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Location: LewistownPA | Just wondering if anybody knows yet which other models will become available with the contour bowl and when that might happen? |
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Location: closely held secret | Yes, but they work at the Factory and don't talk much. Perhaps we can hold thier feet to the fire in May and get some answers.
And if we don't get answers, we could still toast marshmallows and make s'mores. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Just a guess, but maybe something will be announced at Summer NAMM. That's when the announced them last year for the CE and CL.
I'm guessing the plan is to replace the old bowls starting from the top of the line downwards, so if that's the case I would imagine Legend, Elite, Artist and Folklore would be next. But I really have no idea.
I tend to be pretty polarized in my opinions (someone told me that once as a compliment). If it was up to me I would discontinue all the roundback bowls immediately and produce nothing but contours. The damn things are THAT good. I know that's hard for a lot of people to digest since the company was founded on the whole roundback thing. It would be like Mercedes giving up the 3-point star. But at some point you need to move on and go with what really works, history be damned.
Some people don't like the contours, that's fine. You'll never please everybody. I just hope to hell that they don't go on offering models in contour AND regular bowl. It'll just lead to yet another consumer confusion and drive away customers. Little Johnny goes into Guitar Center and he can buy a Legend, a Celebrity that looks just like a Legend for 1/3 the price, and another Legend that has a funny back. Oh, and there's this thin one over there that doesn't sound so nice, but sure is comfortable. In total confusion and frustration Johnny whirls around 180 degrees to the other wall and picks out something else. Another lost customer for Ovation.
Dave |
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Location: SoCal | Expanding on Dave's thought, maybe all USA models should have the contour bowl and all foreign built models should have the traditional bowl. And Ovation should push the difference like crazy. That way, there could be no mistaking which models were built where.
Of course, they're not listening to me anyway..... |
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Location: south east Michigan | And that's why Johnny can't play.
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Dave's right (again??). Ovation don't need more blurring of the different models.
Shallow bowl.... select Celebs only.
Mid bowl........ Replace all of them with the contour.
Deep Bowl....... Bring them back to the for-front on a few higher end models. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | not yet having been able to play a contour bowl...
it would have to be DAMN GOOD. I find the roundback very comfortable to play. Much more so than wood box. But then I have never suffered from the slip syndrom others seem to. |
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Location: ms | I think Moody`s right.They at least should get a lot more agressive with their marketing.I`ll give you an example they could have a rising star(myself,in my hometown anyway)Holding a Ovation found floating in the gulf after Hurricane Katrina!!!!! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | As long as there are a couple hundred discontinued models out there so I can torment my wife by telling her I intend to have one of each, like Dave. I still have not seen, much less played, a contour bowl, so I can't judge. |
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Location: Queens, NY | I don't think dropping all traditional bowls on USA models is a good idea. Not everyone may like the deep contour bowl. It least now you still have a choice, and having choices doesn't necessarily lead to customer confusion. It just depends on what you like. Or if you can't decide, buy one of each!
Besides, not too many little Johnnies I know could afford a Legend anyway, or maybe I just live in the wrong neighborhood. |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I think they HAVE to keep the mid-bowl. I own a 2005 Collectors, and, although I really like it, I'm far from convinced that it should replace the roundback mid-bowl. Each has its strengths. The problem is that, given how few U.S. Ovations dealers carry anyway, it will dilute what is carried even further.
To those of you who have never played a deep contour bowl O....it IS damn good. Especially with new strings.
Roger |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | According to the price list Tony posted, the LEGEND and ELITE are now available as CONTOUR bowls. Dave |
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Location: south east Michigan | "deep" contour bowl?? There is just one style contour bowl, right?? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Yup, all contours so far are deep. I would guess the M.P.'s came up with "deep" contour to satisfy those crying for more deep bowl models. Dave |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I think a contour bowl on the classical would make a lot of sense. Most classcial players play seated and this bowl puts the guitar in a more proper position. The soundboard should be facing the audience, not the stage lights. Dave |
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Location: LewistownPA | Originally posted by Standingovation:
According to the price list Tony posted, the LEGEND and ELITE are now available as CONTOUR bowls. Dave Allrighty then...I was hoping that would be the case. Now the next question,are they actually in production yet...
