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Joined:
September 2013
Posts: 22
Location: Charlotte, NC | Hey there!
My name is Chris, I'm not an Ovation owner yet but hope to be within the next couple of weeks.
I began playing guitar probably around 10 years old, took lessons on and off, was mostly in to Nirvana, Green Day, Foo Fighters, The Offspring, Mighty Mighty Bosstones...
In middle school I played with the school jazz band and was in a band (if you want to call it that) with a few other kids. We were mostly in to Rage Against The Machine, Korn, Primus, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot and such... None of us had the discipline or focus to really get anywhere, but it was a ton of fun and a learning experience. After that fizzled out my mind shifted to cars...
Fast forward through high school and a couple of years at community college and working full time, last summer a buddy of mine bought a Parker electric and a Line 6 amp from his room mate with the intentions of reselling it for a profit. The guitar sat, and eventually he picked it up and started playing with it. We started talking about it and that conversation and the excitement of my friend who was discovering the guitar for the first time sparked my interest again.
I had picked up the Squier Stagemaster I played through middle school just a couple times a year up until then, but once I sat down and started playing again it all started coming back, and with new perspective and life experience I was able to learn new music, styles, and improve technically with ease and speed.
I've upgraded the Stagemaster and turned it in to more of an 80's metal guitar with a Seymour Duncan JB at the bridge and a home made sustainer in place of the neck pickup. It's perfect for me when I'm jamming to Def Leppard or Van Halen, but that's not the only music I'm interested in playing, so it's time to start building the collection B-)
I remember going to music stores or flipping through the mail-order catalogues and being somewhat fascinated with Ovations... of course the shape, the composite body, the multiple sound holes from a visual perspective, and the times that I've heard Ovation's live (and known what it was, because of it's distinct appearance) I love the sound.
Now it's time I get one of my own!
I'm more concerned with the plugged-in sound than unplugged, my buddy that got me back in to guitar picked up a Martin acoustic and we want to start doing some open mics and start looking for gigs as an acoustic duo. We'll be doing covers and original material, classic rock, alternative rock, maybe even some metal songs adapted for acoustic...
The Elite TX series from all I've seen and read online seems to fit what I'm looking for... A dark looking acoustic/electric in the ~$500 price range (give or take) that feels/plays more like an electric with access to the higher frets, and of course sounds great.
I went to the local guitar store to see what they had and to try out some different guitars.
As soon as I walked in I noticed a darker Ovation... wasn't one of the Elite TX series, but caught my eye.
It's a 1984-5 Collectors Series and the price is right where I want it.
I played it for a bit, did a quick search from my phone and while there wasn't much info about this particular guitar, what I did find seems to be good, that people like that year/model.
I think it might have been one of the threads on this forum even. I figure it's time I jump in and join, so I can learn more about these instruments and meet some people that aren't Ovation-haters. (Seems like a lot of guitar players I've mentioned Ovation to don't like the round back, or complain that it slips and is hard to hold, or don't like the unplugged sound... To each his/her own, just means more Ovations for us, right?)
Sorry for the long winded intro, hopefully this gives you a better idea of who I am and what brought me here :-)
See you around the forums! |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City | It just so happens I was playing my 84c last night. It's within an arm's reach as I sit here typing. It's a super shallow bowl, and according to some (including many of the people who designed and built them) the are the BEST super shallow bowl ever built. It's one of the first to really step outside the normal boundaries with it's ebony tuner buttons and matching peg head, the ebony stain rubbed over the top to give it that dark brownish look, diamond maple inlays and such.
And it was built right here in America. If you ever need work on it, you can send it over to New Hartford.
If the TX needs serious repair there's no sending it there. May as well 'thro it in da gutta n go by anutha'
on the flip side, be sure neck is straight and doesn't need a reset on the 84. and... in the TX's defense, the plugged in sound will probably be better because the preamp is more robust. I had a 1667 with the same preamp as the 84c and in the same spot and installed a newer Op50 in it. Really worked out well and it was my gigging guitar until I replaced it with the Signature Al DiMeola Legend.
If it was me though, I'd snag the collector's |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City | 
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Joined:
September 2013
Posts: 22
Location: Charlotte, NC | Damon, that's such a good looking guitar and your review (as well as the feeling I can't get out of my head since seeing the '84) is pushing me towards that one. While the flat black looks great on the TX, being able to see the wood grain on the '84 is cooler in some ways.
It was the only Ovation there, so I don't want to make an impulse decision just because it's here and now... but I do have the option of returning it within 30 days if I change my mind.
I'm gonna go back and put a deposit on the guitar tomorrow. Unfortunately they have to hold it for 30 days as standard procedure for any of their used instruments they take in, so I won't be able to take it home until 10/10...
I checked the neck and it looks good, and I noticed it's made here in the USA, not Korea, which is a plus for sure.
One of the questions I was hoping to find an answer to is about swapping preamps. That seems to be the biggest difference between the TX and the '84.
The TX has the built in EQ and what I understand is a much better preamp, where as the '84 just has the volume and tone knob. In my searching the web I found a little bit of info about upgrading preamps in these guitars, I don't think I'd want to be cutting in to the bowl though to install one of the rectangular ones (like in the TX), what sort of options are there for the '84 style guitars as far as pre-amp upgrades?
Thanks for the input Damon and thanks for posting that pic! makes me want it more! haha |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City | cutting into the bowl is the only way to upgrade the onboard preamp, but you can always run through an external one like a Fishman proEQ  |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City | speeding, you now have full access to the site |
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Joined:
September 2013
Posts: 22
Location: Charlotte, NC | Tremendous! Thanks Damon.
I guess I shouldn't be worrying about changing the preamp already, it's a non-issue at this point in time and it's only because I know there's better that I'm even thinking about modifying it... Good to know about external pre-amps, I've got some reading to do for sure.
Love your sig, BTW... And your collection of guitars! |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | damon67 - 2013-09-25 11:05 AM speeding, you now have full access to the site WHAT?? You're not gonna charge him $49.95??? |
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Joined:
September 2013
Posts: 22
Location: Charlotte, NC | Well I don't have FULL access to the site... you didn't make me a moderator or administrator or anything... I think THAT'S what costs $49.95, Muzza  in which case, where do I send the payment to? 
Went back bright and early (well, as early as I could... they open at 11...) to put down a deposit and the guitar was gone! 
.... Well, that may have been a bad dream, but not reality.
Just a teaser pic for now, it's gonna be a long two weeks until the hold is lifted and I can take her home!
But for now at least the guitar is safe in its case and I don't have to worry about anyone else snatching it from under me.
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Joined:
September 2013
Posts: 22
Location: Charlotte, NC | can't figure out how to edit the post, anyway here's the pic 
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | You can post in the regular forums now penguinman.
You're allowed out of the kindergarten now.
Just us babysitters here. |
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Allow myself to introduce.... myself
