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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 8
| Hello everyone,
Possible new convert here from South Jersey. I was at guitar center today playing some high end Taylor guitars when I picked up this used Ovation Standard Balladeer and, I must say, was very impressed by the sound. The Taylors had a tinniness and low volume as i was playing their Grand Auditorium models, but the Ovation sounded very open with substantial volume unplugged. Anyone play fingerstyle on their ovations? Would this be a good guitar for that. Thanks from a new member, --Christopher |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Welcome to the club! Or perhaps maybe we should start calling it the Ovation Cult. ;)
I play some fingerstyle on my Ovation and it works quite well. When I was in the market for a guitar, I played just about every guitar the local store had (in all price ranges) and my used Elite was the best of them all. My Ovation has a balanced and even tone across the strings and up the neck that not even the five figure Gibsons and Martin's could match. To my ears it just sounds better, and at a price substantially less than the 'name' brand boxes. On top of that, it fits well, doesn't slide off my leg and it looks fantastic. The only down side that I can think of is that the sound is so efficiently projected forward that I don't realize how loudly I'm playing until my wife asks me to 'turn the volume down.' (hehe, that still cracks me up...)
If you think it sounded good playing fingerstyle, then the answer is 'yes' it is good for that. :) Be warned, though. Ovations are like Lay's potato chips...you can't have just one. :D |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Chris:
Welcome to the board. Ovations are great guitars for fingerstyle guitar playing. They have great sound up the entire neck and wonderful clarity.
If you think the Balladeer was good (which model number was it), try the LX series guitars. Priced below a grand, they are truly an outstanding value and a great guitar. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | Welcome Chris!
You are officially hooked so it seems!
We know we have a problem, we hold regular meetings but nobody is looking for a cure! |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 8
| Thanks for the welcome, guys. Moody: the number was 1861 priced at 599 which I think is a little high for a used 1861, but that's GC for ya. If I wait to this Friday between 8 and 10 a.m. everything will be 10 percent off.
On a side note: Last month or so, I went to my local college (Stockton) and saw a concert there. It was called the Rite of Strings with Al Di Meola, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Stanley Clarke. One of the best concerts i've ever attended. Al played his Ovation, of course, but it was heavily synthesized, I believe. |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 382
Location: USA | Welcome Zen,
Adamas, ovation, are the most versatile , all around guitar for any job. I too looked at Taylors. Taylor really messed up their new line with their new sound system. They detroyed their sound and name in one shot. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Chrsi:
Al DeMiola's signature Ovation is one hell of a guitar, plugged in or acoustic.
$600 is a little high for a used supershallow bowl. Are you going to be playing more plugged in or acoustically? If you can scrape together some more cash, the new LX's are stunning guitars. |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 8
| Moody: I'll be playing more acoustically. When I go back, I'll look at the others they have in stock. I'm just waiting for my new GC credit card to come in the mail. thanks. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | A credit card is a terrible thing to waste. Best use it on a new guitar.
Look at the LX's. They put other guitars to shame. And they are a mid depth bowl. Not much deeper than the supershallow bowl, but acoustically, they'll knock any Taylor out of the ballpark.
Spend the extra money. Well, give it some thought, anyway. |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 201
Location: Vernon, CT | Welcome to the OFC,
I highly recommend checking out the LX series too. I bought a Balladeer LX and a Legend LX this year...both fantastic guitars with a medium bowl. The Elite LX is a fantastic guitar too as I have played it too but unfortunately don't have one (yet)! The Balladeer LX will set you back about $799 new last I knew. The Legend LX is $999 new. Also, you can check with Al Pepiak who is one heck of a great guy, guitar salesman and co-founder of this website for prices and guitars. His e-mail is Alpep@aol.com Play On!
John L.
Custom Legend 1779-USA
Legend 1777-LX
Balladeer 1771-LX
Std. Balladeer 1771
Tornado (1970)
Takamine 12 String
Martin D16GT
Fender P-Bass (1975)
Fender 50th Anniversary Strat
Fender Nashville Telecaster |
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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 1180
Location: Vermont USA | Hi Chris,
I am fairly new here also I bought an Ovation Elite S868 about two months ago,I play mostly fingerstyle. I find the volume and tone are right on unpluged as well as pluged. When I play at nursing homes people hear me fine. So go ahead and buy one you wont regret it.
Paul |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 8
| Thanks paul. I'm definately going to check out more. Maybe Guitar center has an Adamas I can try. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Hey Welcome Chris,
An Ovation is great for fingerpicking since the output is more even across the playing range than other types of guitars.
Have fun making your decision. |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 8
| thanks: I knew a favorite Irish folk singer and balladeer who played the local irish bar. He would play an ovation. Always liked his sound. |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 365
Location: NC | Another person out of the closet.....welcome! :D |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | The acoustics in the closet aren't nearly as good as those in the bathroom. More player should come out of the closet! |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 171
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma | I play most of my stuff finger style... With bare fingers and with finger picks... I've found the Ovations to have more volume and clarity fingerpicking...
You've done yourself a service just by asking the folks on the board for their opinions.. You'll get alot more bang for your buck from the input...
Look out tho... Ovations are addictive..
Gerald |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 365
Location: NC | That means MWoody that I could also take a ________, while I play! Man, why did I not think of that? :) |
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May 2004
Posts: 295
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Elite LX - why would you want to take a...shower while playing guitar? |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | If you have lotsa room around the throne go for it. I keep hitting the TP roll!
Just another helpful hint form your Uncle woody! |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I recall an interview (back in the 80's) with Eddie Van Halen where he said he was ALWAYS playing his electric guitar around the house, mostly unplugged, and that some of his best music ideas came to him while in the bathroom.
I could comment, but I'll refrain.
Johnny |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Welcome Chris!
Enjoy your O!! Some may bash them,But hey there is no accounting for their taste! :D |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 100
Location: Asheville, North Carolina | Welcome! I'm a newbie too. Looking forward to learning allot here about Ovations. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Welcome to the club. Have fun trying out and comparing the different models. There is no single Ovation sound, and different models have different applications.
FYI, $500 is high for a used #1861. They can be gotten pretty easily for a lot less. It isn't a question as to whether its actually worth that much. There are a lot of crappy used acoustic/electrics selling for half a grand that aren't near what the Standard Balladeer is in quality. It's more a reflection of what the 'street' value on a used one is these days.
Also, the playing in the shower idea is most likely to be used by those of us who live in regions where the guitars need a lot of extra humidity and who are too cheap to go buy a humidifier. |
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new ovation fan
