dump old guitar for new? (acoustic)

If you've had it since 1976, keep it, you don't have to play it. I have played some upscale Ovations, never really cared for them, but Glenn Campbell played one (or more) for a while. I think he may have performed classical gas with a full orchestra using one. I prefer Martins, and have played and loved them for most all of my life, so I understand your love of wood instead of man made materials. I have found a guitar doesn't have to be expensive to be good. My daughter-in-law gave me my deceased son's Epi Masterbilt (that's the way they spell it) AJ-500re ns back a couple of months ago, and after setting it up to my own personal taste I find it's a good player, and sounds terrific. I'm sure you can find something you like and justify keeping your old guitar. Most likely once it's gone you'll miss it.

 

I've tried to like Ovations but I don't ...the backs are my problem ..like playing a Turtle...get rid of it and get something you'll play ...for a fun acoustic get a Taylor GS Mini..

 

The only Ovation whose sound I've really liked was an early deep-bowl Adamas, but the ergonomics of the wretched thing defeated me.

You didn't have much choice back in 76, but there now hundreds, if not thousands, of good inexpensive Chinese guitars to choose from that will likely sounds better than your Ovation. In fact, IMO, the new cheap Chinese Ovations sound better than the old ones ever did.

 

If you don't like it after 40 years and there's no more emotional connection to it than that, I say ditch it and grab something that speaks to you. If OTOH there is some deeper connection to it, keep it and still get something that speaks to you. Life is too short to have only one acoustic guitar.

 

Make a new, better connection with a wood box. No need to hold on to the past if you don't like it.

 

I could never play Ovations due to their round backs and my round front

 

+1 I know how hard it is to get rid of that first acoustic. I just did it about a year ago. I wore the frets off of it and was too cheap of a guitar to fix, so I traded it in for a pedal at GC. Yeah, there is some lingering sentiment, but the new guitar makes up for it big time.

 

Ditch it. I have been playing guitar since junior high school and I'm 40 now. Have owned a bunch of awesome electric guitars but never had a nice acoustic and just had cheap Yamaha acoustic. Had that bugger for 17 years. Little over a year ago I bought myself a J45 Standard for my birthday from Wildwood Guitars in Colorado, and since then I hardly pick up an electric, and have added a used D28 and a 000-15M to the stable. Sold the Yamaha when I bought the J45. I also recently sold off a bunch of electrics (kept Tele and a Casino) and really just care about playing acoustics these days.

I bet you'd be surprised how much you will play acoustic if you have one that really speaks to you. I say sell the Ovation and go search for a nice acoustic you're proud of.

 

Early Ovations have nice necks, IMO.
There, I said something nice about em'.
They also all sound alike, from cheap Applause to, uh, not cheap Adamas models.
Bright, cutting, and kinda plastic/unreal sounding.
I owned several, in the day.
I would suggest you keep it, for a beater, or for old times sake.
If you want a good, moderately priced acoustic/electric,
I think MIJ Takemines are the bang per buck winner.
I see em' on CL for $500-$1,000.
The MIJ ones are generally better than ones made elsewhere, again IMO.

 

I agree with the majority (for once). Get yourself a decent guitar.

I've had an okay Fender since I started playing. It was my first guitar in fact. But, I recently picked up a really nice Gibson Keb Mo signature guitar and can't put it down. ( http://www.tdpri.com/threads/ngd-keb-mo-or-my-first-good-acoustic.600706/ ). It has motivated me to do much more acoustic playing. That's done nothing but make my electric playing better.

 

Congratulations!

 

Yeah, that deep bowl feels weird sitting or standing up. Shallow bowl might be better, but I haven't actually tried one.

 

pics?

 

Congratulations! Life is too short to play uninspiring guitars.

 

I see a Gibson there. Am I cross linking somehow?