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January 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Chandler, AZ | Hi everyone - I stumbled across a reference to this site while researching for a new guitar.
I am looking for a decent sounding acoustic to play in a band situation (ie: amplified) without investing $1000 since this will be a gigging guitar. I put a fishman powerbridge in my Les Paul but "even the drummer" :eek: was not convinced with the sound of it - so I am out looking for something different.
I currently have an MCS148 mandolin and love the sound - both acoustic and when plugged in. In my searches for a guitar I feel like I have narrowed it to a CV68 viper or the composite Martin 00CXAE.
Since I can't find anyone in town with either of these and it looks like it will be a web order, I am looking for some honest opinions, with these questions coming to mind:
1. Anyone played both the CV68 and the Martic OOCX? I played a Fender Telecoustic and it sounded like crap - the acoustic sound was really boxy and since we play really small places, I am worried about the real acoustic sound coming through - so I figure there is no way this will fly. I am fearful about this with both the CV68 or Martin - any comments?
2. If I am looking at the CV68, will the acoustic sound just be too "electricy" (is that a word) like the fishman in my les paul - and if so, should I just go for a CK057 for $300? They sound ok to my ear - just a bit plasticy/boxy - any suggestions for around $500 to step to?
Thanks for you opinions. Dave |
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Posts: 37
Location: No Town, California | You might want to consider getting a super shallow body Ovation. I personaly own two Celeberaties and I use them both acoustic and plugged in. The Celebraties are made in korea but to me it sound very full. What type of amp are you using? |
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Posts: 4
Location: Chandler, AZ | I'll be going wireless into a direct box to a Mackie Onyx board. The mandolin sounds very nice this way.
Since I am not an ovation expert - what do you mean by super shallow (model number)? The CK057 which I tried and sort of like, may fit that category - it a bit shallower than the others. |
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Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | the viper does great under high vol and that is what is was designed for. Just as an aside the back is made of mahogany.
I am not familiar with the martin model you are talking about |
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December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | The Fender Telecoustic is a piece of crap.
An Elite T could fill your needs. The Viper will be good but you need to plug in all the time.
The Martin 000CX looks a little cheap as well.
The Ovation pick up is better than the Fishman - which works well on small instruments.
YM-MO (Your Money-My Opinion)
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | I own a "super shallow bowl" 1861 Standard Balladeer. By definition of shallow, the bowl has a 4 1/6" depth which is about a little over the width of the Telecoustic that you tried, and as you claimed "sounded like crap." :D
By far, it is the most affordable of all the U.S. made Ovations. It has a distinct bright tone, but not too overbearing as the T big baby or the comparable 210. I have mine equipped with custom light strings (.11-.52), and while it sounds very good unplugged, it really comes alive plugged in (pretty much the skies' the limit once you plug it in). Unplugged, I play it mainly to accompany my children in the classroom during music sing-a-long period. Plugged in, I take it to church with the praise team on Sundays, and once in a blue moon, to an open mic at a local coffee shop. It's built like a tank, so it makes a very good gigging acoustic axe. I love it for the fact that I can just plug it in, and almost immediately have fun with it, without the need to make the adjustments required by other guitars.
The 1861 usually retail for about $600 to $700 brand new with a hard shell case, and half that price used. There are a lot of listings for it at e-bay, and you may just get the deal that you're looking for there. I heard that the new ones come equipped with an Op30 pre-amp with a built in tuner, which is a step above mine which comes equipped with the Op24+.
Here's the links for more info. and user reviews about it:
http://www.ovationguitars.com/index.cfm?fa=detail&mid=67
http://www.music123.com/Ovation-1861-i44892.music
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Ovation/1861_Standard_B...
Good luck. |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | I agree with MWoody on this one, the Martin 000CX looks very cheaply made, with an inflated price tag. If you're looking for a Martin, I'd shoot for a D-16RGTE. But then again, the $1500+ price tag just might be too much for the budget. |
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Posts: 782
Location: Waurika OK | MWoody makes a good point about the Elite T and the Viper. I have both a black 1778 Elite T and a black CV68 Viper. Both are very durable and sound great.
The Viper will need to be plugged in all the time. The T sounds good either way.
The Viper has great sustain. I use an acoustic amp which helps.
I don't feel that the Viper sounds too much like an electric, it just has an amplified sound, which of course it is. |
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March 2004
Posts: 120
Location: UK - Canterbury Kent | My first Ovation was a Celebrity CC024. It had a warped neck and high frets. The Distributor took it back, which was good service. I then bought a 1778 LX, what a difference.
The CC024 looked great and sounded fine. It was'nt till you looked at the fine detail, that the USA built 1778 just blew it away in all departments. OK it cost a great deal more, but you pay what you get for. Trying out Talyors and other high end guitars in Denmark Street, it was a good if not better that the top end Takermines, Taylors and other guitars I tried. If you are coming to London on holiday - it is a must - Twenty five plus guitar shops in one street.
I also have a Martin D28 and the 1778 LX is much better amplified. Turn it up, no problem. Turn up the D28 with the factory fitted Fishman system and it feeds back at higher settings. I'm always turning the D28 down, but not the LX.
My advice would be to either find a good Celebrity, but look very carefully. Or, spend a bit more on a new/secondhand LX and blow them all away.
Piers |
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January 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Chandler, AZ | Wow! Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Looks like I will save a little longer and go for something like the 1861 or 1778. I'll check out the local stores again once they get stock back in after the Christmas rush.
I appreciate your helpfulness. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | I think where you'd notice the difference between a Celebrity and Balladeer is the unplugged sound. My Balladeer with the supershallow bowl has a great voice, but lacks a little volume on the low end. Plugged in, any of them have way more volume than I need. The only other preamp I have experience with was on my daughter's Ibanez. I think it's a Fishman and it had a bad hiss or hum in it when it was brand new. |
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Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Approx. $300 is a good price for a CV-68 with case. For a bit more, you can get a Balladeer 1861, and it is worth the difference, imho; especially if you want some natural sound.
The Epiphone Chet Atkins CE is the other good deal on a lower end electric/acoustic but the Ovation has a much better preamp and the acoustic sound is more natural with the Viper.
Fender Telecoustics are indeed junk. They aren't good as either a Tele or an acoustic, and in this case the whole is less than the sum of its parts. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Paul used to own my Custom Balladeer, so he must know what he is talking about. |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | Mark, that is what I tell people when my expertise is questioned on ANYTHING! |
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Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | I question why anyone would ever question your expertise. |
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Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Have you ever had a wife, children, or parishioners? |
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Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | Only one wife for 28 years, 2 daughters and I know that they are always right and I'm always wrong. I've never had any parishioners, but having a lawyer tell me I'm wrong is part of my job. |
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Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Then you understand the Zen koan: When a man speaks in the forest and there is no woman to hear him, is he still wrong? |
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March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | My first rule of marriage: the husband is always wrong. All other rules are derived from the first, such as: the guy always loses. Understanding this basic rule is essential to a successful marriage. Of course, the guy always loses, so some might not consider that successful. |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | It is a fact that the greatest longitudinal study of marriages, spanning decades, identified the single most significant variable in enduring marriages is husbands giving in to their wives and letting them have their way most of the time. Hence the acronym, SWMBO. |
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Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
My first rule of marriage: the husband is always wrong. All other rules are derived from the first, such as: the guy always loses. Understanding this basic rule is essential to a successful marriage. Of course, the guy always loses, so some might not consider that successful. You didn't say you were a divorce lawyer. ;) |
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Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Watch for a new poll that is semi-related to this discussion! |
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Help with purchase opinion - CV68
