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| I am looking for a nice 12 string that won't break the bank. Since most people play them less than the expect and often sell them, I'm hopping to get a good deal on a used model. I've been watching some auctions and browsing the Guitar Center used listings. Up until now, I've been focusing on the Balladeer and Custom Balladeer line since I don't want to go over $500. I have now seen an Elite LX 12 string listed, but it doesn't have the exact model in the description. I sent and e-mail off. What can you tell me about this line ? Is a mid bowl going to have the lows that a deep bowl Balladeer would have ? I'm shooting for a USA model with 14 frets at the body, so this might work.
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Well, the Adamas 12 is the best on the planet, bar none but obviously a bit over budget.
Just have patience and a great used USA woodtop Ovation 12 will pop up and fulfill your dreams!
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| How does an Elite LX fall in that category ? It is more fancy looking, but how do they play ? |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | The Elite 12's are are excellent guitars. I've owned a 1718 and a 1538 in the past and genuinely regret letting them go.
As far as mid-bowl vs. deep-bowl goes, I have a personal preference for the deep bowls, but that doesn't mean I turn my nose up at the mids. The are impossibly comfortable to play and have a very pleasing acoustic tone all their own, regardless of the soundhole configuration. In general, they have slightly less volume and bass response, but make up for it with an amazingly balanced tone that serves them well when cutting through the mix. I have a couple of midbowl 6's that get just as much play time as any of my deeps. All in all, it's almost like comparing....say....and OM to a dreadnaught; they may sound different, but they both sound pretty nice.
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| Are some Elite models better than others ? Made in USA vs Korea ? Better pick-ups ? Less prone to neck or bridge issues with 12 strings ? |
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Location: Tennessee | If you're looking at a used 12, I'd recommend getting one with a K-bar neck. |
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| Which ones come with a K bar neck ? I've bookmarked various Ovation model spec lists, but I don't know if any list the neck type. |
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Location: sitting at my computer | Haven't played an Elite or Balladeer 12 string, but I'm certainly happy with the Legend 1756 I bought used, for around your budget. I've tried a couple of the Celebrity 12s at GC and BB whenever they've had 'em, but they didn't measure up to the 1756 IMHO YMMV.
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| I e-mailed the Ovation folks to find out if they had a list or "kaman bar" built guitars.
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Location: Sydney, Australia | John, it's easy to see - if the guitar has no truss rod cover on the headstock, then it has a Kaman bar. |
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| That makes it hard to do a saved search on ebay or Guitar Center. Model numbers can be found without needing to open each picture and look. |
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Location: Burbank | John I listed a Balladeer 6751 here a while back. I still have it. It is in great shape, I would say excellent. I listed it for $500. I could let it go for $450 if you are interested. Let me know. Send me your email and I will send you pics if the one I had up no longer show. |
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Location: Jet City | My Custom Elite LX is hands down the best wood topped 12 string I've ever played. Problem is, I don't think Elite LX 12 strings were ever a production model. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | John, I don't think they had separate model numbers for the ones with Kbar necks. I could be wrong and often am. The model numbers followed a really simple system at the beginning, but then it kept changing and I have trouble keeping them straight, but I don't recall any that equated to the Kbar neck. |
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Location: closely held secret | damon67 - 2012-08-13 10:07 AM
My Custom Elite LX is hands down the best wood topped 12 string I've ever played. Problem is, I don't think Elite LX 12 strings were ever a production model.
6758LX in Autumn Burst. Not a Custom, but production. And I agree with your assessment, Damon. Mine's not going anywhere.
John, if you check out the Ovation archive page you can see many of the models. Not a complete list, but it might help.
If you do an ebay search for "ovation 12 string -celebrity" it will weed out most of the imports. Looks like there are a couple of nice used ones in your price range.
Edited by Waskel 2012-08-13 2:52 PM
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| I got a reply from Ovation:
These are the model numbers you should be looking for all with Kaman bar necks.
1755
1756
1866
1688
1598
6751
Any model you might see with a LX or AX or TX suffix will not have the k-bar.
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| The guitar I found a listing of is a 6758LX Elite. No k-bar, but you guys sure gave it a good review. What's a good price for these ? |
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Location: closely held secret | "Good price" is relative to whether you are the buyer or seller, and new or used.
I think I paid $699 for mine, new, about 5 years ago. That seems to be about what the asian version goes for now.
It's hard to put a price on these used, because there don't seem to be that many out there. |
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| Definitely looking used. |
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Location: closely held secret |
With the LX, you don't need the K-Bar. The necks are braced with carbon graphite.
You said you found a listing for one - what were they asking?
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| The Elite LX 6758 is going for $499.
Edited by JohnW63 2012-08-14 6:07 PM
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Location: SoCal | Sorry (not really) but I need to jump in to this thread...if you are serious about playing a great 12-string (that will humbile but inspire you) then the 1688 Adamas I, 6759 CUSTOM LEGEND, 1659 CUSTOM LEGEND, or 1658 (slothead) CUSTOM LEGEND is what you need.
Cost more but worth it...kind of like why I bought a Martin D-12-45 (12-str D-45, best of Martin). You never have to question what you have bought. No other (IMHO) Ovation/Adamas or other guitar maker can match them.
When I bought a 1658-4 on eBAY several years ago, I paid over $900 in the first 10 minutes 'buy it now".
In 1980, I started with the 1158 acoustic slothead Custom Legend, now I have a 1659 and two 1658 (as well as the 1688 Adamas I). I regret when I sold a 6759 Custom Legend.
Remember, you get what you pay for... |
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Location: closely held secret | JohnW63 - 2012-08-14 4:03 PM
The Elite LX 6758 is going for $499.
If it's in good shape, that's a very fair price.Tony has a point, but we all can't afford an Adamas or Custom Legend 12 string. Budgets are a reality for most of us, especially these days. No, the 6758 is not an Adamas. But as someone who has previously owned a Custom Legend 12 string (didn't like the flatter 'C' neck), a Custom Elite 12 string (someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse) and an 1866 Legend SSB 12 string (needed more acoustic tone), I can say that you will not find better, sweeter sounding 12 string than the 6758LX for anything near that price. If you want to save up your money and wait (hope) for something better to come along, you certainly could - I have. But if you want a very nice 12 right now, this is a good deal. |
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| The tough part is I can't play any of the instruments I'm keeping my eye on before I buy. Either eBay or GC web site. As much as I would like to get a dream guitar 12 string, I can't justify it. This quest is more about satisfying curiosity and a long time 'itch" to have one. That's why I set a low budget. I know a lot of players get a 12 but sell it shortly after that. I don't want to send a lot and have that happen. I'm considering a Walden D552 , a Crafter 810, maybe a Takamine 523, but I keep hearing the best reviews on an Ovation 12 string. I owned my 1975 Legend since about 1980. If I was really going to spend a good junk of cash, I'd get a 6 string Adamas. It would get a lot more playing time.
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | The Ovation you are looking at will wipe the floor with any of those others. Like any guitar though, once you get it, make sure it is set up well.
Given a choice, I'd go the GC route over eBay if only because they have a legit return policy. (I've gotten numerous guitars from GC over the years, and only returned one. They even arranged return shipping as the nearest store to me is over an hour away.)
I've not played an LX 12'er, but I have played several LX 6-strings, and they have all been great guitars! |
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12 string model questions
