I met the parents of my daughters school friend the other day, and the dad is the proud owner of a new Larrivee. At our next meeting I had my old beat up Ovation Legend with me and had the pleasure of doing a side by side comparison.
For starters, the Larrivee is a really nice guitar. It had one of those wide, flatish necks that reminded me of an old SG, only wider. I thought that it was comfortable, but not necessarily my cup o'tea. The tone was nice overall, but just had that "pinched" sound that I find in a lot of upper end guitars now days. I can't really explain it, but it's a sound that's made me run for the elcheapo Yamaha more than once (some of those sound better than a $2000 Martin sometimes).
When I picked my Ovation Legend back up, I was almost embarrassed by the tone that just gushes out of this thing! The difference between it and the Larrivee is like someone taking the blanket off. The Ovation Legend just breathes where the Larrivee seemed choked.
When folks ask about buying a nice acoustic for little money, I always get the rolling eyes when I bring up Ovations. It's as if they just don't want to even hear about it. Whatever. But I know for a fact that I've played several upscale Martins, Taylors, etc. etc. that just seemed to be so mediocre for the prices they're asking for them, and I got this Ovation Legend off of ebay for $300. It's all beat up, but plays fine, and sounds unbeatable!
I am an ovation guitar owner and a proud member of www.ovationfanclub.com
tragocaster
tragdjames@yahoo.com
1137 Matrix
1117 Legend
CS257 Celebrity
Glad you like your guitar... Your point is?
ovation does make nice guitars.
better than larrivee?
ill have to think about that one.
...thought about it, and larrivees are still superior, in my opinion :mellow:
glad your happy with what youve got though.
~Logan :ph34r:
Thanks for dropping by.
If it works for you that is all that matters. Some guitars work better for some folks than others.
I have afriend that has a 1964 Martin D18 that I would buy in a heartbeat. He won't sell because it belonged to a family member before he got it. I ahve seen him play this guitar maybe 2 times in the past year. He prefers to play a plywood Yamaha that I wouldn't give a nickel for. Go figure.
Burp...
Both of my Larrivee's sound better than my Ovation but I don't want any of them eating the others, that is just gross!
Hey, let's all go to the Ovation forum and trash Ovation guitars, wouldn't that be fun?
Naaaaa, not really.
Dan
ps- JUST KIDDING (for any sarcasm-challanged readers)
I guess tragocaster likes the sound of a cheap guitar over the sound of a nice one. Hmm whatever i guess.. there again the the whole matter of "opinion"
I JUST got back from GC where i was meeting up with a friend who was going to take a look at my larrivee (he does contract work for GC). All the employees up there were throwing lots of compliments about my Larrivee. I played it against some other Martins and Taylors in the acoustic room and wouldnt you know there was a mutual agreement that it sounded better then most other guitars in there. Of course the Martins and Taylors were on average 1000-1500 more in price.
So i would say i got a good deal on my LV-05 ;)
Hey Strago-
As you can tell by my signature line - I have Ovations and I have played ovations for years. I started with a Glen Campbell 12 string and went to a 12 string Custom Legend - which I still proudly own. I use a Celebrity 12 string for a beater. As a big Ovation fan, they make good guitars - BUT from my experience, they are not comparable to Larrivees in the quality of build, tone or playability. I have three "10"series Larrivees - top of the line models - and they blow the Ovations away - hands down.
I get your pespective, but this IS the Larrivee forum so I think you are going to get a lot of disagreement to your statements. Mine come from many years of experience with both - so I think yours may be an isolated opinion.
Testing one Larrivee certainly is not enough to form an educated opinion about the entire company and their guitars. There may be some Ovation fans here but this is NOT an Ovation fan club.
Chuck
My last post should have been addressed to "Trago" not "Strago".
Typo. Sorry!
Chuck
Er, welcome to the forum tragocaster.
Play your Ovation and enjoy it while you become more acquainted with this forum and the fine people here.
You might discover the magic of Larrivee while you're here.
Quote from: tragocaster on June 20, 2006, 02:06:02 PM
I met the parents of my daughters school friend the other day, and the dad is the proud owner of a new Larrivee. At our next meeting I had my old beat up Ovation Legend with me and had the pleasure of doing a side by side comparison.
For starters, the Larrivee is a really nice guitar. It had one of those wide, flatish necks that reminded me of an old SG, only wider. I thought that it was comfortable, but not necessarily my cup o'tea. The tone was nice overall, but just had that "pinched" sound that I find in a lot of upper end guitars now days. I can't really explain it, but it's a sound that's made me run for the elcheapo Yamaha more than once (some of those sound better than a $2000 Martin sometimes).
When I picked my Ovation Legend back up, I was almost embarrassed by the tone that just gushes out of this thing! The difference between it and the Larrivee is like someone taking the blanket off. The Ovation Legend just breathes where the Larrivee seemed choked.
When folks ask about buying a nice acoustic for little money, I always get the rolling eyes when I bring up Ovations. It's as if they just don't want to even hear about it. Whatever. But I know for a fact that I've played several upscale Martins, Taylors, etc. etc. that just seemed to be so mediocre for the prices they're asking for them, and I got this Ovation Legend off of ebay for $300. It's all beat up, but plays fine, and sounds unbeatable!
I am an Ovation guitar owner and a proud member (#3601) of the http://www.ovationfanclub.com/
tragocaster
tragdjames@yahoo.com
1137 Matrix
1117 Legend
CS257 Celebrity
Plus, if there is a flood, you can float to safety on your Ovation. The Larrivee will just swell and fall apart. :)
Maybe the Larrivee needs time to break-in properly. It took a month or so for mine to loosen up. It seems to sound better every day. Make the same comparison in 6 months. I would be interested to see if there is a difference.
