|
|
Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 715
| They were all nice guitars, some nicer than others.
Lace LF-150SCE ($699.90): http://lacemusic.com/acoustic_series/LF ... 150SCE.php
Martin ($719): DX1RGT: http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-MAT-DX1RGT
Rainsong OM-1000: http://www.rainsong.com/models/om1000.asp
($2,995)
Takamine EG530SC ($629): http://www.takamine.com/?fa=detail&mid=889&sid=69
Crafter PK ROSE ($899): http://www.gatormusicsupply.com/cart.ph ... ct_ID=1251
Ovation 2009 FKOA ($3,599): http://www.ovationguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=2384
Washburn D80SW ($2,449): http://www.adirondackguitar.com/accoust ... /d80sw.htm
Washburn EA36K ($799): http://www.amazon.com/Washburn-Festival ... dReplace=1
Walden D-570 CE ($499)
Gibson Heritage, circa 1969 ($1,250)
The first nine guitars I tried at a store in Hudson Falls, NY. I played all of them without asking about the price, and found that I liked the Ovation Collectors the best out of all of that set.
It wasn't until I was about to leave that I asked "What was the most expensive one that I tried?" Of course, the salesman said "the one you liked the best -- the Ovation. That one goes for $3,599". I guess I have champagne tastes on a beer budget! :D I did not know the prices of the others until I got home and researched them.
BTW, he really likes Ovations, not like the previous salesman I had at another store. I liked the deep contour bowl of the collector's edition.
I was in Woodstock on Monday and went to a little music shop there. They didn't have much of interest there (they did have an Ovation Celebrity though), but there was a sad looking Gibson that I just had to try. It definitely looked like a beater, but the tone was gorgeous!
So far, my choices in guitars are between the Ovation collectors and the Gibson.
However, I cannot afford the Collectors guitar. What Ovation model would be the closest in tone to the Collector's edition?
My budget is really tight ($500 - $700. I could go as high as $1,250, but I don't really want to).
Michelle |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | She's got GAS :D
Michelle, welcome to the "Darkside"
AJ |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 715
| Originally posted by AussieJames:
She's got GAS :D
Michelle, welcome to the "Darkside"
AJ Thank you! I think I've been living on the dark side for a while. I do love Ovations, you know.
Michelle |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Haven't tried a 09C but perhaps a 06 Collector?
Ebony neck
Contour bowl
KOA top
and can be had for < $1000!
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 154
Location: Michigan | I think our tastes differ a bit if I remember a previous post of yours right.
But I'll offer my 2 cents but please don't whip me.
I tried the 09 collectors but the sound didn't do anything for me. Seems like that KOA top just didn't let the sound come out and it seemed very heavy to me. It sure was purdy though.
If you liked the contour body I think you really need to try a 2771LX. It would be in your price range and it has a contour bowl.
Here's what I remember, you said you tried a 1771LX but didn't like the sound. I have one and love its my go to guitar most of the time. The only think I don't like about it is I just wish it had a little stronger bass response for what I play unplugged.
The 2771LX is basically the same guitar with the contour bowl but I think with that bowl the sound is just a tad nicer but string choice could make a little difference to and I didn't have them side by side so I had to rely on my somewhat diminished memory. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
But you asked.
Wally |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | The LAV Koa gets most the praise but I've liked the '06 ever since we got a sneek peek at my first factory tour.
I don't have many "wants" guitar wise, but someday I hope to have some sort of koa Ovation. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | Wally, I agree, I have a 2771LX and I really like it, great value guitar.
Not as nice as my Adamas' but nowhere near the price either.
I like the contour bowl.
Zannie, take notice of Birdog, I think he likes to be whipped :D
AJ |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Michelle, I think an 07C would be worth considering and can be had within your budget. Nice enjoyable guitar and looks purdy too. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | If you like the sound of koa, dweezil's idea is a good one. Koa has a different sound than the typical spruce top. You may or may not like it. Sounds like you do, so you probably should find an 06 Collector at a decent price. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Yup the 06 and 07 sound VERY different!!! Almost opposites in some respects despite very similar spec.
What one should should really do is have a 06 AND a 07 as then you have the ying and yang!
One day I'm gonna have me a Lav KOA. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2007
Posts: 153
Location: New Jersey, USA | I see this a little differently. You tried ONE Ovation among those various others, and it happened to be a koa topped model. So you have decided you want a koa Ovation.
But perhaps you just want an Ovation, period. I'd follow the advice of others here and look for an ebony board and either deep or contour bowl, but with a spruce top. Find one to play before you decide for sure on the koa top.
I had a LAV koa model for a while and I found it to be a little flat and one dimensional in comparison with the best spruce topped O's. I also owned a Taylor T5 with a koa top and based on those two data points, I've decided I'm not a fan of koa as a tonewood. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by rpguitar:
I see this a little differently. You tried ONE Ovation among those various others, and it happened to be a koa topped model. So you have decided you want a koa Ovation.
But perhaps you just want an Ovation, period.
This brings up an interesting point. While all Ovations have a similarity in tone, they are all different. In my bedroom, I've got 3 six strings, the 87C, the rebuilt Legend, and the OFC guitar (ding! slothead Adamas). All have similar tones, but all sound unique. In any other guitar line, say Martin, it would be like comparing a D size to an OM and a 000. Similar, but different.
