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Joined:
March 2013
Posts: 48
| Hello everyone!
Well... it's been almost 3 weeks with my first Ovation acoustic (Korean made CC24 Celebrity) and I have to say I'm still smitten like a kid that just got his first piece of tail.
I am in need of a good solidbody electric for both recording and live purposes and I'd like to "keep it in the family", so to speak.
Before I go running off to eBay or the GC Used site, I thought I'd check to see if any fellow forum members were thinking of letting one go. I'd prefer either the UKII, Preacher, or maybe the Viper.
The UKII seems like a good solution for me as i can access the single coil "Strat twang" for some of the bluesy/jazzy stuff I do, but I can use the humbuckers to their full effect should I need to get into metal shred territory. Truth be told, if the guitar needs some work that is not much of a hindrance for me. I'm no professional luthier by any means, but I am adequately qualified to make intermediate repairs and adjustments.
Every previous electric guitar I've owned has been a Gibson (Gothic Flying V, 67 Flying V Reissue, and Les Paul BFG), so I'm not quite sure what I'm getting myself in to. Perhaps someone can shed some more in-depth light?
Obviously, the forum members here have been playing these beasts for years, so I would welcome any advice.
Thanks everyone for your time!
Regards,
Nick |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | I'd start with a Viper.
Eventually you will own one of each (it's inevitable...).
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Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City | Judging by the styles of music you play and the other guitars you've had, I think you're on track with the UKII. If you do indeed do some high gain metal shreddin', all the others will pale in comparison. FWIW, I was the other way around. I had the UKII first (in 83), then bought a Gibson Flying V (in 84). Never been a Fender guy, and maybe that's why I gravitate towards the UKII more than a Viper. The Viper's great, just not as versatile. If it had a humbucker in the bridge, I might call it about perfect... but it doesn't. Really it's a Tele on steroids. Neither of my UKIIs are up for sale, but I keep close tabs on 'em and I do know where one is selling for $500 plus shipping and tax. PM me if interested
Edited by Damon67 2013-03-20 9:51 AM
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I've only spent a few minutes on a UKII (Damon's) and really liked it. I'd have to take Damon's word for it on the shredding part, though. The Viper can be more of a Telecaster tone. You can make it real twangy for country or rockabilly, but it's also got great tone for other stuff.
If you want a Strat style or sound, check out the Ultra GS. They are strat knockoffs. The GS3 is like a fat strat with two single coils and a humbucker with a 5 way switch plus a splitter to split the humbucker into 2 single coils. You can get a big variety of sounds with all the positions. The GS2 has 2 humbuckers and a 3 way switch. A bit more mellow and less variety in the tones. |
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Joined:
March 2013
Posts: 48
| I love the look of the Viper, but I think if I am stuck to just one O solidbody at the moment, without a humbucker in the bridge position it might not be suitable for some of the heavier stuff I have to pull off live. I suppose that's just another reason to get both a Viper and a UKII!  |
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April 2011
Posts: 44
Location: Canada | It makes sense that you'd want the UKII for the humbuckers, but if you should come across a good deal on a Viper, I wouldn't pass it up.
They may be have single coils, but they are not your average single coils at all.
They have a really strong output and the tone is not at all thin like you might expect from a typical single coil.
I've owned a whole lot of guitars and of all the pickups in all the configurations I would have to say the Viper p-ups are in the top 3 for tone and versatility.
A wolf in sheep's clothing so to speak. Anyway, it's just my opinion. Good luck in your search. |
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December 2001
Posts: 7230
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Well I'm "the Viper" guy I guess, but as referenced in another thread, it's only because I never really approached the UKII properly until... well the other night. However, I think you are on track. I've played Vipers since they came out, but my main Viper did in fact have a humbucker in the bridge position and was even outfitted with a Kahler Flyer... sooo.. A UKII (minus the Kahler) would have probably done me well all these years. But, as others have said, don't discount the ability of the Viper. The pickups are hot and full of tone. I generally would just use the tone control as my "lead volume" control... essentially pulling it in and out of the mix by just cutting or pushing the highs.
I also would not overlook an UltraGS. 2 singles and a humbucker. These are VERY under-rated guitars loaded with Dimarzio (vintage sought-after ones now) and a Kahler Flyer. I have one that I swapped the Flyer for a Kahler Pro and it's just an awesome guitar. Their only downside was consistency of build. They were the hybrid build for Kaman. Bodies and I think Necks made in Korea, but assembled in Moosup, CT. Some had plywood bodies, some necks didn't last. The basic tell if what you are looking at is a good one, is that if it's still playable, neck still straight and everything still works... it will likely last forever at this point.
And, as I have learned with most of mine, at this point you can pick them up very inexpensively and if you really don't like it.... just strip it and sell the parts for at least twice what you paid for the whole guitar and case. Seriously, the Kahler bridge, DiMarzio pickups and Schaller tuners can't usually be found for under $300 and many GS's sell as a whole guitar for under $200. Yeah, I know... that voice that just screeched in your head is exactly what I said.. I've owned over 30 UltraGS's. A few years ago a parted out 10 of them. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Miles (Mr. Ovation) is the expert, but I'll add just a bit to what he said. First, if you want a UKII or a Viper, go for it. I love my Viper and still have a UKII on the wish list. But, I have one Ultra GS with 2 humbuckers and a Kahler Flyer that I paid $200 for and a GS3 with two singles and a humbucker that I got for $150. The GS3 needed some work and has a cheap fulcrum tremolo, but both are very playable and the GS3 is very versatile. As Miles said, a GS3 with a Kahler trem would be a great guitar. You might ask him if he has one for sale. If not, see about a GS2 with the 2 humbuckers. If he doesn't have either, I have a friend who wanted to sell his red GS2 awhile ago. He had a new neck that he bought from Miles put on it a few years ago. |
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Joined:
March 2013
Posts: 48
| These are great suggestions. I suppose the best course of action is to actually play some of these bad boys instead of working theoretically off of the specs of a 30 year old guitar.
I suppose I just need to hook a Viper up to the kind of high gain boutique amps that it would be subjected to and see if it can hold it's own against a les paul. A good portion of the money that i've made as a live player has been from really high gain stuff that even a high output Les Paul and an overdriven JCM800 had a hard time handling, gain-wise.
I'd need to throw it against some of the European amp manufacturers to see if it holds up with the single coils (ENGL Powerball, Bogner Uberschall, or a HEAVILY modded Mesa Triple Rec)
Edited by sonicpictures 2013-03-22 6:06 PM
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February 2012
Posts: 17
| I've been a UK II guy for the last year. I really love it and use it on a lot of different gigs. It has outstanding build quality, sound and ergonomics. I would recommend it to anyone. I have never played the other Ovation solid bodies but am looking forward to it when I get a chance. I play Jazz, Country and will soon be doing show band stuff all on the UK II. There are some out there for the $500.00 to $900.00 price range. Good hunting...
Will. |
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April 2008
Posts: 288
Location: New Hampshire, USA | If you want the full experience, you might as well get an Ovation amp to go with it.
Here's one for a cool grand (I have no affiliation with it - just happened across it tonight):
http://westernmass.craigslist.org/msg/3733306354.html
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July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | I sent you a PM. It's still in my outbox and not sent mail, so I don't know if it actually sent. $1200 +shipping for the package deal on these two.
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Nice combo deal, Captain. |
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July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | It really is. That's what I paid for them- 800+400, and I got both at a deal. |
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Looking for Ovation solidbody...
