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Location: Florida | They say A stock, perfect condition. Why then marked refurb... whats the deal? |
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Location: Warren, OH | Supposedly the guitars are in prime condition but are being sold because they are 2003 models. In addition, the warranty is reduced from limited lifetime to limited 5 years.
MF is not the only vendor to be selling them if you look on e-bay. Acoustic Axis was selling them for approx $800 (buy it now), Victor Litz Music had them for approx $850 (buy it now), and I saw Music Value selling them (less case) for about $575 (when the auction ended). |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | The interesting thing to me is that I never saw this kind of activity with any previous years collectors guitars. What's up with the 2003's? I mean, HOW can you even DARE call it a collector when there are so many of them out there and such a large number of them are not 1st quality? The market seems to be absolutely flooded with these referb 2003's, B-stocks, whatever you want to call them. Does anyone know why? I'm guessing either a) Ovation made a ton of these things, b) Big quality problems hence the large number of referbs, or c) Drastic change in the distribution scheme by Kaman. The large number of these referbs on the market definately gives Ovation a black eye and just fuels the fire of all those anti-Ovation bigots out there. I know there are people on this board that have 2003's, first quality, and they love them - That's great and that's the way they should ALL be. Was it planned all along that the 300 unit Custom Legend Anniversary guitar would be the defacto 2004 collector, or did someone say "Holy Shit, we better close the flood gates until we figure what the hell went wrong with the 2003's" ???? Dave |
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Location: On the beach in Southwest Florida | Makes you wonder what's really wrong with the 2003's. Does anyone own one that can give us a clue? |
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Location: NJ | nothing is wrong with the 03 guitars. They play well and sound great.
If you buy an FRG you are getting a bargain with one of these.
why is it even when people get good deals they can't even accept that? they need to analyze why they got a good deal or if the deal is even valid.
btw I don't speak for Ovation I speak for myself |
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Location: Upper Left USA | When I was "shopping around" I went back to my local Ted Brown to play a 2003 Collector on 3 occasions. IMNSHO - It is a very nice guitar. The one piece inlaid epaulets really caught my eye and were a very practicle feature.
To me it seems like more of a transitional model than a Collector. |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | My 2003 Collectors' arrived with a preamp problem for which I contacted Kim Keller. He told me that there had been a number of 2003 guitars in which the preamp can had not been hooked up properly. It turned out to be a very easy five minute fix.
It is possible that some of these guitars were returned by dealers to the factory to get them right. That makes them FRG by definition, I think.
And Al is right; the deals on these are killer prices for a superb guitar. |
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Location: NJ | ". . . the one piece inlaid epaulets really caught my eye and were a very practicle feature. . ."
Since this guitar came out, this is the fourth or fifth time someone made a statement similar to this. Can someone please explain to me what they're seeing that I obviously am not?
The advent of the epaulettes came with the very first Adamas models and (along with the multi-soundholes) made the appearance of the guitar quite striking. Those early epaulettes were quite a piece of craftsmanship. Many separate pieces of different kinds of exotic woods assembled with meticulous detail to convey a very specific design element.
Over the years, they've somewhat "denegrated" in design as they've appeared on everything from the high-end Adamases to the Celebrity imports. Along the way, costs and logistics have caused the feature to be changed/simplified in design as far as materials and execution to the point that it doesn't look a whole hell of a lot like what it started out as. Granted, I know it's been a span of almost 30 years and "things change", but if you're gonna convey something in a design element, either convey it accurately (or at least "stylishly") or leave it off. I've long felt that the epaulettes have somewhat outlived their usefullness and the multi-hole design would be better served by a different treatment (binding, purfling, or a concentric inlaid "ring" around each soundhole of an exotic wood or abalone/MOP).
The original Adamas epaulette was designed to convey a cluster of grape leaves. If you printed the '03 one on paper and showed it to 100 different people and asked what it was, it'd be more varied than a Rorscharch Test. Yes, the inlay is a REALLY nice feature, I love inlay. I also love the look of the figured walnut. But IMHO, they took the cheapest and easiest way out to produce a design element that deserves better.
