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Location: Des Moines, Iowa | I've got three single sound hold Ovations ranging in age from 1979 to 2001 (all USA Made) and I've always admired the look of those multi-sound hole models, but I don't want to get a cheap Celebrity one. After having said that, I do think there might be a model or two of the Celebrity Elites that are fairly decent. I'd like it to have at least a mid-depth (if not deep-depth) bowl.
Does anyone have any hints, tips, or even personal preferences they'd care to share regarding my first multi-sound hole Ovation model? I'd prefer to keep the price under $500 for one in lightly-used condition.
For the best quality should I step up to at least the Standard Elite or are there some Celebrity Elite models that are just as good or almost?
I'd also like to hear from some who have one of these multi-hole guitars to get your take on the difference in the sound. Since it is one of Ovations signature designs, then I definitely feel my Ovation collection would not be complete without at least one.
ANY COMMENTS are appreciated greatly!
Cause I'm just a
SillyLittleBoy |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | You can often find a 6778 or 6778LX for less than $500.
As to Celebrity's...
If you can find a good CSE-44, they have solid tops.
But they can be expensive.
As soon as you spent $450 on a Celebrity, you will see a USA Elite for the same price.
I am speaking from experience.
So I would just wait on a 6778 or any other USA Elite.
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Location: Tennessee | I've got some of both. The sound of a multi-hole is going vary based upon bowl size, top quality, and build quality. To my mind, the deep bowls have the sound going away, while the mid-bowls sound brighter overall to me. Bass response is enhanced with bass-side soundholes only. But the shallow-bowl is really for plugging in. And while there are exceptions, the higher up the food chain, the better the guitar sounds.
Keep your eye out for a Collectors version that moves you. For some reason, they sometimes don't fetch too much on the open market. The 2003 was real nice, and also the 2007. Watch out for the ones with the laminate tops (1998 - 2002) - they're pretty but not as good tonally.
Also, a 1718 would be a great find (deep bowl, non-cutaway). After that, put a 1768 on your list. The LX version is fine, but the K-Bar version is built like a tank and should be easier to find one in your price range.
If you are patient, you'll find one of these at around your budget. The offshore versions just won't stack up to any of these, IMHO.
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | You can also keep an eye out for a used, USA-built Elite-T. They have the black, texture paint on the top as well as the bowl...a very unique, stealthy look. I've played several, and they all sounded great! Just watch out for the imports that look almost identical. They aren't quite as good quality-wise and tend to cost about the same because they look so similar.
And just to give Bobbo a hard time, the 2001 Collector's is a solid top (redwood). (But I seriously doubt you will find one for $500. If you do, grab it and run. It's one of Ovation's best guitars IMHO.)
Edited by Patch 2014-01-28 8:05 PM
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Location: SoCal | What Bobbo said. The models I would look for are the 2007 Collectors, the 1987 Collectors, the 1537, and the 1718. Of all those, you have the best shot at a 1718 in your price range. Look for one from the mid 1980's..... |
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Location: Jet City | If I had to pick one Elite... 1537 |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | 1537 or 2007 Collectors |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | stephent28 - 2014-01-29 11:54 AM
1537 or 2007 Collectors
If he can find one of those for $500, he needs to buy a lottery ticket before his luck dries up.  |
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Location: NJ | go to the for sale section search my name and you will find several |
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Posts: 98
Location: Des Moines, Iowa | WOW! Thanks to everyone for all their advice AND suggestions, which goes to show you that everyone has their special preference or favorite model within a series. I have to thank Old Man Arthur (and a few others who suggested similar things...) for reminding me about the virtue of patience. All my other Ovations are top shelf and I usually don't even look at an Applause or a Celebrity out of principal. Maybe if I was a young, broke kid just starting out and getting my first guitar/first Ovation, but in spite of my handle here, I'm more of a "SillyOldMan" than anything younger.
You are correct, sir... I would regret AND end up just buying both (getting the USA Elite AND the Celebrity) and be left with trying to sell the Celebrity. Besides, I don't think all my other USA Ovations would get along very well with an Eastern Cousin they didn't know they had. I've kept it all Red, White, and Blue, so might as well "buy local," so to speak. Patch, while I appreciate the advise on the black stealthy Elite-T AND this may seem a bit silly, but then again I am... a SillyLittleBoy (trapped in an old man's body), but I've got a jet black Legend, a natural finished one, and a somewhat dark brown "Nutmeg" finished one, so I've got of got my heart set on a real pretty... Red Sunburst, like the 6778 (I guess great minds or great OLD minds think alike...Old Man).
Thanks again to all for their input, but I think based on my preferences, the need to truly be patient and get the "good one," and all the others in agreement in that regard, I'm going to be looking hard for that Red Sunburst 6778. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Best of luck you silly little thing! 
Edited by Patch 2014-01-29 8:38 PM
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What's a good multi sound hole model?
