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Location: Malaysia | Dear all, this is my first post. I would appreciate if you could assist me in my search for a good Ovation fingerstyle guitar.
By fingerstyle I mean:
1. Nut width of 1 3/4 in
2. I like deep bowl as I play mostly unplugged
3. If possible short scale as I have small hands
4. If possible 12 frets to body
5. String spacing at saddle, 2 1/8 or 2 3/16 in
Others:
6. Steel string
Thanks. |
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Posts: 3969
| Welcome zzz. What you describe is pretty much a 1614 Folklore, or the Adamas U681T (aka UTE). Neither are in production anymore, but they occasionally pop up for sale on ebay or even here in the For Sale section.
Best of luck with your search.
Edit - I think the Adamas 1680, which has just been announced as discontinued, has a 1-3/4 nut. If so, you can get a brand new one (with warranty) from Al - alpeplostartvintagecom. No one better to deal with and you won't find a better price. |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | zzz ,
First of all, welcome to the Ovation Nation! There's much to learn here...
7. price range?  |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | In addition to the above - Josh White or JW Reissue. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I don't think Ovation ever made a short scale. But any of the 12 fretters would do the job for you. You might also want to look at a Martin or Collings 000. Those are short scale 12 fretters and very, very nice. I think T28 might have his 000-28 for sale. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Yes, the 1680 has a 1 3/4 nut, and yes I would consider the JW RI as one of the best for fingerstyle IMHO. Does Jack still have the FD for sale?? |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Translation: Trader Jim is referring to kotadawg's Folklore Deluxe, and excellent and rare fingerstyle guitar.
Do you want to plug in? If so, a 1614 is an acoustic electric Folklore. A 1114 is an acoustic only Folklore. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Welcome zzz,
I have something that would suit very nicely. I have sent you a private message. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | The first thing that springs to mind is the Folklore. |
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Posts: 489
| One thing I don't understand: I have been playing fingerstyle almost exclusively since Johnson was president. The width of the fretboard has never been a factor for me, one way or another. So what's the deal with the wide fretboard for fingerstyle? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | It's not the nutwidth or fretboard that matters, it's the wider string spacing at the bridge that helps facilitate fingerpicking. |
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| Exactly. Nevertheless fingerstylists still insist on that wide nut. Additionally, a lot of people like me use dreads and other guitars built for other purposes with no ill effects. I really don't think it matters, but I think THEY think it does. Just like a lot of people think they need pick guards, but that's a whole 'nother thread. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Comes down to whatever works for you. Ever wonder why some blind guitarist like Jose Feliciano are so good? It's 'cuz they can't see what other people are playing ... |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | It gives me another excuse to buy a guitar. One guitar for every song I know. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
It gives me another excuse to buy a guitar. One guitar for every song I know. But Mark you already HAVE three guitars ... |
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Location: Jet City | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
It gives me another excuse to buy a guitar. One guitar for every song I know. But Mark you already HAVE three guitars ...
Welcome zzz. In a new O, I think the 2774LX deserves a look. It's one of two Ovation steel strings currently being produced with a 1 3/4 nut I believe. The other is the 1774LX, but that's a midbowl. The 2774LX is the new Contour bowl.
Unfortunately for you, both are full sized and 14 frets to body (with cutaway).
I've been lusting for the 2774LX myself.
Also, you can talk to Alpep. He would be able to help you out as well. He can actually custom order most anything for you from Ovation. A custom order 12 fret to body 1 3/4 nut is very possible I would imagine. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | If I were to buy a new Ovation these days, it would be the 2774lx. |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
It's not the nutwidth or fretboard that matters, it's the wider string spacing at the bridge that helps facilitate fingerpicking. Actually for me, it is the spacing at the nut that is important. My right hand has no problem with a narrow neck, but I find it difficult to cleanly fret all the strings with my left hand without some buzzes and muffles on my left hand. The extra 1/16" just seems to give me a bit more leeway there. I noticed an improvement as soon as I changed guitars.
The narrow neck is less of a problem for strumming as it is hard to hear one muffled/buzzed string when you hit all six. However, if it is the only string you hit, you sure notice. |
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Location: Jet City | zzz, back to your question, a 1997 collectors series might be just the right guitar for you.
Ovation 1997 Collector\'s
It was available in 2 nut widths, 1 11/16" & 1 7/8" |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Damon67:
a 1997 collectors series might be just the right guitar for you. This is why I asked about zzz's price range. I have a narrow '97C w/OHSC available that would make a great finger picker for average to small hands.
