Thinking about Ovation - Page 2

Cantom · November 23rd, 2006, 06:16 PM

I've got a 30 year old Balladeer that sounds amazing. There was a comment that the bowl sound doesn't improve with age. True..but the top sure has.
I have a Balladeer Special that I bought about four years ago. I actually played bluegrass on it for the last couple of years.
I am going to have the nut lowered slightly to improve the action at the first few fretts.
I play it through a Genz-Benz Shanandoah 85. Sound good to me.

RodeoTex · August 12th, 2007, 12:25 AM

When is was 15 my parents offered to buy me an acoustic guitar. I think they just hated my electrics because of the volume knob.
My choices were a Zemaitis (3-4 months delivery time) or an Ovation today. Guess what the 15 year old version of me chose?
I did at least get a very nice letter from Tony.

JohnSS · August 12th, 2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cantom

I've got a 30 year old Balladeer that sounds amazing. There was a comment that the bowl sound doesn't improve with age. True..but the top sure has.
I have a Balladeer Special that I bought about four years ago. I actually played bluegrass on it for the last couple of years.
I am going to have the nut lowered slightly to improve the action at the first few fretts.
I play it through a Genz-Benz Shanandoah 85. Sound good to me.

I also have a 30 year old Electric Custom Balladeer that kills. Neck is super solid and comfy, I can put mediums or extra lights without any problems with intonation or sound. It has served me well for 3 decades. My Ovation's sound has definitely mellowed and gained overtones over the years as the top has aged. I also think the deep bowl models are the ones to get if you want a good acoustic sound, since I only mic it in the studio. Pickup used solely on stage.

Oster · August 12th, 2007, 07:09 PM

Hey! This is kinda neat to see this old thread pop up again. Last Winter, I traded in the 12 String for a regular 6 String US Legend made in 1983 with a cuttaway and a shallower bowl. It actually sounds very good unplugged and, of course, sounds great plugged in. Super low action and a nicely aged spruce top.

I made a convert out of an audio engineer I know who had some very negative pre-conceived notions about Ovation. We did some recording with the Legend in the Spring and he loved the miked sound. His comment was something to the effect of "you really just get the guitar" as in no muffled tones - very clear and bright.

Here's a picture of the (relative) newcomer:

endzone · August 12th, 2007, 08:01 PM

A couple of weeks ago, I played a 1957 Gibson J-50 at a local store. I was absolutely amazed at the beautiful tone it put out. I went home and pulled out my 30 year old Balladeer. After playing it a little while, I thought to myself that it really sounded pretty good...maybe even close to as good as that old Gibson. I took it to the store the next day and played it up against the old Gibson. You had to be there but believe me when I tell you that the Ovation sounded just as good as that Gibson. Others in the store agreed. Say what you want, but I proved, at least to myself, that these plastic bowl guitars that all of you make fun of are good sounding and playing guitars. I'm gonna keep mine.

Oster · August 13th, 2007, 10:46 PM

Can't help but to show-off. This is a better picture of my '83 Legend taking pride of place next my number 1 and my 'top four' in general.

I'm really glad I followed the Ovation's call. It has turned out to be a very cool acoustic guitar for me.

I needed the 6 string because that's what I'm used to. The 12 was neat but it's not for everything/everday use. If I could've kept both I would've but these days I need to sell or trade to buy.

It all worked out really well though!

Valvey · August 14th, 2007, 12:10 AM

Ovation guitars are still popular in France, mostly due to the legacy of the late Marcel Dadi, the "Chet Atkins of France" who died in the TWA 800 crash back in 1996. These guys, fingerpickers mostly, prefer the 2000-3000 dollar models, the ones with more graphite than an F1 car cockpit. I like the tinkly, jangly tone of these guitars-- sorta like a resonator guitar.
http://www.ovationtribute.com/

imwjl · August 16th, 2007, 03:31 PM

I'll come to the defense.

I have my 1977 Baladeer to a friend who can't afford to replace the Martin he had to sell. He had it a jam with newer Asian-made guitars and some entry level guitars and the tone was better than I thought. No way in the league of my HD-28 but not bad considering people can't give these away.

giginthesky · September 4th, 2007, 02:31 AM

i LOVE my ovations! here's my 1986 20th ann. edition.

gatekeep · October 11th, 2007, 08:33 AM

I Bought my Adamas 12 string back in 92 from Kaman and it has performed faithfuly. Its the deep bowl model and really delivers a hugh full sound for both strummin and lead.
It also reacts great to changes in climate well, I've gone from gigs in the pub parking lot (40deg). to the inside of the pub (80deg.) with no change in the tuning.
I'd git another one in a heart beat...

trag-o-caster · October 15th, 2007, 11:06 PM

I was looking to see if I posted to this thread, and was surprised to see that I had not.

