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Joined:
July 2007
Posts: 33
Location: Detroit Rock City | With the closeouts of the US-made LX series guitars, I am very tempted to buy a 2778LX. I've played Ovation guitars for 20+ years, but nothing "high end". I've had a Celebrity and now I have a S771, which is pretty nice. I've always been intrigued by the style of the Ovation guitars with the multiple soundholes, and liked it a lot when I tried it out at Guitar Center. At the time, I could not justify the price.
But now, the LX-series is on closout for about $700. I am a low-end Ovation player, and don't really understand what's out there.
Today I can afford to spend $700. In a year I can save up for a more expensive guitar ($1500) if there is value in that. This purchase will probably be my last Ovation purchase for a long long time, and want to make the right choice.
I am questioning whether the 2778LX is much of an improvement over my S771? Both seem to be around the same level in the Ovation catalog, with the LX a bit higher.
What would be a step up from the LX series? I am not a gigging musician, but I would like to have a very nice Ovation someday. If the time is now with the $700 LX, then great. I'm just not sure I'll be thrilled with it 2 years from now. (Like with my S771 - I wish I had bought a 2778LX then)
Thanks for reading my ramblings. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | I would recommend an older Ovation rather than a new one, to qualify that my Elite Special and 84C cost about the same as my LX and in my opinion are much better guitars in terms of feel, tone amd playability. As for the 1537 well we shall see - she's coming in a few days... |
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June 2007
Posts: 270
Location: Yorkshire, England | Obviously it's a very individual thing, otherwise we'd all be buying the same model - I'm really an electric player but I've just recently purchased a 1990 Elite 1868. It's the first really good acoustic I've had to be honest -I've taken a lot of time on the set up and the neck is now like glass - I'd put it up against any defectors' Taylor anytime AND it's a much better looking guitar. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | How does the 1868 differ from the S868? |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | I know that there a some people out there that "just like New". While guitars get better with age there is something to be said about growing with it. I have a 1778LX I boought back in 8/07 and I can not believe how much tone I'm getting out of it already. It will only get better. My opinion is get the LX. It may take awhile , but you will be happy!!!! |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | buy an Adamas you will never look back |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | do both |
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July 2007
Posts: 33
Location: Detroit Rock City | I guess my question is whether the LX is a "good Ovation" or is it a "average Ovation". What are the advantages of the higher-end Ovations? For an average player, would it matter? |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Originally posted by Mauvais Beal:
do both You can take the boy out of marketing,
but ya can't take the marketing out of the boy. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | My 1778LX is my favorite player. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Al and Bill aren't totally facetious. (Just mostly.) Get what you can afford now. If you like it and your abilities and fortunes improve in the next few years, you can step up. This idea of buying the be all and end all guitar doesn't seem to work around here. I suppose there are plenty of those guitars that are sitting in closets right now, because people find out that there is no such thing as the only guitar they'll ever need and they lose interest. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Agreed...
Just think about the golfers search for the perfect set of clubs for a good analogy. |
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June 2007
Posts: 270
Location: Yorkshire, England | Dweezil - Sorry but I just haven't a clue how my 1868 is different from the S868.
I posted a reply a while ago about why there is such a great variation on model numbers. It does seem overly complicated to me. |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | The best guitar in the world has not been invented yet , until that happens , take up Piano lessons , for the best piano has been invented , it`s a Bosendorfer , Mozart was thrilled with it , so it`s probably too good for ya , start with a Steinway and work yer way up..
Vic |
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Joined:
July 2007
Posts: 33
Location: Detroit Rock City | Thanks for the replies. I enjoy the comparison to the golf clubs. I'm not really looking for perfection. I'm really wondering what the advantages are of higher end Ovations compared to the LX-series. Are there features worth saving for? |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Features worth saving for..hmmm...triple grade spruce top..good pre -amp..3 or 5 piece neck ..
