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Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB

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   Forums Archive -> The Vault: 2006Message format
 
Stephen H
Posted 2006-09-11 9:10 AM (#240476)
Subject: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB


Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 7

Location: Syracuse, NY
I'm contemplating these two guitars. Of course I will try to get out and play them both. But if my local store doesn't have one or the other, I'd like some input.

Besides the spec differences, which I can read, is there much of a playing difference? How varied is the sound difference?

Thanks for the help....
--S
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Stephen H
Posted 2006-09-11 9:12 AM (#240477 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB


Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 7

Location: Syracuse, NY
Shoot - Of course I meant the 1861 SB not 1861 AB.

:(
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Mitchrx
Posted 2006-09-11 10:15 AM (#240478 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB


Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071

Location: Carle Place, NY
The LX sounds MUCH better acoustically. It also sounds better plugged in because of the OP Pro pre-amp. Playability is the same on both.
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Paul Blanchard
Posted 2006-09-11 10:34 AM (#240479 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB



Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817

Location: Minden, Nebraska
Sound difference is the main thing. A guitar can be set up according to taste. In theory, the LX should be the better sounding guitar.
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Brian T
Posted 2006-09-11 11:28 AM (#240480 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB


Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 425

Location: SE Michigan
Personally I think the sound difference between a 1771 LX (Shallow bowl) and a 1861 would be very slight. The LX has a more stable neck and will be lighter, also better resale value. But if you can get the 1861 for a bargain price, I'd go for it.

That being said, if you are concerned about sound, why do you want a shallow bowl? SB's sound much thinner and do not have the volume of a mid or deep bowl (unplugged). Plugged in they are all pretty much even.

I would suggest playing a SB and comparing it to a mid or deep bowl at the local guitar store, even if it's not the exact model you plan to buy, just so you can see the difference.

Most people who favor shallow bowls like them for their comfort, but also use them mainly when plugged in. They are also great for sitting and practicing and such. But if you plan to play along with other full sized acoustic guitars, a shallow bowl will get buried.
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Brian T
Posted 2006-09-11 11:33 AM (#240481 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB


Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 425

Location: SE Michigan
Also looking at the Ovation website, there is no such thing as 1771 LX shallow bowl. If you want a LX model shallow bowl Balladeer, the model is 1861 LX. So if you order A 1771 LX, you are going to get a mid depth bowl guitar.

FWIW I think the 1771 LX is one of the best values in the Ovation line, a very sensible choice.
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Stephen H
Posted 2006-09-11 11:35 AM (#240482 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB


Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 7

Location: Syracuse, NY
Thanks guys - appreciate it. 95% of public playing should be plugged in. I'm interested in nice plugged in sound and playability.
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Stephen H
Posted 2006-09-11 12:28 PM (#240483 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB


Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 7

Location: Syracuse, NY
My apologies again. This is how new I am to this forum. SB meant Standard Balladeer, not Shallow Bowl. But I see now the difference and understand how I could have presented that better.

Again, appreiciate the help!
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Yak
Posted 2006-09-11 9:37 PM (#240484 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB


Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 347

Location: Reno, NV
Im no expert, a complete beginner rather. I just bought a 1771LX-CCB and I really love it. If that means anything to you. :)

From what I have heard, you'd be doing yourself a big favor going with the LX line over the non LX.
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Stephen H
Posted 2006-09-12 7:05 AM (#240485 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB


Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 7

Location: Syracuse, NY
can anyone tell me why the BLACK is $130 more??
The natural I can see, perhaps needing special select wood to carry it off, but black?? I'd think more work into CCB.

Anyways - local shops here stink. The only good ovation I could find to play was a S771. I'm ordering a 1771LX-CCB today. Thanks all for your help.
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moody, p.i.
Posted 2006-09-12 9:36 AM (#240486 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682

Location: SoCal
Cost of paint?
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Paul Blanchard
Posted 2006-09-12 10:21 AM (#240487 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB



Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817

Location: Minden, Nebraska
The 1861 is a shallowbowl model.

Black guitars show your spit better if you fling a bit of saliva while playing.
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worshipleader
Posted 2006-09-12 10:40 AM (#240488 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB


Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 580

Location: NW NJ
Originally posted by Paul Blanchard:
Black guitars show your spit better if you fling a bit of saliva while playing.
Man is THAT true!
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ignimbyte
Posted 2006-09-12 11:29 PM (#240489 - in reply to #240476)
Subject: Re: Help. Ovation 1861 AB vs. 1771 LX SB


Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812

Location: Hicksville, NY
My one and only Ovation is a shallow bowl balladeer, and have tried the LX shallow bowl version at a local music store. What Mitchrx said: playability-wise and unplugged sound, I could barely tell the difference. Plugged in, however, the LX sounds much better because of the upgraded preamp that's equipped with it. It is also lighter in weight, due to the upgrade in materials used to manufacture the bowl.

IMHO, shallow bowl Ovations are intended to be played plugged in, to better appreciate the sweet sound that they generate.
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