Korgscrew
Group: Super Admins
Posts: 3511
Joined: Dec. 1999 |
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Posted: Feb. 01 2005, 13:45 |
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Ovations...I think you can get those cheaper at tupperware parties, can't you? At least, I'm sure I've seen similar things on sale...
Sorry, cheap joke 
I'd have to agree that Ovations have their own, quite distinct sound, which perhaps isn't the one to go for if you want an all round acoustic guitar. They're designed on the premise that the back should reflect the sound as efficiently as possible, hence the parabolic shape. It works exactly as intended, but it's very different to a conventional acoustic guitar, where the interaction between the top and back is more like that between the heads of a drum (if you've ever tuned drums, you'll realise the importance of the interaction between the two surfaces, as it can have a very profound effect on the resulting sound). People describe their sound as plasticky, but I think I'd call it metallic, as it sounds to me like the almost unadulterated sound of the strings being reflected straight out of the soundholes.
My personal suggestion would be something like a Fylde. I also played an instrument by Tom Waghorn not too long ago which was fantastic sounding. One of his instruments would be cheaper than a Taylor (possibly quite considerably), as it would come without the associated import costs. There's also Andy Manson, of course, if you're after something a bit special, though his name commands a higher price (but still...who else could build you a guitar like this?).
Paul Hathway is definitely deserving of your custom, though he's probably best known for instruments other than guitars. He's a nice man, and I'd definitely recommend paying him a visit in London, if you're interested in anything he makes. His prices are extremely reasonable, and the instruments are very good sounding.
The list could go on, actually...
The best undersaddle pickup I've come across is that by Headway - most of the builders above should be able to fit one. They have a far more natural sound than anything else I've come across. One could of course be used as part of a blend system with a microphone.
Takamine's 'cool tube' preamp system actually manages to extract a reasonable sound out of their piezo pickups (which are normally the classic harsh piezo sound), but you could of course use an external valve preamp to similar effect.
Still, none of them are Taylors or Ovations, and if one of those is what you want, they're not bad instruments by any means. I think I'd probably go with the Taylor, were I faced with that particular decision (though a good thing with Ovations is that they're absolutely bomb proof, thanks to their construction - good for stage use).
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