I've always wanted an ovation. They cost alot less and sound great, no one else makes a platic guitar sing like they do. They answer the age old question "which is better rosewood or mahogany?" well the answer is plastic. When it came time to buy a guitar the only reason I got the Larrivee was because I was afraid I would look nuts playing a cereal bowl, and I like to throw my money away. People just haven't realized the "plastic tone" is the way to go. I haven't played any of those all wood Ovations (I think they make them, but I don't know why) but all of the Ovations I've played really do have that genuine plastic tone.
"The tone was nice overall, but just had that "pinched" sound that I find in a lot of upper end guitars now days."
Yeh most high end guitars do sound like crap. I was playing my Santa Cruz the other day and a friend let me play their laminated fender. man, I felt stupid that I had blown all my money, when the fender had that seasoned open laminate sound. Granted it's not plastic but, the next best thing is plywood. :rolleyes:
Ok seriously no offense to Ovation owners, but all the ones I've played had plastic backs and sounded like it.
"It had one of those wide, flatish necks that reminded me of an old SG, only wider."
It sounds like you don't have alot of expeirence playing nice acoustic guitars. Larrivee's neck are not wider than standard widths for their body sizes. For instance dreads come with 1 11/16 and OMs with 1 3/4. Most high end acoustic have flatter fretboards than the ovations I've played. Sorry I don't value your opinion, when I have ears of my own. I don't have blind Larrivee love either. I think Larrivee makes a good guitars, but there are lots of other brands I would gravitate to if I had an unlimited budget. Ovation would not be one of them.
Here's my .02
1)Fanatastic first post! Way to break the ice and get your foot in the door! Welcome to the forum!
2)Why are you spamming the larrivee forum with your ovationfanclub website?
3)This HAS to be spam...nobody is ignorant enough to come into a forum dedicated towards Larrivee, and start spewing their opinion about how this or that guitar is better than a larrivee.
4)It's obvious you have buyers remorse for buying 3...count it THREE ovations, otherwise you wouldn't feel the need to come in here and spread your guitar playing shortcomings amongst true guitar enthusiasts.
I'm surprised nobody else has called out this guy as being a TROLL, yet. Well let me be the first to do so. Now piss off Tragedycaster.
Btw, I hope you don't retaliate against those who poked fun. You'd be a fool to think a first post like that would be well received. So don't act surprised at such animosity or as if you've been victimized. Just a warning, since us Larrivee forumites are quite intelligent(we see through that BS). Some hold their tongue better than others though.
I shall retaliate!!!
Either your friend's Larrivee has some issues (poor set up, humidity problem, etc.) or you are used to the Ovation sound.
Personally, I think Ovations sound thin when played unplugged (I owned 2 over the years). In fact, they really don't sound like an acoustic guitar until you plug them in. I have noticed over the years that many rock / metal fans love the Ovation neck and the Ovation tone. Most straight up acoustic players prefer traditional wood guitars.
"Pinched" tone? Again, I think you have become acustomed to the Ovation tone. That's a good thing for you. You will never be drawn into buying a high quality wood guitar.
rocknroll, he's definitly a troll of some sorts.Though I don't know whether its blatent spam, yet.
Does anyone know how Ovation is doing in the market now? I know they used to be very popular but you don't hear that much about them now. I think Ovation at one time was a great alternative to plugging in a regular acoustic, but now due to technological advances you get better results plugging in the all wood guitars. Is that the general consensus?
Well, I'm not really sure what the fascination is with ovations. If I wanted a guitar that could withstand extreme temperatures and climates, I would gravitate more towards a rainsong, or some other carbon made guitar. At least they sound like an acoustic guitar. Ovations do sound alright plugged in, but why not own a guitar that sounds awesome unplugged and plugged in? My biggest question is this...why would he come into our forum, just to give us his opinion of ovations, and how they are so superior to larrivee? Comparing a Larrivee to an Ovation, is like comparing creme bru le to an old dirty sock.
Quote from: roknroll on June 20, 2006, 04:21:22 PM
My biggest question is this...why would he come into our forum, just to give us his opinion of ovations, and how they are so superior to larrivee? Comparing a Larrivee to an Ovation, is like comparing creme bru le to an old dirty sock.
I think this cat has a severe case of blind loyalty. :ph34r:
Actually, based on the post, I rather think it's someone telling his buddies, "Watch how much I can stir up and how many responses I can get to one post!" Classic troll behavior.
At least, to me that's preferable to thinking that he actually believed what he posted... :GRN> :GRN>
I actually think this guy is for real. I have a '90 Ovation Elite. Better than a Larrivee? Nah. But I have played some ovations that blew my Elite out of the water. Are THEY Better than a Larrivee? Who knows? Assuming one can disregard the plastic back, I think they stand up OK. They sure are reliable. I pulled mine out of the closet to do a hot hunmid ourdoor show last weekend. Haven't touched it in 6 months or so. It was still in tune and ready to go. I don't think I've changed the batter but once if 15 years! Old Reliable still rocks! And quacks :GRN>
I think the guys just proud of his guitar, and maybe a bit naive about posting here. :WNK>
this whole thread is stupid, but interesting in a strange way. its like not trying to look at the carnage left by a trainwreck as the police direct the traffic by. you know you shouldn't look, but you really want to....and you probably will.
it reminds me of when i was kid and we'd say, "my dad caught a fish and it was thiiiiis big!" or, "my dad can beat up your dad". or, "i betcha mine's bigger..."
trolls do not bother me. i personally find them very entertaining. so, tragocaster, if you're a troll, welcome aboard. i will get hours of enjoyment out of reading your trollish rhetoric. if you're not a troll, welcome aboard.
btw, i LOVE ovations. i also LOVE larrivees. i also love spagetti, but i don't order it when i go to a burger joint...
I am round in front,Ovation is round in back.This combo makes it very hard to keep on my lap. :GRN>
Personally....
