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Location: Phoenix AZ | If Ovation were a CAR, what brand of car would it be? Think in terms of value, performance, dependability, looks, service, etc. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | he musta got into some bad hash in Holland. |
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Location: Lodz, Poland | Volvo?
1) It's different.
2) It's not cheap.
3) It has awesome performance.
4) It has great dependability.
5) Has very special looks - some love it, some not.
6) Not many folks have it.
7) There used to be some very interesting concept cars or one-offs from them in the past, which remind me of some of the Ovation solidbodies, especially the Ultra line.
Cuz Fender is like a Volkswagen. It used to be a "people's" guitar, now it's expensive. So now they have Squier - Skoda and Seat.
Gibson - maybe Ford? Ford has one main, iconic model that drove its way thru history like no other car - the Transit. I guess LP is like a Transit - one of a kind. Paved the way for many copies, but still, there can be only one good old original. But Gibson has Epiphone - so which company is Ford's Epi? I don't know... |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I was torn. My first choice was going to be Honda. They have some nice cheap stuff (civic=celebrity), mass market models (accord=legend) and even some near luxury items (acura=adamas). Very reliable and for the most part bullet-proof. But then I changed my vote to Volvo. Yes, Ovation is the Volvo of the guitar world. Great products which fly under the radar. Very dependable, high quality, last forever, etc. And nobody ever sees you driving one and says WOW, LOOK AT THAT VOLVO (Ovation).
Am I right ??? BTW, I used to have an 850 Turbo Wagon and that's just how it was. Dave |
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Location: Atlanta, GA. | Not a Volvo.
To quote... "Volvo, they're 'boxey', but they're good!" |
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Location: SE Michigan | The obvious choice would have been a VW Beetle but the poll did not offer that choice. |
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Location: San Angelo, Texas | I was thinking Toyota/Lexus....they have something for every line, they are indestructible and a great value... |
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Location: Snellville, GA | Yep, Volvo. |
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Location: Toronto | Had to go with the Caddy:
- Built in the US
- Excellent residual
- Goes for 100,000miles before a tune up
- several models to cater to differing tastes
- Is often overlooked for the more expensive import luxury cars
Gotta go with the Caddy!! |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Volvo it is, it's the upper mid range, good quality and gets the job done. They don't get into the upper end of the market, even if they think they do. They are riding on their reputation since they are clueless about how to market their product today. |
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Location: East Tennessee | Honda.
Dependable, Nice looking not gaudy, reasonable priced and a lot lot more popular than most would admit to. :D |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I too was torn between Volvo and honda/accord/acura. Went with volvo because I had to pick one. I suppose the point of this exercise is that the ovation marketeers should promote the high end, like a volvo, (ie aero-space technology applied to a guitar / car) while the low end should be as affordable / reliable and fun. At least it's a plan.
What is the marketing plan anyway? |
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Location: NJ | I've always kinda' likened 'em to my PT Cruiser:
Curvy.
Relatively inexpensive.
Somewhat "odd-looking" (but in a "cool" sort of way).
Easy/Cheap to maintain.
Suitable for everyday-use, but works very well for gigs.
Everytime I see "another one", it's being used by some f@cker that OLDER than me. |
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Location: NJ | ". . What is the marketing plan anyway?
. . ."
Lather.
Rinse.
Repeat. |
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Location: Lodz, Poland | Surely not Toyota/Lexus. Why? Cuz they're ugly. Give me one example of a nice looking Toyota. Sure, they have great engines and are extremely durable, but they're ugly.
Btw, i love Citroen. But i don't think i can compare any guitar brand to a Citroen. Maybe you guys know a guitar company that produces guitars that may look normal, but have some very innovative details or electronics? I mean, the hydropneumatic suspension in Citroens is something simply amazing. And there are some amazing and bold models - take 2CV, DS or CX. |
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Location: Tampa, FL | Originally posted by Tupperware:
And nobody ever sees you driving one and says WOW, LOOK AT THAT VOLVO (Ovation).
Am I right ??? Actually I was playing my 2005-ES at a local bluegrass jam session and got many compliements on my "really cool Ovation" This week I've put new strings on and will pass it around.
Now if I can only get some Richard Thompson on their playlist :rolleyes:
In truth, this turned out to be a welcoming group of players. I expected to get a fair amount of heat over my Ovation. After seeing the contour back and hearing the tone, many confessed to owning Ovations at various times in their lives (some even admitted to current ownership). Albeit the competition was pretty lightweight (low end Blueridges, Yamahas, and one Taylor) but still liked that fact that I could be heard if I desired regardless. Now if only I had the licks to back it up... |
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Location: closely held secret | "Volvo: They're boxy looking, but they're safe." |
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Location: Upper Left USA | The early models are "Dune Buggy's" since they take an existing format and spruce it up with a glass body.
