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October 2009
Posts: 7
Location: Sunny Nashville | I love the new contoured back, but i have been away from Ovation for many years now. Dissatisfied with almost everything else, I am hoping to get reacquainted with the brand. I was literally raised on Ovation guitars since age 7, but haven't had one since '90.There's been a lot of changes, some models have retained their values well, and the new USA's certainly aren't cheap.
Are the new ones worth it? Can I hear some feedback on old vs new? One model I am growing more attracted to - the LX - how do they sound acoustically?
thanks! CB |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | C Brown, I bought a 2077LX from a member (you know who you are Bob ;) ) not too long ago and it is one of my favorite guitars of all time. It doesn't have a lot of bass, but it has articulation. Each note rings out clearly on its own. And even though it isn't bassy, it has the prettiest bell-like tone I have ever heard. I love all of my O's and A's, but there is something truly special about this guitar. Being in business, as they say, everything is for sale if the price is right. Well, I MIGHT sell this guitar if someone offered me over, oh say, $27,000. MIGHT. (but probably not.) |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Depending on how much you want to spend, Al Pepiak has a couple of the Adamas 2008 Collectors left, at a price you can't find anywhere else. Contour bowl, cutaway, and beautiful tone. It's one that won't leave my stable.
I don't remember off hand, but the 09 Collector's may have the contour bowl, too, and that is a STUNNING guitar, with the Koa top and tortie binding. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Contact Al
I don't know what number that 'formatted answer' is. :D
New is NEW! It has a warranty, if there is a problem the factory will fix it.
There are some limited edition Ovations that you won't see on evilBay. (OFC II)
And Al can probably get you a better deal.
That said, I currently only have One Ovation that I bought New! (2058T) The rest I got used.
[Oh! I bought my Lyon Pseudo-Strat new from Target! $97! with amp and gig-bag) |
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December 2006
Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | I bought my 1778LX from a local indy dealer. Tone wise I think it's fantastic, though I think I lose a little volume with the mid-bowl. I also have an Elite LX 12 string that's by far the best wood topped 12er ever! (OK, I'm biased a bit).
I'll join the chorus, call Al. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | It's crazy to pay list, but you can get a good deal from Al and get the lifetime warranty. Although I've never used my warrantees, after the first few years, that warranty could be pretty valuable. Say the bridge popped off. Rare, but it happens. The difference between having it repaired under warranty may be a few hundred dollars. |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | 5. Contact Al. |
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March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Still a couple of OFC II guitars left as well I think...
.5 +1 |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I just bought an 09 Collectors from Al at a greqat price. It DOES have the deep contour bowl AND the OP Pro Studio Electronics, and an unbelievably nice Koa top with all the bling-bling mother of pearl inlay, and did I mention the tortise binding? Aside from that Ute 6 string Adamas on ebay with a buy it now of $1300 it is the best buy on the planet right now. I don't know if the Adamas has the contour though. Go for the collectors while you can get them. The LX models are plentiful but the collectors are a limited produdtion model (150 made) ... Talk to AL |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Hey CB, it isn't crazy at all. When your preference is for a very specific model that rarely becomes available on the used market, your only choices are to either wait it out or buy new. Some models are no longer being produced and are only available used. Sometimes, your preference may even be for a model with a combination of features that has never been produced before. In this event, by working through an official dealer, it is possible that the factory may actually make that very guitar for you as a one-off custom. You pay more, of course, but you get exactly what you want with the additional benefit of a lifetime warranty. There are official dealers all around the country, but many of us use Al, one of the moderators for this forum. He has excellent contacts at the factory and I believe was named the No. 1 Adamas dealer in the world last year. If he can't get the factory to build it for you, then you probably can't get it done through any other dealer, either. He'll also give you what I consider to be a very fair price. Personally, I don't know how he makes any profit after cutting so much off the retail price, but what do I know? I don't sell gear for a living. I have, however, bought some from time to time. |
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November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | Ditto what G8r, if you have the bucks for the adamas 08 collector you will not want to put it down once you get it in your hands. Did anyone mention to call Al? |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | We now return to our regularly scheduled program sponsored by Al! |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | C Brown, Trust me when I say this. Caterburystrings KNOWS Ovation guitar as well and/or better the most anyone here! |
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December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | if you buy new you have the honor of putting the first ding in the guitar and if there are any problems you just send it back to the factory.
but there are always deals out there for the bottom feeders |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I'd bet your head is spinning now with all this advice (: |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Not only that, but if you buy new, you will be putting your OWN mojo into it. If it is true that WHAT you play has an effect on the way the top opens up, play your fingers to the bone and your guitar will sound at its best when YOU are playing it. |
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Joined:
August 2009
Posts: 333
Location: east coast usa | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Not only that, but if you buy new, you will be putting your OWN mojo into it. If it is true that WHAT you play has an effect on the way the top opens up, play your fingers to the bone and your guitar will sound at its best when YOU are playing it. Damn i love the way you put that Allison. ur own mojo..... love it lol ;) |
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January 2006
Posts: 1118
Location: NW Washington State | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Not only that, but if you buy new, you will be putting your OWN mojo into it. Another reason I shouldn't be allowed to have a new guitar. Not only will it depreciate, it'll sound crappy too.
