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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2
Location: Poland | hello everybody
I am proud owner of 1867 black Legend
(produced in 1999). I used exclusively
steel strings but began toying with idea of
putting nylons instead.
How does legend sounds with nylons?
I'd expect sound to get less artificial.
any feedback weclomed
greetings: michal |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Michal,
I think you will face several problems. Most importantly the sound will most likily not be good. The Legend is braced much too heavy for the low tension of nylon strings. A real nylon string guitar (even the factory Legend nylon) is designed from the beginning with nylon strings in mind. This is the same reason that putting steel strings on a nylon guitar will ruin it. On the practical side, you also face some issues. The narrow neck of the Legend 1-11/16 inch will make fingering the thinnk nylon strings very difficult. The nut will have to be re-slotted to accomodate the nylon strings. While you could use ball end nylon strings on the existing bridge, the intonation will be bad again due to string diameter. Also, playing the radius'ed neck of the legend might seem strange (nylon stringed guitars have flat necks). I think you will be much happier, have a better sounding nylon guitar, and spend less money in the long run, if you look around for an inexpensive real nylon guitar. Even a cheap one will probably sound better and play better than your converted Legend. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | Completely agree with Dave's advice to you. Please don't do it. You are better off getting a nylon/classical/folk guitar. You can pick up decent ones at very reasonable prices. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Welcome Aboard!!
I also agree with Dave! Dave is pretty Knowledgeable when it comes to these issues. My advice is to check Ebay. Nylons String O's Show up there on a regular Basis. It'll Be a whole lot better than messing up your Current Ovation.
Again Welcome Aboard. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | If you put nylon strings on the legend you will also have to wear nylons when you play it. The catch is that they will be panty hose in a size much too small for comfort. A dress will also be required along with various other garments descrebed in the junk email that you might get. You know the ones that start, "I saw your profile...." And lets not forget the bonnetand face veil... |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Whew Dubya-2, maybe switch to decaf ??? But seriously, with all due respect to Ovation, there is a reason that nobody (and I mean NOBODY), plays Ovation nylon string guitars. They are not cheap, and they sound like crap for the money. For under $500 you can get yourself a quality nylon that will kick any O's butt. The exception is if you play live and there I guess the Ovation plugged in sound is pretty good. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 795
Location: Texas | Well, I am NOBODY. I play Ovation nylon string guitars. I like them.
So does Pat Metheny that plays an Ovation Classic model on stage and in the studio, John McLaughlin played one for many years with the trio and other bands.
Paco de Lucia has one, Steve Morse has one, Mark O'Connor has one, Henry Gross has a few, Glen C. has a few, Roy Clark, Kenny Loggins, ......etc.
A regular wooden classical is a totally different animal.
An Ovation nylon is great to have around, to write and travel, not to mention a no hassle plug in nylon string with a great pickup for different aplications.
Even classical guitarist John Williams and great Spanish players like Rafael Amador from the band Pata Negra have played one onstage.
If you have an Ovation nylon string I will be happy to take it off your hands.
Best,
Serge
www.sergiolara.com ;) |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Serge, I didn't mean to piss you off (and you are certainly not a nobody). You are very correct that lots of people play Ovation nylons plugged in. I think that's what they are known for. But for true acoustic sound, I think Ovation comes up way short of many other classicals. I have been to many recitals and acoustic concerts for classical guitar (not pop music), and all I can say is what I saw. Of the last 100 nylon guitars I've seen played acoustically by very good musicians not a single one was made of anything other than wood. Again, I appologize if you disagree with me. That's just my opinion and I definately respect yours. And NO I will not send any of my Ovation nylon stringed guitars to you. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 795
Location: Texas | Dave,
No problem at all.
You are totally correct about the classical players.
Most classical and flamenco players are purists and traditional and play unplugged, so the Ovation as a tool is not attractive to them because it does not project like a rosewood body guitar in front of a microphone or in a concert hall.
Same with the traditional steel string players, most that don't plug in prefer a wooden guitar like the bluegrass guitarists that have to play a D-28 to be heard with loud banjos and fiddles, although Tony Rice, the most influential flatpicker in the history of bluegrass music has an Ovation Legend and has played it on numerous recordings.
The Ovation nylon strings appeal to Jazz players, people that plug in and need the nylon string sound to play bossas, Latin tunes and to have a new flavor in the music.
