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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 21
Location: Asheville, NC | As I said in an earlier post, I purchased my First (New) Ovation, a 1778LX Elite.
It played and sounded great but had a few noticeable flaws in the workmanship (air bubbles, scratch, glue etc...)
They went ahead and issued a replacement for me and stated that it probably got past quality control because of the holiday season..
I am still waiting for a call tag to send back the first one, and the second one arrived today.
I immediately noticed a difference in sound between the 2. The first had a deeper more resonant sound. The second sounded good but not the same. I am baffled by it, but then noticed that the first guitar had strings that were color coded at the end. The second guitar had all bronze colored ends. Obviously they are different strings, but the label that came with both of them said "Strung by D'Addario".
I do not know what the difference is with the strings, but thought it strange that they were different. I know string thicknesses can effect sound but these look the same other than the ends.
Is this normal for Ovation to do?
Any ideas on the strings and if that could be the difference in sound as opposed to the guitars themselves?
Last question...can there be that much of a difference in sound between 2 Ovations of the same model and year. They are roughly 1802 numbers apart in the serial number.
With an Amp the first one also has a much deeper tone to it, which I like. What I do not like is the visual flaws.
Thanks, and have a Happy Holiday
Jim |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Hi, Starkahuna......D'Addario makes strings with both colored and natural metal ball-ends.....strings sold as singles in envelopes are usually natural metal.
As far as the sound difference, it may be that the first one was played in a store for a while before you got it, that may have opened up the sound/tone compared to the new one you just got. I've noticed that BRAND NEW guitars just out of the case don't sound as good as ones that have been out in a store and played for a few weeks prior to purchase. Not a HUGE difference, but it may be what you are noticing.
Roger |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 21
Location: Scotland | While you have no:1 and no:2 change the strings across...I doubt its the strings though..
whats more important! the sound or the looks...
dont send no:1 back until you feel good with both... |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 21
Location: Asheville, NC | Stephan1972 writes:
"whats more important! the sound or the looks...
dont send no:1 back until you feel good with both..."
And that is my dilemna...which sounds best.
Looks are important but not as a tradeoff to sound..
I appreciate the first reply about the guitars being played. They both came direct from Ovation in Connecticut...that is not to say that it had not been returned to them before. That could possibly be why some of the other flaws were present...from Use. Maybe someone else did not like the air bubbles in the finsih.???
This BBS is great and I appreciate all the feedback.
Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | The strings with the colored balls are the regular D'Addario's. The strings with the brass balls (which we all like to think we have) are the EXP's made by D'Addario. They are coated strings. They will probably sound a bit different. |
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March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | That would certainly explain the difference. I didn't know the factory was shipping new guitars with coated strings. |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 365
Location: NC | Stark-
I can't remember if you got that guitar from the local retailer on Patton Ave. in Asheville or not. If you did get it from the local dealer I played that guitar a few times there before deciding to buy an "O" which I eventually did from an online retailer.
I would assume that guitar was played for several months before sellling and would lend to it being broke in somewhat.
Now mine came with the D'Addario EXP16's which have the color coded metal ends. They must have used a different string on the 2nd one you got.
I have about 5 extra packs of EXP strings if you want to restring give me a call and I can get a pk. to you since we live in the same area.
Mike..........
828-273-6340 (cell #)
:D |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | OK you Ashville guys, do you know Steve Sutton? Lives out in Waynesville? Used to play with Marc Preutt at Bill Stanley's all the time. |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 21
Location: Asheville, NC | Thanks Mike (EliteLX).
I had played that guitar also, but wound up ordering online too. They drop shipped from Ovation direct, so I am assuming both guitars were new from the factory.
I see in an ealier reply from moody,p.i., about the string difference and that would probably explain the sound difference.
My only confusion with that is he states the Brass balled strings are the coated EXP's,
and you say you have EXP16 strings with colored ball ends?? Does the EXP designation mean they are coated also?
I appreciate the string offer though :) .
As for cwk2...I don't know Steve...but I am fairly new to this area having retired from the Fire dept. in NJ.
Thanks again for all the replies keep'em coming. I'll be heading North for the holidays on the 20th, but will be back online in force after the 28th |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | The string ends as I explained it is what I thought they were. I don't use EXP's and don't really pay that much attention to the ball end of strings anyway.
Hey, I have a life. But I've also been hit in the head too many times. It's not always all clear. Ask anybody here who knows me. When we get together, they just sit me in the corner and tell me to raise my hand if I need anything. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I use EXPs and they have the colored ball ends as well as do the regular D'Addarios.....I still suspect the ones on the second guitar are from singles.
I'd pick the best-sounding of the two and keep it....but I'd play the bejeebers out of the second one to see if it "comes in".
Roger |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 365
Location: NC | CWK2-
As I read this CWK a guy I work with said he knows him.........lives out near Maggie Valley, NC right outside Waynesville, NC. My friend said he has known him for years and that he mainly plays guitar but does some banjo as well. Small world it is!
:D |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 365
Location: NC | Just let me know Stark.......still need to get together after the holidays to pick some. I will be starting my new job, well with the Dept. of Justice still but will be going to the Clandestine Lab Team doing Meth Lab work.
:) |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Whatever you do, put the same strings on both the guitars, then do your comparison test. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | An excellent suggestion from Paul M.
Roger |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
Whatever you do, put the same strings on both the guitars, then do your comparison test.
Or you could take all the strings off of both & see if they sound the same....
:) |
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New Guitar Dilemna
