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Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778

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ralphhardwick
Posted 2018-12-04 11:17 AM (#546016)
Subject: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
December 2018
Posts: 11

Location: Norfolk, UK		Good Evening all

As stated, this is a repost from the 'newbie' section to open up the request to the wider group. If haven't read the 'backstory' to this request you're welcome to read my babbling waffle here: http://www.ovationfanclub.com/megabbs/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=48...
However please return here and help me decide.

My name is Ralph and I am from the UK, I'm 58 and now getting back into guitar playing properly after a 10 year break and I have decided that an Ovation Elite model is the only thing that will make my life full again

After hours and hours of research, I have narrowed it down to a couple of models, the Ovation 2078AX-1 Elite AX and the Ovation 2778AX-NEB and I want to ask the collective which one is likely to be a better guitar. I will probably buy from an online retailer without trying (there is a 30 day money back return option) hence why I am asking opinions

Before you all scream "buy American" at me there are a couple of things you need to know:

1. I would love a USA built model, but simply can't afford one.
2. There are only a couple of dealers that stock Ovations in the whole of the UK and they are, at least, 150 miles away and have a limited stock. Hence why I'm buying online.
3. Secondhand Ovations can be found in the UK, but decent ones are few and far between. You can find plenty of Applauses and Celebritys, but I want to go to a pro-grade guitar. Once again I will have to travel a long distance to possibly find a 'dog' at the end.
4. I would prefer a contoured body which narrows down the secondhand search even more.

The differences I can see between the two guitars are:

2078 has ebony fretboard and bridge, Abalone inserts (I think), 5-Piece neck: Mahogany/Maple, gold plated fitting and comes with a hard case

2778 has plastic insert and silver die-cast fitting, no case.

2078 is €966 ($1100) and the 2778 + case is €840 ($950). So there is only €120 ($130) difference.

From a looks perspective, I like the gold fittings on the 2078, but I prefer the NewEngland Burst on the 2778

Any advice, opinion, bias, witticism or other statement helping me to make my choice would be greatly appreciated.

The link to the supplier is here: https://www.thomann.de/gb/ovation_2078ax_1_elite_ax.htm and here: https://www.thomann.de/gb/ovation_2778axneb.htm

Thanks
Ralph

Edited by ralphhardwick 2018-12-04 11:19 AM
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Old Man Arthur
Posted 2018-12-04 12:24 PM (#546017 - in reply to #546016)
Subject: Re: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR
I like the gold fittings on the 2078, but I prefer the NewEngland Burst on the 2778

You can buy gold tuners and put them on your 2778AX.
I have a 6778LX that came with Chrome tuners, and I switched them.
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2wheeldrummer
Posted 2018-12-04 11:55 PM (#546021 - in reply to #546016)
Subject: Re: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
February 2014
Posts: 705

Location: moline,illinois		From what I can see on models the 2078 is last years model and the 2778 is the newer model,I can't find the 2078 on the ovation website just dealers.
question are you going to play plugged in.I think the 2078 has the better OpPro Studio Preamp.
Personally I like the ebony fretboard and bridge better along with the gold tuners and love the sunburst on the 2078
Soundwise they are probably pretty similar I would ask the dealer to look at both guitars and ask which plays better ultimately playability with influence your desire to stay with the guitar over the long run,just my 2 cents.
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FlySig
Posted 2018-12-05 10:10 AM (#546025 - in reply to #546016)
Subject: Re: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4044

Location: Utah		A guitar is an emotional thing, not a cold technical thing. Whichever guitar pulls on you more is the one you should get. If possible you should play each one in person, though I have purchased numerous guitars online and been happy. But if you can A/B them against each other you will probably feel one of them is the one you want more than the other.

As 2wd said above, the OpPro Studio preamp is the better preamp if you'll be doing a lot of live plugged in performing or recording. It has the "expressor" function. The standard OpPro is an excellent preamp and there's nothing bad about it. The Studio adds the expressor. All else being equal, and if you'll be playing live plugged in, I would choose the 2078 for the Studio preamp.

You can purchase the OpPro Studio preamp separately, though I think the price is around the $300 range.

Rosewood vs Ebony? You can find some discussions online about the differences there may be in tone. I prefer Rosewood because I like the appearance. Differences in tone? My opinion is it would be very difficult to hear any difference unless you A/B identical guitars. Whatever differences exist are not going to be noticed by you or any listeners. Nobody is going to say "that would have been better if it had the other fingerboard material".

Whichever one of those guitars makes you smile when you look at it and makes you pick it up to play it - that's the one to get.

