|
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | Sorry for the long ramble, guys, but this is bugging me a bit. Have mercy!
Is there a general dislike of the Standard Elite 6778 LX? It seems that despite good reviews (that I have read, anyway), this guitar is not popular, and is often 'given up' quickly in trades. Why? I bought one a few months ago, and think this little guitar is great.
However, as a 'novice' guitar player, what do I know? I figured one of you oracles over here would be able to clarify things for me. I think this guitar has a beautiful tone and that it would be hard for me to trade or sell it, just because it feels so nice to play and sounds even better. I love the NEB finish on mine, too.
For those of you who know, do you think this guitar is under-appreciated?
I am asking because I think the top on mine might be a tad bit dry, causing it at some point to become concave (although I think she is OK for now), and I am contemplating cost/benefits of having her checked out and possibly repaired. I can play 'em, but I can't fix them, and I worry about how to spot problems.
I also want to hang my guitars, for quicker accessiblity, and worry about that, too, what with central A/C and all (which I can't live without! At least I don't have forced-air heating!). I am going to buy a room humidifier for my guitar room/office today, unless you guys tell me otherwise. Is there something I can do RIGHT NOW to prevent the guitar from becoming any drier, besides the room humidifier? Should I keep her in her case with a humidifier, and if so, what's the best in-case humidifier to get? This is the guitar I am referring to; some of you have seen it already:
 As usual, I am confused ...
Thanks in advance,
Willa |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | I don't think there is anything wrong with it. It's USA made with the LX upgrades. My guess and only humble opinion is that "Others" use it to trade or buy up to guitars with more bling or higher grades of topwood or the afflection now known as "Adamitis" ;) :D
Love the burst!!! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Hiya Willa,
The room humidifier is nearly a must to hang guitars out in a room over the long term. Get one with an auto sensor and set it to about 50% relative humidity.
Like most Ovations, the 6778-lx is a better guitar than most people think, so the re-sale values stink out loud on them. But they are real road warriors, they look nice, they sound good, and they absolutely stonk if you plug'em in! Just like any guitar, if you like it, enjoy it.
As far as your top goes, buy a Damp-it humidifier at your local music store and follow the instructions. (It's pretty straightforward.) Give it a few days to a week and look to see if there is any improvement.
If you decide to replace it, you know who to call. :rolleyes: ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | I don't think there is any "dislike" for the standard elite per se. Fine guitar at a resonable price. I think there is some disappointment that it's now gone overseas, but that's probably more emotional than factual.
For me personally if I was interested in the standard elite I would have a hard time weighing the pros/cons of paying a few bucks more for the regular elite version.
Humidify your room to 40-60 RH. But make sure it is stable at whatever setting you choose. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | They're great guitars, I've owned 2 of them and currently have the 12 string version.
My mistake was in buying 'better' ones (adamas, 87c, ect) which left the 6778 unplayed for the most part, so part with it (them) I did...
...not to mention there's no room on my music room walls to hang any more. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | I've got a 6778LX that I really enjoy playing, though it has been replaced with the '07C which is pretty much the same guitar but with a deep contour bowl. The deeper bowl has more bass and I find that I prefer it.
But the 6778LX sounds superb and mine is the gold standard on playable action. I've measured everything about the setup and cannot tell you what is the key factor, but it is just so easy to play. I've tried to duplicate the setup on the '07C but there are a couple of slightly high frets that need to be filed down before it can be tweaked any further.
Bottom line, the 6778LX is a superb guitar and an excellent example of the mid depth bowl. Probably it gets less love than it should. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | Well, I'm keeping mine. She has a white 'Made in Connecticut" sticker, so I will assume that's where she was made, or at least her bowl was made.
Thanks, guys for the tips regarding climate control ...
Willa |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | I wouldn't worry too much about the guitar being dry this time of year in NJ. The time to worry is in the winter when the heat is on. Keep it in the case then with a humidifier or if hung on a wall make sure the room is humidified.
The 6778LX, particularly in NEB, is a beautiful, great sounding guitar. The one I have was sent back to the factory to have the bridge re-glued. Since that fix there is NO acoustic guitar I've ever touched that has better action. It's a real dream to play. Plugging the lower bout sound holes with air locks does improve the acoustic sound with more bass. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2007
Posts: 153
Location: New Jersey, USA | I also have one and the NEB is the spitting image of yours. It fell into my lap after an acquaintance passed away unexpectedly 3 years ago, and I was asked by his family to assess and sell his guitars. I could keep my pick of the batch for the effort, and I chose the Ovation over many more valuable axes (Martin EC, PRS, Les Paul, etc.). I hadn't played an Ovation since my 1755 12er was stolen from my car in NYC after a gig in 1990. The 6778 brought back a lot of nostalgia, and somehow I resonated again with the Ovation "thing."
It is extremely playable - the neck is perfect. I love the lightweight bowl. If I had to criticize it, the tone is a little "flat" and midrangey compared to more lauded guitars like the 1537. And I am not a fan of the chrome tuners and rosewood board. However, it's a guitar that's hard to dismiss except for mostly superficial reasons.
