|
|
Joined:
September 2007
Posts: 6
| Hi, Folks-
I am new to this forum and am hoping someone can give me some guidance on which Ovation guitar is best for my needs. I am looking for a fingerstyle guitar that will handle alternative tunings, principally DADGAD. I likely will buy off of ebay so don't hesitate to recommend an older model. Many thanks. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | First of all, welcome to the OFC! :)
I don't explore alternate tunings as much as my fellow brothers (and sisters) here at the OFC. As per your guitar inquiry, you can't go wrong with a medium or deep bowl balladeer. Later on, if you aspire for more "bling" and a bigger sound, then a deep bowl legend or custom legend will do the job for you. Just IMO. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2007
Posts: 6
| Thanks for the super fast first reply. I feel welcome already!
I forgot to include in my initial post that I prefer a short scale guitar. Is there such an Ovation? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1330
Location: ms | I don`t go much past dadgad anymore but the cool thing about Ovation necks is that they can handle the stress of changing tunings, and they stay in tune better than most wood body guitars. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2004
Posts: 709
Location: Germany | Fingerstyle players often like a slightly wider fretboard. The best fingerstyle Ovation I've ever played is the Folklore Deluxe FD14. Outstanding guitar. To my knowledge an OFC member has one for sale but can't remember who it was.
Karl |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | The Folklore is 1 3/4" at the nut...nice width for fingerstyle playing. An FD 14 would be a highly sought-after version but it's rare. You can order a new Folklore LX from Al , or older versions show up on ebay from time to time. If you could arrange to buy the FD14 from someone here I'd jump on it.
John <>{ |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 1132
Location: Parrish, FL | I believe it was Fugot that had the last one that was for sale. Not sure if it sold or not.
Blues |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | folklore/ josh white....
or an u681t (adamas) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | FD14(if y'can FIND one). |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | welcome and one of the wider necks is what you want. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Welcome, Schooner;
I play in DADGAD quite a bit; I have a Balladeer from the early 70's who is currently tuned CGCFGC. Because the strings are just 12s, I notice that she doesn't hold tune as well, but she never wanders in regular tuning, and very rarely in DADGAD.
There's been a ton of discussion here about neck preferences; the early necks are wonderfully fine, and I love them because they just feel so "cooperative" when I play them.
So, best wishes as you search for the one that suits you best--this is a great place for anything you could possibly ever want to know about Ovations (and then there's lots of stuff you won't ever want--or need--to know, either! ;) :D )
--Karen |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | I just got a 1114,(Folklore), 1 7/8" nut. I am loving it fo finger style playing. You might want to look at a Country Artist nylon string.
xnoel has one for sale in the For Sale section. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2007
Posts: 6
| You all are just wonderful. Thanks for so many helpful replies.
Just to clarify, is the 1 7/8" neck flat like a classical guitar? If not, does anyone know the typical radius? Also, are the nylon string Ovations classicals or transition instuments like the Taylor nylons and some of the Takmines? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15665
Location: SoCal | The nylon string Ovations have flat fingerboards. As to whether they are classical guitars, the older Ovation deep bowl classical are indeed classicals. But they do have the characteristic Ovation sound. Guitars like the Country Artist are meant more to be plugged in. Their acoustic sound, while adequate, isn't great.
The 1773LX model that Ovation builds now is a combination of the two. 1 7/8" nut, 12 frets to the body, mid depth bowl, and new X bracing. It's a very good combination of the classical and the CA. It's what I own. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | The Folklores have a radiused fretboard. I don't know how much. They have a 12 fret neck 1 7/8 at the nut. The FD14 has a 14 fret, as does the Country Artist. The Classical (1713 and 1763 and others) have flat fretboards. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
The FD14 has a 14 fret, as does the Country Artist. FD14 has 12 fret neck. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 665
Location: Tychy, Poland | i play a lot in CFCDAD tuning and i'm really pleased with my legend. no buzzing, even though strings are set low, full sound and tuners hold tune very good. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2004
Posts: 709
Location: Germany | All Ovations have a 10" fretboard radius except what Moody said.
Karl |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1374
| welcome to the board Schooner!!
you'll love the wide neck Ovations for fingerstyle,
I have a 1613 classical or a folklore available due to the 1 in 1 out rule, plus I got caught cheating :eek:
(extra guitars!! not extra women!!) ;)
pm sent
Glenn |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I LOVE the 1613's!!!
The unplugged sound is . . "eh"(compared to others), sounds very nice plugged-in (with the right reinforcement), but the neck is very, VERY nice!!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1374
| this one now has an OP PRO preamp with the 4db boost/lead button from an ADII and the 1/4-xlr out... not original by any means..(thanks Crimsonlake!!)
unplugged sounds good...
but straight to the board......WOW!
I think the neck on this one is my favorite for a 6
Glenn |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 108
Location: Westerville, Ohio | I only play fingerstyle and in many different tunings including, DADGAD, DADF#AD, DGDGBD, CGDGAD just to name a few. I have Bill Keith D-tuners on all strings. Makes it very quick to change between tunings and retune while playing. I had the tuners on my Adamas 2080, since I sold it and acquired an Ovation 1868 the tuners where installed on it and it's been doing great.
I haven't had any trouble with the standard ovation neck and playing fingerstyle and I have pretty big fingers/hands. Just go play a few and decide what you like. I don't think you'll have any problem with your guitar handling the different tunings. I hardly ever play in standard tuning so I set my guitar up accordingly.
Good luck! |
|
| |
Finger Style Ovation-Alternative Tunings
