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USA Ovation - which one to buy?

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kavalero
Posted 2014-07-25 9:11 PM (#490874)
Subject: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
July 2014
Posts: 28

Location: Sydney, Australia

Hi everyone,

New to this forum but member of many net forums of this sort.

I'm looking to buy my first Ovation (USA) acoustic/electric after nearly 40 years of playing guitars (electric ones mainly).

Action wise - looking for a guitar to be as close as possible to an electric guitar.

Are there any Ovations known to have lower action than others, and thinner necks at the same time?

I'm leaning towards a super shallow bowl.

My budget is about $1000.

Please help!!

Cheers
Doug



Edited by kavalero 2014-07-25 9:12 PM
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elginacres
Posted 2014-07-25 9:50 PM (#490875 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 1609

Location: Colorado		Hands down an EA 68
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kavalero
Posted 2014-07-25 10:35 PM (#490876 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
July 2014
Posts: 28

Location: Sydney, Australia

The Viper EA 68 looks like a very interesting guitar indeed, plus the back of body is mahogany .. hmm.
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noah
Posted 2014-07-25 11:26 PM (#490877 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: RE: USA Ovation - which one to buy?



Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1673

Location: SoCal

EA68... my favorite in its class.

I have many. Lady Noah says I have too many. 

Seems like folks I know want to buy one for $700 or less, or sell them for $1000 or more.

The one above went for $600 back in '05. 

 

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noah
Posted 2014-07-25 11:29 PM (#490878 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: RE: USA Ovation - which one to buy?



Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1673

Location: SoCal

Where are you located Doug?

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stonebobbo
Posted 2014-07-26 1:05 AM (#490879 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?



Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307

Location: Tennessee		You have to plug the EA 68 in. Have to. Is that what you want? (Don't get me wrong, I love them. I own one). I wouldn't start with an EA 68 unless you plan on always plugging in.

Most Ovations can be set up to play like an electric. Some necks seem to feel more "electric-like" than others. In my stable, some of these are my 2007C BCS, my 1778RFT, and my Thunderbolt. Interesting enough, they are also deep contour, mid-depth, and super shallow bowls, respectively.

There's a lot of options out there for you. And lots of opinions here.

I really like the 2007C BCS. It's got a really good electric-like feel and great acoustic sound. You can easily find them in your price range.
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kavalero
Posted 2014-07-26 2:10 AM (#490880 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
July 2014
Posts: 28

Location: Sydney, Australia		Thank you Noah & bobbo,

The one pictured above looks interesting + its in my favorite Ovation color.

And yes, I'm planing to use the guitar plugged into one of my BF Fender amps

I reside in both Australia (Sydney) and California (St Jose).

Is BCS a deep bowl?

The BCS is not listed here?
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/files/prices.asp


Doug




Edited by kavalero 2014-07-26 2:15 AM
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Old Man Arthur
Posted 2014-07-26 2:52 AM (#490881 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?



Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR		The 2007 BCS is the 2007 Collectors' Edition...
The top is Bear Claw Spruce.

The 2007 Collectors' has a Contour bowl

The whole thing looks like this

Although that Elderly one doesn't have really intense Bear Claw.

I owned a 2007 Collectors'... But I didn't bond with the Contour bowl or the VIP.
(now I have three contour bowl guitars, and I still ain't that enthusiastic about it )
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kavalero
Posted 2014-07-26 3:08 AM (#490882 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
July 2014
Posts: 28

Location: Sydney, Australia		Thank you Arthur,

In fact I wanted to avoid any deep or contour bowl, so looks like the BCS is out of question however BA68 looks interesting, I have to say.

Another option (because of the bowl) is 1867 Legend, which I suppose has that super shallow bowl.

Thoughts please?

/
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Patch
Posted 2014-07-26 9:59 AM (#490883 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: RE: USA Ovation - which one to buy?



Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4227

Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent

You have loads of choices. The EA-68's are great. And there's not a thing wrong with the 1867 either. If you like the epalette look, you can try to dig up an 1868 Elite as well. There are also the Custom Legends and Elites with the SSB if you like a little bling on your guitar.

FWIW, I would pick the EA-68. But you really can't do badly with any of the above.

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elginacres
Posted 2014-07-26 11:19 AM (#490884 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 1609

Location: Colorado		Bobbo is correct...you always must plug in an EA-68...I didn't think of that...not a good one for noodling with friend around the campfire...but if want an acoustic sound that feels and plays similar to an electric...it could be the one. Not sure if AJ on your continent owns one. Here is decent cut by a decent player playing one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh0F2sMcr_4
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stonebobbo
Posted 2014-07-26 12:10 PM (#490885 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?



Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307

Location: Tennessee		I live a few miles from San Jose. Next time you're here, give me a ring and you can play a few different models and styles to get a feel for what best suits you.
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kavalero
Posted 2014-07-26 7:12 PM (#490897 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
July 2014
Posts: 28

Location: Sydney, Australia		Guys, you are great, your help is much appreciated!

Now - I am sure about the bowl size that I want (super shallow, or whatever is called the one in EA 68) ..

I take it Elites and Legends (USA models) were produced in different bowl sizes, correct? Deep, mid and shallow?

