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Location: Wooster, Ohio | I only have steel string guitars. What is the best sounding used model of an Ovation Classical?
Are they really the best guitar for nylon strings?
Steve |
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Posts: 140
| The defination of best is a personal thing. There are a lot of good sounding nylon string guitars out there. I'm not saying that a taylor or a takamine sounds better than an ovation, they have slight sound variations. Its what your ear likes thats important. |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Absolutely. "Best" is a subjective concept no matter what you're talking about. "Very good" can be somewhat measurable but "best"? No way. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | There are of course exceptions, but I would say in general that Ovation does not have a reputation as a "premier" builder of nylon strung guitars, within the world wide community of nylon players. That of course does not mean that there are not fantastic players using them and making some music that I could only dream of. As far As I would say, the Classic LX is the best nylon they have ever done. I used to lust after Moody's wife, now I just want his guitar (sorry Jerrie). Seriously, The advantage of Ovation nylons of course is that they offer a lot of features and "compromise" that steel string players or electric players love. The electronics are the best in the business and the necks and comfort factor of playing them is great. It allows non-classcial players to own a nylon and not have to stray oh so far from what they are comfortable with. Just my opinion. Dave |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Originally posted by Standingovation:
I lust after Moody's wife, I want his... wife in nylons. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I PROTEST. THAT'S A MIS-QUOTE !!! I WAS TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT. YES THEY WERE STEROIDS BUT I DID NOT KNOW IT AT THE TIME. I THOUGHT I WAS JUST GETTING FAT. I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS ALL MUSCLE. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I have owned about a half dozen classicals ranging from a cheap 70's Yamaha to a 63 Ramirez. The Ramirez was phenomenal, and I wasn't worthy to play it, and I couldn't afford to keep it either. Even the Yamaha(231 II)had a very nice sustain and deep lows, although I had to lower the saddle to make it play better.
Anyway, in answer to your question ... I recently purchased an Ovation 1616-4 Classical. I was a little skeptical about how it would play and sound, and I purchased it through Ebay so I couldn't play it first. So I relied heavily on the comments from members of the OFC. When I received it I found it to be heavier than a standard Concert Classical, and the sustain didn't seem quite as good as with an all wood solid body, but all that aside I was quite impressed with how well it was constructed and how well it played and sounded. The quality of the wood on the top and the fretboard construction were top notch. I still can't believe I got it as cheap as I did (I think it was under $250), and I'd never trade it or sell it. Most professional classical guitarists would probably not be interested in it because they tend to be purists (kinda like some of the bluegrass crowd). But anyone else who wanted a good classical sound or a nylon string guitar would be very happy with one of these gems.
I hope that helps .... Good Luck! |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | This looks like a nice one ...
Another Listing -
Here\'s another very nice one with the cutaway ...
Cutaway Version Ebay listing |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Sorry the URLs are screwed up on the previous message, but there ARE two of them. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I just noticed there's a 1624-4 Country Artist for sale on the Sell/Trade page right now ... check it out. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I like the old country artist with the FET pre-amp. Plugged in, it is warm and full. Ripe clear notes and it's superior to any other amplified nylon string you'll find. If you're plugging in, I'd find one of these. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | You need to get Serge's opinion as well. He has several Ovation nylon string guitars, as well as Godins and has probably played almost all the other brands out there. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | There is a major difference between a Classic, with a cedar top and deep bowl and a Country Artist, with a spruce top and shallow bowl. I haven't heard the one with a spanish pine top, but I'm sure it is different.
The Ovations sound different from other classical guitars. Like bvince, I've played a very nice Ramirez, but it wasn't worth it to me. If you like the traditional classical or the light flamenco sound, then you probably won't like the Ovations, but obviously I like the Ovation sound. The Classic also has the usual 2 inch neck, the Country Artist is narrower. |
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Location: Spokane, WA | I recently purchased a nice 1674 from Serge, which is a nyon string country artist, and found the sound to be excellent. Good sustain, with excellent bass tones. Very warm tone. I haven't played a deep bowl classical yet to compare, but I was very happy with it. |
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Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Originally posted by bvince:
... I recently purchased an Ovation 1616-4 Classical. When I received it I found it to be heavier than a standard Concert Classical, and the sustain didn't seem quite as good as with an all wood solid body, It'll neverbe a 3lb flamanco guitar, but it should have good sustain even with the short scale and VT-10 bracing. What you need to try my friend are some high tension strings with more mass. I suggest the Savarez 520p1's I keep trying to give some to Moody, but I doubt the 1773LX will benefit much from them. We may neve know... |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I'm sorry if I sounded like I was suggesting that the 1616-4 didn't have good sustain ... with that deep bowl it does very well. It just doesn't ring on forever like a good traditional classical. A good one will reverberate right through your body when you're playing. It makes you feel like you're singing. |
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Location: SoCal | As noted above, Ovation classicals are a bit of a comprimise to an expensive classical guitar. But the whole purpose of Ovation guitars has been to be quality, durable, gigging guitars, at an affordable price.
My 1773LX has been the best Ovation nylon string I've ever played (I've owned a deep bowl 1673 and a Country Artist 1674). The 1773LX has the sound of the deep bowl and the playability of the shallow bowl. And the lighter bowl does make a difference. I can feel the guitar vibrate when I play it.
As to Dave lusting after my wife, hell, everybody lusts after her to some degree. I know I do...... |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Maybe Dave just wants the nylons?? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I've got the nylons, I just need the garter to hold them up. Dave |
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Posts: 555
Location: Wooster, Ohio | I didn't realize the 2' and 1 7/8' width difference. I am assuming that I should stick with the 1 7/8. I tend to hang my thumb around to pick up the bass string at times.
Steve |
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Location: East Tennessee | 45flint,
Here's one you may want to watch.
Country Artist on ebay |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Ah . . . the old IndianBlanket . . . |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I want that one! What can I sell in 8 days or less? |
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Location: East Tennessee | Woody,
I don't think it will make the 8 days with that low a BIN. |
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Posts: 94
Location: Tracy, CA | WOW, this is nice. I would BIN if I had the cash. |
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nylon string O
