|
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 110
Location: Peoria, Illinois | I have now had this instrument (#124) for several weeks. Since I am relatively new to Ovation, it took me a while to come to some conclusions.
First the new bowl. By far and away, the most comfortable acoustic to sit and play. I think this feature alone makes the guitar very enjoyable and encourages more playing time. I have not tried to play it standing up.
Next, the looks. I think it has a very nice, understated elegance to it. Not too much with fancy decorations, a nice 12th fret inlay and rosette. Love the look of the Engelmann spruce top.
Finally, the tone. I have been thinking about this for a while, and keep comming back to bell-like. Just the right amount of low end, nice separation of mids, and clear treble. Very balanced. Easy to adjust the action just as you like, and I find Ovation to be unique in this aspect with removable shims and no sanding needed.
I have not explored the plugged in sound yet, but expect it to be solid in this area also. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Wait till You PLUG IT IN!!!!! :D
I think you will be pleasently suprised. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 338
Location: Toronto | Plug it in man - plug it in!
I have the xlr going straight into a mixer, I have the 1/4 into a Fishman blender - 2 totally different tones. Kinda like having 3 top end guitars for one low price!
Dano |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 266
Location: Tampa, Florida | I should have my '05 Collector's in less than 2 hours! Can't wait. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 266
Location: Tampa, Florida | Wow. The 05 is an outstanding guitar. comfortable, great tone and projection. superb. I hope all Ovations going forward will be contour bowls. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | I still haven't plugged mine in! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | The best NEW ovation I have ever bought. Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 266
Location: Tampa, Florida | still loving it. Great job Ovation! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | A steal for the price! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | Love mine... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Does anyone know if the LX neck attachment on the 05 Collector is the same as other LX guitars? Just thinking wouldn't it be interesting to custom order an Elite LX or maybe Legend LX 12-string and have them use the new bowl on it ??? hey, I've done crazier things ... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Pretty certain it's the same.
I doubt if Ovation will put the new bowl on anything else until next year. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | $. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | To add momentum to what Dave said - using the ANS neck would made neck repairs, top repairs and such so much easier and cost effective.
It would also mean that we could swap necks around like we do with the solid bodies!
Wide, narrow, glossed or oiled? Dots, diamonds or Triangle inlays?
Slothead, Peghead or Broccoli Plume?
Are we ready for that much freedom? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 110
Location: Peoria, Illinois | Thanks for the feedback. I will have to get an amp or PA just to hear this thing plugged in. I really like the thought of xlr and 1/4 inch options.
I played it last night and love it even more!! I have been distressed reading the long post about the Adamas slothead, but looking over my '05 Collector, the fit and finish are perfect (as is my LX GC 12-string). Great stuff. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | The problems with the new slothead is an isolated "thing" in my view. I have several Ovations including the 2005 Collectors with perfect fit and finish. I'm absolutly sure that any problems with the slots will be taken care in good order from the factory. Personally I would not have a second thought ordering anything from Ovation sight unseen in the future. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 100
Location: Warren, OH | I finally got a chance to see one after calling all the remotely local stores. I happened to call Sam Ash in the Mayfield Heights (Cleveland OH) area, and they had one! It was in the high-end section, along with the Taylors (I saw a couple that were well into the thousands), in a glass display cabinet. Interestingly enough, the salesman noted that they'd only had it in for a short time, maybe two weeks, tops. Strings were in near-unplayed condition. Sounded really nice in a Marshall acoustic amp.
Unfortunately, they'll have to wait for another one. S/N 194 has left the building. Can't wait to try it at church! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | "...S/N 194 has left the building...."
Legally???
Enjoy regardless. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 100
Location: Warren, OH | Of course. It was cold and snowy on Sunday afternoon, but even with my Nanook of the North coat on, I'd never fit the case under my clothing. And I just plain run too slow... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2005
Posts: 17
Location: USA | The 2005 collectors will be my first Ovation, should be here Thursday. From what I'm reading I think I made a good choice. I almost bought an Elite LX. This will be my first NEW guitar
Precher_Dan |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | Welcome to the club Precher_Dan. You'll love the 2005 CE. I played one at Texas OFC. Great guitar. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | I too played one at our Texas get together. Very nice. I think I needed to adjust hizzoner's strap up a little bit to have the contour fit my contour better! Welcome and congratulations on your first NEW guitar, great choice.
