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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Ok, here is how we'll do this: The link to the songs is below. Listen to all 8 guitars and then vote for the top 3 (1-3) in order of which guitar you think sounds the best, second best, third best: sound is the only parameter right now. You can submit your vote (only one entry per person) by replying to this post. Deadline is Wednesday midnight EST (July 30th). Please keep the submissions to only one per member please so it will not be so hard for me to count and keep up.
On Thursday (July 31st) I will list the 8 guitars played. Then Part Two of the contest will begin: matching the 8 guitars with the 8 sound tracks. The deadline for submissions will be Midnight EST, August 3rd. Again, only one vote per member please.
I will announce the winner(s) on August 4th by noon EST.
The winner will receive An Ovation Banner! It reads "Ovation.....because the world isn't flat"
I Think this will be fun and I hope the rules are as easy to understand as I think they are!
OK?
Here's the link: MusicMike
Click on the Guitar Sound Clips file in My Music
LET THE GAMES BEGIN! :D |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | bad link, Mike |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | better link, Mike |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Try again Jeff: it works now! |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | :D ;) |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Mike, GREAT WORK. But I hope you will understand that I can't participate. If I accidently picked one of your Taylors as Top-3, I could never forgive myself.
Let's just say they ALL sound great !!!
Dave |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Here is a little info: NO GUITARS WERE PLUGGED IN: IT'S ALL ACOUSTIC! All guitars were miked using my 10 year old RODE NT-2, mastered in stereo w/just a touch of reverb using the Boss BR-1600CD and then converted from the .wav file to mp3 and uploaded to the new site.
Not every note is note for note on every guitar...I tried to do the best I could without anything special on any guitar. I am aware of a bit of boominess: it is not in the mastered mix and seems to be from the computer speakers...
All strings are Elixir Nano Phosphor Bronze custom light .11-52. It's what I use so everything is constant across the board.
I had fun with this and hope you do too! |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Awww come on Dave, go for it! I tell you, some of these will be real shockers! The only multiple guitars are Ovation products.
BTW EVERYONE: I ONLY HAVE ONE BANNER (SWMBO IS THRILLED I AM GIVING THIS AWAY) SO THERE WILL BE ONLY ONE FINAL WINNER. TO BE HONEST, I'D BE SHOCKED IF MORE THAN ONE GUESSED EVERY GUITAR CORRECTLY! |
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Location: CA | 2 - 8 - 7, in that order |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | good work. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Outstanding! My only suggestion would have been to set it up as a poll as it might have been easier to compile the results, but your way also works. Wonderful work, Mike, on the selection and you did fantastic playing as consistently as you did. E-mail on its way. |
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Location: East Wenatchee, WA | Wow...really addresses that whole "flavors" thing.
I like 2 the most, then 7 then 8. Seems like 5 and 6 were nice too, but after several listens I guess I had to choose. |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | It's hard to remember what number one sounded like when you get to four or five. I would like to be able to jump back and fourth (e.g. compare 2 to 6 and 5 to 1 etc, until I can logically put them in some type of order.
But my best guess at the moment would be 2, 6, 7 |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I haven't been able to decide yet. Darned customers keep coming in and interrupting. :) I've narrowed it down to four, but I'll have to come in before opening tomorrow and try again. |
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Location: Tychy, Poland | personally, i like 2&8. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Quick Note: For those of you would like to remain private about your selections (and there are several who do) you can PM me with your vote and it will remain confidental but still be counted in the final vote tally.
Also I appreciate the kind words and suggestions: as this is the first time I have done something like this I am sure it will be a learning experience for the future...
Carry On.... |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | It's late. I'm tired. I only have a cheap set of headphones to listen with. My low battery signal just went off in the middle of listening. They all sound very nice, but with a gun to my head, I'll say 8,6,7.
Of course, that opinion could change daily.
This is fun...in a nerve-racking, risking your musical reputation kind of way. :rolleyes: |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I didn't read the comments until after I took the test.
2 - 7 - 8
then 6 - 5 - 4 - 1 - 3 |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | So far, I have had only 7 responders who have tried to identify the three guitars they think sound best in the blind sound tests. Even though I spent quite a bit of time this week recording these different instruments I'm just trying to get a little fun into our forum.
It bothers me that we're so quick to put other brands down: I'm all for brand loyalty yet we get incensed when others do that to Ovations: just because someone else does it does not make it right for us to reciprocate. After all, we're "convinced, not conceited" right? Come on, let's give it a break and "put your ears where your mouth is" so to speak...lol.
This test could not be fairer and is totally up to the individual listener. I had not yet announced the guitars involved but maybe that would garner more interest. I sat here reading the diatribe's on one of the other posts about who thinks what guitars suck and which guitars are shite'; etc. Well, 6 of the 8 guitars on these tests are Ovation products: 2 are not. Each one was recorded just exactly as the others and nothing was added to any one guitar. Granted, my playing is not the best, but after playing the same thing on 8 guitars for about four hours straight to get it right, I'm just glad I got through it. Believe me the results so far will amaze everyone!