About humidity and hanging guitars, and in New Jersey no less, just like you: I hang 20 guitars and have 10 on stands in my studio. I keep a Sears room humidifier at 45% during October-April, and the AC takes care of the warmer months. I have had zero problems. I have several guitars worth $5K or more, and as old as 80 years, so care and feeding is a big deal to me. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | WillaMuse... Your exact guitar was on my radar. Love that N.E. burst. I held off for MONTHS waiting for the LX design to be released. I walked into the shope with my deposit money in hand and......
walked out with an Al DiMeola II instead. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | Roger, I agree with your comment "the neck is perfect and that it is extremely playable". It is a very comfortable guitar.
Slipkid ... I would have walked out with an Al DiMeola II, also, but I already have three 1869's ... I'm hoping to acquire an Adamas 1187-247 and/or an '08 Collector's one day. I do love that little 6778LX though!
Mitch: Well, I hear ya about the humidity here in NJ, but with central air, I was concerned. For now I am going to hang most of them and get the room humidifier.
Patch ... I kept your number & email address, Mister! ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Willa, if you have central air, your humidity may be below optimal.
Personally I am not sold on the effectiveness of the little humidifiers that are placed in the case. If the house is fairly dry, I don't see that the case will trap much moisture and the guitar might not be much wetter than the air outside the case.
We have a good sized Sears humidifier in the music room and set it on 50%. Various instruments are hung up on the wall or on floor stands for easy access and good humidification. If you keep your room at about 50%, you shouldn't need to do anything more. It won't hurt to take the guitar out of the room to play it for a few hours, or even for a day or so. I don't think that the wood absorbs or expells moisture very quickly at all. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | Thanks, Fly ... I'm off to Sears. Does using a humidifier stress my central air in anyway? Seems like I'm sort of chasing my own tail to be running both at the same time, but unless I want to store my guitars in my basement, I have no choice.
;)
Willa |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2008
Posts: 247
Location: Delaware | I have a 6758 LX neb (12 string) and I really like it. Willa, if you like it, that is all that matters ! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | Thanks Fridave; I agree, and I DO love it.
;) She's a keeper as far as I'm concerned, and a real looker too, even if I DO say so myself.
;)
Willa |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Lovely guitar Willa
I thought I read somewhere that LX guitars are designed to have a very slight bulge behind the bridge,
am I wrong?
My 2771LX certainly does.
AJ |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Had one just like yours, was nice but didn't seem to have any soul so sold it and bought a 1537 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | Hey, AJ, I think there is SOMETHING 'not quite right' about mine as far as the bridge goes, but again, what do I know? If there IS something wrong, it's barely visible ~ my eyes could be playing tricks on me. She sounds beautiful. Maybe someone else has a similar thing going on; I still play her every day.
I have an old Kay acoustic that is just about 'wall art'; the bridge isn't exactly lifting, but above the bridge is a bit concave, and the bridge IS pulling up, causing the action to rise, but I still play HER, too. I tried to inquire about having the Kay fixed, because I just like her, but haven't taken any action yet, as any necessary repairs would be budgeted for my O's first. My Kay sure is a pretty little thing though. I hope she hangs in there. You can see here, if you look closely, how the soundboard above the bridge is concave, boo hoo. Go ahead and abuse me, but I like this little 'junker':
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Willa, that's a cool 'ol guitar
AJ |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Wow Willa, that's in great shape considering its age. I'd drop it to D tuning just to ease the tension a bit. Neat Kay! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | You know guys, when I took the photo of the 6778LX, I had to put the photo alongside the actual guitar because I thought my camera was incorrectly over-compensating on color saturation, but it wasn't. She is exactly that color. Yikes ~ gotta dust the string holes!
Dweez, I am sorry for your loss of your 6778LX, but congrats on the 1537. MY LX has soul. I've heard it, but must confess it wasn't moi playing her at the time! ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | Good idea, Iffy... I'm going to do that right now. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | I've found that the get the best tone out of the 6778LX a lighter touch on the strings works. I have a 1537 and a Custom Legend both of which can stand up to hard strumming. The LX can't deliver the volume of either of those guitars and if played too hard gets over driven. But when played with a softer touch it has great tone and balance. Plug up the lower bout holes and palm muting gets a real nice thump. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | If you have air conditioning, it can destroy your guitars.
Air conditioning cools by drying the air.
You should keep your guitars in cases with humidifiers or get a room humidifier.
Adamii and Academies a less affected by this, but I would get a humidifier anyway.
For a quick tutorial on revitalizing a dry guitar, Watch This....
Forgive the Taylor, but this will work on Real Guitars too! :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2007
Posts: 153
Location: New Jersey, USA | AC is fine. Don't panic. Just keep the room humidifier plugged in during the summer and you'll be able to judge humidity by watching it's humidistat. Mine stays at 48% or so during the warm months, while the AC is running. Heat is far more drying than AC. Outdoor humidity in Jersey is disgusting in the summer; AC keeps it down to optimal for both people and guitars. |
|
| |
Standard Elite 6778 LX ... do tell ...
