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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 19
Location: La Honda, CA | I'm new to the guitar, Ovation guitars, and this board. However, for some reason, Ovations seem to call to me and the 2002-AC really seems special. I know Al has one for sale and several members here own or have owned one of these guitars and I was wondering what the overall impression of them was. I have read that the African Cherry top makes for a nice, woody sound, rich and mellow. Anyone care to comment? I noticed that Jon Van Gilder bought a 2001 Redwood collectors from Al. Any particular reason you picked that one over the 2002?
Thanks! |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Herald - is that from Harald Valdarsson (son of Frode VII Valdar Hroarsson) or Harald Hildetand (son of Roric Slingeband)?? :p ;) :p
Maybe Nils can chirp in here as he has a 2002 and vows never to part with it.
The 2001 is a solid top redwood, the 2002 is not a solid top. My experience with them is that they are both beautiful, great guitars. However, the 2001 beats the 2002 as to tone and "voice." |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | Chirp. I'm sure Tony is correct in his comparison regarding acoustic sound. He has played & owned both. He has in fact played mine, I bought my 2002 Collectors from him. (As most everyone here knows.)
I have never seen or played a 2001 but I take Tony's word for it. I have played several other mid-bowl multi-hole O's & the solid topped ones sound different than the 2002. Of course they sound different than my 1612 too, but they're all different animals.
Playablity is excellent. It is one of the easiest to play & fastest acoustic/electrics I have ever played. I did send it back to Kim Keller at the Mothership a while back & they worked over the frets & 'adjusted a few things'. It was good before, now it is excellent.
Side note- I took off the D'Addarios they put on it at the factory a while back & put on a set of the same gauge Elixirs. The strings were noticeably higher. I have no idea why it would change but it did. Possibly because I took all the strings off at once when I gave it a good cleaning, I dunno. At any rate I tightened the truss rod nut about a half turn (1/8th turn at a time) & now is right back to excellent.
All in all, I love my 2002 & play it more than any of my other guitars. Plugged in it sounds terrific, it's easy to play, it rarely needs tuning & when it does it's a snap with the OP40. It is also first class eye candy. That's what I want this guitar to do. If I want big booming acoustic sound I play the 1612. If I want a 'bluesey' sound I play my 175, although it doesn't leave the house much any more.
Oh yeah, I have no first hand experience with them but I've read that the redwood topped 2001's require extra TLC. The 2002 is tough as nails.
Hey Tony, how did the 2001 & 2002 compare plugged in? Do you remember?
/\/\/ |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 116
Location: Freeport, IL | Hi,
Quote: "Anyone care to comment? I noticed that Jon Van Gilder bought a 2001 Redwood collectors from Al. Any particular reason you picked that one over the 2002?"
Al suggested it. I've been around here just long enough to place a high premium on what these OFC guys have to say. When Al suggested this particular box - I jumped on it immediately. I had something to trade at the time.
Today, I tweaked the truss rod of the 2001 a little bit and put on some 10's - don't tell Bailey - and this thing is fast and greasy with tone that will make you groan - plugged in sound? do you even have to ask? Ovations are the ultimate in guitars and by FAR the best bang for the buck.
Good luck,
Jon |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | What Tony said.
Now, I have a 2000 COllectors, and I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING! (I think stonebobbo would agree.) Love the sound. Love the feel of the neck. Love the color. AND -- my wife loves to hear me play it! |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto.
It may be a panelmeister, but it's got a certain something. Everything came together just right on this 2000 I've got. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | A panelmaster is not inherently bad, remember this brace pattern was developed on a 3 ply top, grafite,wood,grafite. They can be great sounding. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 338
Location: Toronto | HaraldtheViking...
Hate to be the desenting voice here - but I too have the 2002-AC. When I got it, I sent my Elite 1678 to my mom to use. She won't give it back - or even swap me for the 2002-AC. I want my Elite back - the action was faster, the sound was better and it had a much better feel all around.
Having said that - it still an amazing guitar, nice full sound, easy to hold and a beauty to look a. BUT, if you have a chance, try playing one of the LX's before spending your money on the 2002-AC.
Dano |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | Mr. D,
LOL
I suggest you get a "new" 1687 - maybe even call it a present for her - just keep it at your house until she trades back. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 338
Location: Toronto | Woody - it's actually too funny. I can't bring anymore guitars into the house cause the wife notices EVERYTHING. Can't scam my Elite back from my mother - and my daughters figure I should spend less money on guitars and more on their wardrobe....
Am I whipped or what
:confused: :D |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | Comes a time, a man has to plant his feet firmly and do exactly what his women tell him to do!
I have three daughters.
I now have 6 young men in my part of a Youth Group. My wife says these are my "sons" I never had! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Meow - Crack! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . Meow - Crack! . ."
Paul;
Turn off your speaker phone . .
. . . it's showing up in your posts . . .
;) |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 19
Location: La Honda, CA | Thank you to all who have 'chirped' in! I really appreciate the comments.
Tony - That would be Harald the Red, explorer and conqueror! ;) :D Actually, it was my grandfather's name, Harald Olsen, who emmigrated to the United States from Norway in the early part of the 1900's. It is also my middle name.
Your comments about the differences between solid and non-solid tops has added more depth to my appreciation and understanding of these wonderful guitars. I will definately do some research with my ears to see what sounds best to me. To be clear, when a top is 'non-solid' it means that it is 'plied,' that is, it is made in several layers like plywood. Is that correct? On the 2002 are all the layers African Cherry, or do they use less exotic woods to reduce the cost?
Nils - Thanks for taking the time to pack so much information in your reply. Sadly, I'll probably never get to play a 2002-AC before buying one. And I probably won't be able to get one for some time. My wife is pretty clear that she doesn't want to spend TOO much money on my first guitar. Guess I can understand that.
Jon - Yep, that's the great thing about this board. You can get great input on the nuances of these fine instruments before spending your hard earned cash. I'm really impressed by the willingness of the board members to share their insights. That's what happens when people are truly passionate about a subject.
Hizzoner, Stonebobbo and cwk2 - Your input is great. Its good to know that panel vs. solid is not black and white. As always, the ear and the fingers do the final talking.
MrDanno - Dissenting voices are the stuff of good information! If everyone just said YES, YES, YES this wouldn't be a rich discussion! If I can get my hands on one I'll certainly try out the Elite LX.
MrDanno, Mwoody, "moody, p.i." and cliff -
Meow, CRACK, CRACK![\B] I am married and have a 2 year old son. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and my wife currently is a stay-at-home mom, so the whip definately cracks hard here! I am just a lowly, newbie guitarist, literaly about 2 weeks into it, and my wife has some serious $ expectations about my first guitar! I am currently playing my son's half guitar! Playing scales (I'm still early in the circle of fifths) and a few rudimentary songs. I am trying desperately to fit an Ovation USA into my budget. But perhaps that will be the topic of a different thread!
Thanks again to all for your kind input! |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | I got my 2001 Redwood Multi-hole from Al and find that it's the best looking/sounding guitar I have ever played..(pictures in my gallery).
I've only seen pictures of the African Cherry and have never actually player/heard one so I cannot comment on them... |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Al is a great source for Ovations. Check him out before you buy anywhere else. |
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Opinions on the 2002-AC Collectors
