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Posts: 15
Location: Denmark | Has anyone experience with both guitars and if so what are their comments! Is it actually possible to compare to different kind of guitars? Is Ovation easier to play? Lower action etc.??
best regards
Christian |
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Posts: 28
Location: New Jersey | Christian,
I have a 71 Martin D28 and a 83 Ovation Legend deep bowl.It's kind of like comparing apples with oranges but I'll give it a try.As far as playability the Ovation has the edge. It almost plays like my Les Paul,action low and light.The Martin action is a little higher and heaver feeling.As far as sound acoustically the Martin sounds better.There is nothing like the sound of a aged spruce and rosewood guitar,but I have to admit the deep bowl ovation sounds good for a having a non wood back.They both are very well made guitars,fit and finish is excellent.The ovation is a little fancier,the Martin is pretty plain looking.The Martin has no electronics and the Ovation has a simple double dial,one volume the other tone/bass.It sounds excellent through my old tube amp.It's nice to have both because they both a unique sound.I do find myself playing the Ovation more because of the feel.As far as the cost factor a nice used D28 will cost in the $1500 compared to $400 for a nice used Legend.If you like the sound of Ovations they are the best used bargains out there. I would stick with the deep bowl if your going to play it acoustically,the thin bowl doesn't cut it in my opinion.Happy hunting play both and compare,it's a matter of personal taste. |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I have an old d 35 and d 35S both are great guitars but when I play out I take the ovations. they sound great and look good and I don't have to worry about anyone wanting to steal it and whenI plug them in they sound great. too much of a hassle to amplify the martins |
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Location: Denmark | Thanks for your reply "dudes". They have been very helpfull. I have for several years tried to copy the style of al Di Meola and I thought that I needed the exact same instrument as he used inorder to reach his level? I have played a Martin SP000C-16R with cutaway for some years. However I still do not feel I have just near the same speed as Al have. I hope with my Ovation 1769-AD5 my speed will improve!
best regards
Christian |
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Posts: 7251
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | One of the key properties to DeMeola's sound is what the roundback brings to the table besides overall tone, and that is the consistancy of both tone and volume all the way up the fretboard, across all six strings. I find most boxes, no matter how good they are, start to loose at least volume as you near the 12th fret, especially on the higher strings. Roundbacks stay pretty strong, no matter where you play. If you play fast notes, near the 12th fret area, you will hear them all with an Ovation.... even the bad ones (bad notes that is). |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | The other thing Al can do with the Big O is the right hand muting while picking because of the bridge design. Other guitars have the pins in the bridge to get in the way. |
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Location: California | Just like Rolex vs Patek Philippe. Both make good products. Ovation is more rugged, more affordable, and sounds better plugged-in.
Christian, you wrote, "However I still do not feel I have just near the same speed as Al have. I hope with my Ovation 1769-AD5 my speed will improve!" Changing guitar could help but ...
Al could play just as fast on a $100 guitar. So techniques & practice are more important than a $2300 guitar.
By the way, 1769-AD5 is one of the best Ovation you could buy, if you can get one. |
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Posts: 15
Location: Denmark | I know praticing is the most important thing if you want to be able to play fast. I once read that Al di Meola practiced up to 10-12 hours a day when he studied in Boston. After playing with Chick Corea, I believe he got his practice from jamming with other musicians. As everyone wanted to play with him after that! |
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Posts: 28
Location: New Jersey | I went to high school with Al Demeola and I agree he could make any guitar sound great.He's a perfectionest that practices all the time.That said the low action and feel of an Ovation would probaly increase your speed over the Martin. |
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Location: NJ | Steve;
Where in Jersey are ya' from?
(I'd use the OLD ". . what exit . ." line, but it's just NOT funny!)
btw: While going out to lunch today, I noticed that the signs are back on the old, vacant building that was/is Satriale's Meat Market on the "The Sopranos". Guess they're FINALLY filming the new season! |
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Posts: 28
Location: New Jersey | Bergenfield class of 71, Al I think graduated in 72
My wife was a band fag with Al in HS. |
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Location: Baggins End | Christian... you cannot compare guitars by the action. If a guitar has a proper "set up" to your likings it does not matter what brand it is. A good guitar tech can adjust truss rods...lower the saddle and even lower the nut.I've been a guitar repairman for thirty odd years and can't believe how many customers have bought new guitars because the action was too high...its so much cheaper to just get a good set up.
Cheers! Frodo |
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Martin versus Ovation