Am I correct in saying that EA 68 is all wood guitar, no 'composite' black back like other Ovations?!

Is an EA 68 quieter (unplugged) than an Elite or Legend, or all 3 are about the same?!



Edited by kavalero 2014-07-26 7:21 PM
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FlySig
Posted 2014-07-26 7:32 PM (#490898 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?



Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4050

Location: Utah		Yes all different bowl depths were made across the years and styles. The EA68 is basically a solid body with the piezo bridge, so it is an acoustic which must be plugged in.

If you mostly will be plugged in, the shallow bowl will sound great. The shallow bowl sounds thin played acoustically (though there are some individual guitars which seem to violate this), so you won't want to perform live with the shallow bowl if it isn't plugged in. If you play for friends and family at parties etc then you might find the shallow bowl too thin in tone.

The mid bowl is analogous to a regular wood box guitar. It feels a bit thinner in body, but the tone is typical of a regular wood body (with the Ovation sound of course). Mid bowl is an excellent compromise. They sound very good acoustically, yet aren't big thick bodies. The case for the mid bowl is the same as for the deep and contour bowls.

The deep and contour bowls do have a fuller and generally louder sound acoustically than the mid. If you play a lot acoustically, you might find you end up preferring a deep bowl.

If you really intend to almost always play plugged in, I don't think there will be a big difference in tone across the different models and years. Primarily the sound is from the piezo saddle. So a shallow bowl will be just as good as a deep bowl. The differences for you to consider would be preamp model and appearance of the guitar. The older guitars (pre-LX) will have heavier necks. Older guitars have different bowl materials, with the newer guitars being lighter. All of the different variations in construction are good, so there isn't any particular model or feature you should avoid for structural or tonal reasons.
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kavalero
Posted 2014-07-26 9:39 PM (#490900 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
July 2014
Posts: 28

Location: Sydney, Australia		Thank you for another great advice FlySig,

I will definitely use the guitar plugged in, so, a super shallow bowl is the way to go for me.

Going back to this Ovation models listing
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/files/prices.asp

.. its a bit confusing how many variations of Legend guitars are available.

Its the same with Adamas and Elite models?!?

/

Edited by kavalero 2014-07-26 9:59 PM
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TAFKAR
Posted 2014-07-27 4:21 AM (#490902 - in reply to #490880)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?



Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985

Location: Sydney, Australia
kavalero - 2014-07-26 7:10 PM

I reside in both Australia (Sydney) and California (St Jose).

Doug


Hi Doug,

It's much cheaper to buy Ovations in the US. How often do you travel back and forth? Shipping is very expensive.

I'm in Sydney (Hornsby) which side of Sydney do you live in?
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alpep
Posted 2014-07-27 6:40 AM (#490903 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583

Location: NJ		there are several guitars on my website you should check out
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PEZ
Posted 2014-07-27 12:27 PM (#490904 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?



Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111

Location: Nashville TN.		Thunderbolts have real electric necks as does collector model I think 88 ot 89 that used the same neck
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kavalero
Posted 2014-07-30 11:08 PM (#491003 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
July 2014
Posts: 28

Location: Sydney, Australia		I have noticed the 'raw' neck finish on number of EA68's.

Are there any glossy necks or all EA68's are 'raw' looking, thanks.



Edited by kavalero 2014-07-30 11:11 PM
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moody, p.i.
Posted 2014-07-30 11:10 PM (#491004 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15666

Location: SoCal		I believe that's how they were doing the necks at that time.....
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kavalero
Posted 2014-07-31 6:53 PM (#491020 - in reply to #491003)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
July 2014
Posts: 28

Location: Sydney, Australia
kavalero - 2014-07-31 2:08 PM

I have noticed the 'raw' neck finish on number of EA68's.

Are there any glossy necks or all EA68's are 'raw' looking, thanks.





In addition, it looks like these guitars (EA68) are not available for sale like other Ovation models.

Any idea where to look for one (apart from flebay and CL)?

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Patch
Posted 2014-07-31 7:03 PM (#491021 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: RE: USA Ovation - which one to buy?



Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4227

Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent

Al has a a really nice used one at Lost Art Vintage.



Edited by Patch 2014-07-31 7:04 PM
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kavalero
Posted 2014-07-31 10:14 PM (#491027 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?


Joined:
July 2014
Posts: 28

Location: Sydney, Australia		If this is the site, I couldn't find the ea68 listed ..
http://lostartvintage.readyhosting.com/mainframe.asp

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2wheeldrummer
Posted 2014-07-31 11:31 PM (#491028 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?



Joined:
February 2014
Posts: 708

Location: moline,illinois		Look under used instruments, then guitars, its down a few pages, beautiful flame maple top..i also saw one on guitar centers used gear section ,fairly plain looking and not sure about condition but cheaper if your on a tight budget.i also think your link is wrong, if you click on alpep it will take you to his home page for OFC where theres a link for lost art vintage.

Edited by 2wheeldrummer 2014-07-31 11:37 PM
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stonebobbo
Posted 2014-08-01 4:52 PM (#491032 - in reply to #490874)
Subject: Re: USA Ovation - which one to buy?



Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307

Location: Tennessee		Go here:

http://www.lostartvintage.com/Categoryinfo.aspx?categoryid=10&categ...

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