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Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Who else besides me secretly longs for a totally WOODY sound that...well...I just don't get from my Ovations, as much as I love them.
Yesterday I went to pick up my friend's Taylor 814ce which had been in for a repair. I'm not generally excited by Taylors: I feel like you pay an extra $1500 just to get a WOOD back and sides.
But I got into some trouble. I picked up a cedar/mahogany GS model...one I've read about and liked the concept. OH, MY.
I can't describe what that sound did to my insides. My brain just sort of short circuited for about 10 minutes. If I were a single guy I would have walked out with it.
I am firmly entrenched in the Ovation camp, but I've never heard a 6 string Ovation that did THAT to me before. Help someone.
I know lots of you have other guitars besides Ovations. Is it OK to need a WOOD SOUND "fix" from time to time? John <>{ |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | There have been a couple Taylors that have tried to seduce me. And at the risk of CWK2 putting me on his permanent "ignore" list... some of the high end Taylors I have played have that distintive Ovation crispness to them.
IMO...if your looking for that muffeled "wood" sound, put the Taylor down and pick up something like a Martin D-28. |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | If you want that great"wood" sound, and are wise enough to not pay the price taylor is wanting for their highest-end models, go for an Elite 1537. If you try one you won't even consider the others again. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | As long as it's high end you're ok. Try a Bourgeois, Santa Cruz, Froggy Bottom, or a Collings, Goodall, or Tippin. There's lots of good ones out there. All kindsa ice cream. |
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November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Nothing wrong with Taylors. They are what they are: Extremely good construction, well chosen woods, very good action. The NT neck system is simply outstanding. A great application of high tech manufacturing to guitars. The ES (pickup) system doesn't quite live up to the Taylor hype, but it works and once you understand how to eq it.
They have their own distinct sound. As you discovered, the new GS line is really, really nice. That is the same shape that they are using in their premium "R. Taylor" line as well.
My 714ce is a nice compliment to my Adamas. |
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January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I've wanted to try a GS model but have not yet done so. Seems like a nice concept and it certainly looks very nice to the eye. I agree with bvince, Ovation 1537 is nice. A good attempt at the woody sound, unless you compare it top the real thing. I'm intriged by the GS and hope to try one. Dave |
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June 2002
Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | Originally posted by bauerhillboy:
Is it OK to need a WOOD SOUND "fix" from time to time? Absolutely. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I have mainly O's but I do have a Martin Norm Blake model and a Taylor DDSM Doyle Dykes with the LR Baggs system (No ES crap). I am also picking up next week my custom made Baxendale 12 fret 12 string slothead cutaway.
All play and sound wonderful and fill a niche. I am glad I have them.
The biggest problem with them is that I fret about a stong breeze coming by and scratching them....with my O's, I just grab them and play! |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | The DDSM model is very nice. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | If I won the lottery, there'd be a lot of different all wood guitars in my collection. |
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January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | As I have mostly O's, I do have a ceder topped Taylor 514ce. It's got a bright woody sound that I enjoy, and it plays well. Taylor has some great sounding guitars, but are a little pricey, and you gotta worry because their delicate. With all the guitars being made today, you could probably find a similar guitar for about half the price of a Taylor. |
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April 2005
Posts: 331
Location: San Angelo, Texas | Hmmmm....Taylors...
I own two...and sell them as well. No one that haas come into my store has LEFT with one after playing an Ovation and the Taylor side by side, back to back, pluged in and unpluged. THAT is where you see the difference. Not only do the O's and A's sounds better, they are less than half the price of a Taylor that has less features.
If you want a wood guitar, don't pay for marketing hype. Buy a Breedlove or a Takamine... |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Well said Greg...
No brag....just fact! |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I starting to get the feeling that there are too many PRINCE fans on this site! :eek: |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | :confused: |
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May 2003
Posts: 425
Location: SE Michigan | Not only do the O's and A's sounds better, they are less than half the price of a Taylor that has less features I dont know why everybody keeps saying that Ovations are so much more cheaper than Taylors or Martins. All of the Adamas and higher end Ovation models start around $2000, thats about the street price for a Taylor GS. You can get a nice Martin 16 or 18 series for well under $1800, and the same is true for the Taylor 400 series.
