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Joined:
January 2010
Posts: 15
| Hello all
This is my first post outside the Welcome forums, And I need advice on Ovations. I know this will be a wide open question but here is what I'm am trying to figure out. I have had my Ovation 1612-4 since 1977, I am still a newbie sort of as I played it a while when I got it and a bit here and there through the years but have really gotton into it in the last 6 months or so.
Fingerstyle is what I play, I have played a few guitars here and there in the stores but have found nothing that plays like my Ovation. This is mostly because I need something easy to play for now and my Ovation seems to have a thinner neck and plays more like an electric it seems to me. Anyway, I really know nothing about guitars but really have a urge to buy another Ovation just for fun and something different to try.
Now to my question, in all the 33 years since I've had my Ovation there has been a lot of new guitars produced by Ovation. I know nothing about any of them. Can someone recommend one that would be similar in the way mine plays but offers a nice change in something to play. Between all the models and releases I just have no idea of where to start. I like fingerstyle and needs something easy to play for small hands and that's really about my only criteria ( And of course it be an Ovation). Thanks for any advice.
Ray |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | You need to give us a price range...otherwise your suggestions are gonna be all over the board and totally useless for you. |
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Joined:
January 2010
Posts: 15
| Thanks Stephent28
Good Point, forgot about the money, I would say around $500 and under would be what I would what to spend. New or used makes no difference to me.
Thanks
Ray |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | "I have played a few guitars here and there in the stores but have found nothing that plays like my Ovation." 
For under $500 you will pretty much be buying Used.
But that is okay. |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4233
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | You may want to trawl through the For Sale section and see what's there that catches your eye/budget. You may be surprised at what you can find in your price range.
You may want to steer clear of Mauvais Beal's 36K Adamas though. It'll just give you GAS, and GAS you can't afford can be a painful experience. :rolleyes: If you don't know what I mean, just keep hanging around here and you'll figure it out. ;) :cool: |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | What kind of music do you play? I play fingerstyle too, and when I am doing bluesy stuff or "Travis" style, I go to the Adamas. Now you aren't going to find an Adamas in your price range, a nice second choice would be an A-braced Legend. When I play my solo jazz stuff I always reach for my 2077LX. It doesn't have a lot of bass, but it is the most responsive guitar I have ever played and every note rings like crystal chimes. Classical sounds best on one of my A-braced Legends.
Another thing you need to think about is the neck width. I prefer the standard width, but a lot of they guys here on the board like the wider necks. Oh, and are you planning on plugging in, or playing mostly unplugged? If plugged in, any depth bowl is fine. For unplugged you will probably want to go with a deep or contour bowl.
How do you feel about a guitars looks? I personally could care less what a guitar looks like, but for some folks that matters. Do you prefer the look of the round holes or the Elite style? Sunburst, natural, or "colorful"? (Most of my guitars are black - not because I chose them for color, but somehow the black ones happeneed to be the ones that sounded best to me.)
OK, are you even more confused now? Where are you located? There is probably a member nearby who could let you try various different models that they own.
Oh, and by the way, WELCOME!! |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Hi Ray. As many of us have discovered, even after buying something more modern, maybe even a few of them, you may still find yourself drawn back to your vintage '77 model for the way it feels. It doesn't take away from the awesome higher end models produced since then, but there's just something special about the early models, particularly when you have been its sole owner since '77. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I was in the same boat a few years ago, except I'd had my Matrix since 77. I found that getting basically "one of each" type, such as 12 string,multihole, nylon string, 12 fret, wider fretboard, mid and shallow bowl, Adamas, worked well until SWMBO caught on and finally asked how many different types Ovation made and I had to admit there were hundreds. The Baskin-Robbins concept works well and you can still get some variety by changing flavors once in awhile. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Where are you located? There is probably a member nearby who could let you try various different models that they own. Best path! 'Hands on' is the sure way. Plus you get to hear from other side of the guitar.
The BEST way to evaluate Ovations is by attending the occasional 'gathering'; loads of Ovations, outstanding talent and awesome folk! |
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September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | Welcome Ray,
I'm kinda with ProffessorBB.."As many of us have discovered, even after buying something more modern, maybe even a few of them, you may still find yourself drawn back to your vintage '77 model for the way it feels."
I love my 88 COllector's and my 12 CL but they don't hold a candle to my 68 Deluxe Balladeer.
Aside from it's personal signifigance to me being my Dad's old guitar, it simply sounds better period.
I've played other deepies and but they still didn't seem to have what my old one does.
My Boy's beater 77 Custom Balladeer even sounds better than some of the newer ones I've played.
Maybe it's just nostalgia who knows.
You're just gonna have to try a bunch out and see what you like best, they all sound different.
Keep trolling the For Sale section, you'll find much, much better deals than on ebay and you can trust the folks here.
If you can attend a gathering, you'll figure out quickly exactly what you want! |
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Joined:
January 2010
Posts: 15
| Thanks Everyone for your replies.
I do have to admit that my 77 plays great for me.
I appreciate everyone's recommendations and will still appreciate any input, I trying to look over all the models that were suggested so I am better informed on what to look for.
Hi CanterburyStrings
As far as what I play in finger style, please don't laugh as I am a newbie, but so far I am just trying to get used to playing fingerstlye so I am learning things like Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" "Don't think Twice", Greensleeves and yes "Puff the Magic Dragon" and also working in the melody. That alone keeps me busy. Also really having fun with the "Travis" style.
I found a site from Dan Holloway that I joined where he lays out the songs with tabs and I am working my way through the beginners stuff. I am looking for any similar type of sites if anyone has recommendations. I really looking for lessons that work in the melody lines.
I play unplugged so would like to check out guitar that favors solo, unplugged fingerstyle.
And as you stated, looks mean little to me, no ones going to see it but me mostly.
Thanks
Ray |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | More seriously than my "one of each" advice above, I'd recommend a Folklore (1614 or 1114), but note that the wider and flatter the neck, the harder it is to do barre chords, at least for me. For instructional videos, I'd recommend Pete Huttlinger, who, thanks to Stephent28, has become my go to guy on fingerstyle lessons. Clear explanations of what he is doing with both hands and why he is doing it, with tabs. He also seems like a nice guy and has the chops to back up what he is talking about. |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 843
Location: CA | Does it have to have a center hole? If not, and depending on how important aestetics are, a 1778T is worth a look. There are several on eBay right now in your price range. Noted numerous times as best bang for the buck on this very forum.
Not everyone finds them attractive, but somehow that pebbly paint gives them a unique and appealing sound. |
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First Post on the General Forum, need guitar buying advice.