Vic |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Running with Brad's analogy, you wouldn't want someone to ask you how someone with such expensive clubs can be such a lousy golfer. Most any USA Ovation will be a great guitar. If you spend the next couple years saving for an Adamas, but not playing much, you might wonder whether you deserve it, as I often do. If you got the LX and played the hell out of it, in a couple years you may feel like you deserve an Adamas. |
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December 2004
Posts: 581
Location: Denmark | I bought an Celebrity which I after a year or so replaced with an Adamas. I sometimes regret taking this in one step because it is now much less likely that I will ever try all the nice guitars "in between". |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Originally posted by HumblePie aka Solid Top:
Features worth saving for..hmmm...triple grade spruce top..good pre -amp..3 or 5 piece neck ..
Vic I don't think the standard LX (we were talking about the 2778LX I believe) has a AAA top. it's a single grade. For that matter, I think my 1778lx is only AA. You need to get up to custom LX and Custom Legend Lx before you get AAA. |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 367
Location: Eaton, Indiana | I have been playing ovations since the late 60"s.
I have tried several LX models and am not impressed... personal choice though...
scott lamperd |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | For $700, you could do very well with a top quality USA Ovation, particularly some of the more desireable older models. For double that, or a little less, you could join the ranks of the Adamas owners. Personally, unless you are really dissatisfied with what you are currently playing, I'd hold out for the Adamas. By the time you have four figures saved, you probably could start watching prices and availability. Shopping with the members on these forums is always a good idea, although it can be addictive. They are extremely knowledgeable and in it for the long term, so trust and continuing relationships are important. You are not likely to be taken advantage of. Keep us informed about which direction you take. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by tpa:
I sometimes regret taking this in one step because it is now much less likely that I will ever try all the nice guitars "in between". Absolutely outstanding point! I started with a Celeb, and have worked my up through many nice 'O's. I don't have an Adamas yet, but all in due time.
In retrospect, I wouldn't have wanted to miss any of my adoptees even though a few left home.
My joy is adopting a guitar, bringing out the physical beauty and comparing it's tone/playability to the previous one. Can I rank my 'O's in order of preference? Heck no. But I can tell ya that bling is just that!
If bling and options are one's 'holy grail', then go fer it. Otherwise just do as I do and listen to the 'pros' and veterans within the OFC.
So tpa's statement of experience and observation should be a sig line for the OGASers! |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Iffy is taking a lot of steps on his way to that Adamas. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I agree with Beal, get both.
$700 one now and Custom Legend/Elite or Adamas
when you have the money.
You will regret niether. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 12
| I have not been on the ovation team long and have posted several questions lately trying to get a feel of the LX series. Alot of really useful information has come my way. I just got a 1771LX yesterday and couldn't be happier. I got a fantastic price on it. The fit and finish is second to none. USA made, all I had to do is remove one shim and I was ready to roll. Sound is so subjective but I really like this guitar, it is the contour model and it sits perfectly on my lap and it even has space for my beer belly, it just don't get much better than that, I guess if they put a hole on top to hold my beer. Anyway I think the LX is an excellent way to join the ovation ranks, sure there is better but how good are you, if you are great you may be looking for the best, I am just average and so an average+ guitar is totally acceptable to me. I don't think you will go wrong with the LX even if you take a little hit in a couple years on resale, there are plenty of people who have paid the 1100+ price for this guitar and I got my for about half of that, so I am feeling really good about my new purchase. But like anything if you can afford it, get the best you can get, I like warrantees so I like new. Unless I find a totally great deal from someone I really have a lot of confidence in or see the product before I buy it I would rather have the warrantee. But that is just me. It looks like they put alot of thought and care into the new LX series and I am ready to stop typing and start playing. Here is a link if you haven't seen it before. Take care, I think which ever USA ovation you decide on you won't be sorry. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document?doc_id=92559 |
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Should I get a closeout LX or wait for a SuperOvation?
