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| I've been shopping for a new acoustic/electric since I haven't purchased a new acoustic guitar since my 1972 Ovation Artist Balladeer (which I still have in near-mint condition). Actually, I received a new, 12-string Balladeer about 3 years ago as a Xmas present from my wife, but that doesn't count since I didn't get the pleasure of "shopping" (aka searching, auditioning, dickering, yada yada) for the guitar - a friend did it for her/me. Frankly, I hadn't considered a new Ovation because I have a friend (yes, same one) who owns a Taylor 514CE which I am quite impressed with and I was convinced that a Taylor was in my future. Another friend (who teaches guitar) encouraged me to open my mind and try some other brands - so I started playing Martins, Gibsons and Guilds. My latest love is the Guild F47RCE (an obvious Taylor knock-off) with a Sitka Spruce top and rosewood body clad in plastic binding with nice inlays in the fretboard - all for about half of the comparably equipped Taylor 814CE.
Now, I've decided to reconsider another Ovation -after all, what can it hurt to try a few? Since I don't do this often, price is not really a problem, so what do you guys think I should "audition" in the Ovation line that would measure up to the quality and sound of the models I mentioned? I'm looking for a 6-string, cutaway, acoustic/electric that'll hold its own unplugged and come alive when plugged in. Oh, and the neck has to be as comfortable to play as an ES335. Believe it or not, the Guild actually meets these criteria better than the Taylors I've played, but its killer action may be due to the string gauge used on the Guild (.10). |
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Location: Scotland | Of the current models I'd guess an Adamas CVT would do what you need, or wait until the rumoured Adamas 1 reissues are released. The Elites are worth a look as are Legends & Custom Legends. If you are using it unplugged a lot avoid supershallow bowls. The other option is to come to Ct at the end of the month and mug Cliff for his slothead. |
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Posts: 15686
Location: SoCal | What ever you do and what ever guitar you buy, don't make a decision based upon a guitar with dead strings. New strings on a guitar make a huge difference is the way it plays and sounds.
One day I was lucky enough to play a Taylor 5 series against a Balladeer Standard (the one with the wood rosette and the shallow bowl), both with new strings. The Balladeer sounded much better and had a better neck. The Taylor was fancier, with a bound neck and inlays.
IMHO, look for a shallow body (which is as deep as you can now get in mot models) Elite or Legend. They both have bound and inlayed fingerboards (ebony) and are beautiful guitars.
Good luck. And watch those strings! |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | If I were looking for an Ovation six string, I'd probably follow suit with Paul's suggestion on the Adamas.
. . . . OR . . . . .
I'd consider looking into the Collector's Edition with the redwood top (sorry, can't remember the year). Played one of the ones that Al had at a show once. Schweeeeet!!!!
"But that's just me" (and besides, MY next major "investment" will be in a nice 12-string.)
". . . mug Cliff for his slothead . . ."
Hey, Paul: "Pull the other one!" |
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Location: SoCal | You know Cliff, you really ought to pay for my flight out so I can provide security for your slothead. It would be a good investment. |
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Location: NJ | uh,....yeah. |
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Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Ok I am biased, but my 1981 Adamas 1 # 1687 is the ultimate Ovation. If they do release an Adamas 1, rest assured you will not find a better sounding acoustic guitar. But whatever you get remember one thing..DEEP BOWL!....Paul Hebert |
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Posts: 61
| not because i work there........I would listen to and compare to other makes any of the adamas guitars.Try to go to a dealer with a sound room where you can sit and hear each other side by side. If you can, bring a friend to play it so you can hear it from the front.The sound is different from behind(playing it).My hope is that you choose the Ovation but let your ears deside.Good luck. :D |
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Location: Tennessee | In addition to the Adamii, but I would definitely check out the 2003 Collectors while on your holy grail. |
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Posts: 398
Location: So. Cal. | *** I might die for this, but it's probably worth it ***
There is a slotted head Adamas I, no cutaway, no pickup stashed in the R&D department at Ovation. I just strummed it once and I died and went to heaven. I have never heard such gorgeous resonance and tone from anything before. Other Adamas I's, Martin D-45's come close, but no cigar. I was ready to commit murder to steal that guitar away from them. Now, I said it.
Just me and my Adamas! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Deep bowl, no cutaway, no big electronics box, 12 frets, wide neck, slotted headstock. Gee ... what model could THAT be ??? Dave |
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Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | Originally posted by cliff:
I'd consider looking into the Collector's Edition with the redwood top (sorry, can't remember the year). Played one of the ones that Al had at a show once. Schweeeeet!!!!
Is this the one you mean????
2002 Collectors guitar on ebay
I hope I don't get booted from this board for saying this :rolleyes: , but this weekend I'm going to a music store to check out a CA Guitar. I called the store today, they have 1 in stock. I've heard some very good things about this guitar so I've decided to check it out for myself.
Bradley |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | The 2001 is the redwood top guitar.