To me, it looks like a "shotgun wound". :rolleyes:
Sorry for the "rant" but that's what this is all about, isn't it?
btw: To me, the Melissa Etheridge white epaulettes looks like somebody blew a seal
(". . no! i was just eating ice cream! . . ") :D |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Cliff, my brother!!! THANK YOU!!!
I too like the new epauladies, and I love the technology that allows them to be inlayed with such finese' that when I first saw them from a distance I thought they were decals, but I totally agree with you that the original idea is now almost lost. I also have some other concerns in no particular order.
The original epaulets were many pieces, 16 I think. Then they went to about 8. I wonder if at 16 pieces the top still flexed as it should and maybe the 8 piece was stiffer causing the top to not flex? Is there a one piece inlay that would be even worse.
While on the topic, based on previous discussions, the holes themselves were there for the Graphite top to move easier based on the bracing and that wood tops really lent themselves to a center hole. Now aesthetically, I like the leaves, but I just wonder if now it's just a case of "we do it, cause we always did it" and if so, then back to your point... which is... the original point was lost. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Holy Cow! So many tempting comments to respond to. I love a good debate.
Al - I'm not complaining that you can get an FRG '03 at a good price. That's great for the consumer. It's just odd to me that I've seen literally dozens of FRG '03's for sale but have never, ever seen a single FRG of any other year collector. Just an interesting observation, that's all.
Miles and Cliff - I think the inlaid epaulets of the '03 look great up close and I do appreciate the precision to make them that way. But from more than 5 feet away they look like a cheap sticker. Someone told me they thought it was a protective plastic cover that you took off once you got the guitar home from the dealer, like the plastic cover on the little display on your DVD player or something. NOTHING is as nice as the original Adamas epaulets, although my Stealth Adamas with no epaulates comes close.
Cliff - You make it so easy. When was the last time you blew a seal? No disrespect intended to our native american eskimo brothers. One thing we do agree on - the white ME is the worst looking Ovation I have ever seen. Please give me a purple Celebrity any day.
Dave |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Two confessions and a clarification:
I've never seen/touched the early Adamis so I didn't have a reference. Pure ignorance on my part.
I had to have someone tell me those were "Oak Leaves".
What I like about the LX is that the finish of the top is over the epaulets (epaladies?)providing nothing to catch or snag and enhancing the beauty of the wood inlaid to the top. In Samova's gallery there is a proto model with the soundholes surrounded by rosettes.
I think Ovation USA should re-consider the epaulet shape and using inset garnishments there would be a tremendous opportunity to craft a gorgeous looking instrument. I'd like to see the Elite go to holes similar to the Elite T's with inset exotic woods and MOP around the holes. |
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Location: SoCal | Two comments on this thread. First, Cliff, have you really blown a seal (take that as you will)? And Dave, I agree 100%. The ME is as ugly as ugly can be. |
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Location: Tampa, FL | I hope my posting isn't untimely. I have had the 2003 Collectors' Edition for a while now, and I like it a lot.
When I was shopping for one of the refurbs a couple months ago, I spoke with a dealer who didn't have one and couldn't find one. So, figuring he would be forthcoming, I asked why the Big O would be releasing these as refurbs.
He explained there were some pre-amp problems with the earlier inventory 2003 releases, but this newer inventory needed to be labeled as refurbished because of the contracts with their retailers. Ovation needed to unload their inventory, but Ovation would upset dealers who still had inventory that wasn't a refurb if they sold it now for less than the dealers paid. So, Ovation had to call the latter 2003 inventory refurbs. The rub is they only come with a 5 year warranty. I haven't had any problems with mine though.
HTH if someone is considering buying a used one down the road.
Regards,
Mark |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | I think Ovation USA should re-consider the epaulet shape
Maybe they could try little blue surfboards. That might catch some eyes. |
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| Originally posted by aceboympk:
I hope my posting isn't untimely. I have had the 2003 Collectors' Edition for a while now, and I like it a lot.
When I was shopping for one of the refurbs a couple months ago, I spoke with a dealer who didn't have one and couldn't find one. So, figuring he would be forthcoming, I asked why the Big O would be releasing these as refurbs.
