|
|
Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 25
Location: Kirkland, WA | I have decided to add an Ovation to my tool kit but don't know where to start. The line up is mind bogeling and I need help narrowing the field so when I hit the guitar shops I will have some knowlege. Friends and other players I know are not Ovation owners and have not been helpful. I know I need to play several and listen to and feel the guitars in my hands. The most common question on guitar forums has to be "Help Me Find The Right Guitar". So here I go asking for help. My budget is five hundred to a thousand, I play classic rock, flat pick and fingerstyle, I plan to take the ovation on vactions and play outdoors a lot, I'm not a fan of mulitiple sound holes. Well thats a start. Any help is greatly appreciated. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | First off, stick with the USA models. Stay away from Applause and Celebrity, they are made offshore and although they aren’t a bad guitar for the money, you'll find that the USA models sound an play better and have a better warranty.
I'll let others take it from here. Keep in mind that many of the OFC members are at the Third Annual OFC Convention this weekend and the answers might be a little late in arriving on the board but be patient. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | For center sound holes you will want to look at Balladeers or Legends. Always available on Ebay.
You might also be able to score an FRG 2005 Collectors with the new contour bowl, that folks around here are nuts for...Check with Al (Lost Art Vintage Instruments and sponser of this site) to see if he might have one
(FRG=Factory Reconditioned Guitar) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 183
Location: Denver, PA USA | I would second everyones input. Stay with a USA made Ovation. Balladeer of Legend. Between the two, if you can go with the Legend. You see them on ebay at resonable prices used and even new. I got my new Legend LX brand new for a little over $800. That was a great deal. I thought of getting a Balladeer LX, but went with the Legend and haven't regretted it one minute. But if you are going to be traveling with it, you might want to look more at the Balladeer LX. Here is one on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7330721052&rd=1&...
One thing. I wanted to play mine first as you mentioned. But ebery store around me carry nothing but the cheap, foreign made O's. That is a shame. So many people knock Ovation but have only played the cheap ones because that is all that the local stores stock. I traveled over an hour to try one. Fell in love with it, but they wanted over $1100 for it and that was over my budget. SO I had to mail order it from Oklahoma Guitar Traders. Have been very happy since. Good luck in your search and keep us posted.
Bill |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | 1778 T is what you need. It's been pronounced a "good gigging guitar" here in NYC. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 25
Location: Kirkland, WA | Thanks for the advice, keep it comming. I failed to mention that I wanted a USA made ax. I started playing dreadnaughts but am more comfortable with "Grand Concert" Grand Auditorium" size body. Please tell me about ovation body size (I have ruled out shallow body due to lack of volume). Playguitar4him, why would the Balladeer be better for traveling? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 253
Location: New Orleans | I second the 1778 EliteT vote. I sent you an email, ahitijack. Have a good one! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 253
Location: New Orleans | PS...tahitijack, I wanna see all those Taylors! Can you post a few pics? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 183
Location: Denver, PA USA | Originally posted by tahitijack:
Playguitar4him, why would the Balladeer be better for traveling? My only reason for saying that is the price difference between the 2. At least for me a guitar that cost $800-$1100 is not a guitar I would travel a lot with because of fear of damaging it or it being stolen. But my finacial situation is I could never replace it, nor do I have another to fall back on. Plus I have fallen in love with her and want to baby her. But looking at your list of guitars the Legend would still be one of your cheapest guitars, so your thoughts might be different. Hope this makes sense and it clarifies my thoughts.
I know you said friends have been no help. I sold a Martin to get my O. Man I think the whole state knows about it and it was reported to CF Martin himself. Part of it is I am in definate Martin country since the factory is less than 2 hours away. But I haven't regretted it one minute. Be prepaired that when you get your O you will fall in love with it andstart collecting them.
Bill |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I 2nd the 2005 collectors in a used or FRG mode. I believe Al has an FRG. Here is a used one.
\'05 collectors |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 183
Location: Denver, PA USA | This might be worth watching.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7329475075&rd=1&...
Bill |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | If you can handle the wider neck,(1 7/8" nut), you might want to look into a folklore. I believe Elderly Instruments has one for around $900. Really a nice neck width for fingerpicking. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | There you go....4 excellent choices, all within your projected budget. I think you would be very happy with any of the suggestions! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Folklore. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | schroeder,
I always new you had good taste. Someday on fleabay.
There was an older folklore on ebay a while back that was close enough to me that I could have gone and looked at it before bidding. Unfortunately the bid went higher than my wallet could afford at this time. I should have gone and played anyway I do that in the local GC all the time. The folklore is one of Ovation's best designs. :cool: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 25
Location: Kirkland, WA | Thanks for the advice everyone, I'm probably starting with the Baladeer LX or '05 Collector. Since this guitar will be a traveler and played outdoors, price is an issue. Priced so I can afford to replace it if something happens to it. LeStrange1, I'm old school and just got a digital camera and will post photos of the Taylors shortly. Being old school an Ovation is a huge leap for me and a multiple sound hole guitar is an even bigger move. Who knows I may be chasing them in the future. Thanks to all that reponded I'll keep you posted on my progress. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Originally posted by Gospel Guitar Guy:
schroeder,
I always new you had good taste. G3,
This only makes your taste suspect. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 4413
| G3 - thank you.
B4 - it's been noted. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Schroed, you're gonna love the Folklore LX coming out... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | ...Folklore LX?
Adamas III+ 12 string.
I may never need another guitar for the rest of my life! |
|
| |
New kid in town
