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September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | Just curious where the point of dimenishing returns is on Ovations. For example, How much better sounding is a Custome Elite or Legend compared to a Celebrity? I know build quality goes up with the USA versions, but how much better is the top of the line USA versus the bottom end USA.
What are the sound characteristics/differences of the apulets versus center round hole?
Also, would you consider the 1771LX a good sounding Ovation or maybe just average? |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I prefer the epaulets.
use your ears. if it sounds good to you go for it. if you like the blink go custom, that really has nothing to do with the sound. |
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May 2006
Posts: 25
Location: Long Island, NY | I have the 6778LX and a friend has the 1771LX. Both are great sounding guitars acoustically and especially plugged in. The standard LX models probably represent the peak in terms of value/bang for the buck. All the higher end models will have "diminishing returns" but will have more bling.
Ask Alpep for a good deal on the 1771LX. He's da man! |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | You're right at the point of diminishing returns with that guitar. Strumming a Custom Legend doesn't sound different than strumming a Baladeer.
A deep or contour bowl will make a difference, but Ebony and Abalone don't make a guitar sound better.
That said, I can afford the little things in a higher-end guitar and they're important to me. |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Big generality here, but the difference between a $500. and $1000. Ovation will be a hell of a lot more significant than between a $1500. and $2000. Ovation in terms of sound. Within the USA line the difference between "custom" elite/legend/whatever and plain old version is largely cosmetics. Soem people will pay mightily for cosmetics. 1771LX is a nice sounding guitar and sound wise it is in a whole nother stratosphere than the koorean ones. Dave |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I've got a 6778LX (happens to be for sale) which is way superior to any Celeb I've ever played. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 83
Location: Columbus, OH | I have a deep bowl Custom Legend and an Elite T. Frankly, the Custom Legend doesn't sound very good to me acoustically. The Elite T does. Neither sounds as good as my 1980 Martin HD28 or my Guild all mahogany dread, but the Ovations kick butt plugged in live. |
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September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | DavidE,
Is either your Legend or Elite an "LX"? ... I read on this board that the LX's are better acoustically than the former "A" brace line-up.
Anyone care to comment on that? Is that true? |
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October 2006
Posts: 15
Location: ny | I just bought a 1861 lx , which sounded much better than the non lx versions in the store I was at anyways. In fact it sounded better than all but maybe two other guitars in the whole store. |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | There are differing opinions about the new scallopped bracing vs A bracing. I take that to mean it's hard to tell. There are "special" Ovations, but among the regular production models people generally prefer the LX models. I've had both and I would much rather have an LX for acoustic sound. They're a lot lighter too. John <>{ |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4061
Location: Utah | Originally posted by bauerhillboy:
but Ebony and Abalone don't make a guitar sound better. Ebony and Abalone. That was a great song! |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | "diminishing return" return was the question...that is very subjective and needs to be. Comments are as acoustic as comparison of a 2006 or a 1980 can mean a major difference in pre-amp.
IMHO, major difference between Celeb and U.S. line.
IMHO, there is a substantial difference between the "standard" Elite/Balladeer and the upgraded Legend (1777) and Elite (1778).
IMHO, major difference in quality of wood. In addition, bracing.
Small difference between cutaway and non-cutaway. Minor differece in sound projection/dispersion between multi-hole and center hole.
From my experience, this is true whether an older guitar or new. And, it doesn't have to be a Custom with abalone...check out the Patriot, Legend Ltd., or the Anniversary (AAA)...compare those v. a Balladeer or Legend. Anyone compare a shallow AAA spruce (i.e., 1984 Collectors) v. an A or AA. Major difference.
Personally, my Custom Legends, Custom Elite, and Al DiMeola (ADII) are superior with or without the abalone. And, that is true for the 12-strings.
Buyer beware...try and play before you buy. |
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Joined:
October 2006
Posts: 51
Location: Arizona | It's definitely subjective, but it'll be just as subjective to the folks that listen to you play.
I have a 30+y.o. Custom Balladeer that I (and others) think is a very good sounding guitar. I bought a Celebrity GC057 for things like camping, etc., and to plug in. This Celebrity sounds okay plugged in, but acoustically is just not very good IMHO. It also seems a bit harder to play (in my inexperienced hands, anyway). I was disappointed enough in the Celebrity that I bought an Elite T and am pretty happy with it so far.
So in my limited experience the money that went into the Celebrity wasn't very well spent. If it was all I could afford or knew it met my needs it would be acceptable, but the additional money for the Elite T (or the Balladeer, but it's too old to be representative of newer stuff) was definitely good bang for the buck IMHO.
Your opinion is the only one that really counts if it's your money, though. ;) |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | I own 2 exact model balladeers, one A-braced and one LX.
The LX projects more and is just a cannon compared to my A-braced. It has more overtones, and sustain. I just changed strings to my usual Pearse bronze silks on both. The LX is definitely more senstive to finger dynamics in my opinion. It just feels better, and it's noticably lighter.
But I still like them both...that cedar model is just a great looking guitar.
Ernie |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 83
Location: Columbus, OH | Originally posted by Yak:
DavidE,
Is either your Legend or Elite an "LX"? ... I read on this board that the LX's are better acoustically than the former "A" brace line-up.
Anyone care to comment on that? Is that true? Yes, it's an LX. My orange hotrod flame Elite T showed up today and it also sounds great acoustically. |
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Is the 1771 LX considered a "good" sounding Ovation.
