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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Custom Balladeer.
Bought it new in the summer of '76.
First guitar I ever bought.
Was looking for a Yamaha (or similar) to learn on.
The planets were aligned in my favor that day I went home with one of the best guitars a working musician could ever own. |
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December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | My first Ovation was a Celebrity bought six years ago from a friend. My first USA made one (beautiful Legend) I just got in February. My experience with Ovations goes back to when, as an 8th grader, I took guitar lessons from a guy who lived two blocks over from us in the eraly 70's, he played strictly Ovations.....
My GAS is somewhat placated for now with the new Legend, but a 12 string is would sure look good next to it or in my hands! :D |
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Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Funny thing Paul, I'm looking to sell my Adamas 12 string SMT in mint condition!
Anyway...my first "O" was my Elite 12 string, bought in '94. She's lived through many gigs, and still my favorite. GAS got the better of me, and since I've gotten a Custom Legend 6 string 4 years ago, and an Adamas SMT 12 string last year.
It's a wicked drug, I swear. Looking to buy a Custom Legend 12 string. Played one last week and it melted in my hands...it was THE guitar for me. Can't stop thinking about it. My girl will kill me if I bring yet another guitar into the apt! (8 already there).
Help? 12 strings, I mean, steps aren't curing me! |
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February 2003
Posts: 2178
Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | Hello Guys (and Gals?) This is my first post (So be gentle) But I wanted to tell of my first O! It was a '78 Custom Balladeer #1112-4 (Still got it!) I've been a Glen Campbell/Ovation nut ever since the '70s. After many years of lust (for the Ovation not Glen) I finally found the #1112 in 1980 cause it was the closest looking to a Glen Campbell model(fancy diamond inlays on neck) Played it for years all the while lookin' for more O's!! In the years since I've gotten GAS and my O collection has grown to seven(Including a '78 Glen Campbell and my latest a '94 EA68 Viper!-both bought on ebay)....Norseman1 said it best in his March 6th post-Ovations do have something magical about them!!! My name is Mike and yes I'm an Ovatiaholic!
I'll try to get some pics of my o's posted soon!
Mike :cool: |
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Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | These are some GREAT stories each and every one. My story is extremely lacking in impact, but it's the only story I have. In the 70's I was playing bluegrass with the son of our local (Poway CA) music store, and being helped a lot by the ex-Marine Korean vet, Bill, who owned the store. Bill was getting us gigs, loaning us sound equipment, and giving me tremendous discounts on everything. He had been a partner in a music store in Escondido, CA that went out of business and had been an Ovation dealer, to settle some dispute they sent Bill what was left of their Ovation inventory and among them was a new Viper that I was attracted to, thinking that some day I might want to go electric, so he gave me a good deal on it, happy to get the cash. I don't recall any good Ovation acoustics in that inventory or I might have bought one. As the years went by and bluegrass never went to electric lead, the guitar set in it's case and even visited a pawnshop a time or to as I was struggling to become established here in NM, it was like new so they usually gave me a couple hundred or more right off which was enough and I was still able to redeem it with no problem. I finally decided to play the thing a few years ago, and got curious about it and visited the Ovation web site and ended up on this board. I have always been totally impressed by the sound and quality of my Viper, but am still a novice when it comes to electric playing even though I've played acoustically, mandolin mostly and guitar, for over 50 years. I am contemplating an Ovation 12 string of some sort.
(My name is Bailey, and I'm a GASaholic Ovationist)
Bailey |
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Posts: 53
Location: Los Angeles | In 1990. A blue birdseye maple top that was supposed to be NEW, from Guitar Center in Covina, CA(I am not sure the model number but I believe it was a special edition.The battery went out about three days after I got it and when I had it changed at a local store, the man told me that this guitar was definetly not new. So I raised a stink with the manager at G.C. and told them that I would only be happy if I could pick the guitar up directly from the wherehouse so I could make sure that they did'nt screw me again, and they relucantly let me pick up my brand new 12 string sunburst Ultra from the wherehouse. I then moved on to "THE BEAST", a new 1994 1858 Elite 12 string that has had the headstock cracked twice and repaired, after blowing off the stand at outdoor windy shows. It has been blistered and warped from playing it poolside in the Las Vegas desert heat, and finaly the box was run over and the top cracked, by the UPS truck after receiving it back from the Ovation factory, where John said, it looked as though I had been wrestling alligators with it. It has been crazy glued together and still plays and sounds beautiful. |
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Location: South Africa | Mine is just a basic Korean made Celebrity, bought new only a few months ago in December 2002. I love it! :) |
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November 2002
Posts: 3650
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | My mission has been to pluck damaged O's from the icy grasp of The Grim Reaper, restore them to function, and pass them along to, hopefully, new converts to The Membership. I believe the count is now at six, given my memory is a target-rich environment for Age & Gravity. I still have the original 1111 (no hyphen, no number) that is the best thing since sliced bread. I also kept the CS255 honeyburst 12 A/E, because I HAVE to own a 12-string- it somehow fills my ears and soothes my nerves (Yes, Norsey, they ARE magical!). My technique still sucks, but I still want to play. I believe its because they're roundbacks (my story, and I'm stickin' to it).
Thanks for letting me share. It works if you work it. Keep comin' back!! (No offense to Friends of Bill W.) |
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Posts: 14
Location: tennessee | I was around Ovations when I was a teenager. Several of the "cool" kids at church had them. I also remember Glen Campbell and Bobby Goldsboro playing O's on TV. I had to wait 30 years to get my first one, though--an applause AE68. Sold it buy a Celebrity. Am thinking I need the aforementioned 12 string program. ;) |
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Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I was the owner of a fairly new Takamine F400S 12-string around 1976 when I saw Dave Mason live several times and was blown away by his Ovations, both 6 and 12 strings. It took me a few years to scramble the money (I was having to put rear tires on an SS396 every couple of months), but finally bought a mahogany top USA Ultra in 1983. Since then the Takamine has gone, but was replaced by a Custom Legend 12-string. Also along the way picked up a solid body Viper, a supershallow Balladeer (got rid of it) and a 2000 Collectors. Bought my son a cheap 3/4 size shallow body Applause for his first ... not much on sound but sturdy as hell and impervious to the "El Kabong" antics of normal nine year olds. Later picked up a CS212 Celebrity mid bowl which sounded much better, and made for an improved second generation of weaponry. Now he plays my O's (eliciting screams of "pick control, pick control!"), but the traitor went out and got himself a J-200. Alas, parents sometimes have to let their kids make their own mistakes. :) |
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Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | 72 balladeer------still have it and still affectionatly play it. it now has over 30 other ovation brothers and what is my next ovation seems to be the question i ask myself. i think it will be a longneck------- |
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Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | My first Ovation was purchased in 1972 and was a shallow bowl Artist. Like many people, I had seen Glen Campbell play one on tv and was facindated! I even saw an article on Glen and Ovations in my grandfather's Popular Mechanics magazine. I bought the Artist for $295 (reduced in price from $320 because the gutiar had fallen over and a corner of the headstock was broken), first putting in on layaway, then paying for it over time when my dad co-signed for me. I bought the Artist because I didn't think I could afford the high cost of the Glen Campbell model -- $265! Another $75. Boy was that dumb.
