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Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 14
Location: Ca | Hello. I'm new here and just had a question. I searched the topics and didn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I thought I'd post a question. I hope I am not rehashing old stuff.
I am considering buying one of these as a stage guitar. What is important for this particular case is cutaway, good plugged-in sound, good action, easy to play standing up, adjustable neck, among other things..
I have never played a T357, but have played several CS257s. So, how do they compare? I have seen several negative comments about the Tangent series, but would like more specifics. Why don't you like them?
What are the pros and cons of both of these guitars? Money IS a consideration here, but if you have any other suggestions, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks,
Guy |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | First of all, welcome!
When money is a primary concern the Celebrity line can look very enticing on a new purchase. Things to consider though:
- You can usually find a great used USA O for the new price of a new Celeb.
- The Celebs will not "age" or enhance like the USA (solid top) models.
- Celebrity Series has little or no Customer Support.
Suggestion - look at the Musician's Friend prices for the Elite T six string and soon to be released 12. Then talk with Al Pep and swing a deal. If I remember the Elite T and the Tangent series aren't too far apart!
A positive for the Celebrity series - they can take a beating! |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | I remit:
CS257 $539
T357 $579
Elite T $749
Elite T's can be had on ebay and via OFC Members for under $600.
Just an opinion. :rolleyes: |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | I wouldn't buy a Celeb. Not a soid wood top. The best description of a Tangent was "spooey dog poo". And the top may not be solid.
Go with an Elite T. Get a medium depth bowl. Good on stage and off. Really great guitars for the money. |
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Joined:
October 2004
Posts: 14
Location: Ca | Thanks for the tips Woody. I am new the Ovation world, as you can tell.
I already have a great sounding solid wood guitar. It is a bit hard or tiring to play barre chords standing up though. That is the reason I am looking for a stage guitar.
So, the primary factors for me are: good, easy neck, comfortable, and good sounding plugged in. I don't much care about resale value.
So, under those circumstances, would you still recommend against a CS257?
Guy |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | click. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Go out and try playing one, and see if it floats yer boat . . .
Personally, if I were you, I'd go with MINIMUM of a Balladeer (entry-level USAOvation) and go up from there . . . if cost is a factor, look around for used . . . deals are out there, and can be found . .
If you can swing it, aim for an EliteT . . .
GREAT gigging guitar for the money!
A lot of people here own Celebs and like 'em, but I just find that the US models have better playability . . . |
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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 21
Location: Lawrenceville, Ga. | I second the suggestion of an Elite T as a stage guitar. Mine is a shallow bowl and was purchased new for around $500.00 with case- another strike against the Celebrity line as they don't come with the nice Ovation case. If you factor in the case price the difference is very little if any. I have seen a few Elites on Ebay lately for well under $500, a few Balladeers with shallow bowl (1861 I think?) for around $400 or so. I highly recommend these as an alternative to anything in the Celebrity line. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | i have an elite standard that i guess was made for 3 years. what a workhorse, and it gets as many compliments on its beautiful tangerine burst finish as anything i play. simple elegance. the neck shape takes a little getting used to if you play lots of bar chords. i found a spot on my thumb that had to get used to the ridge, or whatever that high spot in the neck's back cross section. id say v-neck, but that sounds like a sweater.
anyway my thumb is used to it and that elite has become a real regular gig guitar. much more feedback tolerant than the old centerholes i have. it's the only deep body cutaway i have. i like it. it has an oxblood colored bowl. i had a pinnacle 12 that was also off black, but this is kizka brown, if anyone knows what that is. i take it to my guitar classes once in awhile and always let one of the students that really is trying, play it (or anything else i bring). i love seeing what i must have looked like when i played my first ovation. grinning from ear to ear. some of these kids are pretty poor and their guitars sound like damp cardboard no matter how hard they try, and have action you could sail a paper airplane under.
one of the kids joined the class last year and brought in an old yamaha 6 string in need of a setup and with a set of strings that were basicly anything that was still long enough. he didn't even know how to tune it. i showed him how to do a simple setup and put a new set of strings on it for him. he was like a sponge. you know when you see something in a kids eyes that you know he's connecting with what you are teaching----- well 1 year later he is writing his own songs and blazing off pentatonic riffs he makes up as he goes along and had become my assistant to help me with the slow kids. i said had, because he just moved to a new home too far away. almost felt like i lost a little part of me. great kid---great future. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Thank you Russ!
That is the other reason I enjoy these O's so much. Receiving and giving with groups of youth.
These instruments make it so much easier. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | Originally posted by MWoody:
A positive for the Celebrity series - they can take a beating!
And in some cases they deserve one! :)
Welcome to the board Guy. I agree with everyone else- buy a USA made Ovation. Some great deals can be had on the bay. Go to
http://search.ebay.com/ws/search/AdvSearch?sofindtype=13&soitemstatus=2
& see what they're going for.
Celebrity quality varies too much. Any USA Ovation can be set up to play well. That cannot be said for Celebrities. Ovation USA has *superb* customer support, ask anyone here that has dealt with them.
/\/\/ |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | just got in a Celeb - parlor, koa top, palm trees for soundholes...don't laugh, for my wife.
pretty good but compared to my '97 Collectors' parlor - absolutely no comparison. |
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CS257 vs T357