I think this guitar would make ANY Larrivee sound like whale S*** sitting on the bottom of the ocean.. in MY opinion of course
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-BLUE-CUTAWAY-Acoustic-Guitars-W-CASE-GUITAR-PACK_W0QQitemZ7424363319QQihZ016QQcategoryZ2385QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Much better price too :rolleyes:
I would love to smash one of those, Darrell.
I own an Ovation Legend (although it's on consignment locally), and so I occasionally check in at the OvationFanClub...I've got to say, it's a great group of people, just like here.
So I read his thread (essentially the same) over there, and thought about responding, but didn't bother. I think one other person stuck up for Larrivee, then someone complimented their Martin and other wood guitars, etc. Basically, there wasn't too much Larrivee dissin' - just some general Ovation crowing by a few faithful disciples.
Like I mentioned above - my Ovation's for sale. (I tried recently to sell one of my Larrivees, and I'm glad it didn't sell; it's such a versatile guitar with great woods, build and tone!).
Let me balance his comments with my own story about Ovation - not to dis, just to offer my experience:
I bought my lefty black Legend (ordered it, actually; try finding a lefty Ovation somewhere! They arent' even making the new LX's left-handed, and they've been in production for about two years... :angry: ) around two years ago. at around six months old, I noticed some cracks on the ebony fingerboard, running from the highest frets back to the 11th fret.
Finally sent it back to Ovation. They "fixed it" by putting some ebony dust and glue into the cracks. Less than a year later, all the cracks are reappearing, so I send it back again. This time they put on a new fretboard, a much lighter piece of ebony than the original (on a black guitar), and the set up at the nut was horrible! My fingers hurt after five minutes of first position chords because the strings were so high in the nut slots...this was also true when I originally got the guitar new. After playing my Larrivees exclusively for the three months while the O was back at "the mothership," I just can't adjust my ears to the Ovation sound again.
If anyone here is interested in a near mint lefty O Legend, let me know...
:WNK>
Even if our new found friend is a Troll his behaviour doesn't bother me nearly as much as the shameful insults and barbs thrown his way.
Lighten up folks.
Ron I'm sorry I won't mention being round anymore :<>
Hey Mr. 4000+ posts, I have never seen a post from you that was anything but genuine and well meaning.
OK, maybe some of those mentions of body parts and functions were cutting it a little too close... :SHK>
I wonder why we don't just let this kind of behavior die a natural death by not responding to someone who doesn't respond to any of the posts on HIS thread? :angry: I feel silly even responding to folks who start threads and don't have the courtesy to respond to at least some of the participants. Cheap thrills for trollogaster I guess.
This is a post by a TROLL! I'm laughing my butt off that there are responses to it....where is a moderator when you need one? DELETE THREAD......click
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll)
Steve :GRN>
Still, it was worth it for UnclRob's post.
Quote from: SteveK on June 20, 2006, 07:49:11 PM
This is a post by a TROLL! I'm laughing my butt off that there are responses to it....where is a moderator when you need one?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll)
Steve :GRN>
That's right, Steve.
I went slumming and checked out the Ovation forum. This guy posted the exact same thread over there. Why are you people responding to this nonsense?
If his ear tells him his ovation sounds better than Martins, Taylors, and Larrivees he's in sorry enough state already. Plywood guitar, plywood ear.
Ignore him. He'll take his plywood and go away.
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/cgi-bin/ubb/non-cgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=010337
This post deserves not one, not two but three "standing ovations". No really.
Now all the membership paleeze place doughnuts carefully between your teeth, stand up and start-a-clappin'.......
Nobody? See, no reason really to get excited.
Good night.
Quote from: bob_d on June 20, 2006, 07:58:55 PM
That's right, Steve.
I went slumming and checked out the Ovation forum. This guy posted the exact same thread over there. Why are you people responding to this nonsense?
If his ear tells him his ovation sounds better than Martins, Taylors, and Larrivees he's in sorry enough state already. Plywood guitar, plywood ear.
Ignore him. He'll take his plywood and go away.
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/cgi-bin/ubb/non-cgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=010337
We HAVE to reply. Ovations are the ABSOLUTE BEST canoe paddles that I've EVER HAD!
GEEZER
Do all trolls play Ovations? Are all Ovation owners trolls? Probably neither, but we haven't had anyone lighten up the forum for a few months so we were probably overdue.
E. Shoaf
Quote from: Ratishna on June 20, 2006, 08:21:14 PM
Do all trolls play Ovations? Are all Ovation owners trolls? Probably neither, but we haven't had anyone lighten up the forum for a few months so we were probably overdue.
E. Shoaf
yeh this is a fun thread. no one freak out like this is a big conflict.
Ovation fun facts:
Did you know Ovations are heat resistant up to 500 deg F (260 deg C)? You can use it as a portable BBQ pit.
Now this is entertainment ... sooooo much better than TV... why do I feel warm and fuzzy all over???
Did I mention I love saran wrap.. it eats glad wrap for lunch, or did I eat my lunch.... no, I know, he who hesitiates is lunch.... or was it there is no free lunch... man I'm hungry.... I'll check back after a snack break ...
it could be just the player touch but I am sure Larrivee is way must better in terms of sound and tone comparing with Ovation......this day hardly hear people buy Ovation type of guitar, they mostly use on a Helicopter....heeheee no offence!
I hear if you bust out the top they are great to hold ice and beer on a camping trip. :SHK>
Come on guys, these are handmade plastic bowls were talking about...So they are a step up from rubbermaid, big deal.I wonder what an ovation would sound like if you drilled a hole in the the bottom of the bowl?? Just don't forget to seran wrap each hole nice and tight, so that turkey sandwich doesn't spoil!
maybe that pinch sound is the sound of ACTUAL WOOD! i F YOU LIKE PLASTIC THEN THATS COOL TOO
ITS HERE EVERYONE!! MY NEW "TRAGOCASTER ACOUSTIC"!!!! Plays like a dream!!! If i were to compare it to another guitar.. well in my opinion the GREATEST guitar ever.. Ovation
:GRN> :GRN> :GRN> :GRN> :SHK> :SHK> :SHK> :SHK>
(http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5854/archtopguitarhead8iz.jpg)
sweet axe, it could use some refinement though. That primative wood used for the tuning knobs and truss rod cover should be replaced with plastic.