I traded that in 1979 for a Legend (big mistake --- I wish I still had the Artist). Then in 1993 I bought a ten year old 1537 Elite (huge story on that), then in 1996 Big Blue. In about 2000 I bought a Classical (1763), then in 2001, a Country Artist (cutaway). Last October a Preacher Deluxe 12 string, and in December I sold the classical (no regrets) and bought a Thunderhead that had been built in late 67, early 68.
Also, about 4 years ago I bought a Viper and over the last year built it into a Viper Deluxe.
Sorry to bore you guys with such a long missive. Bottom line, 1972 -- Artist.
The next question would be, who here FIRST bought an Ovation? Can anybody beat 1972? Bet somebody can. |
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| started out playing one of those horrible $19.95 Montgomery Wards acoustics at the age of 12ish; after sticking with guitar for about a year (about how long it took to tune that piece of poo) my dad took me to a music store and let me blow my lawnmowing money on an aluminum fingerboard Applause in the sunburst. It was a great guitar (compared to anything else my friends had) and I played the heck out of it. Darn near drove my folks crazy with bad versions of Neil Young songs for hours. Picked up a used Legend and played that through college; after I got my first job out of school I scored a 1988 Ovation Limited that I still own and love. Funny thing is that I always wanted a good "traditional" acoustic, but I was "raised on Roundbacks" and I just haven't found a "trad" that sounds right to my ears lol. Picked up a cedar-top Takamine EN10, but I prefer the tone of an Adamas or Elite with fresh strings. Currently spending some time with some longnecked thang... |
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Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | My first Ovation, a Standard Balladeer (natural top), came my way in 1971 at the ripe old age of eleven. I, too, had been bitten by the Ovation bug as a result of Glen Campbell's weekly TV show. The music store where I was taking guitar lessons had gotten this one in used, and the kindly old gent that owned the store knew how badly I'd been wanting an Ovation, so he worked with me (and my parents!) on the deal. Since then, I ve probably owned thirty or forty different O's (at various times). Today, I have ten guitars in my arsenal, seven of which are Ovations. I also hope -- one of these days -- to post pictures of my "babies" in the Gallery.
Regards,
Jeff |
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December 2002
Posts: 29
| I started on a crappy St. George solid body electric and a Champ amp when I was about 12. Traded that straight across for a Gibson ES175C (not a bad deal, huh?). Didn't have that very long because I came across a cool looking (Moserite look-alike) Vox (1965ish) Bulldog with a Fender Vibroverb amp so I traded the Gibson for that (stupid, stupid, stupid...). Then, in my junior year of college, I, too, fell victim to those Glenn Campbell shows and picked up a spankin' new '72 Artist Balladeer (1121-4). I didn't take it to school though. It lived in its case under my bed at home. I took a $75 beater guitar to school and didn't worry about it. The Ovation is still in pristine condition. I added a fishman active pickup and it still plays pretty well. I could be happier with the electronics. I have struggled a little recently with neck adjustments and string gauge because I'm trying to get the action closer to my electrics. I still have the Vox, but have added a Fender Lonestar Strat, a Washburn bass, an Ovation Balladeer 12 string, and an Aslin Dane Jazz35 (335 clone). |
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Location: AZ from TEXAS | A red 1978 Custom Balladeer that I traded someone a plane ticket for about ten years ago. You can't even trade plane tickets anymore. |
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Location: W.Redding, CT | I've wanted an Ovation for many years, and while attending a guitar show in Auburn Mass this past weekend, I purchased a CS 257 Celebrity Deluxe. I've tried to trace the serial number as I was told by the selling dealer that this guitar was only 4-6 months old. Does anyone here know how to trace serial numbers for the Korean O's ? |
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March 2002
Posts: 255
| My first Ovation meant a lot to me. When I was working in Customer service back in 1993. Al D`Meola`s Sunburst custom legend came through. The body was shot and the neck was bashed. I later asked him why the neck was this way.{ he is very picky about his neck]s. The roadies were careless. This was the guitar he played in live at San Fransico with john M. and Paco D. if anyone knows. The body was cut in half to retrieve any important stuff like label and electronics. Plus everything had to be cut in half so people wouldnt retrieve them and bring them to local repair shops. Mainly because they complained. I was able to save the neck and put it on a beautiful custom legend top that needed repair. WHAT A SOUNDING INSTRUMENT. |
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Posts: 63
Location: Dallas, GA, USA | About 1990 or so if I recall, I went to the beach with some friends and family (who all play), and one guy had a black roundhole cutaway O that sounded fantastic. I spent a bunch of time sitting in the floor playing his guitar. When I got home I spotted a white (or probably more correctly, cream-colored) 1982 1111 Balladeer in a music store used, I think I paid about $200 with a case. I still have it, and the longer I have it the more I appreciate how nice it sounds. I later bought a natural Celeb Deluxe just because I like the multi-soundhole models, and now that my wife has her eyes on that one I just bought an Adamas CVT from Alpep... man, if that guitar doesn't get here soon I'm gonna go nuts! |
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Posts: 280
Location: Waterloo, IL | I first heard an Ovation when I was in Korea. I was trying to teach myself how to play. A guy had an O and gave me a couple of lessons. Had to wait until just before this deployment to the Middle East on board a ship to get my own O. Bought a used 1711 Balladeer. Great guitar. Had a Marine on board with a super shallow celebrity. We got together and played some. He was amazed at how much better my Balladeer sounded over his Celebrity. His Celebrity was the first A/E that I have seen that did not require a battery to plug in.
Chuck
Still in the Middle East waiting for the war to end. |
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July 2002
Posts: 280
Location: Waterloo, IL | I first heard an Ovation when I was in Korea. I was trying to teach myself how to play. A guy had an O and gave me a couple of lessons. Had to wait until just before this deployment to the Middle East on board a ship to get my own O. Bought a used 1711 Balladeer. Great guitar. Had a Marine on board with a super shallow celebrity. We got together and played some. He was amazed at how much better my Balladeer sounded over his Celebrity. His Celebrity was the first A/E that I have seen that did not require a battery to plug in.
