what would you call it?

noname · February 21st, 2010, 08:43 PM

OK, this is not a new picture, it is my Ovation Tornado, vintage 1969 or so. I don't really know whether to call it an ES 335 copy or a Gretsch copy or something else. it is a bolt on neck, with a fairly thin neck profile. what would you people with knowledge of such things call it?

S. Rock · February 21st, 2010, 10:06 PM

yep, in 1969, Ovation was going strong. I was only familiar with their acoustics. from time to time you'd see some artist playing an electric on TV. but for the most part you'd see the acoustics. I never cared for the acoustics. they always seemed to slide out of my lap.

your guitar seems to be a cross between a Gresch Streamliner of that era and the Gibson ES 335. I also recall Yamaha having a "thin" body electric guitar like that back then, too. that being said, how does it sound ? how does it play ? it looks like it'd be a nice guitar to have.

noname · February 21st, 2010, 10:12 PM

I don't play it much, and every time I take it out, I am surprise at how nice it sounds. the pickups are quite hot, hotter than anything else I own. I wish it had a stop tailpiece, but that is personal preference.

I was goofing around on some recording with it today and did this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNhbCIPcxv0

please ignore the singing an listen to the guitar. if you skip to the end, there is guitar only.

chuckedup · February 21st, 2010, 10:21 PM

doesnt really resemble an es335 to me.. bodies close but definitely off. F holes are shaped wrong and in the wrong place.. really pretty little guitar though.................laters,chuck

hs40 · March 1st, 2010, 01:09 PM

That's a sweet looking axe, reminds me of a Casino.

johnreardon · March 1st, 2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noname

OK, this is not a new picture, it is my Ovation Tornado, vintage 1969 or so. I don't really know whether to call it an ES 335 copy or a Gretsch copy or something else. it is a bolt on neck, with a fairly thin neck profile. what would you people with knowledge of such things call it?

An Ovation Tornado of course.

Why call it after any other make, it's a semi acoustic. Nice guitar

indianation66 · March 1st, 2010, 02:05 PM

I wouldn't call it a copy of anything. Ovation was making its own semi-hollow, unless it's full hollow. Regardless, I love Ovation electrics, especially the Deacons!

...wisdom

sevycat · March 1st, 2010, 07:08 PM

Do you like this guitar? How does it play, sound, and feel? First time for me seeing anything from this company that is not an acoustic. Thanks for posting the picture.

noname · March 1st, 2010, 08:44 PM

I do like it. I would like it better with a stop tail piece. I want to have the nut replaced since the existing one was amateurishly modified. The pickups are very hot. I like the tone and it is quite light, the neck is very comfortable.

I got it when I was 16, some 22 years ago, and there are not many things that have been in my life that long.

hs40 · March 7th, 2010, 08:32 AM

How is the vibrato on it, do you use it at all? Does it keep the guitar in tune when (and if) you use it?