An entry level US made Ovation like a Balladeer or a Elite-T is around $800. You can pick up many Martin 15 series or Taylor 200 and 300 series for the same price or less.
And I won't go into the whole tone argument, but pick up a Taylor 210 Dreadnaught or a Martin D15 and play it a bit, then show me any Ovation model that can come even close for less than $700 in terms of unplugged tone and playability.
Just trying to set the record straight, I like Ovations as well, but the fact's are being skewed here just a bit. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Slipkid:
:confused: Formerly know as...Waskel
Formerly know as....GregoryS
Rick a/k/a an4340
and a few other variations. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Brian T:
Just trying to set the record straight, I like Ovations as well, but the fact's are being skewed here just a bit. Go play your T5...ya traitor! |
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January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | For some reason, the word Taylor, gets a lot of peoples' attention in this forum. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | There's nothing wrong with Taylors. I played a very nice 314 a couple of nights ago. They just don't ring my chimes..... |
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May 2005
Posts: 486
Location: North Carolina | Is it OK to need a WOOD SOUND "fix" from time to time? John <>{ [/QB] Of course. I have other guitars besides Os, and I enjoy them all. The difference between us and the wood sniffers is we have more options. |
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September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | Wood sniffers????? You should smell the potent glue aroma eminating from my 2080. Enough to give me a buzz...oh...that's a different thread I think about set-up. |
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May 2003
Posts: 425
Location: SE Michigan | I've also grown fond of the "auto body shop" aroma exuded by my Ovation guitars. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by stephent28:
I starting to get the feeling that there are too many PRINCE fans on this site! :eek: Not me. I just always thought the whole "Artist Formerly Known as Prince" thing was hilarious after he changed his name to an unpronouncable symbol.
I would have done that but the board software won't let me. |
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April 2005
Posts: 331
Location: San Angelo, Texas | And I was just doing what Waskel did...HE made me...don't mind purple rain playing in the backround.... |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I like Boobsalot. |
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June 2006
Posts: 659
Location: Hiram, Georgia | Hey JeffW. maybe you should pony up
and buy this MEII ! |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I think Jane and Molly have something going on. |
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August 2006
Posts: 55
Location: Pennsylvania | I traded a Taylor 614CE for my Ovation 2006-FKOA. I think it sounds just as good as the Taylor un-plugged, and plugged in... The Taylor is no match for the Ovation.
As far as the playability, build quality, and set up goes, i think the Ovations are quite equal to the Taylors in all regaurds.
I have heared many great things about the GS's, and i do like Taylor guitars, and the GS's are very well priced compared to the other higher end Taylors.
JMHO... :) |
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April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | When I sadly concluded that I wouldn't be able to play Gertrude alot because of my shoulder issues, I played just about every brand and price range going in my search for another guitar. I had a deep-bodied Guild as well, so my "wood-sound" cravings could have been easily satisfied--but the limitations of creeping middle-age precluded playing her, too. Three years and many miles later, my custom s/s LX came home from the mothership last November. If I still want to satisfy the yearning for woody resonance, I can always borrow the Guild back--but somehow the hankering doesn't last too long once I pick up Jewel.
Karen and the crew:
1111-4 "Gertrude," CE868LX-4 "Jewel," Viper 1271 Natural "Blanca," maple Tornado (not yet named--"Nonnie"), Steinberger 5-string bass "Sugar," American Strat "Ivory," Galiano mandolin "Plink," Vega 5 string banjo "Twang," and one fiddle of uncertain antecedents "Shriek" |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Hmm. in my humble opinion :rolleyes: Wood Sound..that means CEDAR TOP.. ;) |
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April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | ..and D`addario Flat Tops EFT 16 (12 - 53 )and when your instrument has low action EFT 17 (13 -56 ) real woody and minimising finger noise :) |
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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ...want wood? 2001 Redwood Collector's...now, That's wood! |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | There is no contending the playability of Taylor guitars ... they really play nice. There's something about their brightness, however, that doesn't appeal to me. Just my opinion.
