Opinions on Applause Guitar Please
Alain Clouātre
I want to learn fingerpicking. For the moment, the only guitar I have
access to is an Applause model AA21. Can I do something with it or is it
a waste of effort and time. Before investing on another instrument I
would like to read comments from more advanced guitarists.
Thanks.
ac
eric liaw
I think most of the feedback on this newsgroup is positive. Most people
seem to be happy with their guitars (otherwise they wouldn't have bought
them). But I'll go ahead and give you my honest opinion about Applause,
and its parent line--Ovation.
I don't like them. The synthetic material used for the round back just
doesn't seem to produce the depth of acoustic tone that any other guitar
offers. And I didn't find the guitars especially playable either. The
action varies considerably, and I found many of the necks far too thin
for comfort. Keep in mind that I'm an acoustic player exclusively.
The way I see it, there are four things to consider in a guitar, in
varying order depending on your priorities: (1) sound, (2) playability,
(3) appearance, and (4) price value. I think Ovation and Applause fail
miserably on (1) and poorly on (3). Nor do I think that the guitars are
particularly affordable. I've seen them no lower than few hundred
dollars and as high as several thousand, which in my opinion, must be a
bad joke. Santa Cruz or Ovation: anyone care to argue?
If you can afford another guitar and are willing to take your investment
seriously, I suggest posting another message to the group about the type
of music you'll be playing and your estimated budget. My advice is
pretty simple and pretty ruthless: stay away from Ovation and Applause.
Please don't bomb me on the group. Alain wanted opinions.
jeff
paul...@diespammererinet.com
In article <34AF65...@videotron.ca> Alain Clouātre <alain.c...@videotron.ca> writes:
>From: Alain Clouātre <alain.c...@videotron.ca>
>Subject: Opinions on Applause Guitar Please
>Date: Sun, 04 Jan 1998 05:35:29 -0500
>I want to learn fingerpicking. For the moment, the only guitar I have
>access to is an Applause model AA21. Can I do something with it or is it
>a waste of effort and time. Before investing on another instrument I
>would like to read comments from more advanced guitarists.
>Thanks.
>ac
As long as the action is playable, the intonation is reasonable, and you enjoy
the tone, you can learn to fingerpick on ANYTHING.
That said, don't buy an applause guitar if you want it to be your "good
guitar" unless you get it really cheap, like for $100. They have laminated
(plywood) tops (like all other guitars in their price range, and they do not
have the 5-piece neck that makes "real" ovations so playable and oblivious to
humidity and temperature changes.
I have a couple professional Ovies and I got my daughter an applause EA38 to
learn on. She thinks it's really cool because it looks so neat, but she's
constantly coming to me to tune it for her, which the other daughter, who uses
my Legend, NEVER does. That said, one reason I went with the Applause for the
teenager is that I know she will beat any guitar to death, etc., and I think
the Applause will probably withstand rough treatment better than any other
$100 guitar.
BTW, the EA-38 costs like $400 new. I got it for $150 counting a $50 SKB
case, so I didn't mind the cost so much. If I wanted to SPEND $400, I'd get a
real ovation, a used but well treated Legend or Balladeer.
That said, unless the Applause you have "access to" is so unplayable that you
find it frustrating, you can learn to fingerpick on it or virtually any
guitar. And once you know how to play, you'll be better equipped to buy a
guitar that suits your needs.
Best of luck - p/r
(When replying, remove the DIESPAMMER from my return
address.)
Paul D. Race
Breakthrough Communications
If the expressed opinions are not those of management,
they probably should be.
Augustine
Alain Clouâtre wrote:
> I want to learn fingerpicking. For the moment, the only guitar I have
>
> access to is an Applause model AA21. Can I do something with it or is
> it
> a waste of effort and time. Before investing on another instrument I
> would like to read comments from more advanced guitarists.
>
> Thanks.
