Klaus, Below is a response from someone who knows her guitars, she owns numerous and has played in multiple bands. She also writes songs and has recorded her own cd.
"Jeff,
Gretsch is a good company for guitars. They also made a decent set of drums. I played a frog green, butt-ugly, (but sweet sounding) Gretsch while in college - doing more jazz. Good instrument. Nowadays, they are used a lot for Rockabilly, old R&R, Swing. Brian Setzer really gave company sales a boost with his custom orange G5120. I do like the Bigsby tailpiece for an authentic old time vibrato, which I believe comes stock on the guitar.
Ovation has made guitars that have a faithful following. Personally, I've never liked their instruments. The company has touted their roundback bowl design - which is a composite material they say is more durable, and produces louder, more focused sound. For an acoustic instrument, I like wood! I'm picky on this one!! As far as their electronics on board the guitar? - I hope they have improved the design. I worked on one for a friend and just changing batteries in the pre-amp took over 20 minutes - bogus engineering.
So….probably more info than you wanted about these company's guitar crafting. But, hey, YOU understand the search for GOOD SOUND.
But thinking about power amps, a good friend of mine is designing and building me a prototype amp, incorporating the kick-butt sound of a 50's tube amp, crotch mahogany cabinet, and the damn thing is only gonna weigh about 20 pounds. It's pretty fascinating stuff. This guy has been in radio - broadcast, etc., is TOTALLY into sound, and I played with him in a band in the early 80's. Anyway, his concept is really cool.
Cory "