I didn't want to 'push' until there was a buy ceiling amount but ya opened da door... ;) |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | All the scales are the same. They gave good advice here.
Welcome. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Welcome ZZZ...lots of good advice and some great guitar deals right now here on the forum...enjoy! |
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Location: Malaysia | Thanks for the swift replies guys. I see a lot of models mentioned (1614, Folklore, U681T, Josh White, 1680, 1114, 2774lx, 1774lx) Apart from the official Ovation website, can anyone recommend me a good place to view them? Ovation/Adamas ownership is not that widespread in Malaysia.
gr8 : What does UTE stands for?
2ifbyC : I didn't put any price range as I'm not really exposed to Ovations. I'm trying to see what's available and try to get them here in Malaysia. Ovations/Adamas is scarce here. Supply is intermittent.
Patch : Thanks. I've replied your PM. I'm still wiping my drool.
Losov : Nut width does make a difference to me. I have a few guitars with both widths and I find the 1 3/4 in more conducive. I'm quite frustrated now with my early purchases as they were narrower. I wasn't into fingerstyle than.
Gallerinski : Yes, the string spacing at saddle too, hence the 2 3/16 in.
Mark in boise : Yes, I kinda assume Ovations will have the electronics.
Damon67 : What's the differnce between the deep bowl and the New Contour, and also the New O you mentioned?
Beal : All the scales are 24.25? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Thanks again fellas. Greetings from Malaysia. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Just hang around here and on the Social Site:
L-R
Ovation Folklore FD14, number 8 of 50 made, 12 fret to body, deep hand laid fiber bowl, Cedar top, Slothead, 1 3/4" neck.
Ovation 2001 Collectors, Solid Redwood top with inlaid epaulets 1 11/16" neck
Lost Art Vintage special Koa top, single offset soundhole, 14 fret to body, 1 3/4" neck, Slothead Special, #1 of 12 made.
Hamer Sunburst semi-hollow, Duncan 59s, LR Baggs Piezo Tune-o-matic.
Ovation 1537-4, first wood top Ovation using the Adamas configuration, considered the "Holy Grail of Ovation Wood tops, Two knob stereo preamp and Piezo Bridge. 1 11/16" neck
Ovation Adamas Model 1581, Carbon fiber top, elevated top ring, Poly-infused Walnut neck and Bridge, Single epaulet.
Ovation 1537-4 with mucho character, I had to clean green crystalized stuff out of it after rescuing it from Ebay, most likely a Katrina victim or lost in a basement. Rich woody tone despite it's hard life.
Koa topped Viper, Artec Mini pups and an LR Baggs Piezo Bridge and X Bridge preamp, smoothed and rounded Viper neck (24 frets).
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Back when the code was simple, a 1614 was a Folklore with electronics and a 1114 was without. They changed it as soon as I figured it out. |
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Location: Jet City | Originally posted by zzz:
Damon67 : What's the differnce between the deep bowl and the New Contour, and also the New O you mentioned? Inside, the Contour bowl is very close to the same cubic inches as a deep bowl, but the bottom part of the bowl looks like it's been pushed in. At first I wasn't so sure if I liked it or not, but now I like mine as well as my deep bowls, sound wise.
From Ovation Website:
"Contour Bowl - The newest addition to the Ovation line is made from lightweight composite, the Lyrachord GS body produces maximum acoustic response, with the feel of a smaller body instrument. Designed to fit the contour of the player's body..."
My statment about the "New O" may have been unclear. I meant to say, that if you're looking to by a current NEW model Ovation, the 2774LX is probably the best suited for what you're wanting. Not perfect, but the closest.
If I were to by a new Ovation, that's probably the one I would buy.
Again, talk to Al (goes by username Alpep here on the forum) if you want to have one custom made exactly to your specifications. His contact info can also be found on his website www.lostartvintage.com . He may even have something currently in stock that's not on the normal Ovation pricelist. He's worth talking to for sure. |
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| Originally posted by zzz:
gr8 : What does UTE stands for? That's our shorthand here on this board for the Adamas U681T. If you search the archives here for opinions and reviews you'll see this guitar referred to as UTE more often than U681T. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | zzz,
I did not get your reply. Perhaps you should email me.
By the way, UTE is the nickname for the Adamas u681t-5. Only 100 Utes were made, so you won't find one in any store anymore. It was built as a fingerstyle guitar, and is definitely worth looking into. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | An Adamas 1680 would fit the bill very well. |
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| ZZZ,
PM sent |
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Fingerstyle guitar