>
> ac
I know Ovations and Applause are not highly thought of in many
circles. I've played an Applause A-38 (or maybe 36) several times and
have found it to be acceptable for what it is. A low to mid priced
laminated top guitar that sounds best when plugged in. An AA 21, I don't
know for sure, but that may be a "half size" guitar. That means it is a
smaller than most standard guitars, usually intended for children or
perhaps as a travelling guitar. These guitars have a shorted than usual
scale length (about 17 to 19 inches as opposed to the 25 or so inch
scale on a full size guitar.) As a result, they usually sound a little
higher than most guitars. Like a full sized guitar capoed at the third
or fourth fret.
I'm not sure from your post, but if you are a total beginner, I'd
suggest staying with a decent guitar that you have accesss to and then
see if you are going to stay with learning to play. Then after a few
months or so, if you are still into it, and progressing, and wanting
more, go for a better guitar ($300 - 500). Also, after playing awhile,
you will be better able to appreciate the differences in guitars. Hope
this helps at least a little bit. Good luck.
Vance
steve yetter
Hi Alain,
You should be able to learn the basics on that Applause, if its
available for no money. But save some money because you'll outgrow
that guitar as soon as you play a nice guitar. Applause can't be beat
for camping, the beach, etc. You can even paddle a canoe with it (but
probably not while you're playing it)!
Once you've learned the basics, play many guitars. If the action is
decent on the Applause, you'll get the idea pretty quick that a solid
wood top is the next step up in guitars.
Good luck. Never quit,
-steve-
mcdonald
eric liaw wrote:
>
> I don't like them. The synthetic material used for the round back just
> doesn't seem to produce the depth of acoustic tone that any other guitar
> offers. And I didn't find the guitars especially playable either. The
> action varies considerably, and I found many of the necks far too thin
> for comfort. Keep in mind that I'm an acoustic player exclusively.
>
> The way I see it, there are four things to consider in a guitar, in
> varying order depending on your priorities: (1) sound, (2) playability,
> (3) appearance, and (4) price value. I think Ovation and Applause fail
> miserably on (1) and poorly on (3). Nor do I think that the guitars are
> particularly affordable. I've seen them no lower than few hundred
> dollars and as high as several thousand, which in my opinion, must be a
> bad joke. Santa Cruz or Ovation: anyone care to argue?
>
> If you can afford another guitar and are willing to take your investment
> seriously, I suggest posting another message to the group about the type
> of music you'll be playing and your estimated budget. My advice is
> pretty simple and pretty ruthless: stay away from Ovation and Applause.
>
> Please don't bomb me on the group. Alain wanted opinions.
>
> jeff
>
No bombs, but I'll disagree. I own and play Guild, Martin, Taylor, and Ovation
guitars. For straight acoustic playing, the Ovation is by far the worst
sounding. But plug it into an amp, and it sings. It was much less expensive
than any of the others, plays very nicely, and is a beautiful looking
instrument (it's the Elite Standard, tobacco finish, no central soundhole but
the leaf pattern with small holes). I especially like to use it in open
tunings with heavy chorus and reverb. It sounds almost magical. Overall I
think it's a wonderful guitar and an excellent value.
Billy F. Staggs
I bought an American made Ovation Standard Ballader back in June and while I
general believe it be a good quality guitar I am ready to trade it in. The
neck is very open grained wood and seems to be unfinished (i.e. little or no
finish). The action seems good "for an acoustic", but maybe I got lucky
there. The main reason I am trading it off is that I have really started
playing the acoustic guitar a lot more than I thought I would and don't
really care for the large round back. Its not easy to play while sitting in
bed. :-) Sense I mainly play electric guitars I am by no means a critic of
fine acoustics, but it sounds good/ok when played without an amp, just seems
a bit lacking when plugged into an amp or pa. Admittedly, I may not be an
objective opinions because I really want a nice thin body acoustic/elec that
sounds like a good acoustic but feels more like an electric. (please don't
wake me) I do believe that I could have gotten a better guitar for the
money. I did play several Applause's when I was looking and found them to
range from pretty good to down right junk. All of the American made Ovations
seem to have a much better action than the Applause lines that I tried, but
they were also more expensive.
