Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars

Subject: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Mysha
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 12:35 AM

Hi,

Travelling through the States I encountered one of these in a pawnshop in Grand Junction. Looked like a fairly normal acoustic guitar, but the odd bridge caught my eye, plus the fact that it was only 6 strung.

I don't play guitar all that much, so I doubt I would have a use for a 12 string, but I'm a bit curious about these. Are they any good?

Bye
                                                                  Mysha

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 02:30 AM

The Ovations, with their man-made bowl backs, all have their own sound that is not quite like a wooden guitar. To my ears the deeper bodied ones sound better than the shallower ones. All plug in nicely. Some say that the man made body helps them to stay in tune in varying humidity and I think that is particularly true of the carbon-fibre fronted Adamus ones. The bridges are usually adequately stable but I have heard of the tops coming off the bodies. Some have an on-board tuner which can be handy. They have always been expensive new. If it is cheap with no obvious structural issues, it is likely to be a sound buy with a possible profit if ebayed!

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: banjoman
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 07:02 AM

I have owned & Played many 12 stringers over the years and currently am using an Ovation double neck guitar which my son bought. Its fantastic, particularly the 12 string bit although, it does have a different resonance to my usual (Old Washburn) 12 stringer. I have played an Ovation 12 string in the past and have always been surprised by the clarity and overall general feel of the instrument.
I have, so far, never come across a problem of the top comming away on my Ovation Folklore which I bought in 1982, and which has served me well and has matured over the years.
I agree with the above, they are expensive to buy new, so if its a reasonable price then go for it.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: kendall
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 07:17 PM

They make great canoe paddles.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Smokey.
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 07:51 PM

They're no substitute for the real thing, but once accepted for what they are, the better ones aren't too bad. I've yet to hear one that sounds any good acoustically. You get what you pay for, but I much prefer a nice unique bit of rosewood. Each to his own, I suppose.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Midchuck
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 07:52 PM

A long while ago, I had an Ovation 12-string SLOTHEAD. I kept it long enough to change strings on it once, and decided the sound I got from it wasn't worth it, and traded it off.

P.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: michaelr
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 01:46 AM

In my opinion, they're just as crap as Ovation 6-string guitars.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Fossil
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 07:38 AM

I owned an Ovation Celebrity 12 for many years. OK sound, heavy action, went out of tune if you looked at it crosswise. And very difficult to get into tune, I thing the necks are too weak for the tension you get with a 12, so as soon as you tune one bout, all the others change.

Not an instrument I would recommend to anyone who's serious about 12-strings.

But it looked fab as a stage instrument, being big, black and glossy. Not at all like me, really!

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 08:13 AM

Action can always be tweaked by a decent guitar tech - unless there is a bigger problem and a neck set is needed. I'm surprised about the stability though. Maybe yours had a damaged neck joint?

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 08:33 AM

No-one's mentioned the price. If it's less than five quid then buy it (with a view to sell on of course).

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: PHJim
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 11:43 AM

I haven't had a lot of experience with Ovations, but those I have played seemed to be strong in the mid and high range, but lacked something in the lower range. Has anyone else found this?

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: kendall
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 07:36 PM

After playing an Apollo 12 I would throw rocks at any other brand except Taylor.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 30 Aug 11 - 10:24 PM

I won't say I love Ovation 12-strings, but I don't hate them nearly as much as I hate their 6-strings. The Ovation body doesn't generate the sustain and overtones that are typical of a good wood-bodied guitar. But that's not necessarily a bad thing for a 12-string. A cleaner more direct sound without so much of that 12-string jangle might be preferable if, say, you get the urge to pick fiddle tunes on the thing.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Fossil
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 06:58 AM

Richard, I had that Ovation 12 looked at by the guitar shop in North London where I bought it (Rock Around the Clock, in Crouch End) and by many other knowledgeable twangers and lutherites I met on my travels and no-one could give me a definitive answer on the action or make that damn thing stay in tune!

Anyway, I now have a solid-as-a-rock Japanese made Sigma/Martin D28-12, which both looks and sounds great, amplified or acoustic, has a nice easy action and stays in tune unless you really provoke it with excessive temperature changes, which I now try to avoid.

