Any Ovation USA experts here?

[specialk]

Alright...

The old arthur-itis is starting to affect my hands/wrists. But I don't feel ready to quit playing yet. And I like acoustics, so Ovation necks feel good to me.

With a budget of around $350 I want to start pawn-shopping for a fair to middling Ovation USA.

Are there any particular models I should be looking for? Any I should be staying away from?

And a related question. Any import Ovation models that are a good bargain these days?

I don't know much about the brand at all, except that I do like their easy playing necks.

So with a budget of $350 or so, what are the best Ovation models to look for?

Thanks for any/all suggestions! This place is great.

[JohnnyB]

Alright...

The old arthur-itis is starting to affect my hands/wrists. But I don't feel ready to quit playing yet. And I like acoustics, so Ovation necks feel good to me.

With a budget of around $350 I want to start pawn-shopping for a fair to middling Ovation USA.

Are there any particular models I should be looking for? Any I should be staying away from?

And a related question. Any import Ovation models that are a good bargain these days?

I don't know much about the brand at all, except that I do like their easy playing necks.

So with a budget of $350 or so, what are the best Ovation models to look for?

Thanks for any/all suggestions! This place is great.

We have a resident Ovation expert in Alpep. He has been moderator of the Ovation Fan Club for many years (founder?) and has been an Ovation dealer at his online store, Lost Art Vintage.

Personally, I think the USA-made 1778T Elite T from around 2005 is a fantastic instrument for the money. You're not likely to find one for $350, but they occasionally show up on the used market for $500-550. Solid spruce top, USA-made. Very slick electric-like neck.

As someone who takes supplements to reduce joint inflammation symptoms, I used to take Triple-Flex, which has Glucosamine, MSM, and Chondroitin. A couple years ago I ditched that in favor of Celadrin by Inflame-Away. The right cartilage-lubricating supplement plus regular intake of Naproxen (generic for Aleve) may help tame your arthritic discomfort.

[tomteriffic]

What Johnny B said, both about the 1778 Elite T and the arthritis. 'Cept I use plain old Ibuprofen as Naproxen riles up my innards. The 1778 is the best sounding Ovation I've ever heard.

Alright...

The old arthur-itis is starting to affect my hands/wrists. But I don't feel ready to quit playing yet. And I like acoustics, so Ovation necks feel good to me.

With a budget of around $350 I want to start pawn-shopping for a fair to middling Ovation USA.

Are there any particular models I should be looking for? Any I should be staying away from?

And a related question. Any import Ovation models that are a good bargain these days?

I don't know much about the brand at all, except that I do like their easy playing necks.

So with a budget of $350 or so, what are the best Ovation models to look for?

Thanks for any/all suggestions! This place is great.

We have a resident Ovation expert in Alpep. He has been moderator of the Ovation Fan Club for many years (founder?) and has been an Ovation dealer at his online store, Lost Art Vintage.

Personally, I think the USA-made 1778T Elite T from around 2005 is a fantastic instrument for the money. You're not likely to find one for $350, but they occasionally show up on the used market for $500-550. Solid spruce top, USA-made. Very slick electric-like neck.

As someone who takes supplements to reduce joint inflammation symptoms, I used to take Triple-Flex, which has Glucosamine, MSM, and Chondroitin. A couple years ago I ditched that in favor of Celadrin by Inflame-Away. The right cartilage-lubricating supplement plus regular intake of Naproxen (generic for Aleve) may help tame your arthritic discomfort.

[specialk]

Thanks guys! Ibuprofen is already my friend, Nothing else seems to work as well for me.

And I'm going low-ball pawn shops for two reasons. I don't want to insult any Ovation owners here with a ridiculous offer and if it doesn't work out for me, I want to try to get my money back if I have to sell it. I've been of the "buy high, sell low" school too many times.

[gtone]

Try a couple of changes to your diet to help with the inflammation. Chances are, like most N. Americans, your diet may be too acidic. Try to add more alkaline foods and reduce the amount of ones high in acid. I used to suffer from achey, inflammed wrists and also developed a growing problem with reflux but wasn't getting any relief from meds (in fact they were screwing up my liver enzymes/bilirubin count). Started with a change to my diet to reduce the reflux and wow - what a difference this made to both it and the inflammation.

Plenty of info on the web about acidic/alkaline foods. Trick is too eat less of the first, more of the second to balance your overall system to a less acidic state.

Seems to be working well for me, but of course, YMMV... Good luck!

[zenmindbeginner]

Thanks guys! Ibuprofen is already my friend, Nothing else seems to work as well for me.

And I'm going low-ball pawn shops for two reasons. I don't want to insult any Ovation owners here with a ridiculous offer and if it doesn't work out for me, I want to try to get my money back if I have to sell it. I've been of the "buy high, sell low" school too many times.

The best deals are on eBay. I picked up my Ovations on eBay both for $350-$400 a piece. Both are USA Elite LX models.

You should be able to do just as good... I think I was looking fir Ovations for around a few weeks until I found one and then another after a few more weeks. You should have a cheap USA Elite by the end of this month if you scour eBay. Both of mine were "Best Offers".

Good luck!

[specialk]

Nice looking Ovations, ZMB!

Your post brings up a couple of questions:

Are all Ovation Elites USA made?

Are Ovation necks fairly uniform? With Hamer USAs, I can buy one unplayed and generally know how the neck will feel according to the year and model I get. Are Ovations this way too, do you know? That's why I was thinking of buying local as well.

Thanks guys!

[zenmindbeginner]

Nice looking Ovations, ZMB!

Your post brings up a couple of questions:

Are all Ovation Elites USA made?

Are Ovation necks fairly uniform? With Hamer USAs, I can buy one unplayed and generally know how the neck will feel according to the year and model I get. Are Ovations this way too, do you know? That's why I was thinking of buying local as well.

Thanks guys!

All of the Elites have a similar if not uniform neck profile... I don't think that all of the Elites are USA made, but I could be wrong. The label that says where it was made is always fairly easy to see... the market is flooded with import Ovations so, just check the label in the soundhole(s) before you consider buying.

Just make sure that there are no cracks or breaks and that the fretware is minimal... Ovations are hard to repair and refret.

Good luck! $350-$400 is below "blue book" value on these guitars and I don't know many shops that will price their inventory so as to lose money on their merchandise... that's why I suggested eBay. The same guitar in a "shop" is going to run between $500-$600. People getting rid of their personal gear that they have gotten a lot out of over the years at a loss is a lot different than a shop hopefully getting one at around $200-$250 on a trade deal and selling it for $350-$400 which ain't gonna happen unless you are very lucky.

[hamerhead]

Keep your eyes peeled on Craigslist. I got mine for $250 w/ OHSC. It's older (pre-EQ), but plays and sounds great.

[LostArt]

350 is low but you can find deals out there.

post over at ovationfanclub.com and see what you can come up with.

craigslist and e bay are good starting points.

i have nothing in that range.

[specialk]

Hi Al!

I recently joined the OFC, but can't figure out how to navigate the site. Is there a For Sale board there?

[dhuber]

I have the Legend 1777 and my wife has a 1987 Collector's Ovation. I Paid $600 for my Legend and my wife paid $2000 for her Collector's. I thought that was crazy high but she's been playing it 24 years now. I have never heard a good sounding Asian made Ovation. Try to find an American made one. I really like my Legend and I don't ever plan on replacing it.

[DaveL]

I just found a clean use elite 1868 at gc for 350 delivered. Plays nice. Needed a trust tweak but otherwise clean. BTW our singer brought a celebrity to practice... I hated it.