Troll alert!
However some people like the sound of plastic over Blackwood or Braz Rosewood. :rolleyes:
Quote from: tragocaster on June 20, 2006, 02:06:02 PM
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: I always get the rolling eyes when I bring up Ovations. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: THEN DON'T :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
:huh:
Proving once again that most people listen with their eyes and not their ears!
Is it that hard to accept the simple fact that a $300 ovation sounds BETTER than a $$$ Larrivee (martin, taylor, etc, etc)? Apparently it is...for certain people!
Next time you visit your local music store, try an ovation. And please try to listen with your ears. You don't have to spend thousands of $$$ to get a decent instrument.
tragocaster
1137 Matrix
1117 Legend
CS257 Celebrity
In the spirit of keeping an open mind, there are performers out there that have made some serious music (and money!) playing "a plastic bowl":
Preston Reid, Kaki King, Glenn Campbell, Melissa Ethridge (serious rythym guitar work on "The Way You Do"), Al DiMeola...
Quote from: tragocaster on June 21, 2006, 06:22:55 AM
Proving once again that most people listen with their eyes and not their ears!
Is it that hard to accept the simple fact that a $300 ovation sounds BETTER than a $$$ Larrivee (martin, taylor, etc, etc)? Apparently it is...for certain people!
Next time you visit your local music store, try an ovation. And please try to listen with your ears. You don't have to spend thousands of $$$ to get a decent instrument.
tragocaster
1137 Matrix
1117 Legend
CS257 Celebrity
Is it hard to except that a hard to except that a Larrivee sounds better than a $300 Ovation? Apparently it is...for certain people(1)! Next time you visit your local music store, try a Larrivee. And please try to listen with your ears. You don't have to spend thousands of $$$ to get a awesome instrument.
Proving once again that some people think they can restate their position with out any additional proof, and think it means something.
(http://cache.tias.com/stores/grannyscupboard/thumbs/kep410a.jpg)
Esteban swears his "guitars" sound and play as well as his $$$$$ Martin. So it stands to reason that the Ovation has to sound better than any solid wood guitar.
This is fun! Such obvious BS from this troll . . . .
Come on guys... Just let this topic die already. You take yourselves and your guitars too seriously. Except unclrob. That one should be in the top 10 quotes. ^_^
Everybody is entitled to their opinion. Even when they're wrong. :WNK>
Since I didn't know, and had to Google it (forum troll), I thought I'd post this:
(from http://curezone.com/forums/troll.asp)
An "Internet troll" or "Forum Troll" is a person who posts outrageous message to bait people to answer. Forum Troll delights in sowing discord on the forums. A troll is someone who inspires flaming rhetoric, someone who is purposely provoking and pulling people into flaming discussion. Flaming discussions usually end with name calling and a flame war.
OP has two posts, both to this thread. A contributing community member?
E. Shoaf
OK, let's see you wood-huggin' Larri-lovers recycle your 00-50 into a helicopter blade!
Just TRY...!
can't be done, I tell ya.
It just can't be done.
Case closed.
Quote from: Gemnoc on June 21, 2006, 07:30:16 AM
Come on guys... Just let this topic die already. You take yourselves and your guitars too seriously. Except unclrob. That one should be in the top 10 quotes. ^_^
bingo! the OP has to be getting lots of laughs here.
either:
a) he really loves his Ovation (they are nice guitars, earlier in my life I would have loved to have had one, good enough for Al DiMeola is good enough for most of us)
or b) he is just trying to get you guys who take your devotion to Larrivee way too seriously worked up. if this is the case, he must be ecstatic with the results. he even got one of you to waste time doing photoshop :rolleyes: if you think he is a troll then don't respond like a bunch of bluegills that take the same bait over & over again...
Yeah, now all you billy goats quit going over the bridge and aggravating the troll.
:WNK> :WNK>
"Proving once again that most people listen with their eyes and not their ears!"
Hmm, he likes ovations AND he thinks human beings listen with their eyes...Yeah he's credible! Where is the science to prove that most people aren't listening through their ears :huh: :huh:
^_^
Mines bigger than yours. I'm right and I know it. My opinion is fact. Listen with my ears. Then you will know what I know. I love my______________ Blah, blah, blah...
QuoteCome on guys... Just let this topic die already. You take yourselves and your guitars too seriously.
Please . . . it's fun. Keep it up guys! :wacko:
Cowgirlie....I resemble that remark.......... :SHK> :GRN>
Well, I've done it. Based on the wise thoughts on this thread, I've traded my 4 Larrivee's on a used beat up Ovation. I only had to put up another $400 on top of the trade value of my 4 Larrivees but what a sound the Ovation makes. Reminds me - well it reminds me of the Ovation I overpaid for new in 1975. Why did I buy one? Well, everyone else of any stature in the biz was playing one. It almost broke my heart when I traded it a few years later for a Takamine (but, hey, everyone of any stature in the biz was playing a Tak.) Then I saw an ad in my local buy and sell mag which changed my life. For sale - Larrivee 12 string. I always wanted a 12 string so I bought it. Thus began my 16 year love affair with, what I now know to be a sadly inferior guitar. Thanks to all of you who said nice things about Ovation - you helped me do what was necessary - get rid of the well crafted, great sounding, great looking hunks of firewood. I'll be seeing other like minded Larrivee owners over in the Ovation forum. Again thanks to all for your wisdom.