Chuck
Still in the Middle East waiting for the war to end. |
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Posts: 196
Location: Shelton, Washington, USA | a 78 1111. still got it. still play it. still sounds great. bought it cuz i fell in love with it when i tried it out at the store. had to have it. picked up a few more O's since, but that one (frances lerenia) is my favorite. |
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Posts: 127
Location: Corvallis, OR | I own two ovations, including the wide neck Folklore (I play finger style). I am attracted to the durable construction, the sound,and the feel of the neck.
But there is another reason, and it's hard to articulate. But there is a part of me that doesn't want to be like other people. And the Ovation simply doesn't look like other people's guitars, and I am quite comfortable with that. |
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Location: Lansing, Michigan | First Kaman Corp. product: A 1st-generation Applause steel string, acquired in 1976. I'd been eying the roundbacks ever since they'd come out, but I was still a poor college student (post-grad at this point). In mid-1976, my local used-instrument store (Elderly Instruments, www.elderly.com) put this Applause on their "Dutch Auction" (Price is dropped until it sells or it gets turned into firewood.) Some surface finish cracks, all that I could see. I had an entry-level Ibanez dreadnought that I figured was worth about what the Applause was down to, and we swapped even. I still have the instrument, though I'd scraped the paint off the fingerboard to bare metal at the D chord.
My first "true" Ovation was a ca. 1981 Stereo Classic that I picked up in 1988. You can't see it all that well but I'm wielding it in the photo on my music page (http://members.aol.com/jwfmusic/music1/index.htm). I'd just started my first post-college job, and was in my first serious guitar-buying hunt, looking to upgrade from my entry-level Yamaha classical guitar. Anyway, Elderly had three nylon-string roundbacks, at least 1 with a 14-string neck, but the Stereo Classic caught my eye hardest. Somebody else had put a hold on it, but the salesman suggested I put another hold under that one, in case the first buyer didn't come through. Well, he didn't, and it came home with me. It's been my primary instrument ever since. A sweet sound and plays nicely, with the capability to plug in if necessary.
-- John Filpus |
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Posts: 1900
| First new Ovation? 1971 Standard balladeer, shiney bowl, acoustic only; Loaned it to a friend and he broke it. His dad made him buy me an Artist model to replace it. I traded that for a "Campbell" artist, then a 'country artist', then another model and another model,etc.,.......
....I have been an 'ovationaholic' ever since. |
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Location: Gig Harbor, Washington | O.K. - Here's my shot at whimsical nostalgia...The year was 1973, in mid-June, & I was 13 1/2 with my first real job (as a dish-pit monkey in a waterfront restaurant). I stopped into the old Ted Brown Music, in Tacoma, Wa (Matt Smith will be there on May 8th!) and picked up & plugged in an A/E Artist (which was a big step from the garage sale classical I was trying to learn Beattles, Byrds & Turtles on!) and I was instantly spellbound.
By the time School started in the fall, I had a 1621-1 (6 string A/E artist in sunburst) which cost $495 + 100/case and 5.3% tax - for a whopping total of $626.54 (wholelottabucks4a13yrold!)
I still have that sweet lady, we've been all over the globe together, and she's 5 feet away in my office as I write (and yes, I can't keep my hands offa her!). Fortunes have come and gone, I've seen the rise & fall of numerous studios and collections of instruments, but she (and my wife of 20 years!) have remained constant. I better wrap it before I get emotional on y'all! Peace, Love and Feedback Control...Keep In Tune~ MisterGolf007 :cool: |
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Posts: 398
Location: Gig Harbor, Washington | O.K. - Here's my shot at whimsical nostalgia...The year was 1973, in mid-June, & I was 13 1/2 with my first real job (as a dish-pit monkey in a waterfront restaurant). I stopped into the old Ted Brown Music, in Tacoma, Wa (Matt Smith will be there on May 8th!) and picked up & plugged in an A/E Artist (which was a big step from the garage sale classical I was trying to learn Beattles, Byrds & Turtles on!) and I was instantly spellbound.
By the time School started in the fall, I had a 1621-1 (6 string A/E artist in sunburst) which cost $495 + 100/case and 5.3% tax - for a whopping total of $626.54 (wholelottabucks4a13yrold!)
I still have that sweet lady, we've been all over the globe together, and she's 5 feet away in my office as I write (and yes, I can't keep my hands offa her!). Fortunes have come and gone, I've seen the rise & fall of numerous studios and collections of instruments, but she (and my wife of 20 years!) have remained constant. I better wrap it before I get emotional on y'all! Peace, Love and Feedback Control...Keep In Tune~ MisterGolf007 :cool:
P.S. My current stock of O's consist of 6 necks, 8 pickups and 42 strings (you do the math!) ...Well, gotta-go, I'm chairing the meeting of the local chapter of OvationBuyers Anonymous! !Hasta Luego, Hombres! ;) |
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Location: Indiana | 197? GC 12, 1118-4 I think. The neck has a little dip in the middle now but it still sounds great and doesn't buzz unless you really bang on it. Bought it new,would never sell it. |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I realized I never answered this.
In the mid 80's I was cruising around a flea market and bought an applause with a metal neck for $20. I took it home and strung it up to find out that the neck was warped. I called up Ovation service. (realizing years later I probably talked to John Budny) and asked if they could fix it. they had a fix and it was $35. I got the RA number and sent the guitar back. A month or so went by and I called and asked about the guitar. They said they were backed up and the guitar was in the works. I called back a month later they apologized and said the guitar was in finishing. Now I was afraid since I did not ask for the guitar to get finished and it had some deep scratches on the top. Well I just waited. a few weeks later the guitar arrived.
The neck was straight, the cracked rosette was replaced and the scratches in the top were buffed out and taken care of. I was blown away at the amount of service I got for my $35. I called and thanked them for the great job they did on this guitar.
A friend came over fell in love with the guitar and had to have it so I sold it to him. A few years later I got an early Adamas and I never looked back. |
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Location: Marietta, Ga | I bought my 1617 in vintage sunburst in 1979 and still have it. I was in college at the time and fell in love with it. It was my main guitar until 1997. I purchased a new pickup in 2002, so it still sounds pretty good electronically. I have a Taylor 814ce now, so I don't play it much anymore. However, it sounds surprising good acoustically.
