|
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6192
Location: Phoenix AZ | Oklahoma Vintage Guitar is selling the new 30th Anniversary Custom Legend for $1900. on line.
Dave
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2370003082&category=33029 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 396
| How did they get it before anyone else? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6192
Location: Phoenix AZ | I'm not sure they "got it before anyone else". They just had the good sense to advertise it first. Oklahoma Vintage does a lot of Ovation business and does seem to generally have the newest products. This was the first dealer that I ever saw advertise a Folklore Deluxe or a Glen Campbell Re-Issue. Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | That is a nice guitar. I really like the truss rod cover on it. What a beauty! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Very nice. I like the lable on the inside of the bowl.
Brad |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | My New Year's resolution is to NOT buy and more guitars!
I wonder if I still have time to sneak this one in under the wire? :D
Bradley |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I was trying hard not to say it, but I just HAVE to.....has anyone noticed that the expensive limited edition guitars lately (the last 1/2-year or so) have all been deep-bowl, no cutaway(like I wish they would offer again in the regular Balladeer and Legend lines)?????
Roger
1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Celebrity CC01 Spruce Top 6-String |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | The cutaway isn't going to make any difference in the sound, but the deep bowl might. If (more likely when), I special order a Legend LX, I might have Ovation put on a deep bowl. More research is needed.
Go Bradley Go!! Get that guitar before midnight! You need that guitar! More than you need your wife! Or not. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 18
Location: blkyn usa | sure is a pretty guitar. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6192
Location: Phoenix AZ | I am a firm believer that in general, a non-cutaway deep bowl guitar will have the best acoustic sound. Especially if the innards are not all clogged up with electronics. Others on this board will disagree with me, but tuff dookie. Of course there are exceptions. But in general I stand behind my opinion. Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Which is better than standing on top of your opinion. Nobody can see it then. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | I am 100% behind you Dave. It is so good to see a deep bowl Ovation this nice again. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I agree with Dave, also, that is why I bring it up. That is also why it drives me so nuts that it isn't available except in the CC01, and in expensive limited editions.
OK, OK, I know you could custom order it. I just don't understand why you need to...it could be a RPO(at no extra cost).
Roger
1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Celebrity CC01 Spruce Top 6-String |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6192
Location: Phoenix AZ | Roger, It's just a matter of demand. Appearently not a whole lot of consumers are going into Guitar Center and demanding deep bowl non cutaway Ovations. There are those few who desire this in top-end guitars and I imaging that is why Ovation is releasing limited numbers like 50 Folklore Deluxe and 300 Custom Balladeers. Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Last January (2003), I emailed Ovation twice asking if the deep bowl dark sunburst Custom Legend would be available in the future or was available now. NO RESPONSE.
So, I bought older guitars (GC 12-str slothead arrives tomorrow, CL 12-str slothead next week). Only after joining the OFC did I find out I could possibly custom order. Again, never a response from Ovation.
Of note concerning the reissue listed on eBay, Oklahoma Vintage said "The Ovation Limited Edition Custom Legend guitar we have is the first one ever sold to a dealer. It doesn't have a number or certificate yet. The first 6 just came out of the Connecticut Factory last week..." Also, the reissue is only available in natural.
Someone at Ovation forgot to notify Al or the OFC. To me, volume doesn't make a good purchase.
I wrote Al this morning that he can tell Ovation that I will buy one only through him.
If they blow him off, I will buy one in a few years used. I have already received more "service" from Al, as well as the OFC, than I would ever get from a volume seller or local guitar store. Indifference is all I have received from Guitar Center or other dealers...I am confident in saying that they haven't passed on feedback to Ovation. Heck, they never even mentioned that custom order was available.
So, I support those that support me. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Tony, I understand what you are saying and applaud your support of Al. I feel the same way about him (in a warped perverted sort of way).
But understand that all of the CLs that Ovation built may have been spoken for even before they were built. If that's the case, then there's no point in trying to whip up interest through any type of advance notice or marketing. Ovation's efforts are better spent marketing the LX series, which is not pre sold.
Of course, I could be wrong.... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Paul,
I agree and not judging anyone who might grab the one listed. Oklahoma Vintage doesn't seem to be concerned about a limited supply as they wrote back as they wrote "I can get you any number you want above about number 10." At least for the domestic market, I wonder if they will sell all 300.
For me, just drawing a personal line in the sand. Nice that Ovation has a link to the OFC. Nice that sometimes they refer questions to the OFC. Would be nice if they recognize OFC and the sponsors as a marketing opportunity.
