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May 2007
Posts: 18
Location: Australia | Hey guys, I'm a total beginner and was thinking of buying either celebrity cc24 or cc28 as my 1st guitar. So do you guys have any inputs to help me make up my mind?
Cheers. |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Welcome to the club, Kougra. Good to see another Aussie on board. Whereabouts in Oz are you?
Regarding your question, I'm a bit (well... a lot) of a USA Ovation snob, so don't know much (well... anything) about the Celebrity models. What's the difference between the two models? (Quick Google - Seems to be the bowl depth)
If you're just beginning, you're not likely to want to plug it in, so avoid the SSBs (Super Shallow Bowl) as they are a bit 'weak' acoustically. The deep bowl Ovations pump out the best acoustic sound, and although the mid depth bowls sacrifice a little volume for comfort, they still hold their own with all wood guitars of similar quality.
Have you held both guitars? Do you have any friends that know about guitars? Get them to play one to see if the action is acceptable. Don't let them talk you out of getting a 'roundback', just get them to test the 'playability'.
And... how much are you willing to pay? Celebrities are pretty expensive down here. If you have any contacts in the USA, it might be worthwhile importing a US model - and if you then decide that you're not likely to be the next Jordan Rivers, you can re-sell it and most likely make a bit of profit.
Whatever you get, hang around. |
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Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 18
Location: Australia | Thanks for the welcome muzza! Anyway, I'm from the 'ol Adelaide.
Nope, I've never held both of the guitars; I came about buying the Ovation guitar when I was expressing my interest to a friend to start learning the guitar but was complaining about the bulkiness of the acoustics guitars; to which he sugested the Ovation. (Tho' some other mates were against the "plastic" guitar!)
Anyway, I'm willing to spend $600 tops(Cheaper would be better of course! :D ) Oh, and I'm planning to get it from one of the online shops which links are given from the official ovation website as I can seem to find any Ovation dealer around here( at least not that I know of). So,trying them out is outta the question. |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Try looking for a good used deep bowl USA balladeer, Legend, or Elite. Might even find one or in the for sale section here. With shipping, I bet you could come in under 600.00. |
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Posts: 18
Location: Australia | They do come in mid-depth or shallow bowl as well right? I think a deep bowl is gonna be too bulky for me. But thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into buying a second-hand now. |
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Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | CC28 is shallow, CC24 is mid depth. As I said earlier, don't buy a shallow bowl. You'll be disappointed with the acoustic sound. Mid depth is the happy medium between comfort and acoustic sound.
Some people hate Ovations because of the awkward shape of the deep bowl, but I've never had a problem with it.
Don't let your mates talk you out of buying a 'plastic' guitar. Ovations are for independent thinkers and I for one don't care what others think about my guitars. I love 'em. |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Welcome to the OFC kougra.
The celebrity models are very nicely priced guitars for the budget-minded ... at least, that's the case here in the U.S. ... I'm not sure how the market works over there in Aussie. However, from my experience with the OFC, I found that the best value is actually to own a U.S. made Ovation for a few dollars more than the Asian-made cousins.
Found a USA-made, medium bowl balladeer [S771], for $79 more than what you're willing to pay for. Just thought I'd post it, in case it might interest you?? The one I saw has a satin finish, cedar top, natural color, and the OP30 preamp [I think]. It's brand new with a hard case. |
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Posts: 18
Location: Australia | Well ignimbyte, I'm sure with postage and everything, it's gonna cost me near 900USD. I was referring to Australian dollar in my previous message regarding the amount of money I'm willing to spend (which is about only 500USD).
So that's why if I'm going to buy the USA made Ovation, I'll have to settle for a second-hand.
And if I want to buy a first-hand guitar, I think only the celebrity ones are within my budget.
Cheers for the input guys! |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Ooppss ... I forgot to consider the exchange rate between the U.S. and Australian currencies. Hopefully, you'll be able to find one that will fit within your price range ... perhaps, a fellow OFCer might even be able to lend a hand?
Good luck. |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | The exchange rate isn't a problem as Ovations are cheap as chips in the US - it's the shipping thats the killer. |
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April 2003
Posts: 251
Location: Pewaukee, WI | check musicgoround.com. lots of O's in every price range. they may ship to AUS, and if not an OFC member could reship. |
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Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 18
Location: Australia | Thanks for the website! Anyway, this guitar looks cool and is within my budget. http://www.musicgoround.com/gear/inventorydetails.asp?id=373027
Any inputs? Is it a mid-depth bowl?
It's stated in the website that international shipping is available. I've emailed them asking about the rate. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Either that, or a Deep bowl.
I was looking for info on one of them...
I think it was made in 1983, and was listed at $299. [in 1983 dollars, I guess]
Here is a link for one similar to it on ebay With some photos
Maybe you can decide...
Hope this helps |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Ultra 1312 is a deep bowl. I'm having trouble finding a 1311. Even the Ovation site doesn't show one.
If it is a deep or medium bowl, it would be an excellent starter guitar for you, with good re-sale prospects if you decide that you wanna play drums instead.