Edited by FlySig 2018-12-05 10:13 AM
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ralphhardwick
Posted 2018-12-05 3:59 PM (#546029 - in reply to #546016)
Subject: Re: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
December 2018
Posts: 11

Location: Norfolk, UK		Thanks guys. I didn’t notice the different amps. I will predominantly play it unplugged, but who knows what the future may bring. So going for the better spec sounds a good step.

If there is no major difference then the 2078 is appealing to me more and more.

However I have now been thrown a curve ball by another forum member in the UK who has an unplayed, mint 2010 Ovation C2078LX Custom Elite LX RTD and it looks gorgeous. I’m just waiting to here what kind of price he may be looking for, but I am seriously tempted. Saying that I will have to balance a new guitar with a 3 year warranty against a better made older model. The main thing is that my level of guitar playing has a long way to go before I can benefit from the quality difference.

Any additional thoughts on this development would be welcome.


Edited by ralphhardwick 2018-12-05 4:00 PM
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2wheeldrummer
Posted 2018-12-05 6:14 PM (#546030 - in reply to #546016)
Subject: Re: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
February 2014
Posts: 705

Location: moline,illinois		Go for the C2078lx,its a major step up from the korean model,AAA spruce top,made in USA at new hartford CT plus if you have to have work done down the line the US has a bolt on neck thats much easier to remove that the set neck of the korean one,you will immeadiately benefit from the quality difference,better tone is more appealing to play and hear,better set up is easier to play,prettier guitar draws you to it more saying...play me,play me..LOL
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Old Man Arthur
Posted 2018-12-05 6:34 PM (#546031 - in reply to #546030)
Subject: Re: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR
2wheeldrummer - 2018-12-05 4:14 PM

Go for the C2078lx,

He is buying from Thomann in Europe...
The C2078LX costs three times as much.
https://www.thomann.de/gb/ovation_2078lxbcb.htm


Edited by Old Man Arthur 2018-12-05 6:39 PM
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2wheeldrummer
Posted 2018-12-05 7:41 PM (#546032 - in reply to #546031)
Subject: Re: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
February 2014
Posts: 705

Location: moline,illinois
Old Man Arthur - 2018-12-05 6:34 PM

2wheeldrummer - 2018-12-05 4:14 PM

Go for the C2078lx,

He is buying from Thomann in Europe...
The C2078LX costs three times as much.
https://www.thomann.de/gb/ovation_2078lxbcb.htm


The C2078LX he is referring to is a mint condition used one he is unsure of the price on not a new one,if its anywhere near to the price of the 2778 I would choose that one,new to new of course it would cost a lot more


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FlySig
Posted 2018-12-06 6:59 PM (#546042 - in reply to #546016)
Subject: Re: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4044

Location: Utah		A used LX should be similar in price to the new AX. If you can afford the difference then I would go for the used LX without question, assuming it is in excellent condition without any problems.
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ralphhardwick
Posted 2018-12-08 10:34 AM (#546061 - in reply to #546016)
Subject: RE: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
December 2018
Posts: 11

Location: Norfolk, UK		Thanks for all the comments guys.

Sadly the secondhand LX is out of my price range (or rather what SWMBO will allow) so I have now placed an order for the 2078AX.

I finally chose the 2078 because:

The gold tuners just beat the new England burst colour (IMHO) and I couldn't find an easy source for gold tuners, the better spec pre-amp and (most importantly) the 2778 has sold out

I shall post my impressions when it gets here, sometime next week.

Cheers

Ralph
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ralphhardwick
Posted 2018-12-13 12:30 PM (#546100 - in reply to #546016)
Subject: RE: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
December 2018
Posts: 11

Location: Norfolk, UK		It's finally here and it's stunning.
Such a clear, crisp sound. I'm having trouble putting it down!
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2wheeldrummer
Posted 2018-12-13 1:04 PM (#546101 - in reply to #546016)
Subject: Re: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
February 2014
Posts: 705

Location: moline,illinois		That's gorgeous ,Congratulations..I want to hold her to


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ralphhardwick
Posted 2018-12-13 2:02 PM (#546102 - in reply to #546016)
Subject: Re: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
December 2018
Posts: 11

Location: Norfolk, UK		I don't mean to incite a riot with this comment, but I have to say that I would love to see a LX version, to see if there really is a £2000+ difference in real life. Because the quality and sound of this beauty is awesome.
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Love O Fair
Posted 2018-12-13 7:54 PM (#546103 - in reply to #546016)
Subject: Re: Reposting request for advice on AX2078 vs AX2778



Joined:
February 2016
Posts: 1802

Location: When??		@ralphhardwick - >>>£2000+ difference<<<

That's a pretty sizable chunk in terms of "difference". IMHO, and especially for someone who has been away for 10 years, you made the correct choice in your purchase, and it will give you something nice (very nice) to play and enjoy while you continue to explore other options on your stroll down GAS Avenue. Congratulations!!
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