Folks, the point here is that when the great guitars are played side by side acoustically and without our sight knowledge to interfere, it is difficult to pick out which is which.
The contest is still on, and you can still vote for the top three instruments(sounds): However, Part 2 will begin Now: not Thursday as originally announced: simply match each sound with the guitar you think played that sound (all 8).
I will guarantee the prize will be awarded to the winner at the end. So, with that said: here is the list of the instruments (not in any order) played:
Ovation 1982-8 Collector
Ovation 1987-5 Collector
Adamas I 1687-7 (1981)
Martin D-28 (1948)
Adamas 1187-247 #47 RI (2005)
Ovation Elite 1868-6P SSB (1990)
Taylor 615 CE BRZ (1988)
Ovation TS-01-5 Thunderbolt SSB Snake (1989)
I told you there would be some shock value here: so, go for it: match em (all 8) and send me the guess (one per member, please) by email, PM, or posting here to the thread.
Match 'em, I dare ya!
Try and have some fun!
Remember, it takes more muscles to frown than to Laugh!
;)
MusicMike |
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Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | 5-8-7 |
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Location: Tuscany, Italy | Very difficult task !
My rank : 8-5-2
then, 7-6-4-3-1
Thanks
R. |
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Location: Tychy, Poland | 1. TS01
2. Taylor
3. '82
4. Elite 1868
5. Martin
6. Adamas RI
7. '87
8. Adamas I |
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| 2 7 8
I would have to say I did not hear a bad one in this bunch. 3 & 4 may have had the least presence. It's hard to remember once you get to the end and I only listened once.
Nice effort, there should be more postings. |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | OK, I finally had time. I also had the help of one of my students. We both agreed that #8 sounded best. (I have a feeling that's the Martin-sorry.) He liked #6 second best, but although it's close, I'd pick # 7. Then #6. I liked 5 and 4 also. I guess the only one I really DIDN'T like was #3. It sounded tinny to me.
So, in order from best to worst - 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 2, 1, 3. As far as which guitar is which, I won't even attempt it, as I haven't played many of them in person. Great job by the way. Nice playing, and a fun exercise. Thanks. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | #7,#6,#2 |
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| 7, 8, 6, 5, 2, 3, 4, 1
won't attempt to guess which is which |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | 2,7,6 |
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Location: big island | listening through my computer speakers, #8 guitar records the best with clarity, warmth and no booming bottom end.
i like 8-7-5.
followed by 2-1-3-6-4. |
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Location: big island | risking embarrassment, i'm takin' a stab at which is which:
1 - tbolt
2 - 82C
3 - 1687
4 - 1868
5 - #47
6 - martin
7 - taylor
8 - 87C |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Ok, lost of interest so far and lots of voting both public and private...lol, you know who you are...
The voting for the blind sound top three ends tomorrow evening...so still time to vote for your choices.
Thursday AM I will announce the top three vote getters and on Monday AM I will announce the winner of the identification matching contest and award the banner to the one who has the most number of correct matches. Lots of time to make your choices: (hint: if you can hook up a pair of Headphones for the listening, it will help especially if you have less than great computer speakers. A powered set will also work great!)
Thanks for the competition so far...Now, onward and upward! |
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Location: Denmark | 7 - 5 - 8 |
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Location: Tuscany, Italy | SWMBO wants to add her personal touch to this contest. After a single listening here is the response :
4-8-7
Good night and Good luck
Riccardo |
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Location: Denmark | Sample 1: Ovation 1982-8 Collector
Sample 2: Ovation 1987-5 Collector
Sample 6: Adamas I 1687-7
Sample 5: Martin D-28 (1948)
Sample 7: Adamas 1187-247 #47
Sample 4: Ovation Elite 1868-6P
Sample 8: Taylor 615 CE
Sample 3: Ovation TS01-5 Thunderbolt |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Top 3 for me in no particular order
5, 8, 4
1 - Taylor
2 - 82 Coll
3 - TBolt
4 - 87 Coll
5 - Martin
6 - Adamas 1687
7 - Elite 1868
8 - 1187 RI #43 |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | 2, 8, 5 |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Final 24 hours! Get your votes in now...
Guitar ID's and Winner posted late Sunday night or early Monday morning before I leave on Vacation...
Thanks in advance for your playing along... |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | Originally posted by g8r:
7, 8, 6, 5, 2, 3, 4, 1
won't attempt to guess which is which I disagree with ya g8r, but only slightly.
I would have to guess:
8,7,6,5,2,3,1,4 ;) |
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Location: big island | mike says he will post results later this week when he returns from roughing it in the woods. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | He could have just told you the answers! |
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Location: big island | i'm not so sure he had even tallied it up before leaving. he had a very hectic week. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | There was no tallying up to do.