Well they must be...Elderly Instruments has the legend listed with a nice gallery of pictures.. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I bet the Legend Contour is REALLY nice. Will probably sell well. Dave
PS - GO BUY ONE !!! |
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Location: LewistownPA | Originally posted by Standingovation:
I bet the Legend Contour is REALLY nice. Will probably sell well. Dave
PS - GO BUY ONE !!! I just might do that...depends on how big of a price difference between that and the custom legend. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Hopefully some countour bowls will finally find their way into Orlando's dismal selection of music stores. I eventually hope to actually play one. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Likewise. I've never seen one, let alone played one. I asked the local GC when they would get one and they said they'd never heard of them. Then I pointed out one in a display they had on the wall. |
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| ...an Ovation guitar should have a round back, but not a contour bowl !! I bought my Ovations because of the round back, I would never buy a contour bowl !!! It is only a concession to guitar players with a round stomach to make playing guitar easier for them!!! I still remember the words "Ovation - because the world is round !!" - that was printed on all german newspaper advertisements and in every brochure I got from Ovation. They never said: "Ovation - because the world is contoured !!" - or have you ever heard this?? Maybe I am a little bit conservative, but I still love the round back and when I want to play an Ovation guitar I want to have this "round back-feeling". I tested the new round back style at the Frankfurt music fair and I missed that special feeling. Other players I met there told me about there Ovations and they said: "These old Ovations had style, but the new ones are built for everybody!" So I hope that Ovation will let us the choice to buy a round back or contoured back.
Best regards helmut-pl (from Germany)
Ovation 1768-7 Ltd.
Takamine EF508C Nils Lofgren-Signature
Ibanez AC 900
Ken Rose Resonator-Guitar |
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Location: SoCal | As I've said on here before, to quote the words of that great philospher J.T. Kirk,
"Young minds, fresh ideas..... be tolerant Mr. Scott"
Ovations have fiberglass bowls that have, over the years, come in different sizes. Why not different shapes? Remember from the History of Ovatin, the first attempt at a fiberglass back was still in the body shape of a Martin D size guitar.
While I don't yet own a contour bowl, I think it is in keeping with Ovation's philosophy towards guitars. I expect that I will own one eventually. |
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Location: south east Michigan | It's odd that there are not more contour bowls out on display. I know the supply/ demand/ inventory pipeline can back up but come on....a year an a half??? |
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Location: Upper Left USA | My 2 shillings as the custodian of a contour bowl, a deep fiberglass bowl, a mid GS Bowl and having played some of the more odd shaped non-standard instruments.
The Elite LX 12 string I have has the contour bowl and is as heavy a guitar as you'll find in the new line up. I don't hold it the same as I do the Elite LX 6 or the 1112. I find myself squeezing the upper bout with my right arm and tilting it up a bit with the neck at a 45 degree tilt.
The 1112 is a finger picker and is the lightest guitar of the full sized. For the 1778LX I pound a little harder and stroke a little longer.
I rarely sit and play, almost always I am standing with a strap.
Each of my guitars have a different purpose/sound and I hold them differently. I can't say one is better or best.
As far as distribution goes - When I bought an early issue LX it was a year before they were common in most Music Stores.
Let's move on! |
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Location: PDX | Interesting discussion. From the traditionalists who are a bit put off, to the revolutionists who would scrap the old product line.
I can see both sides. I'm curious however, why was ths done? Was it done to improve playability or sound quality. Seems to me a change in body design would effect both, no?
Just curious.
_____
gh1 |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by helmut-pl:
"These old Ovations had style, but the new ones are built for everybody!" God forbid they should be better, still have style and be attractive to more people. They might actually sell more. Can't have that.