Would be great to have but if not, I have the like new CL 12's and my CL #1619 6-str with a few "character" finish cracks to keep me busy. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 420
Location: On the beach in Southwest Florida | How much extra does a custom deep bowl & no cutaway cost (approximately)? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | re: How much extra does a custom deep bowl & no cutaway cost
I have to believe that it would be approximately what the reissue/commemorative 300 would be from the dealer. I had asked if dark sunburst was available and Oklahoma Vintage said no, could be custom ordered (3mos) but not part of the 300. So, somewhere between $1,900 and ? $2,400. Probably any color the buyer wanted (within reason).
Of course, if you wanted natural, the limited run of 300 would be better way to go as limited run does appear to make it more collectable for future appreciation. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6192
Location: Phoenix AZ | Tony,
Ovation does not sell directly to the customer, so in the future if you want quick factual answers to your inquiries it would be better to go through a dealer such as Al or BobbyBro. They will both give you great service. If you want a sunburst deep bowl, they could order one for you. Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Dave,
As to custom order, my point is the volume seller of Celebs (Guitar Center) and local guitar shops never mentioned I could custom order. In fact, they didn't give a shit unless I wanted to buy what was in stock. Ovation never answered emails, not even saying "Gee, talk to one of our dealers, they can custom order." What can I say, they lost two custom order sales of a 6-str and 12-str Custom Legend that I would have placed about 12 months ago before I discovered eBay.
OFC set me straight several months later. By then, I had overcome my fear of buying an older model sight unseen.
I have several answers to questions to the seller concerning this which I have quoted. To the seller's credit, they were clear that I could custom order if I wanted dark sunburst (or other colors) but wouldn't be part of 300.
I have several emails to Al today concerning this matter and he's following up with Ovation. Thus, buying from a dealer.
My point in the last post when someone asked about placing a custom order was that someone would custom order from a dealer - the price could vary due to the dealer's markup and discount that they were willing to make...probably not less than the limited edition (approx $1,900 and not much higher than the standard list of approx $2,400.) Sure, neck inlaids, etc., would add to cost.
And, if the person wanted natural, didn't see a reason to custom order as just buy one of the 300. So, you want a different color/finish than natural, custom order with about a 3mo wait. For me, I will either get one of the 300 or the Adamas 6-str slothead through Al as I have gotten good support through Al (even though I haven't bought from him yet) and the OFC.
Would be a shame if Ovation isn't supporting the smaller dealers on the CL; if they don't make some available to Al, then I will wait for one to be resold in a couple of years or buy the Adamas.
And, I see nothing wrong in pokin' the bear (Ovation) concerning the fact that there are a lot of dedicated Ovation players on this site. We have a resident dealer who has been instrumental to the success of the board...they can kiss the ass of a high volume dealer but what do they get...eBay sales, no connection to the buyer, no support to the buyer. Maybe okay for a lower end guitar but IMHO not for this level of guitar. Al may be on east coast but the support is there. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Dave, if Ovation doesn't offer U.S.-made deep bowl/ no-cutaway regular models, you won't see them at GC. If they were there, they would sell. I was at our local GC yesterday, and all the Ovations that were left after Christmas were shallow-bowls, with the exception of 2 6751 12-strings. Almost all were Celebrities. Tells me that the mid-bowl U.S.-made guitars move. They had several 2 weeks ago.
Certainly, the help at GC won't tell you that you can order....they only want to move what they have.
I'm rather fed up with the "limited edition" stuff that we only hear about through eBay or other members(the yearly Collector's Series excluded). They don't make enough of them to get any distribution so an average Roger like me can get a chance at one locally in southeast Michigan. Plus, they strike me as overpriced anyway(supported by restricting the supply).
I don't want to custom order, I have heard the differences in indivdual guitars of the same model, I believe in "try before you buy" in guitars(especially acoustics).
Why does Martin continue to make models with both non-cutaway and cutaway, plus a wide choice of body sizes and depths, and Ovation does not? This occurred to me yesterday as I was looking at GC.
