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April 2005
Posts: 2
| Hi all. New member to the board here. I am currently needing advice on which Ovation model I should buy. I am looking for a nylon string guitar with a neck that is a little thinner than normal classicals. I see on the ovation website the following models as possibilities: 1863, 1773 6773 (country artist), S773, and EA63.
Does anyone own any of these models, or a different nylon ovation model? How does it sound? Do you like it? What about playability? Any advice would be great. I'm also considering the Takamine EAN60c, however the Ovation models caught my eye. Please advise. Thanks all! |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Here's your guitar
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=47064&item=7...
Anything under $600 is a steal. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | Paul is right (not dead).
Start by looking at the 1624 and then work your way up financially. excellant necks and great sound.
BTW - I am trying to get a local OFC Gathering planned - keep watching!
Peace |
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April 2005
Posts: 2
| Thanks, I had actually been watching that one on ebay already. :)
Does anyone here own a Ovation nylon string guitar and could provide a quick review? |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | 1983 Country Artist, model 1674, cutaway. Easy to play, decent unplugged sound, great plugged in. Highly recommend the C.A. series.
Seattlecard, where would you be playing it? Home, gigs, etc? What type of music? How do you play -- first 5 frets or up the neck? All these factors will determine what you buy. |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | You will be hard pressed to find an EA63 for under $600. In fact, it isn't easy to find them at all.
The older Country Artists can be great buys. |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | I've owned 1624 and 6773 Country Artists. Very nice instruments. Dave |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I have the 1624, and I'll never give this guitar up, it's a real keeper. You can find them for under $400. As to whether you need a cutaway it depends on what you play. I love how tex mex sounds on the 1624 and don't need a cutaway. I suppose if I played jazz I would. |
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March 2005
Posts: 417
Location: Cicero, NY | I have the 1616 and I love it but that's not the one for you if you're looking for a "thinner than typical classical neck". I must just be used to it but the joke here has always been it's only slightly thinner than your normal airline runway.
I'm also looking at a Tak natural series too, specifically the EAN10C. Every time I play it in the local guitar shop I love it more. Great feel and sound. I've never played the Tak nylon but if it's anything like the 10C, that wouldn't be a bad choice either. Good luck with your decision. |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Hi SC,
The deep bowl models, cutaway or not, sound better un-plugged than the shallow bowls. They all sound great amplified. The cutawy models can be easier to "lead/solo" on if you're into that. I would definately look for one of the models with the "enclosed style" Schaller machines. Gold or chrome makes no difference in sound. I bought mine 12 years ago because it was the "easiest guitar in the world to play". :D I still have fun playing it, because the neck is wide, the action is low, and the strings are soft. Don't be afraid of an older one with cosmetic issues. It gives them "character" :p One of our members recently sold one he bought cheap and refinished. it looked and sounded great afterwards. The sound is not unlike tradional classicals. The right strings can make them better than some. Old or standard tension strings will make the guitar sound like cardboard. These guitars have the same truss rod in the neck as their steel string counterparts which gives them better sustain. The deep models have great bass response, but I would say that none of them are going to sound like a 2lb flamenco guitar. They are "powerful" like a V-8, not a turbo charged inline 4 cyl. BTW, after you get one, try the Savarez 520P1 strings. they are ALL wrapped E to e, and though considered high tension, I feel they are easier on the fingers than allot of "super-hard" tension sets with drawn trebles. I am also currently playing the John Pearse Thomastic's, and I've tricked two or three people into thinking they are steel strings. so If you want a much "brighter" sound you have some options. |
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September 2003
Posts: 782
Location: Waurika OK | Hi and welcome,
I have a 1613 which I think was the first O nylon string with electronics. It has a two inch nut, but that really doesn't take too much getting use to. Sounds okay unplugged, and really good plugged in. It is a deep bowl. Has some of those character marks, but does not effect the sound. Turn the bass up and you can almost substitute for the bass guitar. |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Country Artist: The Best Nylon Out there, especially for the price.
Occasionally you can find a Celebrity CC059 for a little less. That is the overseas version of the Country Artist. I have one, super shallow bowl makes it easy to play standing or sitting. Not as great a sound as the USA models. Plugged in it will sound as good as any. They usually run about $225 - $250 on fleabay.
If I wasn't saving for something else I'd grab the the one moody mentioned. |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| "I am also currently playing the John Pearse Thomastic's, and I've tricked two or three people into thinking they are steel strings. so If you want a much "brighter" sound you have some options."
So you're going to send me a set to try, right? |
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December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Paul Blanchard:
You will be hard pressed to find an EA63 for under $600. In fact, it isn't easy to find them at all.
I looked for years and finally one came up on eBay with an opening bid of $800... I was the only bidder.
It is the easiest playing Nylon. Plugged into a good amp, it sounds great. Unplugged, you do not bother anyone. |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Originally posted by schroeder:
So you're going to send me a set to try, right? If YOU had come on down to the OFC TX get together you could have met Michelle AND tried the JP's |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| I've got over 100 smart aleck replies to that, all of which would get me banned for life.
"Come on down"? That would be like 5000 miles and an ocean. We don't all have mountain bikes.....
It really looked like a lot of fun, even tho there were no beer cans in any of the photos. Cliff arranges large supplies at the official get together so the East Coast is winning so far in next years plans. Also I'm allergic to rattlesnakes..... (and reps with guns) |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Originally posted by schroeder:
It really looked like a lot of fun, even tho there were no beer cans in any of the photos. Dave didn't let the Frozen Daquiri & Margarita Machine slow down all weekend!!! and "supper" was out in the smoker from about 8am till 6pm Slooow Cookin'. Man, it was good!!!
Just to stay on the thread, my 1763 was the only Nylon Stringed beast there, and one of 3 "slot-heads". |
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Ovation Nylon String Help!