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Location: UK/Cyprus | Right, first off, hello! I'm new here so forgive me if this is in the wrong section.
I am currently in a guitar duo playing live music 6 nights a week and I want an acoustic to add some more twists into the gigs. I play a Parker Fly Classic so my standards are high in playability, tone, versatility and refinement. I have recently went to try out a few Ovations and liked them a lot, although there were a couple that I didn't, and unfortunately we were in such a rush I don't even know what models I played.
Right now I'm living over in Cyprus so buying instruments for a non-mass-inflated price is a very hard thing to do so here are my options: from the Ovations I played the other day, pick one and buy it - or, buy one of these two following Ovation models...
And here is what I'm here to ask. I'm fairly sure I've narrowed my search down to these two Ovations after doing some research.
The black 1868 Elite (discontinued) : 
or the natural Standard Elite 2778-AX-4 : 
Now the 1868 is shallow body whereas the 2778 is deep. I'm playing lead so I need to be able to cut through the other guitarist (who plays acoustic) but I won't be able to stand a guitar that sounds awful unplugged. I want that deep and hollow acoustic tone with the highs there to compliment, but nothing in excess. Other wants are as standard: low action, low string tension, good intonation, good pre-amp... etc.
Which of the two would you recommend? I know this is down to opinion, but that's what I want, your opinion. Even if you simply answer with one model number or the other, I would like to know some opinions, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'VE PLAYED EITHER OF THESE.
They are both going to cost me around the same price to buy and for all the 1868 is tempting, the shallow body puts me off and the 2778 calls for me. The big downside is that I don't think I'll be able to try either of these guitars before purchase (unless the 2778 is in the shop I went to) so what's the likelihood I'll be let down?
Thanks for your time and sorry for the exhausting post, and I look forward to any responses! |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Whats the budget? |
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Location: UK/Cyprus | Between 600-700 euros.
If you prefer USDollars, then around $800-900.
Like I said, I can get either of them for around the same price, but the 1868 would be used... and I don't think I'd mind that. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | Given the choice of just those two I would opt for the 2778...
1) Deep bowl, better unplugged volume tone, bass
2) Prefer natural finish
3) Better preamp
4) Inlaid epaulets
I've had 1686, 5686 and S686 also a 6778 plus a load more :)
But given the money I would opt for a different Ovation, namely the 2007 Collectors which would blow these AWAY! |
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Location: UK/Cyprus | Thanks, dweezil, you pretty much just said what I was thinking anyway. I was definitely leaning to the 2778, but I wasn't sure about value comparison to the 1868.
Anyone else have an opinion on the matter? |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | In terms of value the 2778 is a "better" guitar.
Do yourself a favour and check out the 2007 Collector, it it far superior to either of these and available at around that kind of price. |
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Location: GA USA | I wouldn't shy away from buying a used guitar at all. In fact, if you watch the For Sale section here, you will see some GREAT deals. You get a guitar that's been cared for, and I bet you'll get more guitar and for less than you are thinking you will. We've had 2006 and 2007 Collectors going for $900 lately, so deals are out there.
I got my 1868 on ebay for $299 US plus shipping.
You might get both!
Welcome to the board. |
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Location: UK/Cyprus | Cheers for that guys, but I'd want to go and get an Ovation by the end of the month and being in Cyprus shipping from the US is a big issue with both time and cost.
I think in all honesty I might get impatient and simply go and buy one of the ones I tried out. They had this, at least I'm pretty sure it's this (the Dave Mustaine signature?) and it was frigging awesome but out of my price range at 900 euros: http://www.ovationguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=767
If I could haggle him down to 700 I might take it in all honesty, or I may even save for it... but like I said, those two I posted are the realistic options for me buying without playing - either that or one of the ones I tried out the other day. |
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Location: Brighty in Blighty | If you like that why not the ELITE T?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEW...
Similar to the 6778 and currently only £70! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Come on guys....we're confusing the issue.
Anton has narrowed down his choice to two guitars and wanted an opinion on those two....not additional choices.
That said, I think the 2778 is the one you are leaning towards and the one you should get. |
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Location: UK/Cyprus | Thanks, Stephen, and though I agree, I have to say...
as far as the T135 is concerned, I've found it here: http://mongosmusicgear.com/prod/Guitars/OVAT357
That's a wicked price. $570 is half the price of the T135 that's for sale over here. The one over here is for sale at 900 euros which equates to just under £1200, which is crazy. I'm going to show the store owner that webpage and try and haggle him down to a reasonable price (I know he's had it on the shop floor for at least a year) so I think I'm actually going to be trying my hardest to get that T135.
