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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 648
Location: Florida | When I recently set out to get my first acoustic guitar, I only had one pre-qualification. It must be a model made by Ovation.
My old aquaintance Jerry Carlucci used to play an Ovation down at the local church run coffee-house. She wasn't a virtuoso player, but had a nice fingerpicking style. She also played with a lot of heart n' soul. She played a Balladeer, and from what imagine, it must have been one of the first models. Its amazing how that sort of thing gets remembered.
Later I was very friendly with Angelo Meli. Before he became famous as a sessions player, he played at our church, with a Christian jazz combo. Angelo played a guitar made by some unknown guy in California named Taylor. Yes, he had a Taylor-built guitar made for himself, before there was "Taylor Guitar Company". Neat. Anyway, back in about 1981, I asked him what I ought to buy. He just looked at me for a second and said... "just go get an Ovation, you can go wrong". Heheeehe... only took me 23 years to follow his advice. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Kim Keller said to me one day "you have to try an Adamas YOU would LOVE IT"
he was right
as usual. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Let's see.....about 30 years ago I was 19. At that time I was drawn to the science behind Ovations. The bowl acting as a parabolic transmitting device made so much sence.
Brad |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Prior to 1981, played Martin D-18-12; Marty, owner of Marty's Guitar in Portland, OR asked me to come by and see what he had just brought up from NAMM. There was a dark sunburst CL 1658 acoustic slothead. Had never seen an O up close. I was taken aback from all of the abalone & ivory. Played it and left. Great sound and wonderful neck but too gaudy. Went back for the next two days, taking it home the 3rd day.
Never knew anyone else with an O, never played another O until I started buying on eBay last year.
I guess you can say that the only O's I have played are the ones I had to buy first.
Now with 2 Adamas-Millennium and soon to arrive 1687, MM68 Mando, (3) 1719-30th Anniv CL, 6759, 1658, 1659, 1619, 1763, FD-14, 1997-N, 1118, 4861, EAB68, Typhoon, Toronado, and GS - love them all. Rarely play the others. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | It was about 8th grade, 1974. I had a friend - Ken Barnes, he was an absolute freaking Ovation nut! He had a Balladeer and then a 12 string and I can't remember what else - but he always had an Ovation of some kind. We jammed a lot and had great summer get togethers. It wasn't until 1979 that he helped me find my 1112 that had spent 3 years in a closet. Then it's fast forward to 2003, finding this board and my new O's!
And a lot of G-A-S ;) |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | Ouch!!! What a question.
I remember trying to learn guitar from PBS. Learned a couple of latin rhythms. Must be around 1970-71.
Somebody somewhere turned me on to a weekly newpaper article that had tabs of recent hits. This must be around '71-'72. I remember learning Bread's "if", "diary" & "baby im-a want you" Love the sounds of those guitars on record. To this day I don't know and don't want to know if they were Ovations; always assumed they were.
I remember loving Cat Steven's "Wild World" He played Ovation also.
1973 - Had a chance to buy an smooth-backed Ovation. Deal fell through at the last minute. I bought a J-200 instead.
1974 - Bought and still own my first Ovation - a Glen Campbell 12-string.
What lead me on this path???? As much as I love the Beatles, Paul Simon, Donovan, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, I realize after listening to a Bread song being played recently and buying the Best Of Bread CD last month, it was the sound of their guitar + cat stevens that first influenced me toward Ovations. |
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Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | In 1971, I was in seventh grade, played football, basketball, ran track and took guitar lessons from a teacher that lived on Willian Penn Drive in San Antonio, Texas: Mark Moore. He lived one block over from where we lived on Prince George Drive. I walked to my guitar lessons. He played all Ovation guitars. I can't tell you now what models they were.
It resonated with me for so long, after years of only owning a Hamer electric, I bought a Celebrity from a a co-worker a few years ago when I got back into playing again, then bought my Legend....
The first song Mark taught me was "Ruby" as sung by Kris Kristoferson; of course written by Mel Tillis.
:cool: :D |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Interesting question
I became an Ovation owner in the 70's when I bought my Viper. I was playing in bluegrass bands acoustically but wanted an electric for my own entertainment when I wanted to play some Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, (especially Buck Owens), in my living room without my band. I never did establish myself as an electric player, but I spent some hours at home enjoying the thought of Bailey, the rocker, even though I was only hired as Bailey the mandolin player. But I still like my Viper and plug it in and wail like the "Long Black Veil" when "nobody knows and nobody sees, nobody knows but me".
