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June 2002
Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | Just wondering if anyone knows if there are any significant sonic differences between the (1613) Classical, and the (1616) Concert Classic?
I know the woods used for the tops were different, as were the bracing patterns, but both are deep bowl, non cutaways, and I'm just curious if anyone here has had experience with one or both and could offer a perspective. I'm considering the possibility of adding one of these to my arsenal. I have a Country Artist (which I love), but was wondering if the deep bowl alone would warrant enough difference in tone to add a second nylon string to my collection.
I appreciate your thoughts.
Jeff |
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August 2002
Posts: 398
Location: So. Cal. | What are you going to use it for? Classical or non-classical - these models have full width wide necks designed mainly for traditional classical style playing. I find the fingerboard very nice to work with, action is also comfortable. It will compare less favorably with the traditional classical guitars when it comes to volume and projection. Plug-in option is nice, but feedback can be a problem since the low 3 strings are very resonant. I use it mostly for practice at home. |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Jeff, I've owned a 1613 and 1116 but not at the same time. So I can't comment how how different they might sound from each other. But I think it will be slight. Compared to your Country Artist (which I had at the same time as the 1613), the 1613 will be deeper and louder. The Ovation classicals are very nice playing guitars. I must say however, that I always and trouble going back and forth between two different neck widths on nylon string guitars. Steel string is no problem and I switch from 1-11/16 to 1-3/4 transparently. But somehow switching from 1-7/8 to 2 inch nylon string guitars I never felt totally comfortable. I actually now use 1-11/16 steel, 1-3/4 steel, and 1-7/8 nylon and I have no problems, other than the obvious problem that I'm not a very good player. Back to the 1616 vs. 1613, I don't think you'll notice a difference. |
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June 2002
Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | Hey Guys,
Thank you both for your thoughts.
I play primarily in church (and the occasional hotel gig), and play single-note style with a pick, so I just like to alternate with nylon strings for more variety in tone. I'm not a classical player by any stretch (unless you count Classical Gas).
Dave, what you said about the 1613 being deeper and louder than the CA is exactly what I was wondering. That is, would the deep bowl on its own (not taking bracing patterns and other criteria into consideration) be enough to make a difference in depth of tone. I used to think a deep bowl automatically translated into more depth, but in comparing my '73 Legend against my Custom Legends, the CL's make the Legend sound like an artist bowl guitar.
Jeff |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Jeff, the depth and volume between deep bowl and artist bowl is much more noticable on nylon guitars than steel. I have no idea why. But I experienced it first hand between the 1613 and a 1624 country artist. Although I must say that I did like the 14 fret neck of the CA and the Artist Bowl was somewhat more comfortable. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Jeff, go for the 13. The cedar top will give you a wider sound difference between the 13 and the 24. The 16 with spruce will sound closer to your other guitar. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | Thanks everyone for your insights. I appreciate it. Without having the opportunity to play either one up front, I kinda lean toward the 1613. For some reason it seems to stand out as the slightly more "professional" quality instrument of the two, and as W-2 suggested, the cedar top would probably add a little extra nuance of tone variance against my Country Artist.
Thanks again...
Jeff |
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Classicals: 1613 vs. 1616