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#291623 - 09/01/12 08:21 PM
Ozark guitars
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JB1970
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 07/01/12
Posts: 11
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Hi all,
Does anybody use an Ozark guitar? I bought one several years ago and for various reasons am just starting to learn to play properly. I know nothing about Guitars and it seems that mine is a bit obscure (Ozark 3390). This is how it's described:
The Ozark 3390 Concert guitar is a Small body steel strung guitar with a fine Solid spruce Top and Mahogany faced Back and Sides which delivers a vibrant tone with plenty of volume.
Other features include a Bound front and back reliable Chrome machine heads a fine Rosewood fingerboard and Tortoise Shell scratchplate.
As I am learning (ie rubbish) , does it matter if my guitar turns out to be rubbish? or would I get on better with a better brand to start with. I've got no problem with it, but then don't know any better. What do you think? Wait until I can actually play before buying a better one? I would probably only spend up to £300 if I did replace it.
Edited by JB1970 (09/01/12 08:37 PM)
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#291643 - 10/01/12 01:58 AM
Re: Ozark guitars
[Re: JB1970]
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ButterFingers
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 21/06/11
Posts: 33
Loc: Porthcawl
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Hi
I have been playing electric guitar for a few years but only recently paid serious interest to acoustics. I am learning and also rubbish but with your guitar you have to define what you mean by rubbish.
In my limited opinion its is the playability of the guitar which is important, how easy is it to play, has it or can it be set up for a good playable action, if not, it is rubbish and will do you no good.
I bought a Cort earth grand from Richard a few years ago and the playability, action or setup was spot on. At that time I spent about £200, ask Richard for advice.
HTH
Paul
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#291647 - 10/01/12 05:02 AM
Re: Ozark guitars
[Re: ButterFingers]
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Lester
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 28/05/11
Posts: 543
Loc: UK & Slovakia
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I would be surprised if your Ozark turns out to be rubbish. Ozark's folk instruments are reasonably enough built; I expect the Guitars are also.
When you bought it was it set up properly? By that I mean were the neck, nut, saddle and intonation checked? Are they still alright? When did you last put new strings on it?
It would be worth comparing your guitar to a Cort from Richards Guitars to see how a quality £300 guitar with normal body size and a first rate setup plays and sounds.
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#291653 - 10/01/12 08:10 AM
Re: Ozark guitars
[Re: Lester]
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Mark 123
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 05/10/11
Posts: 26
Loc: Kent
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See, this is one of those 'is it just me moments' that I have once in a while.
I bought an Ozark resonator a few years back, and despite the claims of the shop that they'd set it up, it was virtually unplayable, and the intonation was all over the place. The finish tarnished faster than anything I've ever seen, so all things considered I'm not going there again.
I contacted Ozark for advice on setting it up how I wanted and got no response to either of my e-mails.
Having said that, they do have a very good reputation elsewhere, so like I say, it might just have been me, but I was left vaguely unimpressed.
As it turned out, it got damaged during a house move, so it ended up in Cash Converters, where I at least made back some of he money I spent on it.
After that little whinge, the only thing that matters is how you feel about your instrument. If you're happy, then that's all that counts. And in the price range you're talking about, you probably won't find much with a better reputation (although, as Lester says, a Cort might be worth investigating).
_________________________
Current Gear:
Fender MIM Strat;
Epiphone Les Paul;
'No-Name Pes Laul';
Takamine Classical.
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#291659 - 10/01/12 04:12 PM
Re: Ozark guitars
[Re: Mark 123]
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JB1970
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 07/01/12
Posts: 11
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Thanks for your replies. I think I will get the set up properly checked out. It's hard when starting out as I'm not sure if it sounds slightly out or it's just that I can't play. I am starting lessons next week so will probably be worth asking at the lessons what they think. I find it quite tough on the fingers - but then assume a steal string acoustic will feel tough to start. Maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to get down the guitar shop!
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#291662 - 10/01/12 07:32 PM
Re: Ozark guitars
[Re: JB1970]
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Surfsilver
Professional Forumite!
Registered: 04/12/11
Posts: 177
Loc: London
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I think I will get the set up properly checked out. It's hard when starting out as I'm not sure if it sounds slightly out or it's just that I can't play. I am starting lessons next week so will probably be worth asking at the lessons what they think.
It is often awkward when starting out if you don’t have a reliable mentor at hand. Before you go to a shop or repairer for a set-up, as you say good idea to ask your tutor. If in a mixed class perhaps ask other students for a try of their Guitars? Something you probably have is a decent tuner. If not get something like a Snark clip-on, preferably chromatic.
I find it quite tough on the fingers - but then assume a steel string acoustic will feel tough to start.
Never mind all the talk about ‘heavy strings for tone' blah blah blah, get comfortable. You’ve plenty of time to decide for yourself what you end up being happy with for your own reasons. Try a set of nice light strings, e.g. D’Addario EZ890 Bronze 9-45 . Google around, should be under a £5 delivered. e.g. http://www.soundunlimited.co.uk/product_385_DAddario_EZ890_Bronze_9-45.html
Re your guitar, it’s couple of hundred squids worth and should be well up to it’s task. Unfortunately, there’s seldom any guarantee a guitar will play perfectly straight out the box. You can spend a darn sight more and find that. I have an Ozark which is excellent, but it’s metal body and fulfils a different role to yours.
_________________________
~~~~~~~~~~ "I've suffered for my music, now it's your turn" ~ 
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#291663 - 10/01/12 08:37 PM
Re: Ozark guitars
[Re: Surfsilver]
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JB1970
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 07/01/12
Posts: 11
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Lester - I have to say that I've not been pressing the strings close to the fret, and have been getting some buzzing. Should probably slow things down more and be more deliberate with my finger placement. I should probably go back to English class so I don't get arrested for playing with stolen gear!
Surfsilver - thanks for the tips. I will give those strings a go.
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#291700 - 11/01/12 10:43 PM
Re: Ozark guitars
[Re: Jocko]
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JB1970
Be Nice (I'm New!)
Registered: 07/01/12
Posts: 11
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The lessons that I start next week are 2 hours long, so lighter strings will probably be needed. Just been watching Stevie Ray Vaughan on youtube performing 'Rude Mude' on the acoustic - don't think I'll be trying that one!
Edited by JB1970 (11/01/12 10:43 PM)
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