Hey Ron,
Well, honestly I'm not sure there's -that- big of a difference. When I got my Ovation, I was looking for the traditional round sound hole, but it was purely an asthetic choice...I just thought they looked nicer. Now I actually ended up with the multi-sound hole...a CC-257 Celebrity Deluxe. I had found her at a local shop that I don't normally go to...I was passing by so I figured wtf. She was used, but -absolutly mint-...no scratches, no scuffs, not even a sign of fretware. As it turns out some guy had bought it new about 4 months previous to learn how to play, got frustrated and just sold it for whatever they'd give him for it. Anyways, they were going for $519 new at Guitar Centers...I picked it up for $250 :-)

Now really, every other Ovation I've played has been a traditional sound hole and I haven't noticed that much of a difference, if any in sound at all. I mean, basically it sounds like an Ovation :-) As an acoustic it's got that "classic Ovation sound" and plugged in...what can I say...she's simply lovely! She's what Ovations are all about...great tone thru an amp and you really have to go out of your way to get it to feedback. They're just amazing guitars in my opinion :-)

The only thing I can really suggest is go to your local Ovation dealer and try one of each and see if you can hear a difference...I really didn't.

Not sure if that was much help or not, but good luck!

Bright Blessings,
Jim

Thanks James for the response. It does help, because I have played a few in stores, and I really could not tell the difference in the store.
I see on the Ovation site that a lot of the artists they list have the multiple sound hole guitars, but ( sounds silly) I'm not sure I like the look of the multiples. I like Ovations a lot, I own a Celebrity which has great sound for an inexpensive guitar.I was ready to buy a new acoustic over a year or so ago. I wrote a couple threads on Ovation Vs. Taylor Vs. Martin. Got a lot of good feedback, then went out and bought a Telecaster !!!
Now, I'm still wanting a better acoustic. Settled on Ovation, but now can't quit obsessing over the model and the sound holes. Anyway thanks for the input.

I think it would depend on whether you want to plug it in to an amp or mic it. I always prefer to mic my acoustics so I would probably choose the single soundhole so that more of the sound reaches the mic.

Ron,
I read somewhere that all the little tiny holes are the same as having one big hole as far as letting the sound/air out.
I think they did it for a better balance of Highs, Mids,and Bass.
I've got 3 old Ovations and I like them a lot!
Uncle Rex

Hi Ron,
I have an Elite S868 multi hole It has great tone and balance pluged in. I also use it at nursing homes unpluged it has plenty of volume. Best guitar I have ever owned. Would buy an LX model next. Check this web site http://www.ovationfanclub.com/
Paul

have you tried the GODIN. thats difrent. a nylon stringed electric acoustic.........very nice sound.

mike

My teacher just bought a Godin nylon acoustic on E-Bay for $710. So far he loves it. He let me play it a little and I was very impressed all the way around!! Hmmmm........

As far as sound that that much of a diff.

I had bought a Balladeer about a year or so ago.

I loved how it played,the tone and overall sound of it.It sounded good unpluged or pluged in-Very nice guitar

BUT with the round back made it VERY strange to play standing up ,it made the bottom of the body tilt up and made playing to me impossible. (I finally had to take it back and trade it in.)

I am not saying - do not buy this guitar- but just try standing and playing before you do- some have NO PROBLEMS with them at all.

Dude

Dude,
I think a big part of it is where on the neck you play your sets.
When I'm playing cowboy chords at the end I love the guitar !
If I do lead the rolling is a little annoying,
But it does give you excellent visualization
but after 30 years I hardly notice it anymore !
Nice to see you around my friend !!!!!! :-)
"Man"

I play my celebrity in Church, tried for months to stand and play, but finally had to take a stool. That is why I was asking about the sound of the Super shallow bowl along with the multi hole VS. regular hole question. My Celebrity is a deep bowl, sounds great,but is hard to keep from sliding. I'm thinking velcro !?!