I own three O's - by accident really. But I do like 'em, otherwise I wouldn't have bought them.

Out of those three I have one Ovation that I call a "Martin Killer". It gushes out low end like no other flat top that I've ever heard. It's a 1980-ish Legend model that has been quite beat up. The action's a little high, but it sounds SOOOO good!

There's a little secret to finding a good sounding O. Starting in about 79-80, Ovation changed their bracing to what is known as the "A" bracing, and also changed their truss rod design which, as a result, was the reason for the truss rod cover no longer being on the headstock. These particular guitars have a solid spruce top that REALLY puts out the tone as compared to their earlier models.

It's important that you try out several before making a judgement. You can't just go around saying "Ovations suck". Some don't.

So, look for early 80's O's (Balladeers and Legends) without a truss rod cover, and give those a whirl. You may be surprised.

Oster · October 16th, 2007, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trag-o-caster

Out of those three I have one Ovation that I call a "Martin Killer". It gushes out low end like no other flat top that I've ever heard. It's a 1980-ish Legend model that has been quite beat up. The action's a little high, but it sounds SOOOO good!

There's a little secret to finding a good sounding O. Starting in about 79-80, Ovation changed their bracing to what is known as the "A" bracing, and also changed their truss rod design which, as a result, was the reason for the truss rod cover no longer being on the headstock. These particular guitars have a solid spruce top that REALLY puts out the tone as compared to their earlier models.

So, look for early 80's O's (Balladeers and Legends) without a truss rod cover, and give those a whirl. You may be surprised.

Thanks for this very interesting insight, trag-o-caster! My Ovation is in fact a 1983 Legend, and like yours mine has a very rich low end, though unlike yours the action sits quite low.

I didn't know that my guitar features the A bracing. It has the soundhole accessed truss rod (no headstock-mounted truss cover). Thanks for sharing that.

I acquired this guitar last year through a trade with a nice fellow over at the OFC (Ovation Fan Club) website, my old Glen Campbell 12 for the Legend. My wife bought me a new case for it for my birthday this September and it has been seeing a lot of use at the regular Saturday night cafe gig I landed.

I love my Legend. It sounds great both plugged in and unplugged. It's a really well-made guitar with that solid spruce top, mahogany/maple neck and bound ebony board and walnut veneer at the headstock. The bowl is dark brown rather than black.

I never thought I'd feel this way about Ovation but this guitar has completely converted me.

T-bone Tone · October 16th, 2007, 09:51 AM

I have a mid 70's Ovation Folklore. It is a blinding acoustic guitar without question. I have tried lots and lots of Ovations over the years, and the early deep bowl, 12 fret body join, Folklores have one of the best, unplugged acoustic sounds there is. The later models sound nowhere near as good.

Where it excells, however, is sheer projection. The bowl back outperforms any traditional acoustic with ease.

November 23rd, 2006, 06:16 PM	#41 (permalink)
Cantom Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 232	Ovations I've got a 30 year old Balladeer that sounds amazing. There was a comment that the bowl sound doesn't improve with age. True..but the top sure has. I have a Balladeer Special that I bought about four years ago. I actually played bluegrass on it for the last couple of years. I am going to have the nut lowered slightly to improve the action at the first few fretts. I play it through a Genz-Benz Shanandoah 85. Sound good to me.

August 12th, 2007, 12:25 AM	#42 (permalink)
RodeoTex Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,255	When is was 15 my parents offered to buy me an acoustic guitar. I think they just hated my electrics because of the volume knob. My choices were a Zemaitis (3-4 months delivery time) or an Ovation today. Guess what the 15 year old version of me chose? I did at least get a very nice letter from Tony. __________________ Turn it on, turn it up, turn me loose.

August 12th, 2007, 07:09 PM	#44 (permalink)
Oster Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Latveria Age: 39 Posts: 2,633	Hey! This is kinda neat to see this old thread pop up again. Last Winter, I traded in the 12 String for a regular 6 String US Legend made in 1983 with a cuttaway and a shallower bowl. It actually sounds very good unplugged and, of course, sounds great plugged in. Super low action and a nicely aged spruce top. I made a convert out of an audio engineer I know who had some very negative pre-conceived notions about Ovation. We did some recording with the Legend in the Spring and he loved the miked sound. His comment was something to the effect of "you really just get the guitar" as in no muffled tones - very clear and bright. Here's a picture of the (relative) newcomer: __________________ "What would we do baby, without us?" Play On.