Try some different Ovations/Adamii and see what you think.... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2009
Posts: 715
| Originally posted by rpguitar:
I see this a little differently. You tried ONE Ovation among those various others, and it happened to be a koa topped model. So you have decided you want a koa Ovation.
But perhaps you just want an Ovation, period. I'd follow the advice of others here and look for an ebony board and either deep or contour bowl, but with a spruce top. Find one to play before you decide for sure on the koa top.
I had a LAV koa model for a while and I found it to be a little flat and one dimensional in comparison with the best spruce topped O's. I also owned a Taylor T5 with a koa top and based on those two data points, I've decided I'm not a fan of koa as a tonewood. RP, the guitars I listed were just for the two trips I've made to guitar shops recently. I've also tried a low end Martin, a low end Taylor, an Applause, a Fender acoustic, a Seagull, two Celebrities,a 12 string ME Adamas and a Standard Balladeer 1771LX.
I didn't state that in my previous post. However, out of all the guitars I have tried, I have liked the KOA Ovation and the Gibson the best. I liked the deep, rich sound the Gibson has, but it doesn't have the volume of an unplugged Ovation, IMHO.
I'm not done shopping yet, though. I do want to go to a store nearby that sells Larrivees and Santa Cruz guitars.
However, I get the feeling that I will end up with an Ovation simply because I have yet to find a guitar that has as comfortable neck as an Ovation. Also, I have found that I love the deep bowl, especially the contour bowl.
As I am typing this, I am realizing that as much as I liked the koa Ovation, I might want a tonewood that would deliver a deeper tone than the koa wood top. Like you said, I might be better off with a spruce top.
Michelle |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Slipkid:
The LAV Koa gets most the praise but I've liked the '06 ever since we got a sneek peek at my first factory tour. The LAV Koa IS the '06 Collectors... 
...that should have been. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Dweezil has an Adamas 1681 for sale.
Maybe you could work something out. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Tubby just posted a couple of nice ones in the for sale section that would fit your budget nicely. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2008
Posts: 74
Location: Agawam MA | Annie I would add my praise to the 07 collector. I have seen them new on ebay in your price range.
Good luck with your search.
God bless,
Steve |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4233
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | You're still welcome to come and test drive some of mine if you like. No two of them sound exactly alike. Also, there used to be an 05 Collector's for sale nearby within your budget. I don't know for sure if it's still there though. Shoot me a PM and let me know.  |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | If you get a chance try either the Blueridge BR-40 or BR-43. For the money they are the best "new" guitars I have tried (that I can afford). They can be had for less than $400 and sound is simply wonderful. I played them next to some Martins and Taylors costing 3-4 times as much and the BR held its own and in some cases impressed me more. That said I love my Legend and would not trade it for anything (well maybe a 1680). |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Michelle, I understand. You have only so much money to spend, and you want to make sure you choose the right guitar. Take your time. Try as many different ones as you can. If you see something interesting on this board, you might just want to go for it, knowing that the long-standing members here are a very trustworthy bunch. They will describe the sound, or even call you on the phone so you can hear it compared to any other O's in their stable. Usually anything you buy from one of these people will be so reasonably priced that if you change your mind, you will be able to sell it and make your money back. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | There are too many options, whether we're spending other people's money or our own. By all means, if you have GAS for Ovations, get an Ovation. If you may not get another guitar for a long time, you'd probably be very happy with the 07. If you want something just a bit different, the 06 would be great. Personally, I like the sound of spruce more than koa, but there are plenty of spruce guitars hanging on my walls and the koa gives me a bit of variety.
How about a Patriot? I could be talked out of the one I haven't paid for yet, within your budget. It would be worth it to me to get out of the doghouse with SWMBO. It has a bunch of Jim Croce songs in it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | It has a bunch of Jim Croce songs in it. :) Don't they all? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4233
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
How about a Patriot? I could be talked out of the one I haven't paid for yet, within your budget. It would be worth it to me to get out of the doghouse with SWMBO. It has a bunch of Jim Croce songs in it. From everything you've said thus far Michelle, this one's right up your alley. Croce played either a Custom Balladeer or a Legend (not sure which). The Patriot is structurally a Custom Legend with a unique finish and stencil. (Some love the art, others don't. I think it's great myself.)
It should have the tone you are looking for, and fit in your price range, and hold its value over the long term because you are paying a used price. The only thing I'm unsure about with this one is whether or not it's acoustic/electric. I'm also not sure if this matters to you. Keep at it and good luck. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | This one is acoustic only. That suits me fine, since I don't have a need to plug in, and if I did I'd have several other options. Mine's not in as good a shape as Patch's, but I've been playing it a lot and it's right in there with any Ovation single hole that I have as far as sound. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 494
Location: Location Location Location | Sounds like you're doing all the right things Michelle. I'm not fond of Koa, but it's just a personal preference. It's a unique sounding tonewood, and many prefer it.
It seems that for your budget you should be able to get something nice. Let's just hope that all those Ovation bashers and others 'too cool for the room' don't wake up to what great guitars they are! At least until you get the one you want. Good luck! |
|
| |
On Friday and Monday, I tried a bunch of guitars