Make sure the seller knows what he's doing re; shipping, or it could get expensive. Other than that, go for it.
Remember to hang out here and keep us informed of your progress with both aquisition and education.
Muz |
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Joined:
January 2007
Posts: 672
Location: New South Wales, Australia | welcome kougra...hope you find what you're looking for. I've got a US 1860 which has the super shallow bowl and like Muzza said, that bowl won't pump out much volume.
I plug mine in most of the time (well, when the wife and kids aren't home) and I've always been real happy with it.
There's lots of people here who'll give you great advice so make sure you get something you're comfortable with.
Good to see another Aussie here :) |
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Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 18
Location: Australia | Cheers for the welcome ozwatto.
Actually, at first I was tempted to buy the shallow bowl because it won't make much noise. But now I now better. I don't think I'll be spending money on the amps anytime soon. At least not when I still don't even now how to play a full song on the guitar! :p
Hey, can someone enlighten me about the Applause by Ovation guitars?
Cheers. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | My first O is a Shallow-bowl, and I was/am satisfied with it.
But as time goes on, I got a couple of deeper bowls, with more acoustic resonation,
(damn, almost sound like I know what I'm talking about!)
I just got a Deep-Bowl Beater, and was surprised at the difference between it and my mid-bowls. And this thing is all cracked and stuff.
Makes me wonder what it sounded like 30 years ago, before someone sat on it!
Something to think about... |
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Ovations according to Muzza; ;)
Applause = Good :(
Celebrity = Better :)
US Ovation = BEST :D
Adamas = Out of your price range
Shallow bowl = Good :(
Mid Depth Bowl = Better :)
Deep Bowl = BEST :D
Deep Contour Bowl = Out of your price range
As I said; "according to Muzza". Other opinions are available on request. |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Come on muzza, that's far too simple!
For example - How about a USA shallow bowl vs. Celebrity deep bowl?
I used to get all hung up on these things and would not even LOOK at a guitar if it was this or that or whatever. I found some exceptions to my "rules", and soewm of these turned out to be some of the coolest guitars I owned.
Anyway, as I get older I'm getting far less worried about configuration and focussed more on how it really plays and sounds. If it's a shallow bowl, or a wooden guitar, or a this, or a that ... I really don't care so much as long as it makes me happy.
I generally agree with muzza's guidelines but I would only add that you also need to keep an open mind.
Dave |
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Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 18
Location: Australia | Thanks guys. Man, I can't buy the 1311 model from both ebay and musicgoround website because apparently USPS won't do international shipping for goods bigger than 42 inch! :(
Oh well, I guess I just have to save more money if I want to buy the USA made Ovation. |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Contact Alpep or Paul Blanchard and see what they've got on offer. They've got experience with shipping to Australia for a fair price, I believe.
If you were an experienced player and knew what you wanted, it is still cheaper to buy a US ovation and cough up the UPS or FedEx blood money. You could still end up with a nice US Ovation for well under $1000AUD.
My 1768 elite all up cost me just under a grand Australian shipped to my door. $525US for the guitar (inc case) and about $400AUD for shipping via UPS
But it's a lot of up front money for a beginner. |
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May 2007
Posts: 18
Location: Australia | Hey muzza, did you have to pay extra tax when your guitar arrived in Oz? |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Kourga, I'm not Positive... But I believe that if you send a Guitar WITHOUT a case, it is less than 42".
I just measured the box that one of my guitars came in, and it was 41" on the long side of the square (not the hypotenuse).
Even when wrapped in another rectangular box (with air-bags), I believe that the long side is less than 42"...
Unless they really wanna be jerks.
Mark it fragile, and insure it, it should be okay. |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Find someone who works at US Airways and ask them to ship it for you. US Airways employees get a 75% discount at FedEx.
Dave |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I didn't pay any import tax on either of my US Ovation imports. Was I lucky? I dunno. Some pay, some don't - depends on which customs employee processes you, I think.
A good friend followed my example and bought a Gibson :confused: from the States and got slugged with $250 import duty. (serves him right for buying a Gibson :p )
He paid about US$2000 for his, I paid US$525 for my Elite and US$1000 for my 05 collectors. (Look at that, I paid 500 bucks less than him and got TWO excellent guitars! It pays to be in a minority sometimes)
There doesn't seem to be any rhyme nor reason as to who pays and who doesn't. Luck of the draw.
Maybe my local customs guy is an 'O' cultist? :D |
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Joined:
May 2007
Posts: 18
Location: Australia | LOL! I wish! Anyway, so if there is gonna extra tax, it's gonna costs about 12.5%? Hmm.. Let's hope your theory is right and the Adelaide customs are pro Ovations as well! :p Btw, I've already contacted Alpep and we're discussing a deal. I'm going on a trip for about 2 weeks starting tomorrow and hopefully by the end of the trip I'll be able to settle all the payment arrangements and stuff. :)
And a few weeks after that I'm gonna be a proud owner of Ovation Ultra! :D *fingers crossed* |
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celebrity cc24 or cc28