Bing |
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Posts: 420
Location: On the beach in Southwest Florida | First Ovation was a super shallow bowl celebrity. When I tried a midbowl elite 1778T, I had to have it. Now I am lusting after an Adamus. Tried out a Melissa Etheridge 6 string signature model that I wish I could afford...maybe after our new house is completed in March...extra cash will magically appear. |
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Location: San Pedro, CA | Hi all. New to the BB. Thought the question was worth pondering, and responding to. Got my first O in 1978...a Custom Legend Stereo (Legend Ltd.). $1,200 or so out the door then...took my entire savings. And thats a lot of hours worked at Disneyland, let me tell you! Nutmeg beautiful, and rich in tone. Sold a Fender Strat to help buy it. I'm really sad that I'm gonna list it on eBay next week. As a 53 year old player now, I can finally afford to buy the axes I always wanted. Got a Ricky 381/12string/V69 last year, and last week got the Gib Les Paul Studio Lite I always wanted as well. Last year, bought a decent Celebrity shallow-bowl to goof around on...but not even close to my 1978 in quality and sound. Geez...finally... guitar rich, time poor, and now overstocked on axes. The wife if having a tizzy fit. Too many axes (4) and amps (4) in the house...no more storage room. So...moving on and up. If anyone's interested in buying my axe, email mail quickly, as it goes on the block sometime next week. |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Jim, just my opinion.....wow, I'd put the Celebrity on eBay and KEEP your Legend if it were me! However, being in a similar place (5 guitars, the sixth coming), I can understand your need to move something, and the Legend would certainly bring more money. I'm at the point now myself, where it is "one in, one out". Good luck.
Roger
1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Celebrity CC01 Spruce Top 6-String
COMING SOON - 1986 Glen Campbell 12-string |
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Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | It was very cool to go back and read this whole thread started a year ago.
I'd keep the Legend and sell the cheaper guitar. Personal opinion. Tell your wife that 4 guitars is not that many. I've got (gotta think now) I've got about 11 guitars on stands and walls around the house, all but one are Ovations.
Guess I'm lucky. when I talk about selling something I'm not playing my wife's comment is "I cannot condone the selling of a guitar". I know I keep posting that, but it is just so fucking unreal to me, to be married to somebody so understanding.
Then she goes off and picks her nose. I take the good with the bad. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Just after High School ("78") the group of guys I hung out and played guitar with pointed me to a used Standard Balladeer that had been in case about 3 years. $300 and I was playing Stairway to Heaven and trying to figure out how Nancy Wilson did it! I had learned on and been borrowing my sisters Guild.
PS - I would be happy to store/play/send you pictures of your guitars if your wives think you have too many! :D |
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Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | 
I had traded a Gibson SG for A Fender Telecaster Thinline Deluxe. After sending the Tele back to the factory four times to have the neck replaced, (wasn't CBS great???) I went back to the dealer and demanded a refund (which I got). For about two week there-after I would go into the store and try different guitars. I had just about settled on a Gibson LP but, found some low frets on it. The store owner told me to try the Breadwinner. I found it so comfortable that I bought it immediately and ordered the case. I've had it ever since. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | It is great to read this thread from last year, what is sort of weird is this thread reappearing right after I pulled out one of my Glen Campbell Good Time Hour video tapes last night and saw Glen, Johnny Cash, June Carter, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Mel Tillis, Liberache, Neil Diamond, Jerry Reid, Linda Ronstadt, and more, and many beautiful Ovation guitars in Glen's and Jerry's hands. I was transported back to the 70's, as all these stars were young again as we all were when we first encountered our Ovations. And the shows were GREAT.
Bailey |
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Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | My turn to put my story in here.....I found my interest in Ovation guitars from watching Glen Campbell play them on his show, and it was cemented after seeing Jim Peterik and the Ides Of March play in March 1972....Jim had a Balladeer that he used for their CSNY-type songs and I was entranced by the great sound(I was in the sixth row, center). So I vowed I would get an Ovation someday.
"Someday" turned out to be after college, in January 1977. I still didn't have much money, but I was in a music store one day just looking and saw this roundback guitar hanging on the wall....it said "applause" on the headstock.....hmmmm....LOOKS like an Ovation??? Got it down and played it.....SOUNDS like an Ovation(to my inexperienced ears).....hmmmm.....only $150 with a case???? SOLD!
Enjoyed it for a year or so before I fell out of playing, but I never wanted to sell the guitar, it sounded too good to me. I never knew the Kaman/Ovation/Applause connection until this year.
It still sits in a corner of the living room in its case, although it is now in "semi-retirement"....
Roger
1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Celebrity CC01 Spruce Top 6-String
COMING SOON - 1986 Glen Campbell 12-string |
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Location: south east Michigan | Great question!!!!
About 1971....Balladeer #1111-0. My father & I went shopping for it. I was very attracted to the science behind it. I'm always drawn to new ideas. (my first new car was a '72 Gremlin and I had one of the first minivans). My father had a price figure in mind but was impressed with my enthusiasim. Also, my fingers are kind of short so the thin neck played easier. It sounded better than the Yahmaha I was concidering. Lasty, I had a feeling that it was crafted for durability. It must be because it has been my only acoustic for 33 years.
Again, great question.
Brad
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Location: Yucaipa, California | Ok, Here's mine.....
I was a Gibson Snob since the first time I heard Duane Allman play in 1972... in 1974 I bought a Les Paul Custom and a Hummingbird Custom. Monetary cosiderations forced the sale of the Les Paul back in 1980, but I kept the beloved Hummingbird.
With the passing of years my musical tastes have changed and I find myself playing almost exclusively in "Churchy" venues... I belong to an Elder Care Music Ministry and play a lot of Rest Homes.
I found that in order to use the Hummingbird, I needed to either use a microphone or a Dean Markley sound hole pickup. Both were poor options.
I needed some way to "plug-in" but also produce as much sound as possible.
With much searching, last year, I spotted the Ovation 6751 12-string Balladeer and fell in love with it. I liked it so much that I turned around and bought a Balladeer S771 6-string! They have become my workhorses.
After finding the OFC and, providentially, finding Saint Al, I dealt with him and he has my Hummingbird and I have a gorgeous 2001 Collector's Redwood! This is the finest guitar I have ever played!
All in all, I am a committed (or as some will say, should be soon) Ovationite!
tim |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Saint Al????
Watch out for the lightening bolts!!!
or is that thunderbolts??? |
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Location: NJ | It's Lightning bolts.
Thunderbolts are those ugly guitars you let them build
:D |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | My First Ovataion was a Glen Campbell 12 String
That my dad helped me buy in 1978.I was a fan of the Ovation Sound and after Starting on an Epiphone acoustic and graduating to a Solid Top
Yamaha I decided I wanted an Ovation. For Some Reason I decided on the 12 String and I'm Glad I did. Played it Joyfully for Many years Then about 1987 for some reason (temporary Insanity) I sold it. Did not own another O until august this past year when my 1858 12 String Elite Arrived-Complete with Mid depth Bowl and Transparent Blue Finish. It sounds incredible. This is one i will never part with. |
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Location: NJ | Saint Al?
funny it seems to have a nice ring to it... |
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Location: NJ | Maybe you're thinking of Saint Alphonso
(". . don't go where the huskies go and don't you eat that yellow snow . ."). |
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Location: NJ | and I do love pancakes for breakfast!!!!! |
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Location: Netherlands | My first Ovation was a '92 Korean Ultra about a year ago. Why? Because I went to buy a set of Ernie Ball Super Slinkys .009
BTW: Ralph, you're probably the only person in the world that says I look better now than back then :) :) :)
Thanx
Martin |
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Location: south east Michigan | Great reading here. Two things stand out to me. First, i'm suprised at the number who were influenced by celebrity usage. Second, how many of us still have that first Ovation years and sometimes decades later. That might have something to do with the love of the instrument but I think it has more to do with the durability and craftsmanship that went into it. I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that the Yamaha I was considering in 1971 has long been put to rest.