My point was, that if you want to play a 12, I reckon that price for price there are better axes around than any Ovation I have yet come across.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: kendall
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 07:22 AM

The only possible problem with Apollo 12 strings is the price.
The other side of that coin is, they are worth it..
Playing an Apollo is like making love.
Playing an Ovation is just getting laid.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 07:39 AM

Ovations are just curious. Period.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: GUEST,guest (Fred Gosbee)
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 09:40 AM

Ovations have certain advantages: for one thing, you don't get sentimentally attached.
I was too many years getting an Appolonio 12 - probably the last serious 12-string player in Maine to do so.
What can I say? There are voices in there that you won't get in any other 12-string. Somehow Nick has managed to build guitars that sound full and transparent at the same time - a truly unique sound which allows a huge amount of tonal subtlety. The double compensating saddle system he uses has the guitar playing in tune all the way up the neck. As far as price goes Nick's guitars are the most affordable handmade guitars anywhere and are a good bit less expensive than any kind of factory made 12-string that is worth playing.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Midchuck
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 09:42 AM

The only possible problem with Apollo 12 strings is the price.
The other side of that coin is, they are worth it..

Ayup.

Playing an Apollo is like making love.
Playing an Ovation is just getting laid.

Nope.

Playing an Apollo (especially in DADGAD or CGCFGC) is like making love.
Playing a Guild or Taylor 12 is just getting laid.
Playing an Ovation is...what do you Brits say?..."wanking?"

Peter

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 11:11 AM

Spoken like a man who HAS NOT played my 40+ year old Guild F412. I am not saying it is the equal of Nick Apollonio's best work, but if it is like "getting laid", then it is like doing so with one of the most skilled courtesans I have ever known. She wears negligee woven with rich overtones and balance across her strings. Damn, believe I will go make love to her again.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 11:17 AM

The thing about wanking is that you meet a better class of person that way.

I think I might go and give my MUGEN THE78/12 a rumble.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Smokey.
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 11:21 AM

The problem about wanking with a bit of plastic is that you just hate yourself in the morning.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 11:22 AM

Since receiving new my Apollo 12 string, I am now getting laid regularly.
Proof, if proof were needed, that folk music is good for your sex life.
Yes I admit it, I have paid for sex. I paid a man in Maine you know!

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 01:05 PM

Can't you clowns allow me to be serious sometimes? :-)

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 01:20 PM

Fine, Kendall. We get you love Apollo's. I simply tapped into the metaphor you are using. Sheesh!

Mick

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: kendall
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 09:01 PM

Relax Mate, I was being facetious.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Big Mick
Date: 31 Aug 11 - 09:49 PM

So was I, you old seagoing popcorn fart! ***chuckle***

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: kendall
Date: 01 Sep 11 - 08:04 AM

Oh yeah? well, your Mother smells of elderberries.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Sep 11 - 01:01 PM

Yeah, but they were some of the finest elderberries in the neighborhood!!

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Mysha
Date: 02 Sep 11 - 07:40 AM

Hi,

Thanks for your opinions.
Those who value the instrument know where it is, should they come that way. The others ... well, they might buy it to save others from a fate worse than loneliness, I guess.

Bye,
                                                                  Mysha

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: GUEST,quatfaux
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 10:56 AM

The only reason to touch an Ovation is if you are getting paid to do so. Speaking as a woman... and a repair tech... 'cause it sure is only money, not enjoyment!
Hey, Big Mick... you wouldn't be Mick Wall the piper, would you?

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: saulgoldie
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 11:21 AM

A prime argument against Ovations by "those who know" is that they do not "age." I can't speak with experience about that trait, since I have not spent enough time across years with any one guitar to be able to say. But apropos this thread and the recent one about Glenn Campbell, there is this:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2OnZyGhYic

Saul

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: Stringsinger
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 11:45 AM

The point missed here is that Ovation cuts out the overtones which is desirable for flexibility in recording, overtones that muddy the track. As a result, many sound recording engineers like them for that reason. They are clean.

I'll take a Guild 12 over others that I've played with exception of Pete Seeger's 12, I forget the maker.

Subject: RE: Curious about Ovation 12 string guitars
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Sep 11 - 12:11 PM

Pete's 12 string This is a link to another forum, and please note, the guy who made the original post, lists himself as the owner of 16 guitars. Must tell the staff: she's bitching about my having 3. (Was 4 up till last month!)