He explained there were some pre-amp problems with the earlier inventory 2003 releases, but this newer inventory needed to be labeled as refurbished because of the contracts with their retailers. Ovation needed to unload their inventory, but Ovation would upset dealers who still had inventory that wasn't a refurb if they sold it now for less than the dealers paid. So, Ovation had to call the latter 2003 inventory refurbs. The rub is they only come with a 5 year warranty. I haven't had any problems with mine though.
HTH if someone is considering buying a used one down the road.
Regards,
Mark
Long story, short... ordered one, wasn't advertised as refurb, guitar in excellent condition, sounded great, sent it back.
I was told that same story about how they weren't really refurbs/they had to blow them out of the warehouse at bargain prices/so they had to offer at bottom prices/they couldn't do this without stamping refurb on brand new/perfect condition guitars.
The guitar I received in Early January was marked refurb with a serial number in the 200s. So, I never bought the story for a second. If the story were true, shame on Ovation. To stamp refurb on perfect condition/new guitars so you can price slash/violate your own pricing policy screws every dealer who has previously bought them to sell, as well as every customer who has purchased one previously. The street price on that model was 1300-1500. If they stamped refurb on perfect guitars that had no history of any problems so they could sell at 800-1000 street, they just stuck it to every customer who had previously purchased one. A few members have stated in past posts that their were minor problems (such as electrical) that were repaired and then sent out as refurbs. For 800-1000, it's a good refurb deal if minor problems were repaired. If not, it represents an unethical business practice in my opinion. Of course, I could be wrong. |
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| I have had the 2003 Collector since late 2002. Mine has worked flawlessly, as all of my other Ovations. I also have a problem with Ovations new marketing on several levels. I have been paying premium prices for premium Ovation guitars, namely, the Collectors series. It is money well spent, but part of the premium price is the fact that Ovation markets them as a "Limited Edition" guitar of the highest quality. I am willing to pay the extra for a guitar that is rarer and top quality. Putting out refurbished guitars cheapens the marketing that Ovation stands on. I know of no other guitar manufacturer that pulls this kind of stunt with their limited edition guitars. Also, Ovations has touted their Collectors series for years as the guitar that you can collect a new one year after year. They proudly show them on their website in their own little area. Now they decide to drop all the people that have been loyal to their company and their Collector products for no apparent reason. No explanation, not a hint of their goal on the website. The 30th Legend is NOT!!!! the 2004 Collector. It is a 30th Anniversary Legend. Just like the 25th anniversary model is not a Collector Series guitar. A Collector Series is marketed as a Collectors Series guitars, not another Ovation guitar that an Ovation Collector might like to buy. Ovation needs to get on the ball, listen to the people that have been supporting them and buying their freakin' guitars, and fix the lame website. The site is nothing more that a marketing stop. They need to give us something to be proud of. We need to know that they are thinking of their loyal users, and not just the bottom line.
Rant mode off
Mike Overacker
www.ovationcollector.com
2003 Collector
2002 Collector
2001 Collector
2000 Collector
1999 Collector
1998 Collector
1992 Collector
1992 Collector Brownburst
1986 Collector
1986 Collector
1984 Collector
1983 Collector
2001 Celebrity Doubleneck
2000 Celebrity Collector
1999 Ovation Longneck
1982 Balladeer 12 String
Ovation Breadwinner |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I think it's high time for Ovation kill the concept of an annual Collector Series guitar. Just introduce nice limited editions when and if the timing is right. But make them something really special, not just a new color or pre-amp or something lame like that. There have been a few really nice models of the Collectors Series over the years. But some of the others are just a new dress on the same old whore. Just my opinion, as usual. Dave |
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| I beg to differ. I have played most all of the Collectors series guitars, and I own alot of them. They are a different from each other as you can get and still look like an Ovation. They are distinct in their own way. That is why I collect them. That is why I have 2 of the 1992 models. They each have their own traits, and they differ from year to year. Alot of it is in the wood that is selected. Alot is in the way that they are balanced in production. Either way, your statement that an Ovation is an Ovation, is an Ovation.... is dead wrong. I have been in contact with Ovation about my concerns. They basically have given me the "cold shoulder". Not the kind of company I want to support. I guess my new Ovation buying days are over. I hope they are happy with there new, generic production model. It seems Ovation has no interest in producing an instrument anymore. Just a stringed instrument product. What a shame.