Roger
1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Celebrity CC01 Spruce Top 6-String |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6192
Location: Phoenix AZ | Roger, With all due respect, I beg to differ with you. GC and other big box stores and mail order outlets place a large forecast to Ovations distributor network of what they want to stock. And they choose this stock based on what has historically sold or what they predict will sell in the year ahead. Yes it pisses me off too that they don't stock more non cutaway deep bowls. But you and I are in the VAST minority. Exactly how many factory NEW Ovations do you think all 2050 members of this OFC club purchased in total in the past year. I bet it's less than 1000. And that is just a drop in the bucket compared to the total number of Ovations produced. We've been over this topic time and again on this board. Don't blame GC and don't blame Ovation. If any of us want a deep non cutaway we can either 1) buy a nice used one, 2) custom order one, or 3) try to get one of the limited few that are produced. That's it and at least be thankful that we have these options. As far as Martin, yes they have a huge number of different models, sizes, cutaways, etc. But they also sell a significantly larger number of guitars than Ovation does, and the reason is probably not because they have so many different models to choose from. It sounds like you've got your heart set on a deep bowl non-cutaway CL in sunburst, which is a great guitar to want (I have this exact guitar in black). I'm sure you will find one eventually on ebay or come to the realization that anything you want is possible if you place a special order and are willing to wait a few months. Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Dave, I hear you....this reminds me of the situation that existed a few years ago in another hobby of mine...car model kits....K-Mart used to insist that the model companies mold their kits in colored plastic so that they didn't need to be painted, despite the fact that serious adult hobbyists wanted them in white or gray so they were easier to paint. For years, adult hobbyists got the short end, until the kiddie sales at K-Mart dried up, and only the adult market was left....THEN, the kits were finally molded in white and gray.....
My point(and I think yours)....Ovation is not being driven primarily by the wants of its serious customers, but by the wants of its bigger dealers.
The good part here is that at least the sales at GC, etc. keeps Ovation going. And I have to admit, the mid-bowl, cutaway models still sound pretty darn good.
Actually, my heart is set on a Balladeer with no cutaway and deep bowl. Don't need anything fancy. A brand new 1111-4 with an OP-30 would do nicely, thank you.
Roger
1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Celebrity CC01 Spruce Top 6-String |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Tony, who are you sending your e-mails to at Ovation. I always talk to Kim Keller at Ovation service. Alot of times I catch him on the phone, if not he always e-mails me back quickly. I find it strange you are not getting any replys back. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Paul,
Last January (about the 3rd week), I emailed from the Ovation site:
"If you need to speak to an Ovation representative, you can email us at: customerservice@ovationguitars.com"
When I didn't get a response, send a second email about two weeks later. Just felt that the lack of response was typical of other guitar companies...took two tries with Martin and one try with Gibson as I had questions concerning the Martin and Gibson also. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6192
Location: Phoenix AZ | Roger, Just my personal opinion here but if you want a deep bowl noncutaway 1111 with OP30 electronics I would look on ebay and pick up an older 1111. They pop up all the time for very reasonable prices ($300-$400). Then send it to Ovation and have them put in the modern electronics. It might cost you $150 or so. But in the end you would have an absolute killer guitar (and unique) for not a lot of money. Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Ditto Dave. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7210
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | A few things I see on this thread that trouble me. Not a lot, because frankly I don't get troubled, but as usual I have my twist on things.
First, emailing customer support and not getting a response is VERY odd, but their 1-800 number is good too. I would call them. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to find Kim digging in old email folders after reading this thread looking for your info or hunting down the IT guy to find out why it didn't go through.
We have beat the "big box" store mentality to the bone, but lets face it, the people that work there for the most part are moving product and could care less about "repeat customers" or "customer service" It's not how they make money. They make money in sales, and at the volumes they do, loosing a few customers means nothing. In fact, if you walk in and start asking quesitons you are a liability in their eyes cause if you are talking, you aren't buying. You "may" be buying, but while the guy is badly answering questions that you know he doesn't have a clue about, three other people just got his commission on other sales he missed cause he was talking to you. Even if he knew about the custom order program, why in g-ds name would he tell you about it. It means more work for him, and no more money.
As far as Ovation telling us about what they have available. They have leaked info to us once in awhile. But frankly we are just a big group of opinions for the most part. Sure some have bought a NEW guitar in recent years. But of the active members, I doubt 100 NEW guitars have been bought in the past two years. They DESIGNED a guitar almost exclusivly on input from the OFC (the Fokelore), and the only member that I know of that has one, WON IT at the tour. Several people asked for certain Adamas guitars that were thought to no longer be made. Al had them (maybe still has a few) Yet when I talk to Al, he is packing them up and sending yet another one to a paying customer in Japan and Europe.
On Custom orders. Obviously that needs to be more "word of mouth." A custom order gets special treatment, even if it only seems like it's swapping a pre-amp. You took the time to think it out, and you are paying more money, and they know it. They know it has to be perfect or you are just going to send it back. A custom order guitar is something special, and the fact that Ovation even offers it on a "low key" level is amazing.
