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February 2007
Posts: 1
| I am a complete novice and trying to learn guitar to get closer to my son. Any opinions about this Ovation? See link. Is it too good? Not good enough for a beginner? I love my son's Ovation amd find it very comfortable to play. All opinions welcomed.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEW... |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Welcome WCBike!!!
I think it's good choice. It's not "too much" guitar for a novice and it offers an out of the ordinary top. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | You will find most people 'round here would advise going with a USA made Ovation for quality, sound and service. The Celebrity line is Korean. If you look around here and ebay, you can get a used USA made for around the "Buy It Now" price of the auction you've linked.
USA Ovations= Balladeer, Legend, Elite, Folklore...
Welcome... |
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May 2003
Posts: 425
Location: SE Michigan | Well it certainly is a handsome guitar, but I'm pretty sure it has a laminated top which will detract from the sound quite a bit. One plus for lam tops is that they are durable but again the sound is much better with a solid top. Look at these guitars:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ovation-Celebrity-SE-Mid-Dep...
It has a solid top and Musicians Friend will ship for free and allow you to return it within 45 days no questions asked for a full refund. If you want to step up to a USA made model look at these:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ovation-S771-Balladeer-Speci...
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ovation-1778T-Elite-T-Series...
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ovation-1771-LX-Standard-Bal...
Ovations are a great choice especially for a beginner because they have great action (playability) and most have a built in tuner.
If you are really serious about playing I think it would be reasonable to spend up to $1000 because having a quality guitar can make all the difference for a new player. If you are not so sure about your dedication, look for something used on Ebay, USA made with a solid spruce top for around $350-500.
But beware, if you are in-experienced regarding guitars there are a lot of turds on Ebay. But here are also a lot of great deals if you know what to look for.
Good luck! |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I think that is a perfect beginner guitar. It is very playable with a good sound, and the attractive top will get lots of attention, which helps keep a beginner motivated. GOOD CHOICE! |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | No... it not a USA made, solid top model, but $439 still makes it a good enough value. And the "special" top might make it easier to sell when it comes time to upgrade.
Oh ... I forgot... if you do get this one, get the case.
And BrianT made a good point about being able to return something if you're not happy with it. |
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Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | OOPS! ... Back up ... I just noticed the price. You can get a very nice used USA made one for that, and it will sound much better and hold its value. If you think he'll end up using it for a boat paddle, go ahed and bet the Korean made Celebrity. |
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Location: south east Michigan | You can get a very nice used USA made one for that, You mean "used" USA model, right? |
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September 2005
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Yeah ... what he said. Sorry about all the misspelling, I am jest waking up and am not altogether hair yet. |
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Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | I think his son already has an Ovation. This is for him.
Just my opinion: It's difficult to get a guitar that's too good to start out with (unless you get into the really high end stuff).
I remember that I started out with a Harmony guitar when I was a kid, and it played horriblyand sounded worse. I eventually paid my little brother a quarter to kick a hole in it so I would not be expected to practice on it anymore. LOL!
My parents then got me a Deluxe Balladeer Ovation, and that jump-started me and held my interest due to the ease of playing and the great sound. That was in 1968!
Get what you can afford, but go as far as you can go....stretch your wallet just a tad.
It will pay off.
WELCOME!!! |
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Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Do you know what kind of music he will be interested in playing? That should be a determining factor in your selection also. |
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Posts: 1900
| I didn't know the Celebrity was 'made in china'?...(I just noticed the label on the back on the back of the headstock) |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | You will get the gamut of opinions, so I will try to stick with the facts.
1) Resale will be better on a USA model.
2) Customer service will be better (if you ever need it) on a USA model
3) Pre-amp options and availability are better on a USA models
4) Guitar players run hot and cold about Ovations (you either love them or hate them). I think we know where you stand :D The Celebrity models represent absolutely the best value for their price range, however once you start playing the USA models, you will never be satisfied with anything less, and you will eventually migrate through to LX or the top of the line Adamas models. It can be an expensive journey, and many of us find it difficult to not build a huge collection along the way. If you have a little more the scratch, or can save your pennies for awhile, we will help you find the best guitar you can afford.
Anyone want to refute or add to my version of these simple truths? |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Nope...
I'm just saying for a guy that has never ever played before and might be watching his pennies, this particular Celeb ain't a bad fit. |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Originally posted by bvince:
I just noticed the price. You can get a very nice used USA made one for that, and it will sound much better and hold its value. If you think he'll end up using it for a boat paddle, go ahed and bet the Korean made Celebrity. Well I did noticed that it seems better to purchase USA made Ovations used for they seem to hold their value better than new ones. When I traded in my balladeer, which was purchased new three years ago, I only got half of what I originally paid for. An interested buyer at that time gave me an offer which was even lower than the shop's. I decided to trade it in [and some] for a Custom Legend, since it was a better deal.
Going back to the topic, that's a very nice guitar and I never knew that Ovations come with bubinga tops. I think it's a decent guitar for its selling price. However, I always thought that Celebrities are made in Korea ... since when did they start manufacturing them in China?? |
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Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Get a guitar different than your son's. He won't want dad trying to copy him.
Goober the Shrink |
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Opinions please
