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Posts: 37
Location: south san francisco | I have a solid body I don't really play too much anymore. I don't collect guitars, I just want to get a good quality A/E to put in my living room to pick up and play when I get the urge. Any opinions? |
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Posts: 4820
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Mine. and you can't have it.
But something similar is available all the time on Flea-Bay or here from the BFLG (bottom feeders luthier guild)
Whichever you get, make it a deep bowl. If, being an electric player, you go up the neck a lot, get the cut-away. JMO-YMMV |
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December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Why yes, I do have an opinion!
Bang for the buck a 1778T is optimal.
I looked at your Deacon and I considered asking you if you ever played a Folklore 6774?
Gorgeous wood, wide neck, USA made, etc. |
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Posts: 6992
Location: Jet City | nice picture |
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October 2005
Posts: 4028
Location: Utah | 6778LX. One for sale on this forum, too.
Actually, any mid level or higher Ovation is a great guitar. I'm selling my 6778LX, but the aforementioned 1778T is also a great guitar. There are lots of choices, all of them excellent in their own way. Do you prefer a traditional center hole? Do you like the appearance of the T series? Do you want a cutaway? I'd suggest that you think about the aesthetics of what you prefer, plus whether you want to buy new or used.
The new deep contour bowl has a slightly better sound than the mid bowl, but it is an acquired taste in terms of fit. If you're skinny, the mid bowl might feel better.
There isn't a big difference in the preamps in terms of a casual user. Some of the guys here swear by one or the other model, but as someone who plays in a casual band I can say that the current preamps all do the job just fine. A 1778T with Op30 will be fine acousticly or plugged in. A 6778LX with OpPro will sound fine acousticly or plugged in.
I do prefer the OpPro style which has big letters in the tuner, since I am middle aged and find it hard to read the Op30 without reading glasses. A minor point, but the only thing good or bad I can think of that is different.
The difference between the T and LX series is that the T has a different kind of bracing and a different construction neck. They won't feel any different to play, and the sound is great from both, just slightly different. |
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Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | I have to agree with FlySig, the LX or T series are probably the best for all around. If your not used to the Ovation round back, you may want to avoid a deep bowl. I own 2 deep bowls, and I love the sound, but, I play mt LX or T more, because of comfort. The LX models have fatter and rounder necks. The T's are just right. If you check our different models, listen across from someone playng. You'll hear a truer sound of how well the guitar projects. In any case you can not go wrong with a USA made Ovation. |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Just man-up and do what you need to do in adjusting to a deep bowl.
IMO, it's worth the effort and if you measure, the difference is really minimal. |
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July 2008
Posts: 37
Location: south san francisco | Is the one pictured a 1778T. Looks to be pretty much what I had in mind. What price range would I be looking at if wanted one in like new condition with a case? |
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Posts: 6992
Location: Jet City | It's a 6774 Folklore. A very nice guitar if you like a wider nut. |
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October 2005
Posts: 4028
Location: Utah | The price on used Ovations is a bit quirky, going along with the sometimes quirky new prices.
The 1778T is a black textured top guitar with the multi-hole epaulets, not the single center hole. It has a mid depth bowl and OP30 preamp. It is not an LX guitar, but is usually described on this forum as the biggest bang for the buck in Ovation. The 2078 is the same guitar but with the deep contour bowl and OpPro preamp. Another outstanding instrument for the $. If you don't mind the appearance, either one would be a superb buy.
As a basic rough range, anywhere from about $400 for a used T up to $1000 for a higher end LX guitar is what you will see, including case. There are some particular models that go for substantially more than $1k used, but there are a lot in the under $1k range. |
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Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Those are all great choices, but in my opinion, the best deal going on right now are the 2007BCS Collectors that Al is selling (if there are any left that is). An excellent investment and outstanding sound and playability. |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Originally posted by FlySig:
The new deep contour bowl has a slightly better sound than the mid bowl, Are you serious, Fly?
