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Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Went into the local Guitarget today, while the better half was shopping. What a zoo...but, they were well stocked with LXs. I was drawn, however, to a cedar topped something or other (I believe it said Balladeer) with a very nice abaloney rosette inlay. Sound wasn't the greatest, and for some reason the neck seemed shorter than even my Elite (which seems way short compared to Project Viper), but I entertained a middle-aged couple who were trying to decide on a git for their kid. I ripped off a quicky Moonshadow, first 1/3 of Babe I'm gonna leave you (both fingerstyle and I like the way they sound on the O) and then a nice 'The Christmas Song' (only two verses, sorry). I really don't like playing in front of people, but figured WTF and went for it.
The best part was as I was leaving the gentleman was saying to the nice lady, 'You know, I've always thought those Ovations sounded better than other guitars...' I am quite positive that wasn't a reference to my playing, but hopefully we'll have a convert. I should have some OFC cards to hand out or something...I got so many jollies out of it, that it might become a habit.
Oh, and Guitarget-man (salesdroid) was going on about the Fender Telecoustic for some reason...maybe they're offering spiffs on those this season?
EDIT:
Oh, and apropos of nothing...a very close friend who knows me well brought me a 2001 Smoking Loon cabernet. Very good, recommended. (Of course, if this very close friend new me really, really well, he would've brought a 1999 Smoking Loon cab, but those are hard to find anyway...but worth it). Game on! |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | cruster, the "cedar-topped something or other" is a special Guitar Center-only S771 model Balladeer. I have one. Judging the sound of it to an Elite is comparing apples and oranges or chocolate and strawberry ice cream. Which flavor do you want?
I consider the cedar S771(actually, the spruce S771 as well) to have a more folky, rural sound than Elites and Legends, and works well for folk and country, as least to my ears. The neck has a fatter profile than Elites and Legends, too.
Roger |
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Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Roger-
Thanks for the info. Don't get me wrong, it (the cedar balladeer) was a nice guitar...fit and finish were exceptional (more on that in a second), it just wasn't what I've come to think of as the O sound. A hazard of having only one roundback to play, I suppose...perhaps I should remedy that. :) How much are they going for? That was the only thing I didn't pay attention to in the store! I sure liked that rosette inlay better than those plastic raised ones, though. I may have to go back and play with it when I have more time.
EDIT:
Realized I forgot about the fit/finish on the cedar Balladeer. I'm not sure what it is, but the neck on my Elite seems 'shorter' to me than the necks on my 'lectric guitars...especially Project Viper (not surprising as it's two octaves). But that has nothing to do with fit and finish. The cedar top had a satin finish on it that showed off a fine, tight grain in a subtle reddish-brown hue. There were no flaws in the grain that I could discern and the abaloney inlay was well done...precisely placed and perfectly flush with the top. I was surprised that the sound hole edge was rounded over instead of squared off, but it added a certain je ne sais quoi and I like it. There was a special/limited/who-knows-what-marketing-term Martin nearby with a spruce top. The grain was uneven (wider in some spots than other) which isn't a big deal, but the Type I personality half of my psychi likes to see regular, repeating grain. :) The amazing thing, to me, was that the Martin had several highly visible, immediately noticeable flaws in the grain. I know they're not really 'flaws' but part of the natural character of the wood (my Elite has a mirrored 'smudge' in the grain, so it isn't a show stopper) but I couldn't believe that they'd use that piece of wood for the top on a special model. Unless that's what made it special. Anyway, the fret dressing on the Gibsons was uneven. The Fender's were uninspiring (and the danged salesdroid kept pushing that freaking telecoustic...argh). The Tak's were...Tak's, although I played a burgundy one that sounded nice. What fun... |
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Posts: 365
Location: NC | Cruster you are a true Ambassador for Ovation! Good Job! :D |
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Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | cruster, the cedar Balladeers (model GCS771-C) go for the same price as a regular S771, $699, with case at Guitarget. I got a little better deal because I frequent our local one--mine was priced as without case at $639 and the acoustic room guy threw in the case for free because he knew I was a regular.
I've found that, to my ears, for the current model Os, as they go up in price, the sound goes up in "refinement". Don't know quite what else to call it. Balladeers have a folky/country sound, Legends and Elites have a smoother sound(except Elite Ts, which also have a nice less-refined sound). For some reason, Balladeer LXs have a very nice blend of the two.
Petting the herd is always a good idea, it allows one to "calibrate" your ears as to the range of Ovation sound. :)
Roger |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Nice discussion, I found it very interesting to read. Good descriptions of the differences in guitar finishes and sounds. I think really good top wood is very scarce and even Martin is compromising in their "cheap" (under $10,000) guitars, I haven't seen much compromise in Ovations, they deliver a triple A top for an affordable price in comparison.
Bailey |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I'll throw in at this point that I got to see and play a brand-new Legend LX 12-string at our local GC yesterday evening.....the acoustic room guy who sold me the cedar S771 opened the box, we got it out and I got to tune it and play it for the first time. It was one of the "amberburst" GC special models that had been mentioned before.
The reason that I bring it up is that it had one lonely "bearclaw" in the top, which could be taken by the less-knowledgeable (me included) as a flaw. Otherwise was perfect. The guitar sounded wonderful, in any case.
Roger |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | This just in...local mom and pop has a 97 collectors on consignment. I played it. Holy booming bass out of that thing! It smelled good, too. Wouldn't say mint condition, but most excellent, all around. Ooh, and a five piece neck to boot. Unfortunately, at $1250 asking, it's beyond my present guitar fund's reach. =( |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Cruster...pass on the info to your fellow OFCers! :D :D :D
That way we can keep it in the family until you are ready to take ownership! |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by stephent28:
Cruster...pass on the info to your fellow OFCers! :D :D :D
That way we can keep it in the family until you are ready to take ownership!
Last time I did that, my reputation was besmirched. ;)
Anyone interested, it's at MidMichigan Music in Midland, Michigan. I don't know if they list it on their web site inventory page, as it's consignment. If anyone is seriously interested, I will be back down there Tuesday next and would be willing to snap some pics (if it's still in residence).
Is that a reasonable price for a 97 collectors? |
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Trip to guitarget to pet the herd