Mike Overacker
www.ovationcollector.com
2003 Collector
2002 Collector
2001 Collector
2000 Collector
1999 Collector
1998 Collector
1992 Collector
1992 Collector Brownburst
1986 Collector
1986 Collector
1984 Collector
1983 Collector
2001 Celebrity Doubleneck
2000 Celebrity Collector
1999 Ovation Longneck
1982 Balladeer 12 String
Ovation Breadwinner |
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Location: Tampa, FL | Wow, I suppose this means my post wasn't untimely. Sincerely sorry about hitting the hornet's nest with this one.
I hate to say this for being flamed. But, I've been flamed before for asking a "stupid" question. So, without further ado...
If Ovation is seeking to expand their customer base, why do it at the expense of their current customers?
I'm a new customer and a happy one at that. However, I'm a newbie, so I feel a bit guilty and happy about my getting this guitar for about half of what other people paid. I'm happy because I bought a great guitar for a great price. I'm not happy because other people rightfully feel upset. More than likey, most of the owners who have a Collectors' Edition have been playing Ovations for awhile, and their concerns are more valuable than mine.
Maybe you're wondering why? Its because I'm a newbie and I may leave the Ovation product line for another manufacturer rather than investing in another Ovation for my next axe. Why? Because I'll wait until they have another "refurb" model at a great price. I'll actually go so far as to say that I'll probably own only one Ovation, and this one is it. I'll add that loyal Ovation owners will probably now wait for a refurb model rather than spending twice as much money.
That will put additional pressure on Ovation and their inventory and it will throw their projected numbers for manufacturing off which will lead to a series of issues. They have gone down a slippery slope on this one, and unless they correct it they will deal with more problems later.
That's counterproductive for any manufacturer because Rule 1: its a lot less expensive keeping a customer than getting one. Rule 1a: its a lot more expensive getting an old customer back after pissing them off.
As I've written, I own a Martin, a Larrivee and an Ovation and the Ovation is getting a lot more playing time than the other two. In fact, the Ovation was getting more playing time than my Martin HD-28...before I traded the Martin away.
Just my $.02
Ok, before I go I just want to add one more tidbit. My neighbor's been playing for about 35 years. Plugged in, he adores the Ovation over his 60's Gibson Hummingbird with a mic. So do I.
Regards,
Mark |
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Location: Upper Left USA | When the "newbie" posts come in with "what is mine worth" I have to grin in anticipate the obvious and recurring answer; it is worth whatever you think it is!
I like to think that I am a smart consumer and will research before a major purchase. Sometimes I have the resources available and sometimes I don't. You just have to do what you can when you think the time is right. I don't understand the pricing on the 2003VNs and I know of one at a local store tagged at $1180 - it may go to a buyer that just loves it or it may languish because most know it can be had for $799 or so.
If you want it and you can do it - DO IT!
We live in a world with a lot of "stuff" available and I know that I am spoiled! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Mike,
I don't think I said that an Ovation is an Ovation is an Ovation. At least I didn't mean it that way. Just look at my own collection - it's pretty diverse. You obviously are a big fan of the collectors series, and that's great. All I meant to say (and it's just my opinion) is that the pressure to intoduce a new collector guitar every year does just that - forces you to come up with something. Even if there isn't necessarily anything new and exciting at that point in time. Maybe letting things develop naturally would make the collectors more special. Maybe one year there are 3-4 new limited editions and maybe other years there are none. Martin has gotten themselves in the same rut. Everytime they sign a new artist they roll out a blah blah signature guitar. After awhile it isn;t too special. But I respect your passion for your collectors guitars, even though I don't feel the same. Heck, I've got a dozen electric storm series. Most people (if they are kind) will say they are all identical. If they are not so kind they'll say they flat our suck. But that's OK. I love them anyway. Peace, Dave |
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Location: NJ | Whem is a deal not a deal?
when you whine about it. |
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Location: So. Cal. | When you like a guitar and the price is agreeable to YOU, you buy it. Anything can happen tomorrow - price can go up or down.