August 12th, 2007, 08:01 PM	#45 (permalink)
endzone Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Louisiana Age: 52 Posts: 1,629 37 Photos	A couple of weeks ago, I played a 1957 Gibson J-50 at a local store. I was absolutely amazed at the beautiful tone it put out. I went home and pulled out my 30 year old Balladeer. After playing it a little while, I thought to myself that it really sounded pretty good...maybe even close to as good as that old Gibson. I took it to the store the next day and played it up against the old Gibson. You had to be there but believe me when I tell you that the Ovation sounded just as good as that Gibson. Others in the store agreed. Say what you want, but I proved, at least to myself, that these plastic bowl guitars that all of you make fun of are good sounding and playing guitars. I'm gonna keep mine. __________________ *I'm Makin Progress*

August 13th, 2007, 10:46 PM	#46 (permalink)
Oster Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Latveria Age: 39 Posts: 2,633	Can't help but to show-off. This is a better picture of my '83 Legend taking pride of place next my number 1 and my 'top four' in general. I'm really glad I followed the Ovation's call. It has turned out to be a very cool acoustic guitar for me. I needed the 6 string because that's what I'm used to. The 12 was neat but it's not for everything/everday use. If I could've kept both I would've but these days I need to sell or trade to buy. It all worked out really well though! __________________ "What would we do baby, without us?" Play On.

August 14th, 2007, 12:10 AM	#47 (permalink)
Valvey Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: morgantown wv Posts: 163	Ovation big in France Ovation guitars are still popular in France, mostly due to the legacy of the late Marcel Dadi, the "Chet Atkins of France" who died in the TWA 800 crash back in 1996. These guys, fingerpickers mostly, prefer the 2000-3000 dollar models, the ones with more graphite than an F1 car cockpit. I like the tinkly, jangly tone of these guitars-- sorta like a resonator guitar. http://www.ovationtribute.com/

August 16th, 2007, 03:31 PM	#48 (permalink)
imwjl Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 1,237	I'll come to the defense. I have my 1977 Baladeer to a friend who can't afford to replace the Martin he had to sell. He had it a jam with newer Asian-made guitars and some entry level guitars and the tone was better than I thought. No way in the league of my HD-28 but not bad considering people can't give these away.

October 11th, 2007, 08:33 AM	#50 (permalink)
gatekeep TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mass. Age: 44 Posts: 40	Ovation Fan I Am I Bought my Adamas 12 string back in 92 from Kaman and it has performed faithfuly. Its the deep bowl model and really delivers a hugh full sound for both strummin and lead. It also reacts great to changes in climate well, I've gone from gigs in the pub parking lot (40deg). to the inside of the pub (80deg.) with no change in the tuning. I'd git another one in a heart beat...

October 15th, 2007, 11:06 PM	#51 (permalink)
trag-o-caster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flushing, Michigan Posts: 4,558	I was looking to see if I posted to this thread, and was surprised to see that I had not. I own three O's - by accident really. But I do like 'em, otherwise I wouldn't have bought them. Out of those three I have one Ovation that I call a "Martin Killer". It gushes out low end like no other flat top that I've ever heard. It's a 1980-ish Legend model that has been quite beat up. The action's a little high, but it sounds SOOOO good! There's a little secret to finding a good sounding O. Starting in about 79-80, Ovation changed their bracing to what is known as the "A" bracing, and also changed their truss rod design which, as a result, was the reason for the truss rod cover no longer being on the headstock. These particular guitars have a solid spruce top that REALLY puts out the tone as compared to their earlier models. It's important that you try out several before making a judgement. You can't just go around saying "Ovations suck". Some don't. So, look for early 80's O's (Balladeers and Legends) without a truss rod cover, and give those a whirl. You may be surprised. __________________ Timothy Jon Lamb

October 16th, 2007, 09:51 AM	#53 (permalink)
T-bone Tone Banned Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle, England Posts: 321	I have a mid 70's Ovation Folklore. It is a blinding acoustic guitar without question. I have tried lots and lots of Ovations over the years, and the early deep bowl, 12 fret body join, Folklores have one of the best, unplugged acoustic sounds there is. The later models sound nowhere near as good. Where it excells, however, is sheer projection. The bowl back outperforms any traditional acoustic with ease.