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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 7
Location: Jacksonville FL | I am one of the few down here in FL that actually prefers the sound of the Ovation - I gig every Tuesday nights playing just acoustic music from the 60's 70's and some original. (No drum machines, or nothing - just me and my voice).
Well I am very seriously thinking about getting a 12 string to help add to my sound. My question(s) are - should I buy new (i.e a CS257 - I think that is the low end model) or should I try and buy an older one off of e-bay or ???
I don't want to spend the bucks for a high end one like a legend for gigging out, as there is always some drunk who figures that they can play and eventually wanders over to pick it up while I am on break if you know what I mean, so I would never want to take a really expensive one out to gig.
Any thoughts or commeents would be greatly appreciated! |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 14
Location: Knoxville, TN | Hi Harry, I currently have a Legend 12-string cutaway shallow bowl that does a great job for me. It sounds so good plugged into a decent sound system, with little "knob tweaking" necessary. For the money I think it's a great buy.
I formerly had a Custom Legend deep bowl 12-string, (one of the pretty black ones), but unfortunately it wasn't "electric." It was a GREAT sounding guitar, but I needed to be able to plug in.
Good luck in your search! |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 7
Location: Jacksonville FL | Thanks - I currently have been using a CS057 (or something like that), rather than my older Legend (stereo jacks), and I have been real pleased with the sound out of this one - I run it through my smaller PA - Mackie 406M and it really sounds great. Doesn't sound to well unamplified due to the shallow bowl, but I think you can't beat the sound playing it through the PA! (and the ease of play of the neck!). So hence my quest for a 12. Looking to stay with the Ovation as I have been real pleased with their guitars through the years. Sp that is why I ask if I should keep looking around on E-Bay - or maybe someone knows of a good mail order or internet store were I could get a good deal - lol I could buy new - but at 599 plus cost of a case - I figured I'd start to look at some of the used ones first and maybe find a good used one out there. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Harry-
Ya missed out. Just last week I sold my Elite 12 string for $500, and she was a hottie.
I am still looking to sell my Adamas SMT 12 string for around $1,000-but that sounds out of your range. (It sells $1500 new, and it's in mint condition).
My suggestion would be to get a USA model rather than a Celebrity series-even if you have to buy one used. If you're seriously gigging, do yourself justice and get a good one, even if you're not going for top of the line. I've bought guitars on ebay with success, but prefer buying a guitar I've tried out, if possible. The feel varies.
I play solo and in a duo, and have primarily played Ovation 12 strings for years. My USA models ALWAYS do the job without fail. Also, if you tend to play smaller venues (coffee houses and such), I would consider getting at least a mid depth body so your "acoustic" sound has some fullness as well. (There's quite a varation of opinion on bowl depth on this site. I personally like the sound of my mid depth bowls over my shallows for what I do. At higher volumes, they are both great).
Hope that's a help.
All the best,
Johnny |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 7
Location: Jacksonville FL | Johnny,
Thanks for some great insight and I am really sorry now that I missed your 12 as it was right in my price range that I was looking for!!!!
I do play the smaller coffee houses, so hence, the mid bowl really makes a lot of sense!
Thanks Again! |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 18
Location: Bham,AL | Harry,
There is a shop here in town that has a '76 1615 acoustic electric, no cutaway 12 that is in pristine shape, deep bowl. Looks very well taken care of. I was in there a couple of weeks ago and saw it. they quoted me $495 for it. It is also a slothead which is way cool. It is at Music Alley in Birmingham, AL. their phone number is 205-988-3688 if you want to check with them. I am sure they would ship it to you.
bukwheat |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 7
Location: Jacksonville FL | Thanks BuckWheat - I think Later on today I'll give them a call!!!! Have you played it at all???
There's a guy in Minnesosta that has a 1866 (?) 12 - he wants 599 for it - don't know if that is a good price or not - it is a couple years old. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 18
Location: Bham,AL | Yes, I played it and since it is an O, you know
it it plays fine. I have to make a trip to find
a monitor speaker for my church and I will stop by there this afternoon if you haven't called them and will let you know if it still there. It is definitely a solid deal at $495. The price guide on this forum has it, I believe worth a bit more. You may have to haggle with the guy a bit but hang tuff with it. Let me know what you find out. Good luck
bukwheat |
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Question on what 12 to buy