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Joined:
May 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Baltimore | Hello Ovation Lovers - I am a newbie who just joined. I purchased my wife an Ovation/Applause acoustic bass last year and we are hooked! I have been playing a Citation 12-string with a magnetic pickup for about 25 years and although it sounds great, it struggles a little staying in tune (change in stress on the neck e.g. go from standing to sitting or other; or bad capo placement puts it out), and I am looking at buying a used 1997 (according to the serial # 520xxx) Custom Legend 12-string in black (it has the OPTIMA pickup). I might add that it looks absolutely beautiful!!! The store wants $999 including the original ovation case. They might give me $100 for my guitar and case.
Can anyone enlighten me on this particular model and year? It looks to be in perfect condition and sounds and plays better than any other Ovation I've ever picked up. The salesman and I plugged it into a Behringer acoustic amp and we were both blown away by the high quality of the amplified sound (maybe it was my playing ;)
Any comments would be appreciated. I am planning on making the decision later today. Oh, and it is for my 40th bd...not that that matters.
Thanks again and in advance of your replies! Can also email me at mailto:tim.rapp@ieee.org. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | A great guitar. Get it. You'll be glad you did. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | This is the best 12 string Ovation made. List price was about $2,000. Great acoustic sound, even better plugged in.
Go for it!
YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID. |
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Joined:
May 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Baltimore | How do you think it compares with the current Custom Legend 12-String, model 6759 with the Op50? |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Happy 40th!
I had a Custom Legend 12 string, and loved it, but ended up selling it to another OFC member. They are gorgeous to look at, and sound great.
All the best, and welcome!
Johnny |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | The Optima and the OP-50 are essentially the same preamp in a different configuration. Just spent 3 years loving my CL12 w/Optima (see my thread from earlier today). Now the new LX CL12 might make a difference...but that's a different story (and a different price). If the guitar speaks to you, just buy it. John <>{ |
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Joined:
April 2005
Posts: 33
Location: Kane, PA | I agree with my baurhillboy friend....the one I just started to buy his 12 string from....if the guitar "speaks to you," I'd buy it. It's so much more enjoyable playing a guitar you love. I've found that out in the last few weeks with my ovation. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | It's a fair price for a really fine acoustic/electric 12-string, and getting one that is better will likely to cost so much more that this will still end up looking like a good deal.
You can, however, find Adamas 12-strings for around that price and -- imho -- that is worth considering.
Having said that, let me add that if you really like the sound and playability of the one that is there, the 'bird in the hand' rule applies. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 651
Location: Australia | I own the 6 string version of the guitar in question (black with Optima). I've haad it since 97' and it's been a wonderful instrument, playing hundreds of gigs and has never been an ounce of trouble.
It's certainly a beautiful guitar, sounds good and extremely playable. However mine has been semi retired in favour of a 1687 Adamas. |
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Joined:
May 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Baltimore | Follow-up....well, I bought it!!! I went back to the music store after work and when I played it it "spoke to my soul". I loved the deep bowl acoustic sound and it played silky smooth and it only got better when I plugged it in - not muddy sound but crisp clear acoustic guitar sound. The music store techies couldn't believe the sound either. They wouldn't budge on the price, but did throw in a new set of strings (I picked Martin Studio Performance ultra-lights, my fav for my other 12-string, anyone have a string fav for Ovation 12-string guitars?)
Thanks to all who replied... |
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Custom Legend 1759 from newbie