Then we go to the Early Corvette for the Adamas. Some of the scoops and curls were a little much but it still held to the high craftsmanship model.
The "lost years" before the LX I attribute to most Chryslers. Some up, some down.
Then we started to see the influence of American Chraftsmanship meets Asian discipline, aka Shingo, LEAN, Sigma Six, blah-blah, when the LX's started to roll out the door.
My 1778LX is a 1998 Toyota Camry XLE (which my Wife will not trade in).
The C2078LX is a Lexus - which is a Camry taken a little too far! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I picked Honda, mainly because we're on our second and they are very dependable and for the most part, just do what they are supposed to do. I couldn't picture a Volvo without thinking of a boxey clunker that my brother has and every parent at my kids' high school bought for their kids because they thought they were safe. |
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Location: East Wenatchee, WA | Sorry Tup,
The right choice is not there. It's a 2006-7 Hyundai Sonata Limited. Built in the US, fully loaded with all the right features, bargain price, comparable performance, highly rated by those who give it a chance, scoffed at by the brand snobs and better warranty(durability) than the competition. Yup...I am actually thinking about renaming my 2007 Sonata Limited the Sonata Adamas. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I went with the Caddy.
Great car that at one time was considered "The Luxury Car" to own and then fell down the ladder of popularity as more "hip" cars came onto the scene and stole the majority of the market with heavy advertising and the "cool" factor.
I think that mirrors Ovations history in the business and their endorsees pretty closely. |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | I'm thinking Lexus.
Toyota has everything from fairly cheap stripped down models (like Cel & Appl) on up to the loaded up comparables to CL, CE, and Adamas. Plus, I've never known anyone who owned one and just hated it.
I almost went with Volvo, but the fact is that they're not cheap, and compared to the competition, O's are NOT the most expensive thing out there - in fact, they're typically a bargain. Looks good, awesome performance, and even their cheap models are better than anyone else's, especially for the price. And then there's service... |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Hey, I'm not debating what car is better than another. We all have our fav's (most of which we can't afford). I was just curious how we thought about our Ovations in car-terms. Luxury? Utilitarian? Undervalued? Overpriced? Etc. |
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Location: NJ | This guy's starting t'annoy almost as much as that f@ckwit StandingOvation . . . |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | what can you do, they're kinda the same....... |
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Location: East Tennessee | Hey Tup,
I think it a cool post.
We haven't had a good poll in a while.
Very innovative. :cool: |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Gospel Guitar Guy:
We haven't had a good pole in a while.
Whatcha mean? I've been here all along ...
Dave |
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Location: Isle of Man, UK | I've voted with Honda, and not only as I now have both O's and an H!
When I asked a question of the Mothership (many years ago, before I'd heard of this place), they went far beyond what I'd asked for and told me stuff I didn't even know that I wanted to know. And sent me strings.
You'll remember that I've recently had to shop for a new car. Not only did the Honda dealers treat me well, and tell me things I didn't even know that I wanted to know, but they let me take the car with only my promise that I'd bring the cheque in the following day. Bear in mind that they had never seen my driving licence at this point...
The only thing missing was that they didn't give me guitar strings! ;)
Honda - Take Something, Change Something, Make Something better.
Ring any bells? Seemed to fit pretty well to me.
JB |
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Posts: 4833
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | What? Don't they sell Mazdas in the US? Price competative with everything in their field, last forever, (I expect to get 500,000 kliks out of this pickup, as the last I knew.) and have the full product line and a few inovations that never caught on. (Can you say 'Wankel rotary engine?) |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | My Boxster wasn't on the list. Undervalued and underappreciated. Different. Plays easily, but is way better than I am. |
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Location: Tennessee | Porsche. Definitely Porsche.
Take your O, lay it on it's face, and look at the profile. Then look at the profile of a 356.
Not cheap, but less expensive than a Ferrari, Lambo, or other exotics. Performance is as good as, if not better, than the others. Exhaust note, however, is unique. Porsches are nearly unbreakable ... the highest percentage of original cars still on the road are Porsches, by a substantial margin. Rust in the pans are like laquer cracks.
Porsche owners are fanatical and have a unique bond with other Porsche owners. lady stonebobbo always comments that only Porsche owners give each other peace signs when seeing each other on the road.
When you see a Porsche, you know it's a Porsche. No question. You can tweak colors and options, but there is never any doubt.
