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January 2008
Posts: 6
Location: Atlanta, GA | What are the pros & cons for the different types of bracing in the older Ovations? I see the Ovation A, Ovation X and Modified X. What is the difference in these bracing types and which one (if any) is prefered?
Thanks.... |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I could say try the search function, since you're new... welcome! |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Quintad, A, X (and lx scalloped X) braced are the popularly preferred. Most round here find these to give the best Ovation tone. |
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March 2006
Posts: 482
Location: enid, ok | Brace yourselves! |
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November 2003
Posts: 231
| I prefer the A, which was introduced in 1974 on the Custom Legend, and later used on the Standard Legend, as well as the Anniversary, and Patriot. To me, they provide the most power and bass response. |
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April 2006
Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany | To my ears, the A bracing delivers the real Ovation sound, that I fell for some years ago.
Only bad thing about the A bracing - you'll see the braces under the top someday, especially on Custom legends, even more on 12 string Custom Legends, and even more if they are black.
The older X bracing sounds good to my ears, but to be true, I did not hear too many of them.
Scalopped X (used on the LX models and new Collector's) does not do it for me. They do not sound Ovation-like (all that is said - to my ears). I have three scalopped X bracing guitars, and to me they sound as if the factory tried to create a sound that pleases the majority of guitar buyers, and with that those, that did not think about buying an Ovation before. But, if I want a guitar without the distinctive Ovation voice, I'd buy something else.
It is good to see that there are still A braced guitars being built, like the Traditional Series or the ADII. One of the best Ovations I own is the A braced 1651RI aka JL3- and this is from the LX era. So it doesn't have to do with missing quality, it's the bracing.
Kurt |
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March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | I've always prefered the VT bracing patterns....
no wait, I've always hated the VT patterns. My top bracing of choice is the A bracing (and will be ordering a 1117 later this year with that bracing), followed by the 1960's guitars with the original X bracing.
I don't own any guitars with the new scalloped bracing and don't have any real desire to. I'm glad some people here who have them are happy with them.
It's all ice cream....... |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I've yet to hear a VT-braced guitar that sounded any good to me acoustically. The old Ovation modified X was great (if it ain't broke, dont fix it) and I've played just as many really sucky deepbowl A-braced guitars as I have great ones, and they can sound great (I know, I have a couple great-sounding A-braced guitars) The LX scalloped-braced guitars I've played have been consistently good. Not a sound I especially care for personally, but still a great sound. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | And yet Dobro would disagree with us in that he has a VT braced Legend that he swears by..... |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Depends what you want, or need to hear. I know people with Taylors that sound great to them but not to me. I have a friend who owns a ridiculously expensive Gibson custom shop J200 which he thinks is the best-sounding guitar in the world. To me it sounds like it's made from 1/2 inch marine ply. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Originally posted by Paul Templeman:
Depends what you want, or need to hear. I know people with Taylors that sound great to them but not to me. I have a friend who owns a ridiculously expensive Gibson custom shop J200 which he thinks is the best-sounding guitar in the world. To me it sounds like it's made from 1/2 inch marine ply. LOL
I have only heard 1 J200 that sounded good |
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November 2002
Posts: 3651
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I'm in favor of the "minimalist" approach. I constructed an A-braced top, with only 5 ribs, that sounded great.
And, my Josh White has a total of 3 sticks, under the lid.
Generally, I think the A-brace is the best scenario for sound vs. stability. Haven't experimented much with trapdoors yet, but the Adamas pattern is pretty standard fare. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Originally posted by Koenig Kurt:
To my ears, the A bracing delivers the real Ovation sound, that I fell for some years ago.
Only bad thing about the A bracing - you'll see the braces under the top someday, especially on Custom legends, even more on 12 string Custom Legends, and even more if they are black.
The older X bracing sounds good to my ears, but to be true, I did not hear too many of them.
Scalopped X (used on the LX models and new Collector's) does not do it for me. They do not sound Ovation-like (all that is said - to my ears). I have three scalopped X bracing guitars, and to me they sound as if the factory tried to create a sound that pleases the majority of guitar buyers, and with that those, that did not think about buying an Ovation before. But, if I want a guitar without the distinctive Ovation voice, I'd buy something else.
It is good to see that there are still A braced guitars being built, like the Traditional Series or the ADII. One of the best Ovations I own is the A braced 1651RI aka JL3- and this is from the LX era. So it doesn't have to do with missing quality, it's the bracing.
Kurt What do you mean by see the bracing?? |
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April 2006
Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany | Originally posted by PEZ:
Originally posted by Koenig Kurt:
To my ears, the A bracing delivers the real Ovation sound, that I fell for some years ago.
Only bad thing about the A bracing - you'll see the braces under the top someday, especially on Custom legends, even more on 12 string Custom Legends, and even more if they are black.
The older X bracing sounds good to my ears, but to be true, I did not hear too many of them.
Scalopped X (used on the LX models and new Collector's) does not do it for me. They do not sound Ovation-like (all that is said - to my ears). I have three scalopped X bracing guitars, and to me they sound as if the factory tried to create a sound that pleases the majority of guitar buyers, and with that those, that did not think about buying an Ovation before. But, if I want a guitar without the distinctive Ovation voice, I'd buy something else.
It is good to see that there are still A braced guitars being built, like the Traditional Series or the ADII. One of the best Ovations I own is the A braced 1651RI aka JL3- and this is from the LX era. So it doesn't have to do with missing quality, it's the bracing.
Kurt What do you mean by see the bracing??
A-bracing seethrough |
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Bracing Question
