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Posts: 25
Location: Russia | Hi, folks!
I'm sorry for my bad English, but i have a question =)
I have got Ovation Legend 1777 LX (black), it's rather good, but i'm looking for better acoustic sound (unplugged), when i'm plugged in my Marshall AS-100D sound is good, but too shrill and i use the compressor to cut the atack. Before i had 1771 LX Balladeer, and it was worse than 1777.
Before i thought that deep bowl Ovations are the best for acoustic, and 1769-ADII is the best of them. But yesterday i played it (2008'th year) and.... =) It sounds deeper and softer (i like it), but more muffled and quiet. Plugged in Marshall combo it has very very good tone.
So, tell me please, what american made Ovation (not Adamas) model is the best for acoustic sond (deepest, loudest, with the best response) ?
Custom Legend 1769-ADII Al DiMeola sound character is very good, but i need it to be louder and brighter =) I'm ready to pay 3'000 or 4'000$. but i need it! =)
Thank You! |
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Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I have a piece of string in my pocket. How long do you think it is??? You are going to get as many opinions to this question as there are Deep Bowl Ovations. For unplugged acoustic sound, any of the deep bowl (or newer contour bowls) will give you a great acoustic sound. Then there's the centre hole versus multi hole argument. Personally, I prefer single hole. There are many more that prefer the multi hole. What sort of music do you intend to play on it? Do you need a cutaway? If not, a 12 fret neck will give better 'boom'. My Folklore (12 fret, no cutaway) has an amazing loud, clear, booming sound, but not much good if I'm wanting to play stuff above the 12th fret. (It also has a very wide neck compared to a 'normal' Ovation. I also love my 2005 Engleman Spruce Collectors edition. The best guitar I've ever owned. I wanted an ADII, but this one will do until I win the lottery. My friend Richard say's he'll NEVER sell his 2008 Collectors (which is actually an Adamas) Sounds to me that you probably need an Adamas. I'm interested to know why you specify "not Adamas" when the money you are willing to spend would easily get you one of these guitars. Good luck.
Edited by muzza 2013-01-07 4:32 AM
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Posts: 25
Location: Russia | Thank You for your reply!
I comprehend that there are many opinions. It was just conversation engagement =)
I specify "not Adamas" because:
1) i prefer central sound hole too (i don't know about Adamas with it);
2) i don't like carbon material on the top, i wanna have just wood top =) maybe it's a rubbish, but it's so =).
I'm vocalist, but i want cutaway body, sometimes i play solos's on the high frets. |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | Sound is a matter of opinion. It is also different when you are playing the guitar, compared to hearing someone else play it. My Adamas 1680 sounds much better when I listen to my nephew playing it - or it could be that I suck.
I'm a big fan of the Adamas sound, and as Muzz mentioned love my '08 Collectors. There are some centre hole Adamases, but not many. I've never played or heard one. My favourite wood top Ovation was a deep bowl legend (model 1117) from 1982.
I think the one thing to definitely go on your list is a contour bowl - gives you the deep bowl sound but still has the cutaway. |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | There ARE deep bowls with cutaway Richard.
I've found a limitation of the contour bowls - playing while standing. Not a fan. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I like both hole configurations, but if you prefer the center soundhole, track down a used Legend or Custom Legend wth A-bracing. It's personal preference of course, and I like many O's without that pattern, but there is no doubt that it's my favorite for tone with a center soundhole. |
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Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | If I would play acoustic only, I would go for an acoustic only guitar. They are sounding better than their acoustic/electric brothers.
Of all my guitars my Adamas W681-TA is the best sounding acoustic I own and not only a little bit, it's much better.....only the OFC comes close!
Bernie |
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Posts: 25
Location: Russia | Guy's, thank you for your opinions.
But what do you think about 1769-ADII acoustic sound in comparison with Adamas deep bowl guitars ? 1769 is the top-guitar, isn't it ?
I was on this forum 3 years ago and somebody wrote, that mid-depth bowls is optimal for acoustic sound, but i don't think so. |
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Location: Texas | I might be persuaded in settling for a tie on some models, but I am not sure you could convince me that a mid depth is the "optimal" bowl for acoustic sound. I personally prefer deep bowls for their acoustic response over all the other bowls. |
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Location: Utah | The deep bowl or the deep contour bowl is what you are looking for. The 2007BCS Collector's edition is the best sounding modern USA made wood topped Ovation I've ever owned. It is a mult-hole Elite style guitar with the deep contour bowl. If you want a single center hole your choice in a new production USA guitar would be the 1617ALE Adirondack Limited Edition. The Adamas II or the Adamas 2080SR would be my recommendations in the carbon fiber department.
There are a lot of choices if you are interested in either the multi-hole design or an older used guitar. The original hand laid bowls have a different tone than the newer molded bowls due to different materials and different process.
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Location: south east Michigan | I would not discount the multi-hole guitars.
The reasoning behind it is that they allow for lighter bracing than the traditional center hole.
Lighter braces should make for a more active top.
