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Joined:
October 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Keene, NH | 
1869 Ovation Custom Legend (Cherry Sunburst).
It's a Shallow Bowl and I'm told it has great tone due to the "3AAA SITKA". Is that significant? I worry about a Shallow Bowl in terms of physically playing it and also the projection capability of it acoustically.
Any opinions? |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| I had one in black. Beautiful guitar, fast neck, but the super-shallow bowl leads to a rather thin tone unplugged. If you play mostly plugged in that doesn't matter, and if you stand to play the shallow bowl is more comfortable. Bottom line, if acoustic tone is more important to you, then you'd be better off considering a deep bowl. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | Noah on this board had one very similar to that one that he offered to sell me quite awhile ago.
Although I love red guitars, I declined because of the shallow bowl. They sound very nice, but I just like the heavier bass that the deep bowls project. The quality of the spruce makes a difference, but won't make up for the loss of the bass. Besides, grading of lumber is very subjective. |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | I LOVE the way this guitar looks, and as G8r tells you, if you're more interested in acoustic sound, you might prefer the deeper bowl. I have three of these guitars (2 natural and one black), and they are wonderful! The shallow bowl might surprise you though. They sound great and plulgged in ... wow. I have a red 2079LX that is stunning to look at and sounds beautiful.
;)
Willa |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Luthiers use several criteria for grading tonewood - tap tone, grain straightness/runout, figure (silking, etc), inclusions/defects (these can be small knots, etc.). 30 years ago they would reject Sitka with "bear claw" figure as a defect and grade it lower than another piece that was "clear," never mind that the figured piece had a better tap tone. Often, the pieces downgraded for their figuring or inclusions were used for bursts or other painted tops, yet sounded better than some of the higher grade.
Don't get stuck on grade - there isn't necessarily a direct correlation between how good the top sounds and how high it's graded. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Hey Willa, out of curiosity - did you get your 1869-5 from an eBay seller in Washington state? If so, that might've been mine - last 3 serial # digits are 198... |
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Joined:
October 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Keene, NH | So if I can get this guitar with a 100% money back guarantee if I don't like it, I should probably give it a shot as it may surprise me acoustically? (And blow my mind electrically?) |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Yeah, with an approval period guarantee, what can it hurt... |
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Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Chris, is that the one in Ct or Mass?
Check out the Custon Elite in East Lyme, GREAT price and wothh the ride to get it!!
Call him for info and he may have pics
http://newlondon.craigslist.org/msg/1448217669.html |
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Joined:
October 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Keene, NH | This one is in New York. I'm going to go ahead and have this one shipped over to me and we'll see how I like it - who knows, maybe I'll love a shallow bowl. |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Oops, I got that confused w/the 12 string legend in Portland Ct |
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October 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Keene, NH | I suppose as long as I can play it comfortably while sitting down, it shouldn't be too much of a big deal.
I also really like the outline of the body as well as the inner circle design. If I like this guitar enough to keep it, I'm certain I'll have to buy another just because I want the winged epaulets. :) |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I'm a total fan of shallow bowls and prefer them over the deep bowls. That is most likely because I primarily play plugged in from a standing position and prefer the playing position and feel of thinner guitars. I am probably one of only a very small number of members here who has actually custom ordered a SSB from the Mothership. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I have No shallow-bowls at the moment... But I have had a few. (all imports)
They were very comfortable to play, both seated and standing.
And for personal acoustic enjoyment they were loud enough to fill my room with sound.
Also a Center-Hole will seem louder to the player.
And it Plugs In!
That looks like a fine guitar in so many ways. I'm sure you will be pleased. |
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Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | I don't know Chris. If you are going to play plugged in and standing like the Prof describes a SSB is great,BUT, if you plan on playing alot unplugged you will most likely be disapointed in the volume and tone. The 2 I've played were very disapointing to my ear Unplugged. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | I've played a couple of shallow bowls, don't recommend unless plugged in.
Heck, I noticed a difference between the Al DiMeola cutaway v. the non-cutaway CL deep bowl. |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4226
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I have a natural deep-bowl CL 12-string in the For Sale section right now. It's almost 30 years old and looks like new. Mine's pricier, but you won't find one in better shape. And it sounds like a piano!
The CL's are great guitars, and while I don't mind the SSB's, I prefer the deep bowls as well. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Patch,
That 1659CL should be a must guitar for anyone who has the 30th Anniv CL. One of my 1658's is natural, my 1659 is dark sunburst. I might sell the Adamas I 1688, but the 1658 and 1659 are keepers. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Both great guitars.
An 1869 was my first US-made Ovation. Very easy to
play, sounded great plugged in. Sounded great acoustically... until I got my first deep bowl. Since that is mostly what I play, it went on the market.
I had a 1659CL for a while, too. I totally loved the sound, but the K-bar neck profile made my hand start aching after about 30 minutes, so that one found a new home as well. |
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May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | G8r ... I'm not sure ... did you have a Pink Floyd "The Wall" poster in the back on the listing? She's not here in my house right now, so I can't check on her ... I love that guitar!
;)
Willa |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Willa - I had mine for awhile, had Mother do a neck reset and put a new rosette on, came back like new. SSB's just aren't for me so I sold it the person in WA, then a couple of years later (around the time you joined here) I saw they were selling it. It'd be a nice coincidence if it turned out to be the same guitar. |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | I love my CL, though it is a 12 string.
Like ProfessorBB was saying, I am one of the few and I ordered mine (a 1759) custom built as a Super-Shallow Cut-a-Way.
You do give up a bit due to the shallower bowl but mine still booms really well.
The SSB is super comfortable by the way. |
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Joined:
April 2009
Posts: 27
Location: southeast michigan | I have a blk 1869, and I just love it! Sure it doesn't quite project like a medium or deep bowl, but it's acoustic voice suits me just fine (YMMV). Plugged in it's great and it's sound cuts thru really well with the band I'm in. But truth be told, I truly enjoy just playing it unplugged while watching tv. To my ears, it's as good an acoustic guitar as I have ever played, and it's got enough bling that sometimes I have to wear sunglasses just to look at it!!!! (LOL) |
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Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 489
| My 1869 has become my main guitar over the years. I bought it with the sole intention of using it with bands, but I've used it for solo work, recording or just sitting around playing as described by hurricaneblue. |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I also had an 1869 once and absolutely loved it for playing out. I couldn't believe how cheap some of them were selling for, but I guess it's because they made so many at the time. Anyway ... for a mid-bowl it really projects well and plays fast. I'd recommend one to anyone that wants a great guitar at a very reasonable price. They are also absolutely beautiful guitars. Everyone who sees them in person comments about how great they look. And we all know that is more important than how good you play (: |
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Ovation Custom Legend - Opinions