Joe
NOT!!! :GRN> :GRN>
Just Kidding!
Joe
Quote from: danijoe on June 21, 2006, 07:43:44 PM
NOT!!! :GRN> :GRN>
Just Kidding!
Joe
You're not foolin us! Well if it was something like a Taylor we might have believed it.
Quote from: tragocaster on June 21, 2006, 06:22:55 AM
Proving once again that most people listen with their eyes and not their ears!
:rolleyes:You should try it, it would be an improvement for you since you obviously have a tin ear! :rolleyes:
There is a kind of insect in the south that listens with it's eyes.....
And by the way Glen Campbell may have played aa Ovation...but look who he dated, and look at his rrest record. Toxic plastic fumes must have fried his brain.
Unclrob, my apologies....maybe you ought to shave the goatee. :GRN>
cowgirlie LOL.If I shaved my chin hair then I'd have muten chops.that would make me a lamb not and old goat. :GRN>
Bats can technically see with their ears. Sonar baby!
Quote from: Cowgirlie on June 21, 2006, 10:33:21 PM
Unclrob, my apologies....maybe you ought to shave the goatee. :GRN>
Go with a big Fu Manchu! That would be pimp :mellow:
I'm with Cowgirlie. While you guys are on the bridge playing with trolls, we're having a nice picnic on the green grass on the other side of the bridge, watching you guys, playing our guitars, and ROTFL!
Deb
This thread is funny.
I am almost tempted to trade in all my Larrivee and Martins for an Ovation. LoL. and I "wont forget to visit the OVATION FORUM" hahahaha... yeah right. :rolleyes: Well it has been the busiest thread in a while though, lol.
I bought an Ovation Legend in 1979 for somewhere around $600. At the time I could have gotten a Martin for about the same amount of money. At the time, Ovation was state of the art for plugged in sound. It had a truss rod to adjust the neck, again state of the art. It sounded good, both plugged in and unplugged. It had a 1 5/8" neck, which felt like an electric and which fit my small hands to a "T". This guitar was my one and only guitar for 18 years, until I bought my Taylor in 1997.
The Ovation rarely gets played these days. If I go camping or I'm playing in hot/cold temperatures, I'll take my Ovation with me. I still have it, for sentimental reasons and because I couldn't get enough money for it to make it worth selling.
I never heard of Larrivee or Taylor in 1979, but if I had, I bet it would be worth more now than it was back then.
I have played some Larrivees that had a compressed sound. I've played others that sounded open and rang like a bell. The good ones beat the Ovation hands down acoustically. Electronics have advanced SO much since I bought my Ovation. It can't hang with any of my other guitar plugged in. My other guitars can all be upgraded, as electronics improved. My Ovation can not.
Have you tried the new Ovations LX? X-scalloped braced, contour bowl! How about the Adamas reissue? These are the BEST guitars for the money on the market today! Give them a try.
I tried lighting one on fire :wacko:. HAHAHAHA.
Beware everyone: Ovationfanclub is actually DaVinci Code spelled sideways. It's an Opus Dei plot to make people sell their guitars by French sounding luthiers for DADGAD (Dei God !?) friendly plastic-back guitars that can float on water.
Please, ALL Larrivee owners: keep the faith alive! :POL>
Well, this is certainly the most negative thread we've had for awhile. I'd just like to add or second a couple of points.
1. Ovations are nice guitars. They certainly have their place in the guitar world. Haven't played one in a long while but they were the only thing out there for a long time for an electro-acoustic. Heaed and shoulders above anything else. Acoustically, they do not sound like a solid wood guitar but they sound pretty good in their own right. Some people may even prefer them to the sound of a solid wood guitar. Its possible. After all, some people say that they prefer the sound of Taylors. (Ooooh, I didn't really say that, did I?) :ph34r:
2. As difficult as it may be to believe, there may be Larrivees out there that for whatever reason do not sound like the superlative instrument we have come to know and love. :mellow: The guitar may have something that is keeping it from reaching its full potential.
3. When your ear is accustomed to a certain sound, departures from that standard may sound inferior. Different strokes for different ...
I had an Ovation for a while. An Ovation Anniversary. Nice guitar. Played smooth as silk. That model had deluxe inlays, herringbone binding, red, white and blue soundhole purfling, carved walnut bridge and a tinted top. Played great sounded OK. It filled a niche. Bought it about 1983-4 for $225 through a want-ad in the local paper. Traded it off in 1988 for the Mossman 12, paying less than $150. Don't remember exactly. Anyway, that was one I remember fondly but would not really care whether I had it back or not, in contrast to most of the other guitars I have gone through. So it served its purpose very well.
Anyway, that's my $.02.
Thanks dbirchett! This is what I am talking about!
Well said Don.
I really don't see why so many members want to thrash away at tragocaster. Bad manners; insecurity; Ovation envy? :WNK>
Quote from: ronmac on June 25, 2006, 09:42:00 AM
Well said Don.
I really don't see why so many members want to thrash away at tragocaster. Bad manners; insecurity; Ovation envy? :WNK>
Maybe because Tragocaster decided to come over here to the Larivvee Forum and for his FIRST POST copy his own Ovation fan-boy post from the Ovation Fan Club, inconspicuously titled "Ovation Legend eats Larrivee for lunch"?
All things being fair, if plywood ear hears it that way that's just fine but how can anyone come into someone else's "house" and expect anything other than animosity with a first post like that? Tragocaster came looking for trouble. He's a troll. Period. He's insecure in the knowledge that he has a plastic and plywood guitar so he needed to come here looking for trouble to make himself feel superior. :rolleyes:
I don't need to feel superior. I don't need to go over to the Ovation Forum to start a pi$$ing contest. All I need to do is play my OM-03R. If Tragocaster felt the same way about his Legend he wouldn't have had to come here trolling for recognition, and that's the most telling aspect of his first post. He came here and posted this nonsense not to convince us but because he needed to convince himself.
