NGD Acoustic Custom Shop?

[BeZo]

An ad pops up on Craigslist:

Ovation Acoustic Electric Guitar - $600

The ad just says:

"Ovation Custom Shop Guitar
$600
Cash only"

I hit the guy up and asked him questions, and he didn't know what wood or pickup was in it. I got a little sketched out, but I did some homework.

After Ovation folded, the Custom Shop kept making guitars. When Fender brought the company back, they released them as the American SX Main Street series. This is a Mahogany neck and top, Lyrachord bowl (obviously, it's an Ovation), and a Fishman Flex Blend system on board.

Turns out I met the guy before. He sold me a different Ovation years ago. I got it cheap, recorded it, and flipped it for twice the price. These ones go for over a grand, so I could probably do the same with this one.

The guitar feels and plays exactly like my Ovation Custom Shop Guitar Center model I've had for 20 years now. I'm really excited to record something with it. It super warm and balanced, and isn't bass heavy like the other one is. I'm happy.

 

[griff10672]

Nice !!!

 

[MadAsAHatter]

WTF, You can't shred with an acoustic!!! Throw it in the trash. Better yet, give it to and I'll take care of it.

Seriously though, sweet acoustic. I've always like Ovations.

 

[Laputan Machine]

What are these guitars like? How come they are the 'metal' acoustic (when metal players do some acoustic in a song or live it always seems to be these round back Ovations)? Do they have a really zingy top end?

 

[griff10672]

I always loved Ovations .... till I sat down to play one without a strap .....

 

[BeZo]

I've been gassing hard for a Taylor lately. I keep going up to Guitar Center and playing them. I love how great they play and how balanced they sound. This thing totally satisfied that. The sound and controls are just like a Taylor, it plays like a Taylor, but it feels like my Ovation. I got used to the V neck profile, and this thing just feels like home.

What are these guitars like? How come they are the 'metal' acoustic (when metal players do some acoustic in a song or live it always seems to be these round back Ovations)? Do they have a really zingy top end?

The high end ones (American ones) play like butter. I bought mine because it shreds. It was the first acoustic I've ever played that played like my electrics. The only other one that comes close are Taylor's, but they look like the traditional acoustics. Ovations look cool.

 

[BeZo]

I always loved Ovations .... till I sat down to play one without a strap .....

This one actually has a flat back to it. It's way more boxy than my others, with a bit of a belly cut.

 

[griff10672]

This one actually has a flat back to it. It's way more boxy than my others, with a bit of a belly cut.

I had no idea they made ones with normal backs ..... I just remember other than trying to get them to sit on my lap .... they played and sounded great ... the fret board on that one looks real nice .

 

[griff10672]

I've been gassing hard for a Taylor lately. I keep going up to Guitar Center and playing them. I love how great they play and how balanced they sound. This thing totally satisfied that. The sound and controls are just like a Taylor, it plays like a Taylor, but it feels like my Ovation. I got used to the V neck profile, and this thing just feels like home.


The high end ones (American ones) play like butter. I bought mine because it shreds. It was the first acoustic I've ever played that played like my electrics. The only other one that comes close are Taylor's, but they look like the traditional acoustics. Ovations look cool.
View attachment 434026

my buddy had an orange one of those .... at least i thought it was orange .... really nice playing acoustic

 

[PBGas]

Nice! You don't see those everyday! Good score!

 

[BeZo]

I got it cleaned up (mostly) and restrung. I started the setup on it, but it still needs to settle a bit. It had Elixirs on it, but it was tuned up to standard Eh. Now that it has the same strings and tuning as the other one, it's fair to compare. I'll leave the playability out of the equation until I finish the setup, but the toans are not as far apart as I thought.

Both guitars are made by the same people in the same shop (probably, they're 14 years apart). The real differences between them is the neck and top woods. The GC Flame Job has a cedar top and maple neck, where the SX Main Street is all mahogany. The cedar is a little snappier where the mahogany is warmer. The bass isn't more prominent on either instrument like I originally thought. Now that I've compared them side by side, the mahogany has a more saturated bass that is almost muddy while still being responsive. It's like the bass is blurred across a wider frequency range than the cedar top. All in all the cedar top is more defined where the mahogany is more mellow. Both sound great and feel really similar.

I'm going to let the neck settle and finish the setup on it before I put the truss rod cover back on and get a family photo. Maybe I'll get the 12 string out to sit awkwardly in the back while I take pictures.

 

[BeZo]

I got the family photo finally.