I've played it and I loved it. What can I say? That looks to be my direction... and if not, the 2778 will always be there for me to buy from brand new. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | The T135 and the Elite T are totally different guitars. The Elites are much better. If you like the sound of a deeper bowl, go for the 2778. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Ditto Mark's comment. |
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Location: UK/Cyprus | Alright, duly noted.
But a question: have either of you two ever seriously bought a guitar with a month's wages without playing it first? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Yes.
The beauty of Ovations and Adamas is that the consistency from guitar to guitar is pretty......consistent.
While we all have our preferences, if a dozen members say one model is better than another it is usually accurate....unless you are looking for a very specific feel or sound in which case the obvious choice might not be the correct one.
I have NEVER HESITATED to buy an Ovation/Adamas sight and sound unheard if it met the criteria of what I was looking for. |
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Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Anton17:
Alright, duly noted.
But a question: have either of you two ever seriously bought a guitar with a month's wages without playing it first? A lot of us have.
Go with the deep bowl. You'll like the sound unplugged. Both will sound similar plugged in.... |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | The first Ovation I ever bought--a deep bowl Ovation--was more than a month's wages at the time. I still have it and won't get rid of it, but if I had the ability to access the knowledge of this board back then, I probably would have paid a bit more for a better model, or possibly paid less for a better model. |
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Location: UK/Cyprus | Alright, okay, so let me clarify.
Do you suggest against buying the T135? Go for the 2778?
The thing is I haven't played a 2778, and the only reason I changed my mind about the T135 is that now I've seen it for that cheap online I can haggle the owner down to an affordable price.
In the shop I played the T135 for about 2 minutes and then put it back. It played too well and was too expensive. I put it back to play the cheaper models. The words my friend used were "You wish you hadn't played it now, don't you?", knowing that I couldn't afford it. If I can haggle the owner down, like I said... I would be thrilled with the T135.
So... is that a bad thing? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | For me the deciding factor would be whether or not I would feel buyers remorse for not getting a better model.
That said, if you have played the T135 and not the others.....and you are more comfortable buying a guitar you have actually played.....and you can get the dealer to work the price down to an acceptable level, then I say go for it.
You should only be concerned about what makes you feel good and is comfortable for you to purchase.
Good luck with whatever decision you ultimately make. |
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Location: UK/Cyprus | Originally posted by stephent28:
For me the deciding factor would be whether or not I would feel buyers remorse for not getting a better model. Totally agree. I don't think I'd feel any regret for getting the T135 for a lower price.
But, saying that, IS the 2778 or the 1868 better than the T135? This is talking model ranks, not opinions. Are they the superior model?
I do understand what you're saying. I can buy a 2778 from thomann.de for 600 euros - without haggling down the T135, the 2778 is 300 euros cheaper... and it has a nicer finish and a deep bowl. So yeah, on paper, friggin A, but I haven't played it. I just know through experience you can get good guitars and bad guitars, and they don't have to be different models at all. I need to play the thing first. But for reference, is the 2778 the superior model, even though it's considerably cheaper? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Anton17:
I don't think I'd feel any regret for getting the T135 for a lower price.
It's not for us to try and convince you to buy a model you haven't played and may or may not be happy with.
Others may jump in and give their opinions but I think in your mind you really want the T135 so if I were in your shoes... problem solved. |
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Location: UK/Cyprus | Sorry... don't take my tone wrongly... I'm just a bit of a guy, that's all. But what I really want is for you to push your side of the opinion. That's what I see forums are for.
I mean, 2778 for 300 euros cheaper, why would I not be tempted? I still am, I would just like to know what the facts and opinions are in both comparison to the T135 and in the long run.
(By the way, at this point I've ruled out the originally posted 1868 since it cost an extra 100 bills to just ship it here, and I felt like he was asking way too much for it.) |
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Location: SoCal | Ok. Let's try this again.
Super shallow bowl = crappy acoustic sound (generally)
Deep bowl = great acoustic sound
Plugged in, both are about the same.
You said you wanted a guitar with a good acoustic sound. If the deep bowl costs less, then this would appear to be a no brainer. Am I missing something? What's the problem? |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Get the 2778AX... It fits all the original requirements.
Contour bowl will give you great acoustic sound.
It has a solid top that will mellow with age.
OP-Pro is great for plugging-in.
I believe that in a side-by-side, the 2778AX would blow away the T-135.
[That is 'all things being equal'... If you can get one of the ALOT cheaper, that's different] |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Insecurity.
My guess is that this is Anton's first major acoustic purchase and he doesn't want to screw it up.
Anton, do you plan to ever play plugged in or primarily acoustic only? I realize that you play electric but would the acoustic songs/sets be amplified? |
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New to Ovation: what to buy?