Good points. Here are some others...
I don't consider this to be my, or our, house. It is Zach's. Period. We are all guests. Doesn't matter if you have 5000 posts, or 1, we are still guests.
Inexperience sometimes lead us to "shoot off" before we should. Perhaps tragocaster could have chosen a better moment to air his views.
All that aside, how would you react if it were his 1000th post when he made those comments? Differently?
I don't know tragocaster from Adam. I am not here specifically to defend him, but more to defend the right for someone to express their opinion. If you go back through this whole thread you will see that tragocaster's comments are among the most rational and unemotional of the lot.
If I were a guest in someone's home and I saw a bunch of other guests beating up on another, for no real apparent reason (a comment such as that made by tragocaster isn't a reason, in my book), who do you think I would avoid?
Perhaps tragocaster should be called a troll, if you need to label him. My label for those that feel the need to belittle him, even if he is a troll, is "bully".
Think about it...
True, this is Zach's forum but it wouldn't be much of a forum without members, and it WASN'T Tragocaster's 1000th post. It WAS his first. Hypotheticals don't count, facts do.
Tragocaster's FIRST thread and comments were geared to foment confrontation. The essence of trolling behavior is to appear to be rational and unemotional while you intentionally incite those who you are certain will disagree with you. Tragocaster came here looking for a confrontation and he got one. That's why my advice in the first post I made in this thread was to ignore him. Then his inflammatory post would have dropped off the front page and into oblivion just as it should have.
But now I'm sure Tragocaster is enjoying his success at trolling this forum for going on six days and approaching 100 responses and 900 views. I've said all I have to say so I'm going to take my own advice and ignore this troll just as all trolls should be ignored.
:)
Quote from: tragocaster on June 25, 2006, 09:37:50 AM
Thanks dbirchett! This is what I am talking about!
Having said all that I did, let me now make a few other points.
1. An objective music fan with a good ear will prefer the sound of a sold wood guitar at least 99% of the time, IMHO.
2. Ovations definitely have their place and purpose but that place and purpose comes in more with playability and sturdiness rather than acoustic sound, although I will give you that they sound pretty good
for a plastic guitar.
3. Most professionals that explained why they used Ovations told stories about how their Martins were demolished in handling on tour. (That's something I can really understand right now, although I have never toured :<>)
4. Quite frankly Tragocaster, your initial comments about your Legend viz-z-viz the Larrivee and your dogged determination to convince everyone about how right you are tells me more about you than about the guitars.
5. If I ever thought that my Larrivees sounded worse than an Ovation, I would first schedule an appointment with an otolaryngologist.
6. But you are entitled to your own opinion of quality sound regardless of how that differs from mine or anyone.
Now move on, please.
I haven't posted on this thread yet. I'd just like to say that we are all taking Tragocaster's word that this fabled A-Bing of the Ovation Legend and Larrivee OM actually happened. Yes, it is possible that it happened but we weren't there to see it, more importantly, to hear it. Maybe he just made it up so he could post on this forum and to get under some of the members' skin which seems to be what has happened. Maybe it did happen but the Larrivee actually sounded better than the Ovation and he just wants to save face? Maybe the Larrivee had dead strings, dead extra light gauge and the Ovation had mediums?
All I know is I don't know Tragocaster from Adam and trust him about as far as I can throw him. I think we should have all taken his comments with a grain of salt.
Personally, I've never been a fan of Ovations. I like an all wood guitar's tone much better. Furthermore, whenever I have played an Ovation, the round back always seems to slide away from me. Just my $.02.
Yeah, I could never keep that rounded back from sliding either, denis. VERY ANNOYING.
My good friend has an ovation. I like it a lot. It would take me a bit to get adjusted to the fingerboard which has a lot more radius to it than my Larrivee. I honestly think it does have very nice tone compared to my OM-50. It is more open sounding. The only thing I don't like is that it slides out of my lap when I play in a seated position.
Why don't they make the back squared like a normal guitar? I'm sure it wouldn't sacrifice THAT much tone.
Kaman started with a composite squared back ovation guitar, but soon after they realized that the roundback is much better (soundwise and with regard to stability).
The smooth, hard composite Lyrachord rounback body improves projection and reflects top vibrations better than any traditional material/guitar. It is stronger too.
Quote from: Denis on June 25, 2006, 12:57:23 PM
I think we should have all taken his comments with a grain of salt.
I believe that's just what we did.
I agree that Tragocaster came here looking for trouble. But hopefully we can convince him that the dominant spirit here is "differet strokes for different folks" and that it's not a question of who eats whose lunch.
I've never owned an Ovation -- in fact I think I've only played one once or twice in my life. But Ovations have a real history, and if their fans are proud of them and like the sound, more power to 'em. Guitars would be boring if they all sounded the same.
QuoteBut Ovations have a real history, and if their fans are proud of them and like the sound, more power to 'em.
...well....this is exactly what I am talking about!...Ovations have a great history, they sound terrific-they cost less, why don't you give 'em a try.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/drewnolan82/troll-1.jpg)
Quote from: tragocaster on June 26, 2006, 09:01:12 PM
...well....this is exactly what I am talking about!...Ovations have a great history, they sound terrific-they cost less, why don't you give 'em a try.
No thanks, Trollocaster. The last time I owned a plastic guitar I was about five years old.
Here's a little story from The 12th Fret about how Jean Larrivee still builds his guitars that will most likely keep me in the Larrivee camp.
http://www.12fret.com/new/larrivee_DV-09_BZ_brazilian_rosewood_pg.html
QuoteRicky Thompson has been Jean Larrivee's international head of sales for quite some time now. Ricky was in town last week and dropped in the store just to hang out a bit and to pick up his latest acquisition, a 1975 Larrivee L-09. Ricky has THE largest personal collection of Larrivee guitars in the world that span right from the very early '70s to the present and includes lots of interesting prototypes. I thought that I was the biggest Larrivee fan in the world but I pale beside this guy!
