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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Hi all,
I'm wanting to buy a classical guitar. How do the Ovations stack up to the standard Spanish style guitars? I don't recall if I've ever played one, but I'm guessing an O would be a good design for a classical instrument. I'm relunctant to buy a standard classical because I'm afraid it won't slide off my lap.
Putting nylons on a regular Ovation has been discussed before, however, I'm wondering if anyone out there has tried it with success. My old cc57 seems like it would make a good classical candidate, but I suppose the nut would need changing etc. Also, are the tuners suitable for nylons? I'm not sure it's worth the trouble for a change over. Any thoughts? Thanks, Buck |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Forget putting nylon strings on your cc57. You'll make a sound, but it'll be crappy. Sell it. You can get anything from 80 to 200. Then forget the classic classicals and buy yourself an ovation country artist 1624. Used, including case between 300 and 700. You won't look back. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Here ya go, Buckaroo!
12 hours to go - This is a relisting - you might get very lucky! It's a '79. |
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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Hey Waskel, Did you ever buy that cracked Ovation? I read your post and was curious if you got it. I've got a balladeer with cracks all over it and it's the best sounding instrument I've ever played, or heard in my life. It's also the loudest guitar in any gathering. I filed the frets, lowered the bridge, and all that stuff, and the old axe plays like an electric. I saw that 1624 already. I've sent the dude an email to see if there's a reply. No one has bid, so that makes me wonder... The guitar looks alright in the photos, but those imperfctions he mentiond give me pause. If the issues are strictly cosmectic, I don't care all that much. If I get an email response from the guy, I might bid, otherwise I doubt it. Thanks for your input!
Skinny, I'm not selling my old cc57, I love that guitar. It stays in tune, the intonation is excellent, and the sound is bright. I know it's a yang and does not have much resale value, however, it is one of the first Celebrity offerings and it is a fine instrument, by any measure. By the way, what do you think of that 1624 on the bay? Waskel says it's a '79, but the seller says it's four years old. I know zilch about classical guitars. That last time I owned one Nixon was in office. Thanks guys, Buck |
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Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Buckaroo,
You might try a search for 1713s or 1763. There was a thread or 2 on them awhile ago when I bought mine. They have wider necks, cedar tops and nylon strings. The cedar sounds really nice with the nylon. I never really liked the sound of a nylon string guitar until I played the one I bought. Ovation also made a classical out of spanish pine. |
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Joined:
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Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | First, only call me Skinny if you call Waskel Boney!
Well, don't put nylon strings on, it'll be wimpy.
As for the 1624, I've spilt that much in beer in a week so the price is right. From the pictures it looks good. But I'd be slightly leary because it's older than four years. If the seller can answer your questions satisfactorily, go for it. Otherwise, forget it, there'll be others. Ask him for the serial number and why he thinks it's four year's old. Ask him if there's any buzzing and how's the action, and what's his return policy. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Bucky, the seller must have bought it 4 years ago. Who knows what he was told at the time, but according to the Ovation price list, the 1624 model lined ending in 1984.
I emailed the seller about the 'minor imperfections' and got this reply:
"There is a spot where the finish has worn off, this does not affect the binding, tuning, electronics, ect but it should be noted when bidding on this guitar. The seriel number is 181802"
Yes I bought a 'cracked' Ovation. A little more than cracked, actually. The neck was off and delaminating, there was some repairs to be done to the top at the neck joint and the bridge was an acoustic saddle replacement. Had it shipped directly to KK and his intrepid band of guitar wizards (I understand Mikey needed a challenge). Hope to see it soon, albeit without a pickup. I couldn't really afford to spring for the new bridge/pickup.
When I get it back I'll probably be putting a K&K in it. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Buckaroo,
Good timing. In addition to the 1624, a 1763 just showed up on ebay today. Looks pretty good. Just like mine except it has a cutaway. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by an4340:
First, only call me Skinny if you call Waskel Boney! I wouldn't mind so much... it's been a long time since anyone called me boney... |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Hey Buck,
I'm kinda with Mark here, but It depends on what you really want to accomplish. If you're after that 3lb flanco from hell style, the O classicals are not really there. Maybe the new LX will be closer.
