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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Hi all,
I have a feeling I'm going to get bombarded on this by the more professional among you, but here goes.
When I went looking at Ovation guitars a few weeks back, I felt like I had stepped into a wormhole a bit. I wanted a new Ovation, didn't intend to consider other makers, and started doing my research. I wanted a straight acoustic, no pickup, deep- or mid-bowl with the classic no cutaway body, like my Applause AA14-4. I quickly found that there is NOTHING like this in the Ovation line. The only model I found like this is the Applause AA21, which was below my interest, not really any improvement on my AA14.
Wondering as to why this doesn't exist anymore. I can see the advantage of the cutaway for a pro musician, as well as the incorporated pickup, but isn't there a place for the old classic acoustic somewhere in the Ovation-name line? Surely sales can't be the only reason, as there are plenty of classic no cutaway/no pickup models in other manufacturer's lines. Just curious as to your thoughts.
BTW, I LIKE the MOB...I am not a snob as to progressive designs. I just would like a "classic" Ovation (1970s style)and would prefer to not have to buy used off of eBay when I get ready for one. Seems like there is possibly a market here. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I have several acoustic only textured woven top Adamas guitars that were made for the overseas market. Many people have belly ached about wanted a guitar like that. Once they became available to me I jumped at the chance. These guitars sound fantastic and are fabulous instruments. The only inquiries I have had about these guitars were from overseas buyers.
simple my friend supply and demand. shallow bowl electiric/ acoustic cutaway guitars sell in huge numbers. The music has changed from 30 years ago. Players want a guitar with access to the upper frets just like their electric guitars you have to give the people what they want. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7236
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Hey Al,
Do you still have any of the acoustic-only ones available for sale? |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | yup
if interested call me. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Originally posted by alpep:
Players want a guitar with access to the upper frets just like their electric guitars
Al, I absolutely need a cutaway to do what I do, but the vast majority of cutaway guitars I see are owned by people who only ever go past the 3rd fret if they use a capo. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | You mean there's chords and stuff that can be done above the third fret? |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | [<
Paul
that may be true but it is not the perception of the buying public. Even if they play one note above the 12th fret they want a cutaway because the magazines experts etc told them that is what they need. |
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Joined:
March 2003
Posts: 6
Location: Virginia | FWIW, I only rarely go above the 15th fret on any of my acoustics. However, all of mine are cut-aways. Not because I need it, but because it's more asthetically pleasing to me. Go figure. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | On acoustics, I find that a cutaway can help at times even tho' the perponderance of my playing won't take me above frets 7-9. But every once in a while something comes up that demands a move up the neck. It's tough on my 1537 Elite 'cause it's not a cutaway. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | How do you do "Stairway to Heaven" without a cutaway? Or "Freebird"? |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7236
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Good one Bailey, but.. uhh.. err... I have played both of those tune ad nauseum and for the acoustic guitar there is no need to go past the 7th fret. Even the lead for Freebird can be done below 12, but using the slide is easy enough without the cutaway. I still think it was a funny post :) |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Miles
Fortunately, I don't do either, but I have played mandolin rythym and improvised breaks on both when my son did them many times on gigs in the 80's. (mandolin is a double cutaway)
Bailey |
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Current Ovation Design Emphasis