What really happened to the '03 was all speculation so far, please bear that in mind.
But what do I know, I am just a friend of the guy who sells gear for a living... |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | Al's a good friend to have :D |
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Location: NJ | I am not so sure you guys want to go public with that statement. |
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Location: Salisbury, CT | Scot's Collector's '03 is serial number 458 and included the full Lifetime warrenty. I bought it for him, he's 10 for those that don't know, down the road from New Hartford in a music store for $729.95. The price included a deluxe 9158-0 case.
The frets were a bit proud so I took the guitar into John and Kevin filed them down and it is now perfect. Oh, and one of the tuner nuts was loose and Kevin took care of that as well and adjusted the neck for action that would suit Scot.
I can understand Cliff's complaints but Scot's guitar sounds great and looks nice from his perspective. Not a bad guitar to learn on, IMHO. I think the flush walnut epaulets were a trial run for the LX but that is a guess.
My 2 cents,
Hugh |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | What's wrong with this picture: a private individual can buy a new 2003 Collectors with case and full warranty for $730 down the road from the factory, but Ovation dealers around the country are paying regular wholesale?
And then there is that place on eBay that routinely blows out Ovations at well below dealer cost....
Al has to compete against this? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Doesn't the distribution chain work something like this - Ovation makes and sells the guitars to Kaman Music and Kaman has a network of distributers such as C.Bruno and others, who then sell them to the shops? So is it possible that one or more of the distributers may have bought a truck load of referbs from Kaman and sold them cheap to (only) their clients? So some shops get referbs cheap, which may or may not be referbs but that's a whole other mess, and other shops pay full wholesale price? This whole 2003 thing is a mess. Somebody really screwed the pooch and I don't think it was the factory. My bet is that's all gummed up at the Kaman Music level and the distribution scheme. Dave |
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| Yes, it would appear a messy scenario. The last few points look at it from a dealer's perspective, but what about the consumer's perspective? Talk about lowering consumer confidence in a product! I'd have to think twice about buying any collector or anniversary issue guitar.
Since the story about Ovation stamping refurb on unflawed/pristine guitars in order to blow out the prices (and hang out to dry people who have already purchased the guitar at regular prices) is making the rounds, I'd like to see someone from Ovation refute the story. For reasons I already stated in a previous post, I don't know if I believe the story (although I heard the story from a dealer). As far as the 2003 collector edition, I can see a huge problem if Ovation did indeed have large stock sitting there when they started plans to release the Elite lx (which could be seen as an improved version of roughly the same guitar for about $1000 versus the street value of the collector which was hundreds more).
Now, will there be refurbs on the current anniversary issue 6-9 months from now? Will they be real refurbs that had problems, or just clearing stock? Now, I'm sure many people would say this wouldn't happen for various reasons. Would they have said that wouldn't have happened with the 2003 collector edition 6 months before the flood of refurbs hit the market? It does make a ding on consumer confidence. |
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Location: SoCal | You talked with a dealer who told you a story and now your knickers are all bunched up.
My experience with dealers is that most of them have no idea what they are talking about. Why don't you make some more inquiries to other dealers and see what else is being said. While there is a small chance that he was telling you the truth, there is a greater chance that he wasn't.
I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for somebody from Ovation to post here. They don't.
As for your being disillusioned with Ovation, get over it. People and companies are always going to do something that you don't understand or like. Once a month, my wife and daughter do things that totally baffel me (hey, in my house, PMS means Paul Must Suffer). I put up with it because the main direction in which we are all moving is the same one.
I didn't write off Ovation because in the 90's they weren't building anything I liked (including most of the Collector's series). I knew that others like them, I played my older O's, I tried to provide some imput as to what I'd like so see (via this board), and I bidded my time. They now make some guitars that I am very interested in.