As usual, our conversation eventually drifted around to talking about Jean and how he is still so incredibly involved in the building of Larrivee guitars. Ricky was saying that the last time he visited the Vancouver shop, he walked in as Jean was setting up the fence on a large bandsaw. Jean shouted over "you're just in time, get on the other side of this saw and stack necks as I cut them". So the two of them spent the afternoon cutting and stacking neck blanks while discussing new models and future projects! Ricky also informed me that every single Larrivee top, from the Vancouver AND the Oxnard shop, are jointed by Jean himself. He refuses to let anyone else do this! I know also that every Sunday Jean and Matthew go into the Oxnard shop and hand fit all of the dovetail neck joints! When I say this guy is still "hands on" ... I mean it!!!
Now tell me, how does Kaman build theirs? With a plastic extrusion machine? :rolleyes:
Dang! My guitar doesn't eat at all, although it does seem to drink quite a lot. At least that's my excuse for all the empty Sleeman's bottles. :mellow:
QuoteNow tell me, how does Kaman build theirs? With a plastic extrusion machine?
The all new ovation LX series feature the Lyrachord lightweight GS body, there is also the deep contour body, not to mention the amazing Adamas reissue(especially the Adamas #47 slothead reissue), which is hand-made custom-built!!!!
http://www.ovationtribute.com/Adamas%20Models/Adamas_1187-247_RI/Adamas_Slothead_1187-247_RI.html
Hey trag, I'm gonna ask you a few questions....
1)Do you have anything positive to add to this forum?
2)Why are you here?
3)All of your posts are in praise of ovations...you do know this is a LARRIVEE forum don't you? Do you need someone to spell it out for you? Hooked on phonics obviously didn't work for you.
4)Do you have a life?
5)Do the orderlys know you are abusing your computer time? I thought they supervised mental patients better.
6)Could you do us all a favor and leave?
Thanks...
:ph34r:
Just couldn't believe the length of this thread so I thought I'd ad to the madness. Ovations are good for a few reasons
Humidity resistant, thin comfortable, good action, nice on board tuners and electronics and play similar to electrics. But they also slide off your lap(how can you play a guitar that runs away from you I will never understand) and they have a restricted tone acoustically but I wouldn't mind having one anyway because I think they do have a history and place in the market and they are interesting and cool to look at. Even if they never will sound like a traditional wooden instrument.
sorry stuco, but I really need my post to be in the forefront so trag doesn't "accidentally" skip over it...
Hey trag, I'm gonna ask you a few questions....
1)Do you have anything positive to add to this forum?
2)Why are you here?
3)All of your posts are in praise of ovations...you do know this is a LARRIVEE forum don't you? Do you need someone to spell it out for you? Hooked on phonics obviously didn't work for you.
4)Do you have a life?
5)Do the orderlys know you are abusing your computer time? I thought they supervised mental patients better.
6)Could you do us all a favor and leave?
Thanks...
the other day as i was louning on the couch and channel-surfing i came across an old kiss unplugged concert on vh1. it had been a while since i'd heard any mullet-metal, so i figured i'd stroll down memory lane.
bruce kulick was playing an assortment of ovations. all of them sounded pretty good when he was strumming, but when he'd break for a solo the sound was awful. didn't sound like he was running any kind of effect to boost it. really thin sounding.
paul stanley was playing some sort of custom acoustic that didn't sound very good either. looked like some sort of ibanez with tons of abalone.
i can't believe i ever actually liked that music.
sorry roknroll. guess you'll have to repost your rant.
I'm with you roknroll. This post has gotten way too much attention. Maybe if tragocaster is so enamored with Ovation guitars he should stay on his side of the fence. Incidently, I've never met an Ovation worthy of any comparison to Larrivee,
gtrplayer
Quote from: tragocaster on June 27, 2006, 01:45:57 PM
The all new ovation LX series feature the Lyrachord lightweight GS body, there is also the deep contour body, not to mention the amazing Adamas reissue(especially the Adamas #47 slothead reissue), which is hand-made custom-built!!!!
http://www.ovationtribute.com/Adamas%20Models/Adamas_1187-247_RI/Adamas_Slothead_1187-247_RI.html
Very nice looking. Used to have an Ovation Balladeer, for about 14 years. It had a nice tone and I made a lot of good music on it, but when I went back to wood guitars (a Taylor 612C and then a Larrivee C-09) the depth of tone (especially the Larrivee) couldn't be matched. I've played a bunch of different Ovations, and the characteristic acoustic sound just leaves me wanting in some way I cannot define. It is a good, very warm sound with slight compression in the lower treble/very uppermost mids, but it never draws my ear in but so far.
The full bowl slot head nylon string sounds great plugged in, but my little old Alhambra 5p classical (incidentally bought the same time as my Ovation back in '82) is head and shoulders above any nylon string Ovation I've heard acoustically (and I still have that sentimental late 60's-70's Mac Davis/Glenn Campbell/Al DiMeola reaction when I see them).
Brett
Quote from: tragocaster on June 26, 2006, 09:01:12 PM
...well....this is exactly what I am talking about!...Ovations have a great history, they sound terrific-they cost less, why don't you give 'em a try.
I think pretty much everyone here who owns an acoustic guitar has at one point in their life played an ovation. If you prefer the sound of an ovation then thats your opinion. In fact most non guitar players you played a larrivee for then an ovation couldnt tell the diffrence. Point is when someone comes to a Larrivee forum they are dealing with people who have spent a lot of money on a guitar that THEY personally liked the sound of. I can promise you somewhere along the line that people here have played an Ovation and chose the Larrivee over that guitar as well as many other guitars.
