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Joined:
September 2008
Posts: 10
Location: Arkansas | Hey y'all
I need to get some info on the Ultra deep bowl as compared to other ovations.I do not want a celeb sound. Compared to Elite? or Balladeer?
Help! I will be bidding on one on ebay if I get a good report. ASAP.
elvis 2 |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Which Model? How Old?
The newer Ultra's were made in Korea and had the strings put on in CT.
Those are Solid Tops.
The older ones have Laminated tops.
So it makes a difference.
Is it one of These? Which One? |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 80
Location: On The Fringe Of Ground Zero | Arthur,
I'm curious, is there a difference in the sound between the Korea made Ultra 2071 which I bought a few months ago and the older models you are pointing out? |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | There is. In addition to the ply top the early 80's Ultras were USA-made and had necks made from high-density urethane foam over an aluminum core with a rosewood fingerboard. Electronics were pretty much the same as the USA guitars at that time. There were intended as an affordable entry-level USA-made guitar. They didn't last long and production went overseas. The subsequent guitar that bore the Ultra name got itself a regular wood neck, but was poor by comparison. The recent Ultras are in my opinion significantly better than the original USA version, but are still vastly inferior to a regular (non-Ultra/Matrix) USA guitar. The recent Ultras are basically Celebs with different marketing. They are great guitars for the money, and will out-perform just about anything else at the price-point |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I have one of each ... a first year USA 1311 Ultra with the volume-only pickup, ply top and deep bowl with the urelite neck, schaller tuners, etc. It was a nice entry level US made guitar that is still around, albeit with a bowed neck so it's setup now for slide. It's sound was always acceptable ... you can hear it on the cut Hide Your Love on my ning page.
I also have a 2171 Ultra from last year with the contour bowl, solid top, op pro preamp, etc. Korean parts and final setup in the USA. I think it is a step up from a Celeb in that it has a 5 piece neck (of inferior materials vis-a-vis US necks, but still OK), nice inlaid Balladeer style rosette, dunlop strap lock strap buttons, chrome headstock logo, etc. This guitar actually sounds very good, IMHO as good as the standard Balladeer or Elite. YMMV.
My sister has a Korean made Ultra from the 80's. Very nice sunburst finish. But the rest of the guitar is mediocre at best. |
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Ultra?