I have never ever heard anyone call Guild's Taylor knockoffs. I would think it would be the other way around. In fact how many people actually know that taylor has a bolt on neck similar to Ovation AND finger joints the headstock to the neck. I dunno about you but when I go to home depot the fingerjointed stuff is always way cheaper. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | I detect a need from the dialog in this thread for that collectors edition Martin killer that I mentioned before. DEEEEP bowl, 1960's manufacturing methods, no cutaway, first strum grabs your ears, second strum says I'll get this guitar no matter the cost, third strum and it's stolen by any picker that knows a real guitar. If it was done once, it can be done again.
Bailey (I probably won't be able to afford one, but I can still run pretty fast if I can get my hands on one) |
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Location: SoCal | You know Bailey, that's one helluva good idea. That would be a new guitar that I might actually be willing to spend some money on. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Perhaps this could part of the criteria proposed for a possible future OFC-sanction "limited edition"??????
The per-unit cost of a "custom" guitar has gotta be considerably less if they're doing a sizeable amount of the same guitar (especially if they're "pre-purchased").
Something to think about.
The hardest part is gonna be getting a considerable consensus of people all agreeing on the same features. ( "The Guitar of Babel" ) |
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Posts: 29
| originally posted by alpep
I have never ever heard anyone call Guild's Taylor knockoffs
I was actually referring to the size and style of the F47 (similar size mini-jumbo vs. grand auditorium, same electronics, same cutaway, same combination of tonewoods, etc.). I was under the impression (perhaps wrong) that Taylor originated (or at least popularized) that genre of guitar style. The Guild F47 models have only been out a few years and sure look to me like they're after that Taylor buyer and, specifically, the x14 series. As for construction quality, I wouldn't know. I just do what everyone on this and any other forum I've visited keeps telling me, " . . . just play them and buy the one that sings to you." I restrung my '72 Artist Balladeer the other night. It sounds and plays so sweet now, I may not buy anything. I would like a cutaway, though. Now, what did I do with my sabresaw? |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Neil
Control yourself, I'm sure a cutaway will show up somewhere and keep you from ruining a good sounding guitar. As for Guild, there has been some recent news of a change afoot to restore it's credibility and quality, it just celebrated it's 50th anniversary, as did my high school graduating class. If there is a Guild to copy it is that super big "Mae West" model that has been their trade mark, all nicely rounded contours, none of that Martin look, so your comments could be correct if they are now making a "Martin" copy.
Bailey |
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Posts: 389
Location: RI. That small State out East | I think the "Al Dimeola" model... Deep, cut away, nice looks... I go along with the "new strings" for an accurate "sound check".
As for the older Adamas guitars... They can be found. And they are worth the search. You wont have the new OP-40 or OP-50... But if you wanted that... it could be put in later. If you want it new and you want it now... Look at "Al".
Woz |
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Posts: 8
Location: SoCAL | I just went through a similiar exercise of evaluating allwood and roundback guitars. I ended up with an Ovation 2002 collector's edition that I am really enjoying. I looked at many guitars: Taylor 814CE, Breedlove, James Goodall, Martin, Adamas, and of course Ovations. Check out my story.
http://www.evozine.com/mystory.html
The thing that scared me about the higher priced all wood guitars is that you really need to keep them in the case when not in use, and you should really purchase a humidifier as well. The $1000 dollar roundback sounded and looked great, and requires less diaper rubbing. Good luck!!! |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | The "Ultimate Ovation" has to be a slothead. It was a breakthrough in sound and design when introduced and has stood the test of time to be considered the most desirable big O to have. |
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Location: SoCal | SeeDoubleYou:
Are you talking about the slothead Adamas, or just Ovation slotheads in general? |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | designing guitars by committee never seems to work. someone told me there was a fan club for a boutique builder and they voted on the features it should have and he built them and it was a very strange guitar.
I think a major point is that many people jump down the shallow bowl sucks road but it does NOT have to be that way. There are shallow bowls that sound good acoustically NO they are not as good as the deep but they need not sound like cardboard either. I think that by addressing the construction of the shallow bowl instead of just putting the same top and bracing on a differenet back will help to change their tone. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | MoodyPeeEye,
That would be the slothead Adamas #26-60. |
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January 2003
Posts: 92
Location: San Francisco, CA | The answer is definitely my 2000 Custom Legend Model 1869! It is simply awesome both acoustically and plegged in.
And if you toss in a little Chorus to the signal, it sounds unbelievably wonderful!!! |
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Posts: 255
| I think my Ovation is the Ultimate but noone seems to think so. |
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July 2002
Posts: 150
Location: Minneapolis, MN | "...but honey, this IS the ULTIMATE Ovation!" Raise your hand (or say aye) if you'be ever uttered these words to add yet another O to the herd :o
Aye!
P.S. "...no dear, you're always right..." LOL |
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What's the "Ultimate Ovation"?