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Willis Music Oxmoor Product Profile
Ovation Elite LX
Handmade in Connecticut, Solid “AA” grade Sitka Spruce top, lightweight mid-depth Lyrachord body, multi-laminated Mahogany/Maple neck w/ graphite reinforcements, OP-PRO active preamp system, inlaid multi-wood soundhole rosettes, dual-action truss rod,
Talk about challenges; when Charles Kaman built the first Ovation guitars people in and out of the musical instrument industry looked at him like he had lost his mind. Despite explaining how applying his company’s aeronautic designs could create a sound and feel an acoustic guitar has never had, people thought he was nuts. Then they played his guitar.
There truly was nothing to compare the original Ovations to. Their unique tone and smooth necks literally created a new category for the instrument. A complete history is available on Ovation’s website (address above), so I won’t rehash music history. It’s worth a look so you can better understand why this innovator created his guitars and how Ovations have grown over 40 years of incredible design. The LX series is an upgrade available on USA made Ovations that incorporates advancements in the neck, body and sound of this already renowned instrument.
The solid Spruce top of this guitar contributes to the majority of its sound, and it sounds amazing. Previous Ovations featured an under-top bracing pattern resembling a fan. This provided exceptional strength and allowed for good vibration. The LXs have a more traditional “X” bracing pattern. The braces are also made of spruce and are scalloped to allow maximum vibration. Scalloping removed wood from the bottom of the brace towards the top in a V pattern and the difference it makes is pronounced. Some Ovations suffer from the inability to get quiet but this one glides from a whisper to a roar easily. It’s great sounding and equally as beautiful visually since the different wood “leaves” that surround the top’s several soundholes have been delicately inlaid into it. There is no seam to the touch and the appearance it creates is nothing short of spectacular.
Ovation’s multi-laminated necks have long been the industry standard in building quality. This model features a slim “C” shaped 5-piece neck that makes playing effortless. The strings feel as though they’re resting on the thick Ebony fretboard, yet no string buzz can be heard. Neck response has been increased by replacing Ovation’s more bulky K-Bar truss rod with a slimmer dual-action one and two graphite reinforcement strips. When comparing this LX to a standard USA Ovation the neck modification is clear and a real treat to play. Truss rod access has been created at the headstock rather than through the body back; another major improvement for player ease.
The mid-depth Lyrachord body is 30% lighter in weight than standard models because miniature glass “microsheres” have been implanted into it. This allows for much more vibration and generates more dynamic response and volume. Played acoustically this reminds me of a Taylor in tone. The bright and deep are balanced and the sound is gentle and crystal clear.
Plugged in the LX is unstoppable. At the behest of Al Di Meola and Melissa Ethridge, the original 6-crystal saddle that put Ovation on the map electrically is back and better than ever. This multi-crystal design allows each string to not only sound as defined as possible but contributes to the evenness in tone most acoustic/electrics suffer from. Typically the bass notes drown out the treble, but not with this preamp. The sound from the Peavey Ecoustic amp we tested it with rivaled the acoustic jazz CDs we play in the store. Stunning! The on-board tuner makes adjustments simple, and an XLR output jack is provided along with the standard ¼” for the best possible sound transmission when plugged in.
Playing this guitar is like winning the lottery- it feels great and you want to do it again right away. If you’re looking for the cream of the guitar crop you owe to yourself to play an LX before buying anything else. This guitar knocked me out.
Reviewed by: Mike McAfee
Contact reviewer at: oxmoorstore@willis-music.com
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About the Contributor:
Manager Mike McAfee is a 13 year plus Willis veteran who has hand picked each employee on his floor because they excel in providing a superior experience to every customer. The confidence, knowledge and courtesy you encounter lives up to an environment tailored for each department of their store. The home-like piano experience alone is worth a visit, and no other store in town carries the stock or selection of Willis’ Oxmoor location. Please accept Mike’s personal invitation to see first hand how hard we’ll work to make sure you’ll always come back home to Willis Music at Oxmoor Center.
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