I guess I don't get the fuss. I am one of the biggest whiners about Ovation Marketing but it's mostly because it doesn't make sence to me, yet it makes money for them. They do what I think are some of the oddest things, and yet they are still a major force in the musical instrument sales industry. AND they probably have one of the best customer support departments, AND their Warantee is pretty unbelievable for the industry AND if it comes to it, they will build you anything you want , somewhat within reason. The reason I qualified that "somewhat within reason" is because of Hamer. They built that 5 neck for Rick and it's certainly not "within reason" but I digress.
Sorry for the rant, I'm not scolding just trying to inspire. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Miles,
I came onto the OFC in August of this year which I found the link from the Ovation site - my appreciation to Ovation for the link to the OFC.
At the time of the emails, I was not a member of the OFC and when I saw "custom" on the Ovation site I equated it to the Martin's "Custom Shop". And, I had only bought new guitars. After a little time on the OFC, I realized Ovation "custom" is far different...a wonderful opportunity to interface with Ovation as to finish, style, etc., without paying as much as some cars. Again, my appreciation of Ovation. Appreciated a couple of posts by Ovation staff that if you want it, we will build it. Outstanding. If I had been able to order deep bowl, dark sunburst CL 6-str and 12-str, I would have placed my order about 12 mos ago. Would have been nice to have gotten an email telling me it was possible and that I should contact a dealer - not done but that is behind us.
I have learned a lot from the OFC with the postings and archive. If I have an unanswered email in the future, I will call. If I sell an Ovation, I will encourage the buyer to sign up with the OFC.
I am opinionated about the situation concerning the Custom Legend 30th - it is a limited run of a top of the line model and to allow a dealer to eBay it in advance of other dealers having the opportunity to sell it doesn't seem right. Thus, my statement that I will buy from Al. If Al doesn't have some available, I won't participate. I told him that in an email. Heck, it might cost me a few more dollars through Al. Whatever. My way of showing support with my wallet. Hopefully, it won't take 12 months or more after NAMM before Al has the slothead Adamas available due to lower volume than mass market sellers.
Not my place to attempt to impose my actions on anyone else. Someone on OFC buys the current listing, great. His or her decision. I just stated mine. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6192
Location: Phoenix AZ | Tony, Just a word of defense for Oklahoma Vintage Guitar. They are a straight up honest dealer and in the last year I did in fact buy a new Ovation from them (Folklore Deluxe, btw I think 4 of us on this board now own these). Just because OVG has the foresight to order these types of guitars very early (FD, GC reissue, CL anniversary) and to put them up on ebay as quickly as possible is not a reason to be pissed off at them. Rather, they should be commended for their insight and the fact that they do seem to think along the same lines as some of us on this board. They don't dump the guitars at rock bottom prices either (I paid $1350 for my FD). There are other very trust worthy dealers out there (Alpep certainly being one of them). But I just wanted to come to the defense of OVG because they don't deserve to be villified for doing absolutely nothing wrong. Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | I have a high regard for Oklahoma Vintage...fast and full replies to my emails...friendly, etc. - even on New Years day.
In fact, that is why I posted direct quotes from them in this thread.
And, I have checked out a number of their prior postings. Good pictures, encouragement to call, etc.
I just think that it would have been nice if Al would have had the opportunity prior to actually distributing guitars to dealers...Bobby said it is available for immediate ship. Sounds like a good guy, good products, and reasonable pricing.
I could see Ovation placing some of the guitars out in showrooms to build interest, but Bobby pretty much stated they had more on the way. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7210
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Hey Tony, I see what you are saying now. I didn't really get it earlier. I think there are plenty of guitars to go around, and the fact that a "NEW" guitar is appearing on eBay probably helps the other guitar shops too. How you might ask, well simply the many many folks like you who see it on eBay and then seek out their favorite dealer. If a n authorized dealer were to go below their price arrangement with Ovation, that's a different story and I'm sure Ovation deals with those things. Also keep in mind all of the dealers must BUY their guitars, and I don't know about Al (as friends we tend to not talk buisness together) but I'm not sure how many stores are plopping down a bunch of bucks on a new guitar before the press is even really out on it. Some stores have certain guitars or a certain number of guitars ear marked for them, maybe even before they are built. Most stores, especially this time of year, wait for NAMM so they can maybe get a deal and promotion and such. So I applaud the guitar store that has the capital to already have one on eBay. It gets the word out, it gets the buzz started, and gets people asking questions on a local level. |
|
| |
New 30th Anniversary Custom Legend $1900.