Brad
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Location: Texas | My first Ovation I purchased new back in '76-'77.
I don't know which model it was, probably a Balladeer. Mid-bowl, natural top, single volume control on upper bout. Nothing fancy. Came with a brown/tan hardshell case.
I bought it because I was in a band, and wanted an acoustic that could be amplified. I believe I was influenced by the artists of the day, many using Ovation.
After 3 years (approx. '80), out of band, sold that guitar, needed the cash to eat.
Flash forward to late '03, volunteered to play for the church children's choir. Went straight to Ovations again. Tried a used Celebrity, exchanged and paid extra for a used '99 S771 Balladeer. Fits me like a glove. Easier to play than the original Ovation I had years ago.
-Gary K |
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Location: The Shop | OK Here is mine---- A custom built 1778T Bass with the op -pro preamp. I may be wrong, but I belive that this is the only Ovation acoustic Bass ever built with a maple neck. It was my first, because I play bass and I didnt like the elite basses that we build(not that there is anything wrong with them)so I waited till we built something that looked really cool and turned it in to a bass. Plus I couldnt afford a Ovation Bass until now! |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Great stories, keep it up everyone, only a couple thousand untold member's stories left to post and that might get us a Guinness record for the longest post on any website in history. 1778T Bass is very intriguing.
Keeep it up, let's get that record and then Miles can publish it as a book. "Over 2000 Exciting Tales of OVirginity Lost, a Guinness Record". That title will sell millions of copies.
Bailey |
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Location: SoCal | First Ovation was a slothead, dark sunburst Custom Legend 12-string. Came out of the 1981 NAMM so probable late 1980 model; acoustic. Had a Martin D-18 12-string from 1970-1978, all types of problems (crack in top through wood, stripped tuners, etc.) Sold it in 1978, no guitar except for an inexpensive classical until 1981 when started playing with a group called the Jolly Troubadors in Oregon - a little of this and a little of that plus as a church group. Had to sell it in 1991 - financial. No Ovation until this year. Now 12...3 CL 6's (incl 30th anniv, 3 CL 12's, GC 12, 2 basses (Typhoon and Viper), 1763 Classic, 2002 Collectors, and a Balladeer. Why did I buy the Ovation? Lousy service by Martin - sealed the crack instead of replacing the top even though under full warranty, crack was still very visible. Also, the combination of playability, abalone and pearl, and dark sunburst - it was like I was under a spell. Helped that the guitar store owner sold it to me for $635 - 1/2 the retail. May St. Peter give Marty of Marty's Guitar in Portland, OR his own 30th Anniv. |
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| hi,
as a bass player my first Ovation was a USA viper acoustic bass. Brought in the last quarter of 2003 with the help of many people here. I had fallen in love with the bass ever since seeing Richie sambora play the normal acoutic of it, to my delight when I saw a Bon Jovi Video Alec Jon Such was playing a bass version. It was from that day that i made sure that when i had the money i would get one. Havent looked back. |
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Location: NJ | xcms man you need to bring that bass to the jam after the tour. Kim usually plays bass but I am sure he would love to have someone else give him a break! |
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Location: Perth Amboy, NJ | I was working in Manhattan in the winter of 1982. There was a blizzard and I was stuck at work (I lived on Staten Island at the time) and a co-worker invited me to stay over at his apartment on 36th Street. He had a Pacemaker 12 string sitting on a stand and he let me play it. (My accoustic at the time was a non-amplified Guild 6). I was blown away by the action and tone ... later that week I went to Mandolin Brothers and walked out with 2! Ovations - a Pacemaker 12 slothead in dark brown sunburst, and a 1983 Collectors Edition (first super-shallow bowl). I own both to this day. The 12 has been tuned to concert pitch for over 20 years and is in near perfect condition too, although the brown case is starting to fall apart and rust. |
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Location: East Flat Rock NC | first post. I needed a gigging acoustic that had a good pickup, was tough, and most importantly played well and was comfortable to my hand, I found a black textured model (1777T I think)that I really bonded with , this was about 2 months ago, still very happy HHB |
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Location: Oakton, VA | In the Spring of 1970, finally out from under my college tuition, I felt flush with money and purchased a drop dead Gibson Byrdland hollow body electric guitar. Within two years, I realized the Byrdland would be better served in the hands of a far more accomplished musician, my younger brother, then still a teenager. It never sounded better.
A few months later my brother gave me a present, a 1972 Ovation Balladeer which, I imagine, wiped out his savings at the time.
I still have it. |
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Location: SoCal | Does your brother still have the Byrdland? |
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Location: Central Oregon | This is quite a thread.
I bought my first Ovation a year ago last February. I had played an Ovation that belonged to Kip Attaway many years ago & was very impressed. When I bought my first O I didn't realize that all Ovations are NOT created equal until after I found this board. The one I bought was a Celebrity 12 string with a poorly set neck. I bought it off ebay & sold it off on ebay. It was my first & last non USA Ovation. If I had not found this board it would have been my first, last & ONLY Ovation. I bought my first American made Ovation brand new about 6 or 8 months ago. It's an 1858 BCB SS 12 string. I love it & I will probably always have it. I bought a 1612-4 (1985) a few months ago "so I would have a 6 string Ovation while I was saving up for a 2003 Collectors". Now I can't bring myself to part with it. I've grown to love that big deep bowl non-cutaway sound. But I still needed a cutaway six string. Soooo... & here's the good part- I lost interest in the 2003 when I bought a 2002 Collectors from Tony Calman the other day. It's prettier than the 2003 imo. It's the same one that Tony got from Paul Hebert. It's gorgeous & I don't care if it's been "sleeping around" before I got it. I think Tony finally got to the "move one in gotta move one out" stage :) With the two twelve strings & the CL & the 30th Anniversary all newly arrived or heading for his house it might be a tad crowded down there, huh Tony? :) Lucky for me! I'm delighted to be able to acquire the 2002. I couldn't have done it through a dealer but Tony is making it very easy for me to buy this guitar. Great deal all around, thanks Tony! It should be here early next week. Right now I have pictures, at least I have pictures...