So just to reiterate, We HAVE played Ovations and prefered the sound of Larrivee. :ph34r:
Tried to ignore this one, but finally had to take a peek, and have a take.
IMHO..... sounds like one guy who really likes his guitar (and wanted to tell everyone) vs. A BUNCH OF WHINERS!!!!!!!
"Can't we all just get along"....
Sorry, people
Now get back to work!
Gotwood, you can't be THAT naive. The internet is loaded full of trolls that like to cause chaos. Surely you weren't born in a barn. Who goes around to random forums praising their love for this or that? "Mines better than yours, so ha!". He hasn't said one positive thing about Larrivee guitars since he's been here...he's only put them down and built up his ovation love. It's not whining, it's sticking up for a forum that you've been a part of for years, mr "17 posts".
"Ovation Eats Larrivee for Lunch"...you really think he means well with a topic like that? Enough said. Where's the freakin moderator.
Quote from: gotwood on June 28, 2006, 04:12:57 PM
Tried to ignore this one, but finally had to take a peek, and have a take.
IMHO..... sounds like one guy who really likes his guitar (and wanted to tell everyone) vs. A BUNCH OF WHINERS!!!!!!!
"Can't we all just get along"....
Sorry, people
Now get back to work!
You call people a bunch of whiners then say can't we all just get along. Most people who have posted in this thread haven't taken tragocaster seriously and you seem to be having a stronger reaction to this thread than most. It's really not as important as people are making it out to be.
I pretty much took this entire thread from the beggining as a joke. Still do..
yes, but now it must be laid to rest...where's walker texas ranger when you need him?
"At Ease" , rocknroll and Jeremy3220. You guys own this thread.
I didn't realize that in order to have a take on this forum, you had to have more than "17 posts". I realize you guys are the veterans, so beggin' your pardon.
I stumbled across this forum a while back, and only joined because I thought I would enjoy hearing about Larrivee guitars and those who owned and played them. This thread has really opened my eyes.
Forget I'm even here, and don't take yourselves "too seriously".
Sincerely, and Humbly, and Apologetically, and .......
Gotwood
*stands at attention*..."aye, sir!"
Quote"stands at attention"...."aye sir".
Now that's more like it.
Lemme go try my Ovation now...oh, thats right, I'm using it as a flowerpot on the deck, had to drill some holes to let the water drain too. My Budweiser Tumor made it very difficult to hold the roundback.
Quote
But Ovations have a real history, and if their fans are proud of them and like the sound, more power to 'em.
...well....this is exactly what I am talking about!...Ovations have a great history, they sound terrific-they cost less, why don't you give 'em a try.
I have heard and played many Ovations. They are certainly an OK guitar, but their main worthiness revolves around durability and amplification. As a straight acoustic they are mediocre. I liked the idea of their durability and some years ago searched high and low to find one that I could live with as a non amplified acoustic guitar. Never found one. Just not enough depth to the sound. Actually, I think the best sound for the money ($550.00 new) that I have heard in a long while is a Blueridge. Not sure how well they would hold up, but man, lots of boom for the buck. Solid top, laminated back and sides. Would totally blow away an Ovation.
Would somebody eat this thread for lunch? :GRN>
I would but it would give me really bad gas and my family would disown me. :GRN>
The thread that never ends.......
At this point, I feel like I'm the only forum member who hasn't yet posted on this thread. so here's my one fiftieth of a standard monetary unit:
If I owned a mercedes, and someone came along and said his ford escort eats my mercedes for lunch, my likely reaction would be bemusement and pity. I probably wouldn't spend a whole lot of energy arguing with Mr. Escort. I would nod sympathetically, back away slowly, and question whether a meds change for Mr. Escort might be in order. Would I take him seriously, or feel a need to vigorously defend my mercedes? Nope.
This thread kills me. There's one like it on every forum. Example: On the Acura TL forum once in a while some guy comes in (its always a guy) and says Acura sucks and Infinity/Lexus/Nissan rules or there's even some guy that says his Subaru WRX will walk all over the TL. Yawn. Or the ad nauseum Canon vs Nikon (that's a great one for flying fur), etc. First someone opens with a provocative salvo then a bunch of people respond all indignant like someone insulted their honor. Let it go follks.
A Subaru WRX COULD potentially walk all over a TL. :GRN>
Quote from: MrJones on June 29, 2006, 07:58:44 PM
First someone opens with a provocative salvo then a bunch of people respond all indignant like someone insulted their honor. Let it go follks.
+1, LOL, are we a bunch of Klingons or what? ^_^
Quote from: MrJones on June 29, 2006, 07:58:44 PM
This thread kills me.
actually, i think this thread is the beginning of the death of this forum. since troll-o-caster came on the scene ive noticed a change, slight though it may be, in the way some folks are starting to post. threads like this cause negativity to creep in and folks start taking jabs where they once would not do so. there have even been some threads start up that would normally not have been. and.......once the other trolls figure out that this place has no mods or any kind of police, it will all be over.
and i really like this forum. its actually the friendliest guitar-related forum ive seen on the web.
if i were standing right infront of troll-o-caster i'd kick him right in the nutsack for contributing to the downfall of a great forum like this.
:: gives finger to troll-o-caster ::
ps - this is just my predicition, but look for the larrivee company/family to start distancing themselves from this place before long as well. only a matter of time. . .
Not if we don't let it happen. The solution is pretty simple: don't respond to trolls and don't get into political discussions. It's worked well so far, eh? (Happy Dominion Day, a/k/a Canada Day.)
Just in case anyone has forgotten what they learned (or should have) in Kindergarden:
1. Be Friendly - Everyone is here for the same reason - to discuss guitars! There is no need to argue just for the sake of arguing, or to put down other peoples tastes in music/guitars/politics/donuts, etc. Please keep your posts clean from obscenities, inappropriate pictures, etc. The administration can delete posts at their will. Think a little before posting.