Maybe in the future, I just might upgrade my one and only O ... that is if Ms don't find me first ... |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 2487
| Stopped into one of the local guitar stores in Clifton PArk NY Parkway music. They are an Ovation dealer and the largest shop with the biggest inventory of guitars and everything. Nice shop great pro employees. Been a month since I have been in... still have one pink/purple color celeb in a shallow bowl hainging in the large acoustic room. Bet they sell a lot of the Tak's and Taylor's when the only Ovation to compare it with is...lets say... unfair competition???? They did have an Aniversary Legend hanging for a while but that sold and nothing else is there.
Perhaps this is not the norm for you guy's but this is the norm for me in this area.
Randy |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 20
Location: Rauenberg, Germany | I've had my Taylor for a couple of years and love it. Yes, it was expensive and I thought long and hard, played a lot of other guitars, then ultimately worked out a trade with the guitar store owner. The closest I ever came to owning an ovation was an applause six string that I had in the 70s.
Another reason I bought the Taylor was for its resale value and that it would be the first American made guitar I owned. As it turns out I will probably never sell it -- lots of sentimental value: she was born in the same state as me; she's a 30th anniversary model -- 30 years from my HS graduation.
I'm afraid to take her out of the house, and when I am not playing, she stays in the case. My wife is refering to her as the "other woman".
But my dream was to own an Ovation 12 string. My Ultra should arrive soon after purchasing on Ebay. After reading some of the shipping horror stories here on the OFC message board, I hope it arrives safely.
Quick question, that I am hiding in this thread: I'm a newbie -- what does GAS mean? My wife says I got it, that's for sure, but it helps to know the OFC context.
Keep pickin everybody! |
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Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 1320
Location: Round Rock, TX | Guitar (or Gear) Acquisition Syndrome |
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September 2006
Posts: 20
Location: Rauenberg, Germany | Thanks wilblee. I got it allright...five guitars and counting. Not to mention the recording gear I've accumulated and other gear I need. Maybe we should form GAS Anonymous. Hi, my name is Rick and I buy guitars! |
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September 2006
Posts: 54
Location: Kingston Ontario | I tried a Baby Taylor a while back. It appeared that the neck was held on with drywall screws. The screw heads were visible on the frett board.
In order to get a big sound from a Taylor, you have to spend big bucks. Ovations may not have a woody sound but they do have a distinctive one.
I've got a Standard Balladeer that is going on 30 plus years old. I'd put it up against any woody any time. |
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August 2006
Posts: 55
Location: Pennsylvania | The main reason i got an Ovation is that... I'm too old to get a woody...:lol: |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Cantom:
It appeared that the neck was held on with drywall screws. The screw heads were visible on the frett board. Yes that's true. To "us" Ovation fans that just seems like the craziest thing in the world. But put yourself in a Taylor fans shoes, to him a guitar with a back out of plastic is just as crazy. It all depends on your personal point of view.
I'm not trying to defend Taylor here, but to be fair you were playing their bottom the line travel guitar. It won't impress you compared to your Ovation. But compared to it's competition (Applause travel guitar, for example), the Baby and Big Baby are pretty damn nice instruments.
Dave |
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Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | All perspective...I've played a few Taylors I like (namely 700, 800, & 900 series), and the T5 is pretty cool. One of these days I'll probably own one. However, I'd be WAY more likely to shell out $2500 for a new 1680 Adamas slothead than to pick up ANY Taylor they make. Just can't get it out of my bones...
...then again, I guess I'm too young to understand the "woody" trouble...
:rolleyes: :eek: :rolleyes: :eek: :rolleyes: |
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Taylor trouble