Billy F. Staggs
Steven M. Seiferheld
In article <34AF65...@videotron.ca>, alain.c...@videotron.ca says...
>
>I want to learn fingerpicking. For the moment, the only guitar I have
>access to is an Applause model AA21. Can I do something with it or is it
>a waste of effort and time. Before investing on another instrument I
>would like to read comments from more advanced guitarists.
>
>Thanks.
>
>ac
As at least one other responder notes, you can learn to fingerpick on any
guitar. It will be easier for you if your guitar is generally easy to play -
low-action, newer strings, nothing poking out at you. In terms of guitar
quality, I am a believer in "you get what you pay for". There are reasons
that the Applause line sells for less than the others. But, only you know
your budget, and that should be the big factor. If you decide to upgrade
someday, there are tons to choose from. But I see no reason why the Applause
will fail your interest in fingerpicking.
By the way, if you do want to upgrade for as little as possible, I recommend
an Epiphone. I play one w/ electronics which I got for $300 new, and I would
not trade it in for any Taylor or Martin. (Slight exaggeration, but it is
very solid.)
--
Steve Seiferheld
443 Warren Hall
Field of Statistics
Cornell University
"(People) of genius do not excel in any profession because
they labor in it, but they labor in it because they excel."
hanrahan
Play the Applause until you can afford something a little better..there
are some inexpensive Yamaha guitars for under $200.00 that are decent. I
have an Ovation..Yamaha..Applause..Martin and the Ovation can compare to
the Martin..Personally I just don't like the rounded back or the
tone...The Applause did not last long before the plastic neck
twisted..the Yamaha bought new for $120.00 is a great buy...Good luck
Hanrahan
Arthur
Interesting to see the opinions that are surfacing on Ovation/Applause
guitars; I think it all depends on what you want to do with them. I own a
couple of old Martins and a Fylde, having had an Ovation Adamas II for a
while. I did a bit of radio and recording work at the time, and found that
sound engineers loved the Ovation, but not the Martins (particularly not my
1962 D-28). The string-to-string balance of the Ovation was what
particularly impressed them, I think, and the thing certainly performed
well over P.A.systems in concert. However, while I admired the hell out of
it, I never loved it. It was a musician's tool, not a friend.
If you want a guitar that sounds like an Ovation but feels like the real
thing, try a Fylde. Mine's a 1985 Ariel, in cedar and mahogany; it doesn't
punch like a rosewood & spruce guitar, but it's a real honey to play.
By the way, early Appluses had alunimium fingerboards, including the frets.
Once they startb to wear, you're in trouble.
Hal Spence
I believe these were made of metal, not wood. I would look elsewhere!
Hal
Alain Clouātre <alain.c...@videotron.ca> wrote in article
<34AF65...@videotron.ca>...
Jeremy Shaver
Billy F. Staggs <bst...@brightok.net> wrote in article
<68pn5e$ckj$1...@sooner.birghtok.net>...
> I bought an American made Ovation Standard Ballader back in June and
while I
> general believe it be a good quality guitar I am ready to trade it in.
The
> neck is very open grained wood and seems to be unfinished (i.e. little or
no
> finish). The action seems good "for an acoustic", but maybe I got lucky
> there.
Funny thing; I've had my Ovation Standard Ballader (12 string, deep) for 8
years or so and agree that the round back has some "positioning" problems
(even standing up!) I also agree that the sound "naked" is not as good as
when plugged in. However, I don't think the action is a "lucky"-thing;
Thats why I got the Ovation; they did that part right. (mine doesn't have
the unfinished problem though)
The amazing thing (getting back to the "cheap guitar issue") is that I've
absolutely fallen in love with my cheap Seagull 6-string. I'll put it's
action up against many $800-$1000 guitars (and I've -REALLY- compared!) The
acoustic sound is great (good solid wood). Adding a pickup after the fact
and I managed to get a guitar that I can't find a replacement for no matter
what kind of money I'm willing to sink (yet.. any suggestions?) This is
just a step above alot of the "cheap intro" guitars but is an amazing step
up.
j