Hey, the world would be a better place if everybody listened to me, but I'd be bored out of my mind. |
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| You're not boring, at all! I didn't believe the story when a dealer told it to me, but others appear to have heard the story from different dealers. I give Ovation great cudos for the Lx design, the way they are adapting and changing to compete in today's market. My elite lx and my 1861 balladeer are excellent, quality guitars. My 12 string purchase will probably be an Ovation, but that doesn't mean I'll sing their praises when they screw-up or when they appear to screw up. I'll still ask the questions I have, and look for answers from knowledgeable people here, whether it makes Ovation look good or bad. |
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Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | I thought "collector" series meant "limited" production???(low #'s produced therefore making them "desirable" & "collectable") Why then are there SO MANY '03's to be "blown out" as referbs???
**** |
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Location: NJ | when a guitar is a refurb or a second it always efffects the value in the vintage market, so if you bought a first quality you got what you paid for and it will hold its value accordingly. There are many people that do not want a used second or refurb guitar, they have a stigma about them. Personally I feel a deal is a deal. |
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Location: SoCal | E.P.:
If you ever go thru the archives (a fun way to spend a rainy Saturday), you'll see that everybody here has ripped Ovation at one time or another.
I'm just not going to do it based upon what a dealer says. My experience is that they are on par with used car salesmen. You deal with them. That's different then trusting them. |
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| Paul, we agree on that point. The average guitar salesman reminds me of the stereo salesmen of the late 70's-80's. The misinformation and lack of knowledge is amazing. To call these guys used car salesmen may be an insult to the used car salesmen. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | So what's wrong with a manufacturer blowing out his inventory at a lower price than people paid for it a year ago when it was new? If I make a product and only half of it sells at the original price, what option do I have? Do I destroy the remaining stock or do I mark and down and unload it? If my distribution agreement requires me to call it "referb" in order to mark it down, so be it. I really don't see what the problem is. My neighbor got his Levi's on sale the week after I paid full retail for mine - Big Fuzzy Deal. Do these blow out prices cheapen the guitars value on the vintage resale market - probably yes. But the friggin guitar didn't sell well to begin with (hence the blowout prices), so what does that tell you about it's potential resale value. Does it cheapen the value and dimenish the playing pleasure to YOU who own and love one of them? It shouldn't. I've said this many times before - The important thing is the value to YOU. Don't worry about what your neighbor paid or what measures Ovation did or didn't have to take to move these things. And the '05 Collector can't be all that far away, can it ??? Dave |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | " probably yes. But the friggin guitar didn't sell well to begin with (hence the blowout prices)"
I don't know for sure, but just an educated guess... that although in the past, far past, there were a large group of folks whom every year bought the latest collectors edition, that ritual has changed and probably just not worth making a new model every year for the relatively few folks that bought them. As many have said, the end of the collectors series has been long overdue. The few garanteed sales is probably the only thing that kept it alive this long. Now that the LX technology is in place, and with other "new things" Ovation seems to be leaning towards, the collectors series has run its course.
The whole FRG thing is a little odd, but it's one model of one guitar that apparently no one bought. It's nice that they can get these guitars out there and recoup somehow.
As far as the consumer paying one thing, and two weeks later it's cheaper... well... I guess you never bought a computer. Not only is the thing next month $200 cheaper, but it's also 20% more powerful. |
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| Okay, Okay.....Yeah, I am pissed off about them unceremoniously dropping the Collectors series. They replaced it with
1. the 30th Anniversary Custom Legend (which I have played, had a chance to buy the Ovation Reps guitar on the spot, but turned it down because, frankly, it isn't all that.
2. The LX series. I have also played these guitars and the feel mass produced. They do not have the feel of a crafted guitar. They feel and sound like a Celebrity to me. Ovation is clearly trying to cut costs and increase profits, but they are doing so by dropping the thing that has made them famous, the US built, crafted guitar.