But I have'nt played on yet. I've found with the right strings, I could get close on my 1763. It is considered a very respectable classical, and really great folk guitar. BTW there is a subtle but important relationship between scale length, how many frets to the body, and bridge position on nylon stringed guitars. I could write a book (Schroeder said I should). You could try the GHS Gypsies or JP Thomastic strings to get a different sound. These are relatively low tension (compared to light guage steel), and have a unique feel and sound on any gutiar. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Hi Fred, Now that's a guitar! Is that a 1763? I'd love to get the cutout so there'd access to the high notes. I'm gonna check out the bay and look for that 1763. I hope there won't be a need to take out a second mortgage to get one.
OKay, I've given up the idea of putting nylons on, although I might look pretty foxy in 'em.
The serial # on the 1624 should date it. I believe Waskel is right about the age. If the finish is worn off, the likihood of it being four years old is slim. I'm still waiting for a reply from the seller.
The # of my Viper is E6707, which dates it to 1973, according to the chart. Does anyone have an older one? Well, I'm going to look for that 1763 now. Thanks Y'all, Buck |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Bucky, it's right here.
Purdy, too.
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March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | People, take note that in about a month I'm going to be selling my 1674 Country Artist cutaway. Built in 1983 and with a top that's almost perfect. There's a pic in my folder, but more will be posted when the time get's close.
That new Ovation is the 1773LX. LX body, bracing and neck, 12 frets to the body, OP Pro preamp, and a nut of 1 7/8". |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Got something coming in a big brown truck, do ya, Paul? |
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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Thanks Waskel, I apwuishiate the link, as I did not find it on my search. I'm gonna keep a weather eye out for the next 6 days. It's a good looking axe, although not nearly as glamourous as Freds'. That one must have cost a large bucket of scheckels. What is the ebay 1763 worth? The guy has a pretty high "buy it now" price, but, then again, I've never followed prices of the nylons. I'm flying blind. The classicals on ebay seem jump from cheepo to ouch, real quick like. I do prefer older guitars, to my ears they just sound better. When I go to a shop and play the new ones, nothing grabs me, even the high dollar rigs.
Maybe they need playing for a couple of months to loosen up the wood. The brown back on that 1763 looks nice, and overall it looks to be in good condition. The bridge could use a darker stain to give the guitar a better visual balance. A bit more contrast would, to me, improve the appearance of the top. I sure hope that banjo did not infect the Ovation with the dreaded twang virus. No offense to the pluckers. Seriously, though, that guitar is just about exactly what I have in mind for a classical/nylon string guitar.
Another member, Michael, mentioned the EA63. He said Al might have one for sale. Does that one have a round sound hole, or the multiple ports?Buckaroo |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Originally posted by Buckaroo:
although not nearly as glamourous as Freds'. You must've noticed the Ebony Tuning Keys on my 1763. Those were added later and not expensive. otherwise It's the same as the one on Ebay. If you're talking about the LX classic, I swiped the pic of the off the O site. In fact, it's served from there. I wonder if that makes them mad? :eek: |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Buckaroo,
As most have said here many times, the best way to get a feel for value is to get on ebay and look at the completed sales. If I can figure it out, anyone can. I got my 1713 for $375 in May from a guitar store in a little town in Idaho. I thought that was a deal I couldn't refuse, or at least that's what I told my wife. She was really pissed, especially when I bought my Balladeer the same day. I have seen several on ebay since, all going for higher prices, but I tend to only look at those so that I can show my wife what a great deal I got. Then she usually tells me to sell mine on ebay.