I've played a Contour Bowl (2005ES) and liked it. If I were to buy one I'm sure, like Woody, I would hold it differently than my roundbacks. But I still like them.
I like the looks of the 2002-2004 CRV's better than my 2005. But, guess what? The 2005 is a much safer, more comfortable and just plain nicer vehicle to drive. If I was gonna leave it parked in the driveway... well, you get the point.
My only fear with the CB's is that they'll find thier way into the Celery or Applesauce lines. The last thing Ovation needs is more product resemblance between the USA and asian models.
Just my 2¢. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | I love my roundbacks, but I have no problem with Ovation trying something new and different. This is not just copying a wood box design, it is an innovation of the roundback. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Oh yeah, I also agree, keep contour bowls on US models ONLY! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Well, I would definately consider myself a traditionalist. Shiny bowls and storms surround me as I type this. But I also endorse the new. Contour bowls, cateyes, whatever. It would be wonderful if Ovation could just offer EVERYTHING, then we'd all be happy. But in my opinon, previous attempts to "offer everything" have largely been what's responsible for Ovation being relegated to second class status among the general public of guitar buyers ("they get no respect", some idiot once said). Trying new and innovative things is what Ovation is all about. And I think with the Contour bowl they have hit a Home Run. Dave |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | i don't care whether the CB creeps into the Celeb line or not.
Let's not kid ourselves, the CB was designed to make the roundback feel more like a box guitar...
There are inherent qualities to the roundback that make it in-and-of-itself appealling and I would be disappointed to see it go. |
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Location: closely held secret | I don't care weather you care.  |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | it's nice to know you care enough to post you don't care. |
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Location: closely held secret | Well, I only lie to people I like. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub |  |
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Location: closely held secret |  |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | After looking at some stage shots playing my 1651 deep bowl, I must admit the position looks odd. The sound hole is at a 45 degree angle above the audience, and they see nothing but the bottom side. It is always plugged in so the sound is unaffected, but holding a deep bowl, even for flat bellies like me, looks odd. After so many years, it doesn't feel odd. That said, I do look forward to trying a contour back. Even if I really liked the position and sound, I see it no higher than about ninth on my GAS relief list. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub |  |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Jeff....that is just gross! |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Professor, should I add the contour bowl to the guitars I need to bring over next time? |
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| Before we get overly contoured, a few questions.
Was the 2005 that big of a success? The one at my guitar center sat there forever and on-line retailors had them for a long time. The one Collector's I played sounded good, but not so incredible that I was ready to cash in my elite lx and buy the collector. To me, and I reserve the right to be wrong, the collector from 2005 was almost an attempt to get an Ovation not to look like an ovation. I want to play more contours before I make a final judgement. Is the contour going to sway some of those anti-ovation types? Does the contour take care of those who can find nothing wrong with Ovations other than the slipping off the lap story? Is the contour theb way of the future in the same manner the lx is taking over? |
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Location: Upper Left USA | "almost an attempt to get an Ovation not to look like an ovation".
I thought this at first but I don't think its so. Our local Ted Brown has sold at least two of these and a constant stream of Adamas as well.
I think its just another flavor and not a wave. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Forget for the moment that I'm a huge contour bowl fan. I'll try to be objective (honest). The CB is not the end-all solution to every ailment known to man. But I do think it accomplishes the following:
1. Larger cavity volume than mid depth without making the bowl deeper.
2. Flatter player position when playing standing.
3. Guitar rests better and flatter on the knee when playing sitting.
If someone does not see these as shortcoming of the roundback, then they will not see any benefit to the contour bowl. That's probably the case with 90% of us here. Jeff was absolutely right, the contour bowl is designed to remove a barrier that Ovation has had to being accepted by a lot of potential players.
My worry is that Ovation will shoot themselves in the foot if they try to offer too many models which look similar in multiple configurations.
Dave |
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Location: Orlando, FL | I always thought the coutour was for comfort (and like I said I haven't played one).