I think that statement is way off the mark. The contour bowls are as good as, if not better than, a deep bowl.
I've got one of each - if anything, the contour bowl is boomier. |
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Posts: 3084
Location: Brisbane Australia | He was comparing it to a mid bowl |
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December 2006
Posts: 6992
Location: Jet City | Sound is subjective. There's too many different choices to offer up. If you were open to used, I personally would say get an A braced Legend or a 1537, but maybe to narrow it down it would help to know the budget. If you're a man of no boundaries financially, go for the gusto an Adamas 2008 Collector.
The short answer, contact Al at lostartvintage.com or "Alpep" here on the board. He'll hook ya up. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6992
Location: Jet City | And sorry man, but growing up in the Bay Area, this gets stuck in my head every time I see your town...
TOP OF THE HILL DAILY CITY!
If you were around in the 70's, you'll know what I'm talking about. |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Originally posted by AussieJames:
He was comparing it to a mid bowl But he said it had "a slightly better sound than the mid bowl", implying that it didn't sound as good as a deep bowl.
A good comparison would be Richard's W597 against my '05ES at OzOFC. In my opinion, the Collectors had a lot more to offer than the Adamas. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Let start over...
Welcome Redwood to the OFC!
How much money do you have and are you more partial to Natural, Sunburst or Carbon Fibre? |
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December 2006
Posts: 6992
Location: Jet City | oops. misspelled Daly City too |
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October 2005
Posts: 4028
Location: Utah | Originally posted by muzza:
But he said it had "a slightly better sound than the mid bowl", implying that it didn't sound as good as a deep bowl.
A good comparison would be Richard's W597 against my '05ES at OzOFC. In my opinion, the Collectors had a lot more to offer than the Adamas. [/QB] I've not played a wood topped deep bowl to compare to a contour bowl. How much better is certainly subjective. I would say that the deep contours I've compared to mid bowl (1778T vs 2078T, 6778LX vs 2007BCS) do sound better, deeper, and fuller. But that doesn't make the mid bowl bad or thin sounding.
I've not compared directly a contour to a deep bowl, but Kaki's deep bowl Adamas does sound even better than my 2007BCS. But that isn't a fair comparison on any level, starting with the talent of the player. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Since Redwood is not coming from one Ovation to another, this may not matter... but,
Moving to a contour bowl was abit weird for me. I was used to my 1778T's and other round-backs so when I first got the 2058T then the Sweet T the contour bowl took some getting used to..
Since I have had the contours, it has caused me to hold my other guitars more upright.
(Caused me to develop better technique?)
But in a side-by-side comparison, the 2078T does sound different than the 1778T...
But I am not sure which is 'Better'.
BTW- I still like the OP-30 better than the OP-Pro. |
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July 2008
Posts: 37
Location: south san francisco | Thanks for all the great info. My budget will probably be in the $500-$750 range. I'm leaning toward a traditional round hole. Is there something in the model# that indicates where the guitar was made. I'd like to stick with Made in USA. If I I'm looking at "Like New", what would be an indication that it might be made in asia. Should I stay away from Celebrity and Applause?
BTW Damon67, Was that "MATHEWS...TOP OF THE HILL DALY CITY" ? |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Any Model made before 2008 designated as a Balladeer, Legend or Elite are USA models and should state that on the label inside that it was made in New Hartford, Ct. Definitely stay away from Applause and Celeb models. New Balladeers and I believe Standard Elites are now being made overseas (Someone correct me if I'm wrong about the Std Elites)Based on what you are saying, The Balladeer and Legends have Round sound holes. The Legend would be a Nicer or Higher quality Guitar. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | any one |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by Mauvais Beal:
any one +1
Having just got home last night from the Smoky's Jam I played so many different Ovations and Adamas guitars, name your price range and hit eBay. Lots of great sounding Ovations going way below what they are worth.
BTW; Beal I loved that wide neck flat fretbord. :cool: |
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What's a good all around acoustic Ovation?