That African Cherry makes my eyes go funny after a while staring at the pictures, I can't wait to see it in front of me.
/\/\/ |
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Location: Oakton, VA | Paul,
No, he sold the Byrdland some time ago. He never felt perfectly comfortable with the Byrdland's short (24 3/4") scale. He was switching in and out of guitars on a regular basis but a Heritage has been around for quite some now: maybe that is his keeper.
-Tom |
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Location: Austin, Tx | 1617 Legend. A gift from my father ten years ago; He had It for several years and Gave it to me when I developed an interest in the guitar. I still have it and play it often. It's one of my favorite guitars. |
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Location: PA | This thread has legs! I must've been asleep when it got started....
My first Ovation was the now prized GP. My friend actually found it and bought it for $200 or so, a couple days later I played it and fell in love. This was back in '89 or so....I ended up trading him a Westone pantera guitar and my old Fostex X-30 four-track for it. I still have the GP and it's still my favorite electric. |
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| First was a balladeer, then...
an artist
a campbell artist
a country artist
a deacon
another country artist
a custom balladeer
an elite 12string...
(next will be a longneck, if i can find one...)
steve |
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Location: Yucaipa, California | Steve,
There's an Elite Longneck listed in the Member's Sell/Trade section....
tim |
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Location: Huntington Beach, CA | Started playing in '65 and have had many cheap and top-end guitars over the years. Bought first Ovation 2 years ago. Its a 1869 Custom Legend with a Cherry top, 1998 I think. Beautiful and sounds great plugged in. Wanted acoustic quality too so I bought an S771, I think its a 1999. This is the best sounding acoustic guitar I have ever owned. Better than my '43 Martin and that's saying something.
Typical of me, always looking to improve on things, I'm looking for a better A/E, maybe with deep bowl and epaulette sound holes. Problem is its hard to part with any of my guitars and I'm out of room. Got plenty to be happy about though.
Best to all and God bless in '04! |
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| tim, thanks for the info, but it's already sold...
(i think i have chosen to obtain one of the most difficult ovations ever made...)
steve |
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Location: Central Oregon | Originally posted by Steve:
tim, thanks for the info, but it's already sold...
(i think i have chosen to obtain one of the most difficult ovations ever made...)
steve
Which would be a..... ? This should be interesting as we get opinions from the knowledgeable people on here :)
/\/\/ |
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Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | My first Ovation was an Elite 1868 in 96. My brother in law bought one and after I heard it and played it, I was hooked...I own 5 O's now... I upgraded the preamp this year and subsequently gave it to my oldest son for Christmas...
I have pretty much gone over to the mid depth bowl now, but am still blown away by the sound that the SS bowl can produce...
Dale |
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Location: The Netherlands | In the summer of 2003, on a friday, I went on a little tour-by-train across the country, visiting pawnshops and guitar-stores, in search of a good, preferably used, electric guitar.
My mom used to be an avid bluegrass player, but she hadn't played in over a decade when I picked up the guitar. She always told me how much she loved Ovations, but never had been able to afford them...
..Back to the trip; I played a couple of guitars in a big music store, some of them were ok, and others were great, but they'd always have a thing or two odd about them. I was already fammiliar with the Ovation headstock, and to this day I still absolutely adore it. On my way out, I noticed a guitar in the 2nd hand section, or actually a neck, and I noticed it had an Ovation headstock. It was an electric guitar! I was schocked, but thrilled indeed. It was a 1974 Solid Body Viper. I picked it up and played a bit, the moment I layed hands on the neck, it was like love at first sight. In my search I'd played many guitars, but this one just felt right from the moment I picked it up. I didn't like the body that much, but I told myself: "It sounds great! It plays great! Who cares about what it looks like!?" I ironicly found out that I didn't have enough money with me, even after getting some discount, so I asked them to reserve it, and I'd come pick it up after the weekend. Thrilled and anxious indeed I picked it up, shaking like I was receiving a holy grail.
I've been extremely pleased with it ever since.
Since then, I've leveled a bit, and I'm going to modify it sometime this year. Never the less, it's a brilliant guitar.
I've also recently got a UKII of off ebay. After reading alot about it, I can't say how thrilled I am, I can't wait to get it :) .
I've never played an roundback Ovation before, ironicly. I'm anxious to try one out.
Cheers,
Max - Ovation convert for life :D |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Leafy
Great post, I'm going to log off, plug in my Viper, and make some musical noise. If my wife shouts "turn it down", I will have made a slight protest of quiet at 1:00 AM.
Bailey |
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Location: Seattle, WA | My first and only is a Celebrity C00026 (Whaleback!) really deep bowl, it sounded SO great, and was easy to play...
I think if I had played it longer, I might have purchased a mid-bowl instead - more comfortable to play, I presume.
I have extra-light strings on it, and it sounds real nice...
I have had it for about 2 years - it is my first steel stringed acoustic - I have a couple other electrics, a '65 Fender Duo-Somic II (bought it new to learn on!), and a '92 Les Paul studio.
My Brother-in-law recently painted it for me - leopard spots! very cool!
-Gary L. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Gary
Just looked at your flashy guitar on your other post, great attention getter. I believe in having some eye opening flash if you have the balls to get up in front of people and play. Most people who object to that sort of thing spend their life in the audience wishing they could play well enough to get on stage, but are SOOO insulted by anyone who has talent and showmanship. Their idea of being cool is to say to their friends in a scathing, lilting tone "I would never be seen dead wearing a guitar like that, I would only play a Fender Les Paul Rickenbacker model on stage" even though they had never had a guitar in their hands and their favorite rock group was Milli Vanilli, who they would swear were as innocent as Micheal Jackson.
I believe that their isn't such a thing as too much flash.
Bailey |
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Location: Central Oregon | I liked it too Bailey. Do you think we'll get blackballed by our fellow geezers?
Hey Gary, you should try to get your bro in law to paint you a 12 string in "Tiger", that would be a nice looking set on stage.
"I believe that their isn't such a thing as too much flash.
Bailey"
I dunno Bailey, Liberace might have been just a tiny bit over the line on flash, but that sucker could play a piano. (pun intended)
/\/\/ |
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Location: On the beach in Southwest Florida | "I dunno Bailey, Liberace might have been just a tiny bit over the line on flash, but that sucker could play a piano. (pun intended)"
That reminds me of the worse joke I've ever heard:
How did Liberace know he had six weeks left to live?
His gerbil came out & saw his shadow. |
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Location: Seattle, WA | Thanks for the compliments on the flash!
I'll pass along the comments to my brother-in-law...
I actually went to see Liberace one time...
