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Joined:
April 2013
Posts: 7
| Hi
I just joined the forum and am looking to purchase my first Ovation. I want a 12 String. I will play it both unplugged at home and on stage with my band. My thought is to go with a deep/contour back for better unplugged tone. I'm looking to spend about $500.00-$600.00 used.
Any advice is much appreciated.
Best
Ron |
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September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | Get something US made. If you can swing it try and find a Custom Legend, they pop up from time to time at decent prices. |
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December 2003
Posts: 66
Location: Minnesota | I just picked up a 2056 LX Legend US made. It is a deep contour with a large sound and the action is low and easy to play. So far I love it!
But....you will probably need to save a little more. Used prices can be about as much as a new AX (overseas made) model would cost unless you
get lucky and find a great deal like I did. |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | You are going to be hard pressed to find a USA made Ovation at that price.('not saying it is impossible) I spent about two years researching and playing 12 strings of all kinds prior to making a purchase decision. My final conclusion was that the best 12 string (sound and playability) ever produced were the older Adamas textured-top versions. There are quite a few owned by people on this site, and I had to recently sell mine. They are the best of the best, and nothing comes close to their pure sound accross the spectrum, and their volume is incomparable. The ease of playing is also unmatched, almost like playing a six string.(well, sorta) With the carbon-fiber top they are nearly uneffected by temperature and humidity issues as the regular wood topped guitars. Some also come with built-in tuners (my preference) which can prove to be invaluable with a 12-string. I like to boast to my non-O friends about the fact that they can use my guitar as their tuner, since I rarely have to retune after a set of strings have broken in. My unsolicited advice would be to either wait and save more cash for one of those, or try and get one on a payment plan. Some of the guys/gals on this site have excellent reputations for guitar sales. Your next question should be..."Let's Make a Deal!??? In reference to other Ovation 12 strings... I have owned and played the Custom Legend and the Elite models, and they would be the next in my line-up as "the best" When you compare the used-guitar prices on these older Adamas models, you will see that they are also the best deal on the market. Yes, I AM biased, but I have also done my research. Hope that helps. |
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April 2010
Posts: 823
Location: sitting at my computer | Hi Ron, you ought to be able to find a nice used one within that range. Might not be a contour bowl though. Do you have any particular model preference ... Balladeer, Legend, Elite... ??? I'd recommend taking some time to do a thorough search through the OFC archives, for 12 string in general and also for any specific model(s) you're considering. Lots of useful info in those archives. http://ovationfanclub.com/megabbs/search/query.asp?collapsethreads=1 Whatever model you set your sights on, most likely, one or more members here will own the same, so you could/should ask any specific question(s) before pulling the trigger.  |
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Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I need to backtrack for a second on my statement about trying "them all"... I have heard a lot of good things said about the EARLY wood topped versions also, but could never get my paws on one to try it out. I've heard good reviews on the Pacemaker, and they could probably be had for the low end of your budget number, if you were absolutely committed to having a 12 string right now. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City | My personal opinion would be to save a bit more and go with what Mary just got.
I've had nearly a dozen 12 strings now, and nothing with a wood top plays and sounds better than my Custom C2078 12 string.
What Mary described is about the closest thing you can get to mine without a $3000+ price tag. 
Edited by Damon67 2013-04-25 1:31 PM
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Posts: 557
Location: Burbank | Or you could save a few bucks and buy my Balladeer.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ovation-6751-12-string-/111059156560?pt=Gui... |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | 1688
next question |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Deals can be had.
A few months ago I found a old (80's-ish?), burst finish 12er at of all places... Guitar Center.
Has some finish cracks but plays like a dream for only... well... you don't really want to know.
Edited by Slipkid 2013-04-25 5:41 PM
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December 2003
Posts: 852
Location: Canada | I play 12-string exclusively and have two Ovations: a 6751 "Blackie" and a 6756LX "Blondie". Both have similar features like a cutaway and a mid-size bowl. I really like the mid-size bowl as it is very comfortable for playing both seated and standing, and the unplugged sound is quite loud. I have never played a contour bowl (or any other O for that matter) so can't really comment on whether I might like it. Despite the similarity in features, both are quite different in their own ways and have their advantages and disadvantages (IMHO). Blondie, without a doubt, is the nicer looking one and I enjoy the glossy neck and ebony fretboard, and the inlaid rosette is nicer than the glued on one. What I don't like as much is an apparent imbalance -- the body is very light while the neck is much heavier and seems to pull the guitar down when standing. Blackie, on the other hand, is a bit heavier but overall more balanced, which I prefer. Now the main plus of Blackie is her sound -- she is LOUD with huge basses and metallic highs, while still having a good punch in the middles. When I got her it reminded me of the Guilds and Taylors I had tried while shopping around. My voice can not keep up with her. Blondie has a "sweet" voice in the highs, but I have to hit the wound strings hard for basslines -- she doesn't cut through as much as Blackie, though probably fits my pathetic voice better. I am not sure how much of the sound difference is caused by strings: Blondie has Adamas that are about 4 weeks older, and Blackie has new d'Addarios.
I will try to sell Blackie locally, so have been folllwing the market quite a bit. It seems 6751s have quite good availability on e-bay, and tend to sell between $400 and $600. 
 
Edited by d'ovation 2013-04-25 9:16 PM
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | +1 to the 1688 but doubt full to find one at that price point..I have owned and played nearly every model 12 ever made by O and A....I would recommend a 1615 pacemaker. Mine is a sunburst 1980 model but I have owned several over the years...these are great guitars with a huge sound and can be found around the $500 price point. Best Wishes in your search.
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December 2009
Posts: 79
Location: So Cal | I would also suggest the 1615 Pacemaker. Still love feel and sound of it for the last 36 years. |
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May 2010
Posts: 110
Location: Moscow, Russia | I would also suggest the 1615 Pacemaker. Still love feel and sound of it for the last 36 years.
Seems like a good one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ovation-Pacemaker-1615-Electric-Acoustic-12...
Best,
Alex |
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August 2009
Posts: 1137
Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | I've upgraded my Pacemaker with the OP-Pro Series preamp with XLR and the newest Generation pickup. It's a sound-Canon for cheap.... Trust me!!!
Bernie |
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Which 12 String do I want? Advice Please