That being said, my DiMeola center hole and textured Adamas are both boomers. With the Adamas being the "boomery" of the two. |
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Location: SoCal | One of the things you need to consider is that center hole Ovations sound different TO THE PLAYER than multi hole guitars. In many ways, My deep bowl A braced Legend sounds better to me when playing it than my 1537 or my 87C. Yet when others hear them (when I'm playing), they often can't tell the difference (they say the multi hole guitars have a little more bass response, maybe).
So when you are playing acoustically, are you looking to satisfy your own ears or somebody else's? |
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Joined:
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Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | One of the things you need to consider is that center hole Ovations sound different TO THE PLAYER than multi hole guitars. In many ways, My deep bowl A braced Legend sounds better to me when playing it than my 1537 or my 87C. Yet when others hear them (when I'm playing), they often can't tell the difference (they say the multi hole guitars have a little more bass response, maybe).
So when you are playing acoustically, are you looking to satisfy your own ears or somebody else's? |
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Posts: 402
Location: New Hartford CT | Some instruments have a tremendous near field sound, they feel and sound great to the player. Others may not sound as good near field but have great projection out to your audience. They are hearing things out front that you may be missing.
The January OFC calendar page has it about right: 'You can't go wrong with a vintage Legend'
If you're looking for an Ovation with great resonance make sure it's a deep bowl.
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Location: Jet City | The loudest Ovations I've played are the earlier hand laid bowls, and specifically, the LOUDEST was a 1117 "Deluxe" Balladeer. I used quotes because this model was eventually called Legend. It was the first Legend basically. Now do I think it had the best acoustic tone? NO. But it was loud. I prefer the early A-braced Legends.
If you're askign me my opinion of what guitar has the best WOOD guitar sound, I'd give that up to my multi-holed 1537. If you're asking my favorite tone out of any of mine, I'd give that title to my 1581 Adamas II.
I do use an Al DiMeola model for live stuff, but by no means is it my favorite sounding when it's unplugged. Early 80's and befor are my favorite era of center-holed O's. The AD is just not as rich sounding, and maybe it's the couple of decades the older ones have had to open up, but I play that AD alot. It should be about as opened up as it can get.
As for the whole deep vs mid vs shallow vs contour thing, it's all subjective. My first LX was a mid-bowl 1778 and the tone blew away everything else in the store within $1000 of the price. Was it as loud as my big dreadnaught?? NO, but it sounded better, more even, mellow, and ear pleasing sounds. I went in to buy a wood box and came out with that midbowl.
My suggestion is don't be shy. Buy something, try it out, and if it doesn't work for you, sell it off and try another. In these days of internet resellers, it's about the only way to try out a new model now. |
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Location: sitting at my computer | I haven't played a 1769-ADII, so can't comment on that one, but agree with the recommendations on the early Legends and deep bowls. I enjoy ALL my Os, but there's somethin' special about the sound and presence of the 1617. Dunno if it's the bowl, the center sound hole, the A bracing, the AAA spruce top, the age, or what... Whatever it is... I LIKE IT! - my totally biased 2¢ And those necks!!! not sure about the context of that comment regarding mid-depth bowls... maybe they meant an "optimal acoustic sound" compromise for someone having difficulty holding / playing the deep bowls ??? |
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Location: Jet City | FWIW, wood backed guitars come in all sizes as well (dred, parlor, jumbo, etc.), and all have their own tonal characteristics. I think of the different sized bowls that same way. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | damon67 - 2013-01-07 4:30 PM
FWIW, wood backed guitars come in all sizes as well (dred, parlor, jumbo, etc.), and all have their own tonal characteristics. I think of the different sized bowls that same way.
If I had a nickel for every time I've posted that EXACT sentiment in an online guitar forum, I could buy Ralph-Flinn's Book Mandocello!  |
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Posts: 25
Location: Russia | Thank you! 1617ALE is good looking =) but i don't like this color (Transparent Burgundy is the best for me) and i prefer 5-piece neck (it's very important for neck stability). Is Ovation Custom shop the one way for me ? =) |
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Location: Texas | i prefer 5-piece neck (it's very important for neck stability). I have a two piece neck on a 45 year old Ovation. It is played all the time. As straight, fast and solid as the day it was carved. |
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Location: Russia | I belive you, but 5-pieces neck is more stability. Here, in Siberia, the air humidity is so different in summer and in winter (i had other acoustic guitars and i had the problems with theit necks, but had no problems with O's 5-pieces necks). |
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Location: France | For me, the best of the best, THE FD14 ! |
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Location: Tennessee | aosha - 2013-01-08 6:15 AM (Transparent Burgundy is the best for me) and i prefer 5-piece neck Is Ovation Custom shop the one way for me ? =) Check out a 1996 Collectors. |
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Location: Pueblo West, CO | stonebobbo - 2013-01-08 11:35 AM Check out a 1996 Collectors.
One with case is available on eBay for a BIN of $995.
See: 1996 Ovation Collector Series Guitar. |
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Posts: 25
Location: Russia | Thank you, but i prefer new preamps (op-pro or op-pro studio). And i did not understand why are the frets are on the binding ? Is it normal ?
Guys, what do you think about Custom Legend 2079LX with deep contour bowl ?
http://www.ovationguitars.com/guitars/product/custom_legend_c2079lx...
Did anybody play it ?
Edited by aosha 2013-01-09 2:21 AM
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The best model for acoustic sound (unplugged)