Anyway, if you look at a retail price of around $1700 when they were new and compare them to others on ebay, they are pretty high end Ovations and a little more rare. I hate to use that word when I think there are 2 1763s on ebay as we speak. In my book, the slothead, cedar or spanish pine top, wide neck and nylon strings make them worth adding to the collection because of the different sound. Stick in a couple bids and if you don't like how high it's going, do some more looking. If you can get one in the $400 range, buy it. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | OK, maybe I'll shut up after this. Probably not, but another 1763 just popped up on ebay. That one has a more reasonable minimum bid of $75 vs. the one earlier for $875. The 875 one has been on before with the BS about how it is custom to his specs. It is bone stock identical to mine, except for the cutaway. The one that just showed up looks legit.
Or if you want a sort of classical, look at the 1624 Country Artist that expires in 6 hours. You could probably get it for $250. |
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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Thanks for the info Mark. My wife has also been known to get slightly testy with my purchases of musical instruments and digital gadgets. I'm not a classical player, but I do like the sound of it. The 1624 would satisfy my needs, but I'd rather have the cutout. I like to play high on the neck and it's a reach when picking a standard shaped guitar. With a nylon stringed guitar I'll probably stay in the lower registers, anyway, to get the dulcet tones. I hope I can stay awake long enough to make a bid. To my recollection, I've never won an auction with an early bid. Someone always goes over by a dollar at the last minute. If I can't bid at the end of the auction I usually don't even bother, it's futile.
This is a really cool forum. Everyone seems to have a sincere interest in helping members. I appreciate all the replies, and the laughs. Often the subjects discussed in forums, of any kind, can be kinda dull, however, when humor is injected it makes good reading. This forum is a good mix of information, and entertainment. I've been hooked on Ovations since they came out. They not only have a fabulous resonance, they make a great shield when things get out of hand. Buck |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Watch out. When I found this forum, I was looking for a CC57 and ended up with a CS247. Then things got crazy and you can see the results. Only 2 were ebay purchases, the 247 and the GS. Which GS do you have? Check Miles' cite for more info on solidbodies than you can find anywhere else. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | I've been reading this forum for years, but I was too embarrassed to post because I only had three Ovations. Now that I've got four of 'em, I feel like I can stand among the giants. The Ultra GS came from an ebay auction recently. You probably saw it; white, single pickup, Mickey Mouse sticker on the front. It was in better condition than I had hoped for. By the fret wear, it looks as if it was hardly touched. The detail is great and the pickup is hot. The guitar plays like a high dollar rig, smooth and easy. I dig those fine tuners. I could not find anything wrong with it. It's like a poor mans' strat. The tremolo works perfect, and it has the string lock. I'm very pleased with it. I like unusual guitars and there aren't that many Ultras GS axes around anymore. Not in that condition. Even the case is clean and strong. The guy packed it like it was made of glass.
My CC57 is very nice also. I paid more than it's worth, but it was what I wanted. It's old and, in a sense, new, because it does not appear to have been used much. I'm keeping it.
I have too many guitars, of course, but that's my vice and my hobby. When there is a decent nylon string instrument in my collection I'll be happy, and satisfied. Happy anyway. All the Best, Buck |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Buckaroo,
Why don't you put pictures of all your guitars in the OFC member gallery so we can all enjoy them.
If you haven't been in the member's gallery, you are missing out on a real treat. There are some amazing guitars in some of the collections of our membership. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Stephen, how do I get there to upload pix? I did not see a link. I can send some photos. I'll take some snaps and put 'em up, although, I've "only" got 4 Ovations.
I'm starting to yawn, I wonder if I can hang in until the 1624 auction goes down. After seeing those cutaways my heart is yearning for one. It's two more hours 'til the auction, it'll be tough to keep my eyes open. Buck |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | To upload pics into your own gallery or view the guitars of others, go to the left side of your screen (the green side bar) and click on "MEMBER ACCESS". this will take you to a section that will allow you to the "PHOTO GALLERY".
Then just follow the directions. Photos must be resized to 500 horizontal pixels to fit into the gallery. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Stephen, I don't see a side bar on my monitor. I did not even know there was a gallery. I'd like to see it. I'll keep trying to find it. Also, how are you able to place pictures on your posts? |
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Classical
