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Joined: November 2002 Posts: 28
Location: Oregon USA | As a moderately incompetent electric (UK2) player, I've decided to take the plunge and get an acoustic guitar. It gives me something decent to spend the tax refund on, plus I hope I can get someone (or myself) to make use of it at my wedding this fall.
I'm looking longingly at the new LX models, but I'm wondering what the major difference between the two roundholes is (Standard Balladeer or Legend). It looks like it's just the bridge and neck materials, the neck finish, and the grade of spruce used in the top... is that all? Also, if any of you have played both these models (LX or otherwise), how would you rate the qualitative differences?
Since this is my first acoustic and I don't really know what I'm looking at, I think I'll rely on the guidance of experts. This is a great forum you have here, so thanks in advance for any insights.
Blandon |
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Joined: December 2003 Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Consider -
How much do I have to spend - with the new O's you can jump up in features and quality with a minimal cost increase!
Try to get your hands on as many examples as you possibly can. Not always easy.
Check the onlines and with Al before pushing the buy button.
When you do buy and it has been shipped - Do not look at newspapers, TV News or any other media. All you will hear about is shipping tragedy after tragedy.
Go for it! |
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Joined: March 2002 Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Go with the best guitar you can afford. If you can afford the extra for the Legend over the Balladeer, get it. All the differences you mentioned play a part in making it a better guitar. Not to say that the Balladeer LX is not a great guitar, it is. But the Legend is better. |
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Joined: November 2002 Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | I just got my Legend LX in today. It is awesome. You will love this guitar! |
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Joined: December 2003 Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | I've got the Balladeer LX. Love it. Like the others said, though, get the best guitar you can afford. |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Had a chance to try a bunch of new Ovations in the iso booth at the NAMM show & the guitars that really stood out for me were a Ltd edition Custom Legend, the 12-fret Adamas slot-head & a Balladeer LX. Draw your own conclusions from that.
Remember that every guitar is unique, & spending more money does not always equate to a pro-rata improvement in tone. Trust your ears, not the catalog spec or the degree of ornamentation. Some of the best vintage guitars I've played or owned have been "budget" models. I play & enjoy my old Deluxe Balladeer as much as I play my custom-built Folklore. |
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Joined: November 2002 Posts: 28
Location: Oregon USA | Thanks for the advice, everyone... I'm tentatively leaning toward the Balladeer, not only because of price, but because of its slightly simpler looks (chrome hardware, smaller rosette, and all). But first I'm going to see if Chuck Levin's has any, so I can find out how much of a difference the gloss neck makes. |
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