:cool: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2005
Posts: 17
Location: USA | Thanks.. This a great site lot of good info. This site really helped me make up my mind on weather to get the Elite LX or the 2005 collectors.
In my search for a guitar I played almost every brand in the 1000-2500 dollar range. Martins Taylors Gibsons Tachs Yamaha's Wasbburns Deans and the Elite LX beat them all. Best Sound, Action, Electronics and solid construction. Ovation seems to provide the biggest bang for the buck of all the major players.
My question is why is there such an either love em or hate em reaction to Qvation from the guitar community. Seems to me to be very little middle ground
Precher_Dan
2 more days till my 2005 collectors gets here |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | You're absolutely correct, there is no middle ground. People love them or hate them. You used the term "bang for the buck", which is a real strong point about Ovation. But you have to realize that to many, that is not an important factor in their guitar buying choice. I have no doubt you'll love your new guitar. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 100
Location: Warren, OH | Just got a chance to use my 05 at Church this week. Didn't have the ground to shell cable, so I plugged in a 1/4 cable going to air. Probably looked a little funky but sounded nice. I look forward to using it more in the future... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Bob, more than likely the 'switch' turning on the preamp is simply the 1/4" jack. You probably don't need the ground-to-shell cable, just a regular XLR cable and a 1/4" plug.
$1.99 at Radio Shack, might be worth a try. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | What's a ground-to-shell cable? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Ground to shell activates the phantom power. It is the difference between microphone cables and Instrument cables. Right? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | An XLR cable where (inside the connector) one of the leads (I believe it was pin #1 - not completely sure) is soldered/grounded to the metal shell of the connector.
Do a search.
Master Templeman did a pretty descriptive instructional post on this a couple years ago.
Get with the Program! ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Right, Cliff. Pin 1 is tied to the shell(ground) and should have continuity. Hopefully any XLR cable you are using is wired this way, or you are not standing in a pool of water...
Most any off-the-shelf XLR cable should work.
Bob, what I said above applies if phantom power is not available, or you don't have a correctly wired XLR cable.
I'm sure Master Templeton will correct me if I've made a mistake. :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | I just did a search. Looks like you're right Waskel. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 100
Location: Warren, OH | Waskel, my cable is a stock XLR cable, which I've used for some time with my old Dean Markley pickup and a passive DI box. I do have phantom power available from the mixing board. Nothing came on, however, until I plugged in the 1/4" jack.
I wanted to try things out first before I decided to hack up the cable. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Bob, if you have a continuity tester or ohmmeter test to be sure all 3 pins go all the way through. Pin 1 may be disconnected at one end. Also check for continuity between the shells.
You could also try the cable with a condenser mic, if you have one available. If it's the cable the mic shouldn't work. (make sure it's one that requires phantom power) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | I don't think it's a "stock" cable configuration. We've had a few discussions on the board about how to make one. They are available from Ovation if you don't want to do it yourself. Following is from the Ovation owners manual
Lo-Z Connection
If you have chosen to connect the guitar to a low impedance mixer or amp, there are a couple of options. If you have a conventional, Lo-Z balanced line XLR (or mic) cable, connect the guitar to the amp/mixer and insert a 1⁄4" "activation plug1" into the phone jack on the guitar. This plug connects the battery's current to the preamp circuitry. If you have purchased an Ovation Lo-Z XLR Activation Cable2, simply connect your guitar to your amp or mixer and play.
Phantom Power
Here's another unique Ovation feature: If your mixer or acoustic guitar amp has phantom power available (a voltage source that is superimposed inaudibly on the same wires as the signal), using the XLR connector on the guitar (with any balanced XLR cable) will direct this voltage to your preamp. This will dramatically extend battery life, as only the tuner will require battery current. Even without a battery, using the phantom powering option will ensure that you're getting the ultimate response and output from your preamp. Please note however, that the tuner will not function without a serviceable battery installed in the guitar.
