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Posts: 97
Location: Chicago | I bought an Ovation GCS771LX-C a few weeks ago, and I love the sound of the guitar, but there are a few interesting "issues" I have with it.
1: Is it a cedar top or a spruce top? The guy at GC said it was a cedar top, but I look at Ovation's website, and the S771 is listed as A Grade Sitka Spruce.
2: I notice that the tonal range has qualities of a cedar and of a spruce top. It's hard for me to classify the sound.
3: It has a satin finish, which gives it a nice feel and a humble appearance.
4: What does the model number mean: GCS771LX-C? I know GC is for Guitar Center, LX is for certain LX features such as the TRC but not the OP Pro, -C is for cutaway and S is for satin? Maybe -C is for cedar? S is for Special?
(I'm thinking about trading this in for a 1778LX because I'm concerned with losing distinct tones when overplaying, and moving to a AA grade sitka spruce might give me what I need.)
Check the pics:
(the grain looks like spruce to me.)
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Cedar. Guitar Center Special. A few members around here have them. Cool guitar. |
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Posts: 97
Location: Chicago | What about the grain looking like A Grade Sitka Spruce? I've heard the cedar comments before, but it's not really adding up. |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | In that photo, the top looks very much like cedar to me...
go to my "Opics" page and do a close-up look at the top on the Folkore FD-14. |
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Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I have a similar one....GCS-771LX-C means "Guitar Center S-771, LX features, Cedar top". It IS Cedar, FOR SURE, I wouldn't spend any more time questioning it. This special version is a Guitar Center only model, and is NOT listed on the Ovation website.
These models still have the OP30 pre-amp for some reason.
Mine is a GCS-771-C....I didn't wait for the LX version.
Roger |
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Posts: 629
Location: Houston, Texas | Originally posted by pzavislak:
1: Is it a cedar top or a spruce top? The guy at GC said it was a cedar top, but I look at Ovation's website, and the S771 is listed as A Grade Sitka Spruce.
2: I notice that the tonal range has qualities of a cedar and of a spruce top. It's hard for me to classify the sound.
3: It has a satin finish, which gives it a nice feel and a humble appearance.
4: What does the model number mean: GCS771LX-C? I know GC is for Guitar Center, LX is for certain LX features such as the TRC but not the OP Pro, -C is for cutaway and S is for satin? Maybe -C is for cedar? S is for Special?
That is a special model made exclusively for Guitar Center. The C in the model number stands for Cedar, the S stands for Special. I have a regular spruce topped S771. The satin finish is nice when new but it will become shiny in short order where your arm and hand rests while playing. It also should have a nicer abalone inlaid rosette than the standard S771.
For being on the lower end of the American made price scale, it is a very nice sounding guitar. Be sure to play the other models before you upgrade. You may just like the sound of what you have better. I've come close to wearing out my S771 which I bought two years ago. I play it more than any of my other guitars. |
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Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I concur with Rick, don't be in a hurry to get rid of it, it is a great-sounding guitar.
Roger |
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Posts: 97
Location: Chicago | Hmmm, thanks for the help, guys.
Rick, what do you mean by wearing out the guitar? Does the softer wood of the cedar affect lifetime greatly? I made an investment in a sweet-sounding guitar, but I'd hate to have to buy another guitar in just two years to replace the worn out S771. That's why I'm thinking about the 1778. I want something that will last almost forever; would the hardwood of sitka spruce be more appropriate? |
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Posts: 629
Location: Houston, Texas | No, Mine is a spruce top. What I meant is that it is pretty close to needing a fret job. I tend to play hard and I probably play this guitar at least an hour a day, most days closer to two. |
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Posts: 97
Location: Chicago | Gotcha. I've been going for about 4-6 hours a day on mine for the past few weeks. It's an amazing guitar!
Once again, I really appreciate the help. I think I will be sticking with the S771. |
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Posts: 629
Location: Houston, Texas | Also, I'm not trying to dissuade you from a different model, but I played quite a few models, and several other 771's before I bought this one. Each guitar in a model line is going to be slightly different in sound or feel but overall Ovations are pretty consistent. Sometimes, though, you will find one that stands out. There are differences in the sound of different models however, and there's no substitute for a hands on test drive. Different people have different tastes and favorites.
In general stick with the deeper bowls if you want the best acoustic sound.
My new deep bowl 23 year old 1537 is awesome. |
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May 2006
Posts: 97
Location: Chicago | The cedar top is really starting to open up, and the warmth is getting to be pretty intense. I'm thinking of getting something a lot brighter, and hopefully the spruce will help.
If I can get an Ovation 1778 LX for $900, I might spring for that. And I'll also check out the deep bowls. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | If you are looking in the near $1000 range and want something that sounds great and will last forever, go the Adamas route. |
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August 2004
Posts: 604
Location: Tampa, FL | As one who has sort of been there and returned...
Before you decide to go the Adamas route, you should try a few Adami out. Play them at length. They are very nice guitars and pretty near bullet proof but they do have a unique sound. The cats meow for some, not so for others. Let your ears decide. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Or if you're interested in a very nice 6778LX for less than $900, contact me. |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 97
Location: Chicago | I exchanged the S771LX-C for an Elite 1778LX. Final price for the 1778LX and case including tax was $950.
It's a sweet-looking guitar with a mean growl at the low end, with great-sounding highs and sweet hammers. And it has the OP-Pro, 5-piece neck, and epaulets. I'm impressed! Well worth the $200+ marginal increase in price.
Thanks for everyone's help! |
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Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | "It's a sweet-looking guitar with a mean growl at the low end, with great-sounding highs and sweet hammers."
Well put and well done! |
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May 2006
Posts: 97
Location: Chicago | The Guitar Center tag on the guitar read "GC1778 LX", and so it might be a Guitar Center special. The finish is not on the ovation site for the 1778 LX. It's not black cherry burst, black, or natural... it's similar to the "red tear drop" which is shown on the Custom 1778 LX page (C1778 LX) . Interesting.
Any thoughts?
Some pics:
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Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | You might be right that it is "red teardrop". I've seen 1778LXs in this color at my Guitar Center....it ALMOST looks like the "New England Burst" that is on the 6778LX, but it isn't.
Hopefully, the 1778LX will be what you are looking for.....cedar isn't everyone's cup of tea. It certainly is prettier.
Roger |
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May 2006
Posts: 97
Location: Chicago | I've checked google, and I've been getting everything for this pattern, including honeyburst, new england burst, and sunburst. Thanks for the help so far.
The cedar sounded almost perfect for me until it opened up... then it sounded much too mellow and muddy; the sound while overplaying was terrible. From what I can tell thus far, this model is working out perfectly, and it plays everything I throw at it. |
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December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | The website doesn't list every model in every color. I think they just put a few finishes on the website, but will actually make the model in many more. I had a Custom Elite C778LX that was NEB. The website only listed CCB and Black. Now they only list RTD and black. |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | The "GC Special color" is honeyburst, which is like NEB except not so dark, Very nice. The RTD doesn't follow the edges of the forward bouts. I comes to a point at the end of the fingerboard. Also, the RTD is CHERRY RED at the edges, not that beautiful golden brown. :D :D :D
I sill have wunderlust for the S771-C, but I felt the same way. It sounds great if I played gentle, but got kind of out of control sounding if I played aggresively |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Congrats on a decision that will make YOU happy! |
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I went ahead and exchanged for a 1778 LX.
