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January 2006
Posts: 2
Location: NC | I'm considering an Ovation and thought: where better to go than an Ovation forum.
Hi everyone!
I'm a regular bar and club acoustic player. I usually use a Martin D-1 with a Fishman which through my own P.A. sounds fantastic.
The problem is....when I'm playing through someone else's gear I'm never happy with the sound. And lugging around a Boss tu-2 and an external pre. Along with a couple of cables and a patch cord....I'm exhausted just thinking about it....anyway, you get the picture.
Sitting in with someone for a handful of songs would be a lot easier if I had a guitar that had a tuner and good EQ already built in.
The problem is, I know nothing about Ovation guitars. What could I get for under $600 that would fit my needs. are the Celebrity and Pinnacle good sounding/playing. Or do I need to spend a little more on an american made guitar.
Thanks in advance. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Welcome to the club.
Whether or not you would be happy with the Korean built guitars vs the USA made has a lot to do with how good a sound you want. Some of them sound very good but the USA made guitars sound better.
Depending on how much you are willing to ultimately spend, there are some great used USA models to be had both in the OFC For Sale section and on ebay. |
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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 111
| Closest I've seen to $600 for US made, new, is $679 for Balladeer 1771LX FRG with case via Oklahoma Vintage Guitar on Ebay. They have 100% feedback from 3000+ transactions. FRG is "factory reconditioned guitar," but, really new and never been sold. In effect, a 2nd that has been caught and fixed. Opinion is generally pretty good about the FRGs; to each his own. Here's a current link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Ovation-USA-Guitars-Balladeer-1771LX-Guitar...
Oh, the Balladeer S771 sometimes goes for less, new. But, doesn't have all the LX bling. Not sure if it's a Guitar Center exclusive, or available elsewhere. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Eamonn, check your private messages... |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I'd also suggest looking into a used legend or elite deep bowl. There are some folks here that have some beautiful guitars that they may soon or are currently unloading to make room for New 06's coming out |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Picking up a used or FRG '05 collectors would be a nice guitar to have....probably in the $800-850 range. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | I've bought both and the solid spruce or cedar of the USA models just sound better acoustically. If you always play plugged in and want something comfortable, a super shallow bowl
Celebrity with an OP20 or OP30, which have built in tuners might be just what you want. In your price range, I'd go for the Balladeer or a used Legend or Elite. |
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January 2006
Posts: 2
Location: NC | Thanks again everone. I'm probably going to use it only in a plugged in situation. So my two criteria are: playability and plugged in sound. |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 49
Location: Madison, WI | Personally I think the Celebrities are highly underrated guitars, particularly if you're playing amplified. My "road" acoustic guitar is a Celebrity Deluxe (discussed in another thread) and it is excellent in playability and plugged in sound, especially for the price range. You can find a CS257 online for $350, or on eBay for $250-350. The eBay ones usually include a case, some of the online sites that sell them new pirate the cases and sell them separately.
That having been said, if your price range is up to $600, you should definitely be able to find a used Elite or Legend on eBay. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | The local GC just had a 257, probably about 5 years old for $299 and I bet I could get it for $200. There are plenty of those around, but you may want one of the newer ones with the OP30 and built in tuner.
I got my 99 Collector's for $500. It looks and sounds great, but I'm not sure I'd want to take it to a gig in a bar. |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 49
Location: Madison, WI | $200 is a steal for any 257 I should think. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | One guy's steal is another's deal. I paid $200 for my first 247, which is a little more expensive model and thought I paid too much. I traded it in for my Collector's. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 253
Location: New Orleans | Okay. Why don't you go "try" an Elite, it's in your range. If you want bottom end AND full clarity all around, it's worth your time. If what you find is not enuff, cool, find and pay more for an Ovation with a better pre-amp and higher quality wood. But, that EliteT Tribal Flame already HAS it. If not, splurge on the Roland GK-2A and REEL from possibility. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 253
Location: New Orleans | An ELITE T...dayum |
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Hi there!