I was traveling in Wisconsin on business, and was spending several weeks there and thought it would be a HOOT to drive to the Twin Cities in Minnesota to catch his show...
The audience was a little older than I expected. (Lawrence Welk here we come!) but Liberace put on an AMAZING show, almost 2 hours of nearly every variety of music imaginable.
He also took a gentle self-depreciating humor approach towards himself, it was well worth the 90 minute drive each way from where I was staying.
Talk about yer flash! He could teach Elton John a thing or two!
Interesting, is that having a guitar like this has demonstrated a side of me that most of my co-workers never imagined! I work at a bank, and when it brought in some pictures of the guitar, it really blew everybody's minds!
Thanks again for the kind words!
-Gary L. |
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Location: On the beach in Southwest Florida | Did they change the combination on the vault? |
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Location: Seattle, WA | Nah..... Nobody has thought of that yet!
(I do computer stuff, anyways, don't get near any money...)
-Gary L. |
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Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | That is a mighty fine looking guitar Gary. Even my wife liked it, and she's picky...
I doubt the bank will change the combination on the vault, unless you change your spots! :D
Dale |
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Location: SoCal | 1158 Custom Legend slothead 12-str (dark sunburst), new in 1981. Absolutly gorgeous, best 12-str I had ever found. Later, wished I had the 1658 a/e. Had to sell in 1991. Now, have the two 1658's - natural and dark sunburst. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | I noticed that Tony has brought this thread to 100 posts. Might be a record?? |
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Location: NC | Now 101! |
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Location: Vermont USA | Well let me think it was so long ago yet it seems like just a short time ago :rolleyes:
It was around October 2004 not long ago at all I traded in my Fender and Washburn for my Elite. A choice I will never regret, this has got to be the best guitar I have ever played even better than a Collings I played that ran for around $2,300.00. I always loved the looks of the multi hole, but the sound and tone are more than I could have hoped for.
Merry Christmas to all of you
Paul |
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Location: NC | My second will be either an Adamas or OFC guitar.........probably an Adamas. I love the carbon weave on that instrument! :) |
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Location: Converse, Texas | 1973 or 74 (I think) Legend, non-cutaway, acoustic only, natural. What model number would that have been?
My second Ovation: 2000 Collectors! |
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Location: Germany | Whow... thats a mammut threat here, I just loved to read all your storries. Thats mine:
It was back in 1989, we had our 25-years school anniversary, was in my last year at school. We looked to find all students and ex-students who were into musik for an anniversary gig. When I went on stage at that event my part was to sing, the Beatles “Rocky Raccon” to the audiences. Well, we tried a lot but it was just not possible to amplify my Martin for that event - more that 700 people, that was the bigest thrill I ever had. After occupying the sound check for much to long, my music teacher gave me his guitar – which was a E/A Legend - no problems to amplify and that was my first strum on an O.
Well, I went into music stores sometimes twice a week to ask for Os, but it took me 15 years until I had enough spare money to buy me an Standard Elite this year in June. |
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Location: SoCal | This is almost a 2 year long thread. Incredible. |
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Location: Central Oregon | I agree. This is a remarkable thread. Many of the people who posted at the beginning are still here, many are not.
We haven't heard from Adamasaskunk for a long very long time. He signed up just before I did. He's #127.
I have added several Ovations since this thread started & I know I'm not the only one. This place is a cyber GAS station. :) |
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Location: Victoria BC | Someone much better then me told I should play one...and at the time i was learning Samba pa ti..I bought a Balladeer without a cut a way and quickly "upgraded" to one i could use above the first octave. Trading that guitar in was pretty tough as I recall .It sounded so good.. |
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Location: Vernon, CT | My first Ovation was and still is a red 1970 Tornado bought brand new. My last or most recent are the Balladeer LX, Legend LX and CL 1779-USA just bought this year. Pic in gallery. I am also looking to get an OFC guitar next. Play On!
John L.
Custom Legend 1779-USA
Legend 1777-LX
Balladeer 1771-LX
Std. Balladeer 1771
Tornado (1970)
Takamine 12 String
Martin D16GT
Fender P-Bass (1975)
Fender 50th Anniversary Strat-
Fender Nashville Tele- |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Just Think
When we started this post, the OFC guitar was just a gleam in the Factory's eye. Is it elefonts that have a two year gestation period, somebody at the factory must have missed a period back then and not told anybody that their fooling around on the internet had knocked up an innocent soul with a fetus that has yet to show it's head.
Who's your Daddy, OFC you mystery laddy
Is it Al or Miles or swackytoo
Or some unknown and hidden swacky's caddy?
We owe that mysterious bedroom creeper
A debt of immense and so sheeplike deeper
Than the debt we owe our real but kook like Daddy |
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Location: Avondale AZ | My first was a Viper. I purchased it on 9/22/79. Being raised a Gibson (my great grandfather was THE Orville), I was very use to Les Pauls. I loved their weight, substain, necks and action. Don't get me wrong, I was never given anything from the Gibson company and don't own any of it. However, it is still a source of family pride. But when I picked up that first viper, I felt like I found a woman that fit perfectly. I was in the shop to check to see if they still had any of the Ibanez Les Pauls. They didn't. The salesman guided me to the Ovation solid bodies. I chose the Viper because it didn't require any batteries. It cost with tax and the hard shell case $434.70. It is a mohogany red and I still own it. It goes to my son when I die. |
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Location: SoCal | as well you should be proud...
Mr. Gibson
1856-1918 |
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Location: Detroit, MI | I obtained a Country Artist, circa 1984, courtesy of Sergio. I had played, and really enjoyed Ovations, but never owned one. Sergio knew I wanted a good, non-classical nylon guitar, and had just the ticket. He actually bought it and put it in my hands... knowing (I think) I would'nt let it go. I took it to my first gig, a few days after receiving it and did a few songs with it. Played like butter... and my fingers were the hot knives :cool: Great tone, power and expression. Knew, immediately I'd want other Ovations. |
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Location: SE Michigan | Sometime around 1974 I was playing electric guitar in a high-school garage band, had a red fender mustang. Anyway I was madly in love with this girl, a group camping trip was planned and I figured I needed an acoustic guitar to woo her beside the campfire. I persuaded my mom to loan me the money and we went to Grinnell Brothers music in Detroit and I bought a 1111 Balladeer. It was discounted because it already had a finish crack along the grain of the bass side of the lower bout. It didnt phase that guitar a bit though. It was light and sweet and played as nice as any any electric guitar. I didnt even know that much about Ovation, I remembered seeing professionals playing them (Cat Stevens, Nancy Wilson) so I figured they must be pretty decent. It also was just that that's the model that the store had at that time, and when I played it I really liked it. I think I paided something like $230. By the way I never got that paticular girl, but that was probably good fortune for me, I did get a great guitar.