Bailey |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | In the mid 60's that's all there was around the house so when I started playing guitar it wasn't a question of what guitar to play, it was which Ovation did I start on. It took years till I realized there was a choice. I bought my first nonOvation in 76, a Gurian S3R. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | What hooked me on Ovation?
That's easy: I played one! :D That's all it took...
Now I have 3 and am dreaming about Al's Textured Adamas!... hmmmm maybe I should have re-phrased that! :rolleyes: |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | It was 1972... In Ohio ... 11th grade. I had a Martin D-35, a Guild, and an Epiphone. I saw a Legend at my local guitar shop, tried one... and was sold on 'em! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Ackerman's Music shop.
Midland Park, NJ
1976.
As Arlo would put it:
". . . walked in, . . . sat down . . ."
That was "IT". |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | 1977... had been playing an epiphone acoustic and a yamaha acoustic.
A friend of mine had a legend,..played it and feel in love with the sound..I was HOOKED!!
I bought my GC12 about 30 days later and have love Ovations ever since.
I was already aware of the reputation of being a great guitar by Ovations Exposure on TV, In Print and by the number of popular musicians that were playing Ovations.
It was only a matter of time... I'm glad I made the choice. |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 201
Location: Vernon, CT | Growing up in CT in the 1960's my father and a lot of other folks I know or knew worked at Kaman Helicopters back in the days when they were still building and overhauling wooden framed helicopter rotary blades. When the Ovation factory was first founded many of the carpenter and helicopter blade engineers started building the first Ovation guitars even though they were not Luthiers by trade. I was fortuante enough to play (or fool around with) one of the first prototypes. My playing left a lot to be desired back then. Maybe it still does.
Anyway, back then Kaman employees could buy as many guitars as they wanted below at cost after the factory went into production. However, some low life employee took advantage of the situation and the practice halted to a grinding screech. However, I loved the shape and sound but got a Tornado in 1970. Took a brief 30 years sabbatical and am now back full force with three new Ovations which I think are great. Play on!
John L.
1970 Tornado
2004 Std. Balladeer
2004 Legend LX
2004 Celebrity C026
1975 Fender Precision
1982 Takamine 12 String |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | Noticed Campbell playing one. It had a good look and sound. It also smelled good. Traded my ephiphone 12 string and some $ in for a balladere in 67/68. |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 171
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma | While learning how to play Jim Croce music I noticed he played Ovation... I'd heard and seen the Wilson sisters of Heart play them also... During my high school years "Wings Over America" came out and McCartney and Co. were playing Ovations... Then in college a fraternity brother of mine had a Deluxe Balladeer that he worked up electric licks on... (he never like playing acoustics)... I played that guitar every chance I got and did used it on stage a few times... I knew I'd get one "one day"... Now I have three!..
The woodies still have their place but my favorite is my whiteface balladeer... |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 38
Location: Tucson, Arizona | Posted this before, but I'll reiterate:
Started playing in about 1972. Played for a year on a steel-string acoustic no-name guitar. The year I played convinced my parents I was committed to playing guitar. At that point my parents said, “Let’s get you something a little nicer”. We went to Beaver’s Band Box (now, now, be nice) in Tucson, Arizona and played almost every guitar in the store. I picked up, and played, the Ovation. I had never seen, or heard, anything like it. Traded in the Baritone horn and the old guitar and bought the O (1973 Custom Balladeer, 1112-4, steel string acoustic serial number 012664). I still have it, the OHSC, owner’s manual, etc. today, in mint condition. The guitar absolutely sings to me when I play it.
Paul V.
(Getting back into playing after an extended layoff) |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 795
Location: Texas | Great question.
I think the first time I saw an artist with an Ovation was in an old Guitar Player magazine ad with Kenny Loggins playing the classic and then Al Di Meola playing a Legend. I was very intrigued by the bowl back and started looking for one.
The main thing was the new idea of, wow! an acoustic electric that you can plug in without having to use those old Barcus stick on pickups, outboard preamps and the big hassle that was amplifying an acoustic guitar! Ten rounds on stage!
So I got my first, a brand new 1976 Legend at a place called Mendoza's in South Bend, Indiana. I could not believe it when I had it in my hands, strummed it and plugged it in, and with a volume knob! I was hooked!
I had other wooden boxes but after a few years of having it and being my favorite guitar for my style, I saw the Super Trio with Al, John and Paco in 1981 and that changed my life completely. Al and John with Ovations! So I got my first nylon Country Artist. I wanted a sunburst ever since I saw one in the catalog "The Guitars of the Stars" which by the way, if someone has a spare one I would love to take it off your hands.