Folks, I have many guitars, not just Ovations. But Ovations are not everything, but I was loyal to them for one reason. Every year, they put on their thinking caps, designed a new Collectors Series guitar using new technology, or unusual woods, and made something very special every year, something different than any other guitar on the market. They were the only company to do this. This one thing alone set them heads above every other manufacturer, Martin, Gibson, Fender, Etc. No one else has been doing this, and it was unique to Ovation. So they drop it. Smart move....NOT. I have an older model Balladeer 12 string. It has been my main acoustic 12 string axe for years, live and recording. A few years back, while buying my 2000 Collectors series guitar at Kelleys Music, I had a few extra grand that I could spend on another guitar. There was a Gretsch 6022-12 Rancher 12 string acoustic sitting there in the showroom. I wasn't interested in a 12 string, but Ron told me I had to play it. Ron is well aware of my 12 string guitar collection, and he knew what I liked in a guitar. He was right, I bought the Gretsch, and my Ovation 12 String Balladeer comes out for pictures not. The Gretsch does all of my 12 string work, plus is often called in to local recording studios for other musicians that want a killer 12 string sound. I guess what I am saying is, I love Ovations, but they are not the only guitar I can buy. It is Ovations responsibility to give me what I want, not what they want, if they want my money. I don't HAVE to buy Ovations, and I won't unless I see something that changes my mind. And the LX series is not going to do it.
Mike Overacker
www.ovationcollector.com
2003 Collector
2002 Collector
2001 Collector
2000 Collector
1999 Collector
1998 Collector
1992 Collector
1992 Collector Brownburst
1986 Collector
1986 Collector
1984 Collector
1983 Collector
2001 Celebrity Doubleneck
2000 Celebrity Collector
1999 Ovation Longneck
1982 Balladeer 12 String
Ovation Breadwinner |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Well Mike, I seriously doubt if Ovation is going to make guitars just for you. Or for any of us.
As for the Collectors, while I know that some folks here love their Collectors (and I'm glad they do), with the exception of about 4 models, they never smoked my shorts. Life is tough.
If you think the LX (or any USA made Ovation) is mass produced, then you should have gone on the OFC tour (maybe you did go on the first one -- I don't recall you from the second). Ovations are an interesting mix of hand craftsmanship and technology. The mix gives them an excellent guitar, which, I believe, is superior in sound and construction than most of the collectors series.
I've got an 83 Elite which is a great guitar (most of the collectors are based upon this instrument). But I've also go a 68 Deluxe Balladeer, which quite honestly, is a more satisfying guitar to play. The LX harkens back to the 68, and I, for one, think it's a step in the right direction.
But if you want Ovation to build a guitar just for you, then order one. That's what I'm going to do with an LX. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Photogazer, you said that the LX felt and sounded like a Celebrity. Are we playing the same guitars? The LX Legend is a wonderful playing and sounding guitar. It is also beautifully made. I for one am happy that Ovation is headed in this direction. And judging by LX sales, I am not alone in this. The LX for me is the best Ovation I have ever owned, and this is coming from a guy who played only an Adamas 1 for 22 years. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Hey Moody, I'm Listening!!!
This is Just my 2 Cents worth!
From My Experience at the 2nd factory Tour, I played several LX models they had. All Played Great . They felt lighter but had a great sound.
Now granted, Sound is a subjective thing. What sounds great to some, may sound "Just OK" to others. That's why Ovation offers different models.
They also do special orders and custom orders alot.
They did some custom work for me last year. When I buy my LX, they'll do a custom finish job for me. Now the 2003VN Refurb deal is really nothing to make a stink about.It's been said earlier,..They made a model that didn't sell as well as they thought, so they lowered the price to clear them out. Refurb or not if you can afford it.. take advantage of the great deal.
For those who loved it, when it was released, and paid the "New" Price for it" That's great too.
Basically they got a guitar they wanted-when they wanted it.
The fact that something gets marked down or stamped a "refurb" or even if it's a 2nd with a minor finish flaw,..does not mean the said Instrument is a bad Instrument. It just means that those who buy it Got a great deal on a Great Ovation, and it really doesn't change the fact that those who bought the 2003VN at the New Price will love their Instrument Less. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Oopps I must be loosing my mind!! lets try yhis again!It just means that those who buy it Got a great deal on a Great Ovation, and it really doesn't change the fact that those who bought the 2003VN at the New Price will love their Instrument Less.
What i meant to say is They will not love their instrument less.
Gee, I guess that Time change did mess with the brain cells :D |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | This reminds of a very old Doonesbury comic strip that has stuck with me. Zonker states that "A critic is someone who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing".
Brad |
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Whats with MF, "refurb" 2003 collectors they claim are not refurbs