I see in your gallery that you have a Country Artist.
Enjoy!
Serge
www.sergiolara.com :p |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | That's it Dave, piss off the new guys.
Hell, I thought I was the only one who does that! |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | When they were the ONLY reliable amplified nylon string guitar lots of big names played Ovation - Charlie Byrd, Jerry Reed, John Williams, Thom Bresh to name but a few. I aggree with Dave that Ovation nylon string guitars are over-built & do not compare acoustically with traditional classical guitars but amplified they'll hold their own with anything. Has anyone tried the new Taylor 14-fret nylon string? They're no better acoustically than a Country Artist and nowhere near as good plugged-in. Ovation classics will never appeal to the serious concert guitarist but for jazz, latin & country they're great. I have a Gibson Chet Atkins in stock at the moment, my nylon Viper leaves it for dead. |
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Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | I have a friend that has owned a Country Artist Since the late 70's. He refuses to part with it and I can't blame him. The times I've played it I thought it had a pretty good acoustic sound and sounded great plugged in Too! I think I like it about as much as he does. That's why eventually I will Own One. I don't know about the Classic(Classical model O) But The Country Artist is Tops in my book. No it Doesn't sound Like a Balladeer, A Legend or an Elite. It's not really supposed to.Several Members of this board own The Country Artist and like it Fine. If you don't- that's fine too! It's Apples and Oranges!
Serge, Don't worry.. We Still Love you! |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 795
Location: Texas | Thanks Steve.
Ovation nylon strings rule!
Check out King Paco!
http://grodecki.com/Gallery/Concerts/GuitarEvening/Guitar%20Evening%20011.jpg
Best,
Serge
www.sergiolara.com ;) |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | I agree with the previous dialogue.
I like the ovation classical/cat gut. Have had one since '76. Have played it much. Just had it repaired at the O factory. Keller worked the deal for me.
Again to me it is the neck action. For a finger picker, I believe the Ovation Nylon fits the bill.
Agree, unplugged...it can't stay with my guild classical or other premier wood classicals (but that really depends on the weather...actually many times it sounds better); but it does pretty well overall.
Also...Ovation in general in my opinion...is a different taste and musical sound. Kinda like drinking scotch...a learned behavior.
I have some top of the line wooden pieces, but i always come back to the ovation for the complete package....sound durability...stays in tune...can plug in easy or do it unplugged, looks and yes the neck action.
What i was trying to suggest to Michal, if you've played long enough....you just know that cat gut on a steel sting instrument won't ever feel or sound right and vise versa. You just know it won't work with-out extreme modification. And I would hate to see him ruin a perfectly good ovation and still be unsatisfied. Better off buying an ovation nylon or some other brand of his choice. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Paul, I HAD to tick someone off for you, because you haven't been posting lately.
NOW, let me try to extract myself from this dispute. I think we (me included) are lumping all nylon stringed guitars into a single category and calling this "classical guitars". A Country Artist and a Viper/Nylon are certainly NOT classical guitars.
My statement in my opening post was that meant to say "for serious traditional classical guitar, Ovation is a non entity". I don't think anyone would dispute this. I have previously owned a 1113, 1116, and CC63. I currently own a 1763, 1713, and two very old shiny bowl classical. In my opinion none of these compete with a quality wooden box classical guitar. Although of the bunch I must say the old shiny bowl classicals are by far the best interms of volume, sustain, clarity, mellowness and ring. Again, just my opinion.
Now for all the other uses of nylon stringed guitars, jazz, rock, country, pop, latin, etc. it does seem Ovation has a place due (I think) to the electronics and how much they play like other ovations and electrics (neck?). The narrow neck Country Artist especially. I have owned two Country Artists and they are really fine guitars for a number of applications. I just don't believe one of those applications is serious classical guitar music.
As you probably know, I am a huge fan of the steel string Folklore Deluxe and I am seriously considering to have a second one custom build with the same trimmings, except for a much lighter braced cedar top, flat 1-3/4" fingerboard and set up for nylon strings. Kind of like a "Country Artist Deluxe". Finances might be a problem, but I'll keep you posted. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2
Location: Poland | hi there
thanks for responses
I guess I'm convinced enough :)
Maybe I'll try takamine in sone time
I really like their sound.
Until then I'll stick to steel strings
greetings! |
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nylon strings in 1867 legend
