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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Can anyone share their knowledge on Ovation solid body guitars here, by commenting on models, quality, comparisons (i.e. playability), value/prices, etc. ? I've been looking at some on Ebay and have checked out the solid body links here, but I still find myself a bit confused. I would like to know a little history on the progression or digression of their solid body guitars and how they stack up to the other mainline manufacturers like Fender, Gibson, etc. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13994
Location: Upper Left USA | Check out Paul Dowthwaite's site
www.ovationuk.co.uk
Then buy a Viper! |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | also, in the ovation book, that was ciculating there was some bits on the solid bodies. |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | The preacher and the UK II look identical. Were they the same guitar? |
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March 2002
Posts: 15673
Location: SoCal | No and while they looked similar, they were different guitars. Body materials and pickups were different. |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | So what's so special about the UKII that makes it so expensive? Is it better than the Viper? |
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April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | UKII is a urelite body, single cutaway. Preacher is double cut with wood body. Different pups too. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Somebody posted a very informative 38-page article entitled Ovation Solidbody Guitars by Michael Wright on this site some time ago. I downloaded a copy at the time and have kept it at hand ever since. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13994
Location: Upper Left USA | You should be able to find Mr. Wright on the internet... No?
If you like to research you need to go through the UK site and Jerome's. Lottsa facts. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I found that article a couple years ago, probably by googling Ovation Ultra GS or GP or solidbody. It's a pretty good history. I think it was in Vintage Guitar magazine. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Generally speaking, the quality of the ovation guitars was better than their solid body counter parts at Fender or Gibson. If you look at the body and neck lengths you can basically see what "guitar camp" they're from (ie Les Paul, Strat or Tele). In terms of playability, I've heard of no extraordinary complaints. The history is that Ovation made solid bodies and then got out of the biz, because the market didn't take to them. In my belief they are superior guitars, but if people don't want 'em why make 'em? |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13994
Location: Upper Left USA | More:
I have run across some quality one piece and two piece Mahogany bodies that would cost $250-$400 to repeat or replace today. Some of the Maple necks are equally awesome and for similar care and and couture would cost you $450-$600 to obtain from Warmoth, Carvin or a private builder.
Seymour Duncan, TV Jones and a few others can provide multiple choices in "Mini" pickups to suit your tastes.
Amongst the Vipers up for resale it is the four-Board Maple, usually Sunburst, with Ebony Fretboards that take up about 50% of what's available. These provide a fairly consistent sound and feel for under $400 with a case.
A bargain! Start there and play as many as you can. |
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Ovation Solid Body Guitar Question