1Activation Plug (1⁄4")
(Part Number 9659-0) - Retail: $3.99
2Ovation Lo-Z Balanced XLR Activation Cable
(Part Number 9658-0) - Retail: $19.95
Above accessories are available from your local authorized Ovation Dealer/Service Center. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Uhmmm... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Bill, I'm confused...
You started by saying this wasn't a 'stock' cable configuration, but then in both circumstances you went on to say that you can use a "conventional, Lo-Z balanced line XLR (or mic) cable" or "any balanced XLR cable".
I believe that you are correct in the second 2 statements. My understanding is that you can use any "conventional, Lo-Z balanced line XLR (or mic) cable", providing that pin 1 is continuous end to end and to the shells. Most XLR cables come off the shelf like this.
I don't believe you need to buy either the cable or the 'activation plug' from the Mothership, unless you feel you want to support them. Any 1/4" plug, even a blank from Radio Shack, should turn on the preamp power. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Your correct on the 1/4" plug but I don't think the standard XLR cables have the ground strap attached. I keep a right angled 1/4" plug in my case to activate the preamp when I need to. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Ok, let me back up. (No, I don't mean back-pedal). If you use XLR cables which have the very small screw going into the shell body on both ends, remove the screw, open the end and see if that screw threads into the ground strap. The ground strap should be soldered to pin 1.
THAT is what ties the shell to pin 1. If you have an XLR cable which does not have these screws, or has plastic shells, you probably won't get phantom power.
Again, you can test this if you have an ohmmeter. Connecting to pin 1 on the male end and the shell on the female end should show 0 resistance.
Whether or not you can solder pin 1 to the shell depends on the quality of the shell ends. (and your soldering skill level.)
I just pulled 4 XLR's out of a drawer, 3 of them had screws and had shell-to-ground. 1 did not have screws and had no shell-to-ground.
Bob, does your XLR have very small screws going into the sides of the shells?
If not, I suggest you get something like this.
If you look at the shell ends you can see the screwheads going into the casing.
EDITED |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | As cruel as it may sound, they make me stay here all day so I can't run home to check on my equipment. I always thought those small screws were what kept the connectors together. I do know, I had to do the soldering job that las time I tried to use one of my XLR cables. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Yes, Bill, that is cruel. :( The only reason I'm home today is, Wednesdays I work from home.
Those screws DO hold the end together. But inside the shell there's a lug to solder a jumper to pin 1. 3 out of 4 off-the-shelf cables I have had that jumper. I think it's necessary for condenser mics that require phantom power as well. So most of the time you have those screws I think you'll find the shell is grounded to pin 1. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 100
Location: Warren, OH | OK - last week I plugged in to the board at church using my stock XLR cable. Nothing. As soon as I plugged in a 1/4" jack, however, the battery/phantom power LED turned yellow/green instead of the normal red, and everything worked fine.
I checked my cable, and all pins are straight through, but no jumpers. They are metal shells with screws. The tabs are very big and fat, so soldering from pin 1 to the shell tab should be pretty easy. It'll take more time to find solder and the iron. I'll do it tomorrow morn before church. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 100
Location: Warren, OH | By the way, I checked the archives for ground to shell cable. The last couple of entries that the search listed wouldn't come up. Is there some cutoff point at which old posts drop off the face of the earth? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Old posts should be on the board.
Maybe just a system malfunction. Maybe you can try it again and if the same problem persists, send the info to Miles to check out. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Three years out are in the vault I believe. Just add it to your search criteria. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 100
Location: Warren, OH | Finally got a chance to use the new modified XLR cable at church this weekend. Everything was plugged in, phantom power light came on, and it was a simple case of just turning the volume knob. Sounded really nice, and really easy.
Now all I gotta do is figure out the tone controls...
Got a chance last week to play with some friends (one has an older Balladeer Deluxe, and the other three had flatbacks). I think I was as loud as any of the others. |
|
| |
'05 Collector Owners, thoughts?