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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15687
Location: SoCal | I've got several different Ovation 6 strings that I really enjoy, but what I find is that while the latest one is my favorite for a while, I always come back to my 1537 Elite. Acoustically, it's got the balls to keep up with anything under a $2500 price range (which is more than I'd ever spend on a guitar w/o winning the lottery), and even though I have to go thru a parametric eq box when plugging in (hey, the preamp is 21 years old) I can get a great sound. It's my "forever" guitar.
What are your "forever" guitars that you keep coming back to? |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | easy one: 2001 Collector's Redwood Multi-Hole...an awesome guitar! |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Even though I've only had her two years and two months, my 1117 Legend is by far the richest, deepest, and greatest guitar I have ever played. Since the first time I picked it up in the Pawnshop from which I (my wife) bought it, I felt a connection I have never had (or even knew you could have) with an instrument.
Paul, have you ever played a 1117? I don't know if I just got lucky, or if they all sound like this one, but it is truly exceptional!
Norse(gosh, I feel like I just cheated on my wife :eek: )man1 |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Easy for me too:Collector's 2000, Australian Lacewood, honey finish. I think stonebobbo will agree: SAWEET guitar! |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 86
Location: northern virginia | Is the 1537 a non-cutaway, deep bowl model? I have always wanted one of those. Apart from the fabulous sound I’m sure it projects, IMHO, Elite non-cutaways in natural finish are some of the most beautiful guitars ever made. :) |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15687
Location: SoCal | Round:
The 1537 was the first year for Elites. Selected spruce tops, wood bindig, walnut fingerboards, etc.
Norsey:
Yeah, I've got a 1117 that I bought back in 1978. It sounds a lot like the 72 Balladeer that I just bought. Not enough bass to suit me. I've never known if that was just my guitar or what. But it's good to hear different opinions. Your's was built in the 70's wasn't it? If you get the 1537 on ebay, you'll probably notice a huge difference in sound. Whether it's a better difference, you'll be the only one who can say. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | That's right, you told me about your 1117 before...I forgot.
I have a 1981 model. It surprises me what you said about bass, as that is the one attribute I love most about this guitar Booming Bass!
The closest in overall tone I've ever played/heard (live anyway) was a vintage Jumbo Gibson a friend has (J-200?).
1537 on ebay? I don't know wht you're talking about! I think Paul's been out in the sun too long guys, there is no 1537 on ebay.
Norse(nope, I double checked...nothing out there guys ;) )man1 |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15687
Location: SoCal | Norsey:
The Legends built from about 1980 on had the "A" bracing. Made all the difference in the world to the bass response. Those were guitars that were beautiful to look at and sounded wonderful. The 80's were good years for Ovations.
I must have been wrong about that ebay thingy (did I do ok with that?) |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Hey Paul, I noticed in the Sell/Trade section, there is a '99 1718 Elite. The description makes it souind like a modern version of the 1537 (Deep bowl/ non-cutaway) any experience with these? sounds very interesting.
Norse(yes, good job covering for me on that 1537...I think we fooled them all :cool: Let's just keep this one between the two of us ;) )man1 |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | I have a 1537 also and acoustically, it is the best guitar that I have played. My only problem with it is I can't get the action lower than a shade under 4/32", which although is not high action, my two other Ovations have very low action-3/64". There are no shims left under the saddle, so I guess I'm stuck with the action as is unless I want to send the guitar back to the factory which right now I don't think is necessary. The 1537 sounds great with custom light strings (.011-.052) but my 1619 CL plays better even with heavier (.012-.056) strings. I've never played an Adamas, so I don't have a basis to compare, but the quality of the sound of the 1537 is so sweet than I really can't imagine a better sounding Ovation. I have to admit though that the Taylor 414, no cutaway or electonics, is a particularly great guitar for fingerstyle with sparkling type overtones; however even campared with that guitar, the 1537 has better string to string balance and is a vastly superior guitar when played with a pick. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I am still searching for that "forever" guitar ... I guess that's the ultimate definition of GAS. Since I tend to keep everything I buy, seems they're all forever guitars. I do like my 2000 Collectors a lot. I have been on the prowl for a 1537, and since Norse(don't lose this one since I'm staying out because you're in)Man gots his eye on the eBay one I'm still in the search mode. I'm also on the prowl for a 1982 Collectors so whichever one hits first might be the next one. I was most hoping for a limited edition OFC model, but not sure where that's ended up.
All that said, the one I keep coming back to, and is my "forever" guitar if pushed to it, is my mahogany Viper solidbody (recently back from Kim and the magic elves with a complete refinish and boy-oh-boy is this the guitar to beat all guitars).
Meanwhile, I will continue to evade the "Significant Other Negative Acquisition Reaction" (SONAR) amidst the occasional surprise package showing up in the search for "the one". |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | "Meanwhile, I will continue to evade the "Significant Other Negative Acquisition Reaction" (SONAR) amidst the occasional surprise package showing up in the search for "the one".
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//0~0\stonebobbo"
That is funny as hell! SONAR, the anti-GAS!
Good one!
/\/\/ |
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1537 Elite