I had that guitar for many years, it was tough as nails and as reliable as sunrise. One time I foolishly leaned it against a wall (facing inward) right above a heat register, it melted the glue and the bridge came off. I sent it back to Ovation and they fixed it for free, what a company!
I sold that guitar to a friend a long time ago for almost exactly what I paid for it. I replaced it with a 1717 Legend which I still have. I have also owned an Aluminum-neck Applause (sold it), A DS768 Longneck (sold it) and a 597 CVT Adamas (my main plugged in guitar these days). Ovation is a great company and makes great guitars.
It is fun to read all these stories, but I especially like hearing the newer ones where younger people are scrimping and saving to buy that first guitar, a process I went through 30 years ago. |
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October 2004
Posts: 256
Location: chicago | MY FIRST WAS AN ELITE WITH A ROLAND SYNTH PICKUP,IM A HUGE DIMEOLA FAN AND HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO PLAY LIKE HIM...WELL WHEN I SEEN IN 95 OVATION WAS OFFERING ELITE AND LEGENDS WITH GK2 PICKUPS WOW I ALREADY HAD SYNTH AXCESS ON MY FENDER AND HAD TO HERE THE STEREO ACOUSTIC WITH APIANO AND STAND UP BASS ALL MIXED TOGETHER..IVE PLAYED IT EVERY DAY NOW FOR TEN YEARS NO KIDDING.AND THE PRICE TOTALLY AFORDABLE WITH CASE 95 1200 US |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 171
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma | I first played an Ovation in about 1979.. A frat brother (who is a great electric player) had one that he'd sit around with and work up tunes on.. It was a 1111-1. Everytime I went to his place I'd have to sit and play it... During the past 20 odd years and after obtaining a couple of Martins and other wooden guitars I saw a few Ovations at Roy and Candies music here in Tulsa. I sat down and played a couple of them and it took me back to college and the Balladeer my frat bro had... Then the search was on... I found this board, read what was being said and went to ebay for my first Ovation.... Bought a 1976 1111-6 in great condition... Then GAS set in... Now the little woman is wondering when I'm going to have enough guitars... I'll never get rid of my first Ovation but I know it won't be my only...
(this thread is great... I read thru the whole thing before posting)
Gerald |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 83
Location: Columbus, OH | I got my first Ovation around 1984 or 1985. I traded a 1972 or 73 Martin D35 for it. The Martin was a POS. Back to the factory twice, horrible intonation on the b string that made it unuseable up the neck, frets that kept coming out etc...
The Ovation was a deep bowl natural Custom Legend with the concentric vol/tone pot electronics as best as I can remember. I sold it a few years later when I found the 1980 Martin HD28 that is still the best sounding acoustic I've ever owned and will go to the grave with me. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 83
Location: Columbus, OH | Oh yeah, that 1st Ovation was a Custom Legend Electric cutaway, deep bowl. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | This post makes for great reading and it's interesting to note how evryone felt when getting the First Ovation! It's simply magical! |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 271
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida | I always wanted to play SOMETHING but could never seem to get used to 6 strings... My dad brought home boo qoo guitars from Japan, in the early 60's...
Some electric some acoustic, one slothead with a really wide neck and nylon strings... All were free gifts from contracts landed with companies that made cabinets, for Singer Sewing machines...(They also made GUITARS) He was in charge of factories in the far east... My dad also played the banjo... (Early 60's)
I was always fascinated by a good friend who played a guitar, he could play "Classical GAS" by Jose Feliciano, I think it was... (late 60's)
Then came college with even more people who played the guitar... (early 70's)
Flash ahead to my 50th birthday 1-1/2 years ago... I was determined to play something so I bought a banjo, I threw away the 5th string and concentrated on the 4 that were left... I choose a Deering Goodtime w/resonator back... (I sold the resonator as I prefered the sound and feel of the openback...) I enjoyed that for a year, even taking a trip to the DEERING factory in San Diego...
I needed more room for my fingers and was considering getting a wider neck with a radius, for my banjo ...
I had a good friend come over alot and he played a guitar that looked like an Ovation but said Applause on the top??? "Applause" I didn't even know what that was... but I liked the sound and the fiberglass(back?), it seemed sturdy enough to live on a sailboat, on the water, with occasional trips to the beach... (another passion I share with my guitar friend)
Anyway, I researched "Ovation" and found I really wanted to try one... I began to see the differences in the various models... I choose a Celebrity CC026 because:
$299 was cheaper than making another Banjo with a custom neck... and it had a radiused neck which I wanted to try...
I did't want to trust the plastic "pot" or roundback as you guys call it... That wasn't "Made in the USA" (Remember I only new banjos at this stage...)
It said "Ovation" on the headstock, so unless you really new your guitars most people would "THINK" it was made in the USA...
I liked the look and finish of the natural color... and the cutaway... seemed more modern to me, than TRADITIONAL "OLD" guitars...
Seemed a safe bet to try it out, and I could always sell the damn thing, if I didn't work out!!!
I used the 1st four strings of a guitar in a medium weight, because I didn't have the two heavier strings of a NORMAL guitar. I spaced them evenly at the nut and the saddle...
I play it like a banjo in "C" tuning, which has a very low "C" string, on the heaviest string instead of the normal "D" string of a normal banjo... "C" tuning has easier cords than Open "G" tuning which is what MOST banjos are tuned in... C Tuning is made for strumming chords not Banjo PICKING... All the chords (500+) fit on a gigantic (3'x5') laminated chart, I made from 8x10 images I got off the internet... I keep the "chord chart" in my bedroom, for practice sessions...
It sounded WAY COOL like a Ukelele on steroids...
I recently bought a 12 string, Natural, Ovation, Balladeer and play 4 "PAIR" of strings now, STILL in C Tuning... EVEN COOLER !!! Sounds like a cross between a Mandolin, Piano and a Harpsacord and DOES NOT NEED TO BE PLUGGED IN, TO BE HEARD !!!
I enjoy Keith Urban, Alison Krauss, Toby Keith, Gretchen Williams, Shania Twain and try to play along with them, for my daughter who is 10 yrs old... I get into all the old folky songs too, from the 60's and 70's...
AB |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . It sounded WAY COOL . . like a Ukelele on steroids..."
LOL!!!
(I think I LIKE this guy!) |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Hi,
This topic has been very intersting to read so I thought I would add my story.
1972 Pacemaker 12 string,( I still have it and it sill sounds awesome. Like a lot of others I saw Glen Campbell and all the other greats who have played Ovations over the years. Ovation has always been the inovators in new technology, then the rest play catch up.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL !!!!!!!!!!! :D |
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What is your 1st Ovation? When & why?