We were just waiting to hear what guitar matched up to what sound.
He gave the tally's in the other thread. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | There was no tallying up to do.
We were just waiting to hear what guitar matched up to what sound.
He gave the tally's in the other thread.
Actually Stephen: there was...
I have been gone for three days in the remote mountains of SW VA/Kentucky border.....no internet, phone, cell service: just peace and quiet shattered by my 18 month old boy!
Besides which I have been unable to get on the original website because of the crash until today: and then I had to go through the forums at the new site....
I just got back in and need a minute or two to check all submissions: I have emails and PM's as well as the subissions to this site...not everybody guessed at the guitars so those that did are the only ones in the running for the banner. Results in a bit.
Music |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Ahhhh yes, I stand corrected! |
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Location: Nashville TN. | I missed it |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Sorry... |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Ok... someone send me a roadmap... I can't find where the file is we're supposed to be listening to. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Threads almost a year old.
Original files are most likely gone from the server. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | When the new site went up, I had posted them there; somehow in my adding new stuff, it got deleted...I am not sure if I still have the original file on the computer...I'll look...
I guess we could do it again...but not now...the new DAW will be here on Tuesday, so I hope to have the time to do some new things...
Meantime, I'll search for the original... |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | OK ... I have been to the link 4 times now and I can't find "My Music" anywhere. Am I doing something wrong?? |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | This is a year old test: the sound clips had been deleated from my page on the ning site but I have restored them: HOWEVER the old links do not work...just click on the link at the bottom of my sig. line and it will automatically play or you can go to my music and its the first one listed...
here is the list in the correct order of the guitars I played on the test:
1. 1981 Adamas I 1687-7
2. 2005 Adamas 1187-247 RI #87
3. Ovation 1987-5 Collectors
4. 1990 Ovation 1868-6p Elite SSB
5. 1989 Ovation TS-01-5 Thunderbolt Snakeskin
6. 1948 Martin D-28
7. 1988 Taylor 615-CE Brazilian RW
8. Ovation 1982-8 Collectors
Hope that helps: I may do this again since my recording has improved and I have some new guitars that should stump a few folks...but for now enjoy the old test. |
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Location: Chicago | Those are beautiful tunes, Mike.
Despite your attempt to "standardize" I gotta say that the recording conditions (volume, mix etc) make for a great variety or disparity across the tracks. I must complain: this is not simply a matter of switching up the guitar!
Put it this way: if you were submitting this set of tracks for a CD you'd have some serious work to do just to make the "finish" of the music more uniform (irrespective of the box used).
Does this make sense to anyone?
Really nice to listen to, though! |
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| Originally posted by dobro:
...if you were submitting this set of tracks for a CD you'd have some serious work to do just to make the "finish" of the music more uniform ... Wouldn't that completely negate the whole point of the test, though? If you want to compare the tone of various guitars you would use the identical settings (mic, distance to mic, gain, effects loop, etc.). Optimizing for final mixdown with post-processing for each guitar would defeat the purpose. Volume, clarity in each range (low, mid, high), uniformity across the fretboard, those are all parameters that could be "corrected" during mixdown and would be lost without the "raw" recording. |
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Location: VENISE-EN-QUEBEC CANADA | Well you are a great guitar player
my vote is/#7,#5,#2
thank's for the music
Daniel |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | This post brings up a certain thing that I have always wondered. I once heard a recording engineer comment that he was recording "such and such" a guitar, forget even what it was, because in his words "it just records SO well, even though it really doesn't sound very special in person".
Is this possible? Could a guitar that sounds outstanding to my ears actually NOT be the best choice to record - does the microphone "hear" what I hear. I guess every environment and every mic adds its own "color" so maybe something that's average to my ears really DOES come through just outstanding on a recording?
Anyone else wonder about this? Not at all saying Mike's comparisons are not valid. Just wondering if I would rank them the same in person. |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | <Paging Paul Templeman...please answer the sunburst courtesy phone in the lobby... > |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Thanks for listening and the comments...Pez had reposted to this again and we do have some folks who missed it last year...I'm glad I found the files...
To recap: I used exactly the same mic and settings (distance, volume, etc.) for each guitar...you can read about it in the original posts...the point being to make it an even playing field for the tests...it was also the first recording I had done on my Boss 1600CD DAW...so I was green as could be...
Dave brings up a good point: in the test, the 1687 did not record well: those at Amelia last year know what a killer sounding Adamas I that it is: Matt used it in his concert...so some guitars do sound differently in person than they do recorded according to how they were recorded...there are so many variables to get the maximum tone from a recorded guitar, different mic's, angles,eq, etc, need to be used for each situation; again for this test, I wanted everything fair and even for each guitar...it served its purpose and was a fun experiment.
BTW: Randy (Lanaki) won the contest with the right number of matches... |
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Guitar Sound Test