Then I saw 2 of my favorite artists, Jim Croce and Tony Rice, and they had Ovations sunburst, but it was rare in those days to go into a store and find any sunburst Ovation hanging on the wall. But I found mine.
After that the first cutaways were available and I had to sell the first Legend to get the cutaway version, no problem, then the 1984 Collectors edition came out and I had to get one, so there goes the Legend Cutaway.
After that I just had to get an Adamas, so the same pattern continued for many years having to sell one to get the next, but after owning most of the models I had to keep my 2 current favorite ones, the Country Artist and a Legend cutaway.
And of course if I had all the Ovations and Adamases that I have owned I could have the mini Ovation museum. Oh well, at least I was able to enjoyed them all very much.
Gracias Ovation!
Serge ;) |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I hope I'm not embarrassing him, but "CountryArtist" is Sergio Lara of Lara & Reyes (HigherOctave Records) fame.
Upon doing some research, I discovered that Serge's new CD "Con La Lluvia - With The Rain" (FusionAcoustica Records) comes out in stores TODAY! Lara & Reyes' "Exotico" CD has been the soundtrack for many of my long roadtrips/commutes, and I'll make it a point of stopping off on my way home tonight and picking up a copy of the new one!
btw(and I hope I'm not putting you "on the spot" here), I know you're a big proponent of Godin's, but are there any Ovations on the new CD, and if so, which ones??
Best of Luck with the CD!!! |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | I'd like to hear his stuff. I always love to hear great guitar music..Glad he's one of our board members.Being in radio thru the years i used to recieve Windham Hill guitar CD's among other companies. If I couldn't play it anywhere else-I'd use it for Instrumental fill on our Satellite Stations to get us to the top of the hour. Now a couple of our stations actually set aside some programming time for Jazz shows, Instrumental favorites -Old & New. Neat Idea and I'm glad they're doing it. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | You don't by chance work for ClearChannel, do you? |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | For me the first time I saw an Ovation was on television. I was around 15, and at that time Ovations were all over the TV. I'll never forget the first time I saw Ovations at a music store. The first one I played was a red Custom Balladeer. That was it, I was sold. Right after that I got a Legend, and have played only Ovations ever since. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Hmmm, I'm feeling a little old here - 7th grade or 11th grade in the 70's; I was a 2nd Lt. January of '69 (grad. from high school in 1966.)
Actually, I find it very interesting that how Ovation was able to bridge the wide gap of generations and music from the 60's, 70's, etc., with essentially an acoustic guitar. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 795
Location: Texas | Thanks for the plug Cliff.
Yes, my new CD Sergio Lara "Con la lluvia - With the rain" comes out today, so it should be available in your town in your favorite CD store. It is also available on line at all the popular CD sites.
It is all instrumental with many influences like flamenco, jazz, bluegrass and world music and I play many kinds of guitars.
Among them my beloved 2 Ovations, the Country Artist nylon for many rhythms, lead melodies and solos and my Legend is there too, mostly for textures and to fatten the rhythms and the mix.
I am very happy to be a part of the Ovation Fan Club and visit with you guys and gals?
Please check my website www.sergiolara.com for news and info about my musical career and feel free to email me anytime for questions or just to chat.
I recorded 6 CDs with my former band Lara & Reyes for Higher Octave Music from Malibu, Ca.
Our last CD "World Jazz" got a Latin Grammy Nomination for Best Pop Instrumental album of the year 2001.
The new CD is my first new solo project after Lara & Reyes. The guitar is the main protagonist but I also play mandolin and have many guests on bass, percussion, violin, piano and drums. And the whole album is very varied, from full ensemble pieces to duets and trios.
You can listen to samples on line at amazon.com
The reality is that I am just a fan of music, just like you and we also share our love for good, nice instruments like Ovation guitars which have been great tools for expression and inspiration throughout my career.
Kudos to Miles and Al for giving us this forum and thanks to all of you members for your enthusiasm and great vibe and stories.
Warm regards.
Serge ;) |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 89
Location: Brentwood,TN | 1987 Bon Jovi concert in Nashville,Tennessee. They came out playing a 1985 Collectors 12-string and a 6-string Sunburst Elite. The sound was something I had never heard from an acoustic? Bought one the next day. A black Balladeer. I have never owned anything beside an Ovation ever since...
P.S. I am sorry for the whole Bon Jovi thing...
Chris |
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What hooked you on Ovation....?
