Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | I'm with Woody. Get a Pacemaker. I really like mine, it sounds great & the neck is wonderful. It has a few surface cracks but I don't care. It takes a few minutes more to change the strings but it's no big deal at all. I don't hate changing strings on it any more than I hate changing strings on my Elite 12. I use Elixirs, I like 'em & they last longer for me.
Warning- I'm about to swerve off topic here-
The only thing I don't like about the 1115 it is the name. At my age if I tell somebody I have a Pacemaker they give me that 'aww, you poor old fart' look. I usually just tell people it's a model 1115 Ovation.
More swerving ahead-
I love my O's, but (imo) some of 'em have really crappy names. Especially some of the solidbodies, I honestly think it might have had some bearing on why they never really went over like they should have (I should say "apparently should have", I've never even seen one in person). I know back in the 70's I didn't want a guitar that would *Win-me-bread*, I wanted one that would *Get-me-bred*).
Anyway, drive a Peasnatcher for a while & you'll know more about the direction you want to go with a higher-end 12.
But- when you buy the high-dollar guitar I'll bet you end up keeping the old $300 Pleasecatcher!
It's late- "Good night Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are." J.D. |
Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 271
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | Best bang for the buck is Std Balladeer... For $700-$800 you get:
1) The least expensive, genuine, American made, 12 string Ovation Guitar...
2) The clarity of voice of the "O"'s is superior to any guitar, no matter which one you choose. You can distinguish EACH string as it litteraly jumps out of the sound hole... All other guitars I played Martins, Taylors, Yamaha's were louder accousticly, but were some how muddy, all blended together like a milk shake... "O" 12's will NEVER be accused of being soft on sound... they have all the punch you'll ever need plugged OR unplugged...
4) The ability to plug in if desired...(I think I just said that , but is worth mentioning again, as a plus...)
5) There are many variations of older slotheads, but unless you play them, or are an expert, your rolling the dice, when you order over the internet...
6) Down at your local dealer there is no risk, play every guitar you can get a hold of... Unless you have boo qoo bucks after Santa came to town, you like most of us are paying the price right about now and are on a budget, (like we weren't omn one, before xmas...)
7)As with any "O" you can move up after you have some experiance playing... And sell or keep your 1st (12 string) but you grow attached, as your fingers get a whole new set of calluses !!!
8) I much prefer the L@@K of the cutaway... even though I don't play down there... It makes for a well balanced looking guitar... somehoew more modern, and lighter looking... If you play AND collect guitars try to find a 12 fret slothead... But if you only afford ONE my money's on a 6751-4 natural...
9)As my wife often reminds me..."when you buy NEW you can't go wrong", because you get exactly what you want, COLOR, MODEL and PRICE throw in a warranty and your a winner... (We use this logic on most things we buy...)
10) With FleaBay purchases you never really know what to expect until it arrives, preferably in one piece, from an honest seller, blah blah blah... too many if's for me... The nervous anticipation, seems to CLIMB logarithmicly, as you go over $100 on ebay purchases... And again you are limted to availabilty and a 1-2 week lead time...
11) Purchasing from a fellow OFC is cool, but your selection, color, model, etc. is limited again, by availability... Much less now that the holiday buy, sell fever is gone...
12) There is nothing like walking out of your favorite guitar store with a new axe!!!
"INSTANT GRATIFICATION"
Better than sex in some ways, because it is so special, like falling in love again... without comitting adultery...
12) "Set Ups" become IMPORTANT !!! Doubling the amount of strings, will challenge you (at first) in adapting to the increase in pressure needed to make crisp, clean chords...
I do my own set ups and re-level the frets, recut the nut slots, play with the truss rod and play with the saddle shims... Most good guitar stores will help with most of YOUR preferences for free...
13) There is a lot said for staying with light strings as delivered... you can play with other gauges later...
AB
PS Do your self a favor and get a strobe tuner, there are a few out there, Peterson VS-II was my choice (under $200) get the remote clip on mike... $15 option
Korg makes a few analog, needle POS, jobs, well under $100, but the Pererson is trick with it's scrolling LCD sreen... You can get online "trial" programs for free, but kinda hard to tune up with a laptop if you play a gig... There is so much more potential with a 12, that you need the accuracy, to dial it in... Your 6 string, and baritone Uke will love you for it...
Let me know if you want more info on the Peterson, it is more than a tuner... And comes in 2 models a "Stomp" model (for instant use on stage) and a Desk top model... I have owned both... But kept the desk top for "shop" use... |
New 12 string O or older GC Slothead?
