes for ice cream and Os change from time to time, so you need to start tasting different flavors for yourself and arrive at your own list of favorties. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | And one that is considered by many to be the "super 1537 elite", the '87 collectors. Not many around and snapped up quickly when they do appear. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | The Academy. |
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Posts: 338
Location: SE Michigan | I guess if you are talking specific models and not the rare outstanding example; I would say the best sounding unplugged Ovation model I have ever played was the U681T Adamas slothead.
But my new 2005 Collectors sounds better than any wood topped model that I personally have encountered.
The best "playing" Ovation that I have touched was my old 1974 model 1111 balladeer. It had a neck like a violin. It almost played itself, it was so easy on the hands. But then maybe thats just my blurred memory, or the sissy-gauge extra light strings I was using at the time. |
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Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | I love my 1537. It is by far the best playing and best sounding acoustic I have ever played. (thanks Jeff W!)
I am hoping to get a U681T one of these days when the guitar fund is built back up and if I can find one. Maybe I'll change my mind then.
Until then, I love my 1537. :D |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | D'zilla,
That 1537 has a particularly good tone. I think it had the tone edge over my #81. It was subtle but, the argument could be made.
Having said that...I'm thinking my 1537 may sound better than the FD-14. Different critters, sure, but, I have come to love the 1537's sound. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Jeff,
Like I said best acoustic I've ever owned. Makes me smile every time I play her. :) |
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Posts: 651
Location: Australia | It's dangerous to make sweeping statements so I guess it has to come back to the best O's we've personally encountered.
For me it's my 1687 Adamas. I have owned 5 A's in my time and this one sounds, feels and plays the best.
I guess Ovation would also consider the Adamas line to be the jewel in their crown.
As far as wood top models, the best sounding I've heard was (perhaps surprisingly) an old Patriot model. Very open, rich tone. (should've bought it).
I'd be interested to know if there is any general consensus on what's considered to be the best sounding round hole in the current lineup. |
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June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | The question was "What is the best Ovation guitar". So here is an answer I bet you didn't expect from me: LEGEND, any model, any year.
Best = combination of value, reliability, playability, sound, easy of repair, blah, blah, blah. There's nothing that fits the bill better than any good old Legend.
Is it my favorite Ovation? Hell no. Wouldn't even make my top 20.
Dave
PS - to answer richardd what's best sounding round hole ovation in my opinion? FD14 hands down. There is nothing else from Ovation remotely close. |
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February 2005
Posts: 253
Location: New Orleans | I'm addicted to my black EliteT with the LX neck. It's a booming, clear, monster of a guitar when unplugged. It's very LOUD and has killer bass to go with the clearest sound I've ever encountered. It sustains forever, I love that! Plugged into the Roland VGA-7 COSM amp is mind blowing and there really are no words to describe it then. The neck is comfortable, fast and slick. The neck came with a matte finish but that finish has disappeared. It's a real high gloss now. I wish everybody could play this guitar and HEAR what I'm trying to say. I played 2 other Elite T's , both in pewter and they just weren't the same. I expected them to be. They both sounded really good but lacked the booming loudness. I think I definitely lucked out on this purchase. Actually, I thank God EVERY DAY for this guitar!!! :D |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Best roundhole....definately FD14 or 1719-30CM
Jeff....your FD14 must be the only dudd in existence. Better send it to me for recalibration and comparison! |
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February 2005
Posts: 253
Location: New Orleans | Long time ago I played a Black Balladeer at Hofman's Music and at that time I wanted that guitar with all of my being but didn't have the funds. :( I don't know anything else about that guitar but it played beautifully. Strange how I've never seen another Black Balladeer since. |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | It's no dud...
my 1537 just sounds that good!!
And my Uterus went back to the factory so I can't do any side by sides with it...
I guess sending it over to you is the only answer. Sight tight and call if is not there by Tuesday. |
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Location: Chapin SC | i would say the 1537, but then I've never played another guitar so I'm biased. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Jeff, it is Thursday and it is not here yet.
Just send the insurance money to cover the loss. |
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June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by shawn:
i would say the 1537, but then I've never played another guitar so I'm biased. Kind of like when I tell me wife that she's the best wife I ever had. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Had a boss who once introduced his wife to group of strangers at a party as "his first wife".
I give her a lot of credit . . .
. . . she WAITED til they were driving home before she SMACKED in the back of the head and "laid into 'im" . . .
On the Topic:
We've covered this (a couple times?) and it always ends up like who's the best band/guitarist/singer/bassist/songwriter/NEVER drummer - 'cos there AREN'T any - and it's always "ice cream" . . .
sprinkles, anyone??
(or "jimmies" for Al) |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | did he have a second at the time? |
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Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | I will occasionally refer to my Bride as my best Wife or my last Wife, especially if they knew me in the practice years.
There is always some risk involved. |
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Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | My U681T has to be the very best I have ever held or played. I must admit that the EliteT-RF is a BOOMER and is "right up there" as well. Of course neither of these have single sound holes. |
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Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Jeff W.:
did he have a second at the time? No but only time will tell. |
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Posts: 4413
| The correct answer is that there is no answer. |
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Location: closely held secret |  |
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| A little too close to home...... |
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Posts: 146
Location: Germantown, MD | The likeness isn't good. My hair and sideburns aren't that long, and I wear contacts instead of glasses. And although the size is about right, the guitar clearly isn't an Ovation.
Or maybe it's me thirty years ago when I played a Yamaha. |
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Best ovation