It seems to be the answer to the people who try Ovations for the first time and never really listen to the sound or feel how great it plays because "it keeps slipping off my leg". Which I never understood, because for some strange reason I can hold em just fine. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Does anyone else think playing a wood box guitar feels weird? Kinda uncomfortable, sharp edges and stuff. Or is it just me? |
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Location: closely held secret | No, D, it ain't just you. I find I don't enjoy playing box guitars anymore. Even my wife's Dean, which isn't that big or deep, cuts off the circulation to my right arm after a few minutes. Probably bad posture on my part, but that's the way it is. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | A lot of potential buyers dismiss Ovation because of the plastic bowl. Anything you can do to lessen that perception, the more likely you are to make a sale. The contour bowl makes it feel more like a normal guitar. So in principle, people can no longer say it feels "funny" or slips off their knee. The fact that roundbacks don't slip off MY knee does nothing to sell more guitars for Ovation. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I agree Dizzy,
I much prefer my roundbacks for playing comfort. I love the Lowden, but it is nowhere near as comfortable to play as my O's. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Jeff W.:
I much prefer my roundbacks for playing comfort. I love the Lowden, but it is nowhere near as comfortable to play as my O's. Blah, blah, blah ... hey, I prefer silk underwear, but that doesn't mean I wear them.
OK, I guess we are officially off topic now. Let the fun begin ...
Dave |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I don't wear them either. |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Me either but I have been known to take them off. :eek: |
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Location: Snellville, GA | MMMMMmmmm...silk boxxxerrrrssss.... |
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Location: Wooster, Ohio | I always thought for me one of the selling aspects of the fiberglass bowl was duribility. I have wood box guitars and I am alway parnoid of a buckle or anything that can scatch it. The O gives me a real comfort that it will stay just as new with not worry.
Steve |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I'm quite unbiased about the roundback vs. the contour bowl....I own both, and like both. The contour bowl is definitely an attempt to appeal to those who prefer a "box guitar" shape, plus, the added depth on the bass side gives it some of the sound appeal of a deep bowl.
I've played two different 2005 Collectors (one being the one I own), and a new Custom Elite contour bowl (Elderly had it). With new strings, they are among the finest-sounding Ovations I have ever played, and that includes the FD-14. There is a complexity to the sound that I haven't experienced from most other Os.
HOWEVER.....they seem quite sensitive to string quality. A couple of weeks after a string change, my 2005-ES is "merely mortal" again. At that point, it's dead even soundwise between my 2005-ES and my mid-bowl 1771LX(both having two-week-old strings). The 1771LX is more comfortable to play, IMHO.
I wouldn't part with either. But it's interesting that an $800 guitar can stand up to a well-over-$1000 guitar soundwise.
Roger |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Something ?I just discovered about the Contour back guitars. When you lay it flat to change strings it doesn't wobble!
I have had to use a towel or shop rag to "steady" the bowl while I work it on the others.
Small improvement but appreciated all the same! |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Standingovation:
hey, I prefer silk underwear, but that doesn't mean I wear them. Doesn't mean you don't, either. |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I'll have to try that about changing strings on a contour bowl on its back. My SOP is to change strings with the guitar on a stand, that way the bowl doesn't enter into it.
None of my Os wear underwear, so I'll stay out of that discussion.....
Roger |
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Location: SoCal | It's not just that Witko wears silk boxers (and I don't know that he does or doesn't), it's that he puts them on his guitars for all to see..... |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | quote:
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Originally posted by Standingovation:
hey, I prefer silk underwear, but that doesn't mean I wear them.
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I'm almost scared to ask, but what the heck does that mean? If you prefer something, why wouldn't that be your first choice? Regardless of the fact we're talking about silk underwear now... |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Let me be brief.
Roger,
I have found a manly use for the old Ironing Board! It is portable, removable and puts the instrument at an ergonomic height.
And when it makes that squeekyhinge sound as only an ironing board can, my Wife thinks I'm being productive!
OK, back to Witco's shorts... |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Andrew,
I'd prefer to be more talented and thinner... |
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Next Contour Bowls?