-Steve W. |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | No, it'll sound GREAT when you play crappy. :D
Actually, I doubt you play that badly, and if you do, just think - you have a wealth of stuff to learn so you will never get bored! |
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Posts: 1118
Location: NW Washington State | I'd bet that you sing better than I play. And Moody knows more chords than I do. |
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October 2005
Posts: 4043
Location: Utah | C Brown, whether you buy new or used, NOW is a great time to buy.
Somehow, despite the realities of family budgets and a decreasing paycheck, over the past 3 years I have accumulted one used O, one new O, one new Adamas, purchased one daughter a vintage Ovation electric solidbody, and one used Hamer semi-hollow electric.
Each was a superb value.
Whatever your price point, I believe that the new manufacturing technologies and materials result in a value that can't be beat by any other manufacturer. It is true that you can get a used instrument for less than it cost new, and so there is certainly value there. For recent production, the only real difference is the warranty.
For older models you get a guitar that can't be bought new today. I don't think that as a generalization the older guitars are better. Every member here will have his/her own biases, but I think that the LX series is as high quality or better than the older production. The older guitars will have different features, materials, and construction, which means that they will have a different sound and feel, but they are not inherently "better" or "higher quality".
If you bring in the overseas production, the AX and TX lines, it isn't clear to me yet how they compare in quality and price to the models that they replaced.
New is always fun to get, and really you can get such a steal right now that I would steer you in that direction. If you are very limited in budget, say $300 or so maximum, then a used guitar will likely get you better value. But if you are in the over-$500 range then I would look new first. But there are some great buys on used upper end Ovations and Adamas in the higher price ranges, too.
Aww heck, just buy some of each! |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by FlySig:
It is true that you can get a used instrument for less than it cost new . . . This is true, until the guitar reaches a certain age beyond which it can fetch more than what it sold for new. I think the age point for Ovation may be around 25 years, give or take a few. The 1982 Legend Ltd is a good example. They're now selling for more than what I paid for mine new. Most of the solid-bodied Ovations from the 1970's and early 1980's are selling for more than their retail prices when new. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | See, now y'all are getting into the wheeling and dealing, trading and raiding area.
I have a list of all the guitars that I have owned since 2005, with incoming and outgoing prices.
There are some that I sold for less than I paid for them. There are a couple that I sold to members for the same, or less, than I paid for them. There are also a few that I sold for More than I paid for them. (Without outright raping somebody's wallet) But all-in-all, I seemed to have been breaking even.
I bought and sold a bunch of Celebrity's before I got up into USA issues.
But back on topic... You cannot buy a New Pacemaker.
You cannot buy a New 1537, or even a New 1718. Or a 1112 with a 5-piece neck.
So there definitely is a place for buying Used with all the Problems that go with it.
But New has a warranty, and you get to put the first dent in it. :eek: :mad: :(
To get a Contour Bowl it would have to be relatively new.
Or you can hunt down another LX for $400. :p |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | For some reason my 2009 Collectors came with an LX tag in the case.??? Perhaps with that option (09 Collectors) you are getting the both of best worlds. |
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October 2009
Posts: 7
Location: Sunny Nashville | You guys are awesome! Thanks for the great (and quick!) replies! I really like the "buy one of each recommendation!
Now about this guy, Al... Hey Al, Are you out there somewhere? Best means of contact? |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by C Brown:
Best means of contact? From da rear...
Seriously, give him a call, 1.856.933.0374. He never closes...  |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Or go to his website, Lost Vintage Art. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Or go to his website, Lost Vintage Art. or Lost Art Vintage (I'm sure it has nothing to do with Alison's age)
If you're a mouse clicker like me, click on the "WELCOME" at the top of this page and then click on the link to LostArtVintage. |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Oops. Age, lack of sleep, ask me for an excuse, I've got a them of million. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | Me, too. Recently, I've added, "My mother has dimentia and it's hereditary." |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I have a GREAT memory...but I forgot it at home. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
"My mother has dimentia and it's hereditary." That's similar to my Mom's ol' line about me, "You're gonna drive me crazy!"... |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | I am going to take the road less traveled here and say that if buying used guitars in great condition with most of their depreciation already taken out by someone who bought it new and then having the joy of ownership and the ability to again resell while not losing my shirt makes me a bottom feeder then so be it. I frankly resent the implication that if someone is a savvy shopper it somehow makes them a sub-standard consumer. Hell, just hang around this list for a couple months and see how many exceptional, non-new instruments are exchanged. If that's how the bottom feeders operate then it looks like they're doing pretty well. You want to buy new for all the reasons listed here then by all means do so. It's your money. I'll also buy new when I want to or have to but I'll never feel bad for a second if I am buying right, new or used. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Amen! :cool: |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Nothing wrong with being a "bottom feeder" - two parties are involved in any transaction. The buyer determines what he/she will pay, the seller makes a decision to accept or reject.
I have low-balled autions and come out a winner. No problem, again the seller sets the price or the auction parameters (reserve, etc.) |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Hey, my 1758,1767 and 1112 combined cost less then my 1778LX new. I like being able to negotiate and get great deals like that!
An unabashed bottom feeder! :D ;) :p |
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Is it crazy to buy new?