"There are people who actually despise Porsches, but we reckon they've never driven one."
"We can't change the laws of physics, but we can try to move the limits..." - Anonymous Porsche engineer |
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Location: SoCal | Rx-7. It's got an engine that goes 'round and 'round. And it was the unappreciated sports car of it's time. You had to have a strong independant streak to love them..... |
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Location: Orange County, California | Guys,
Don't laugh, but this is just obvious to me...
Cult-like following, Good, safe, fast, cars. Inovative. Company started in aerospace Owned by a large American company. Stands on it own merrit in a very competitive world market. Personal prefrence overules value. Even though they're pretty, since they're not styled like eveyone else, they're considered ugly...
SAAB. :D |
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Location: Upper Left USA | The SAAB's are ugly. |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Yeah, I'd say Saab's and Ovations hold their value about the same. Check KBB. 3 year lease residual Saab 9.5 = 39%. YIKES!
Hey, I'm not bashing Saab. One of the first cars I owned was a Saab Sonnet. It was like a Soap Box Derby car with a small lawnmower engine. I can't believe I lived to tell about it.
Dave |
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Location: NJ | ". . One of the first cars I owned was a Saab Sonnet . ."
Oh yeah?? . . . I gotcha' BEAT!! . . .
Fiat 128. |
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Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by Tupperware:
Hey, I'm not bashing Saab. One of the first cars I owned was a Saab Sonnet. It was like a Soap Box Derby car with a small lawnmower engine. I can't believe I lived to tell about it.
Dave Sounds a lot like the VW Beetle I use to own. :D |
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Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by cliff:
Oh yeah?? . . . I gotcha' BEAT!! . . .
Fiat 128. No way man. My '66 Sonet (I got it in '78) had a freaking TWO CYCLE ENGINE !!!
Dave |
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Location: NJ | Dude . . . F-I-A-T.
'nuff said. |
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Location: Spain | If its all about composite materials and value for money surely Reliant should have been an option. |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
Porsche. Definitely Porsche.
"There are people who actually despise Porsches, but we reckon they've never driven one."
"We can't change the laws of physics, but we can try to move the limits..." - Anonymous Porsche engineer I originally thought Honda, but Rob's statements about Porsche have changed my mind. Porsche it is!
Dr. F. Porsche re-invented the sports car by hanging an air-cooled engine off of the back axle. Charlie Kaman re-invented the guitar by having a curved plastic back. Porsches have always been hich tech, just like Ovations. Every Porsche is instantly recognizable as a Porsche and nothing else. Same goes for Ovations. Porsches are high end vehicles, but if you want performance, reliability and handling, nothing comes really comes close for the price. I guess Ovations are high end guitars especially considering that you can get a basic guitar nowadays for $100. Nothing can match the performance of a new Ovation for the price.
Compared to its more exotic competitors, Porsches are easier to use and maintain. Same goes for comparing an Ovation against its wood box competitors.
Porsche has been constantly upgrading the original concept with newer and better engineering, particularly since the late 60's when the 911 was introduced. That sure sounds like what Ovation has been doing.
Yup, Rob is right. Porsche it is! |
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Location: NJ | But then, . . . what are the guitar players who DON'T have little dicks gonna play?? |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Cliff is proof that the porcupine/Porsche joke isn't true. The pricks aren't inside the Porsches. |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Cliff, I'll check my music room and get back to you on that. |
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Location: NJ | ". . The pricks aren't inside the Porsches . ."
See?? . . . even HE agrees with me! |
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| I gotta stop putting so many mushrooms in the chili. |
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Location: NJ | ?? |
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Location: Hicksville, NY | My choice would be a Subaru -- it has the ruggedness of a four-wheeler, but with the comfort of an automobile -- the next closest thing to having the best of both worlds!
unfortunately, it's not on the list :( |
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Posts: 383
Location: Indiana | I had to go with the Saturn. To me Ovation is a "Different kind of guitar, a different kind of company". Although I would have like to have had the option of DeLorean
Bill |
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Location: Hiram, Georgia | obscure, sleek, elegant, understated, powerful, H O T - R O D !!! :cool: 2003 M45
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Location: Budd Lake, NJ | I agree with you, Gil--I looked for Subaru, too. But you can't vote for what's not on the list. Oh, well, at least I get to drive one.
--Karen
Gertrude, Jewel, Blanca, "Nonnie," Ivory, Sugar, Plink, Twang and Shriek |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I've heard them called Lesbarus but that must have been in a different context. |
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Location: SoCal | this is my Adamas...
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IF OVATION WERE A CAR ???