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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Alright, this just plain sucks! I went to 2, yes 2 different Guitar Center stores this weekend, and guess how many USA made Ovations they had between both stores...
ZERO. Not a single one. How friggin' lame is that? Plenty of Celebritys though. I was forced (OK, I wasn't "forced") to try some other guitars out, and one that sounded particularly nice to me was the Taylor 814CE.
So I'll start with my review of the sound. I'd say somewhere between my 1778LX and 1537 (leaning closer to the 1778's tone though). The Taylor does have more volume than the mid-depth LX, but the tones were very similar to my ear. The tone of the 1778LX was why I bought it.
Playability wise, the Taylor really disappointed me. Maybe it's just me needing to get used to a non-O neck, but I tried some licks out on this $3000 street priced guitar, and found it quite difficult. Granted, I was trying out some of my harder stuff, but that's my test. My LX, and for that matter my 1970 1117 Deluxe Balladeer, the 1617 Legend, the 2080, the 1537, and even the 1 3/4 neck Takamine NV340S all play much easier than this Taylor did for me.
Workmanship and overall bling looked well done on the Taylor. I really liked the look of the wood binding, but really, I can buy a Korean or Malaysian made guitar loaded with massive amounts of abalone bling and exotic woods (yeah solid even) for $500 or so.
Bottom line? For $3000 I was expecting a lot more than I got. |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Reading that as I sit here playing my 84C (which cost me many $1000s less than a $3000 Taylor and I think boy I'm glad that Ovations are under rated.
You can pick these babies up CHEAP!
Having said that my expensive Taylor is a joy and would never part with it, no, it's not the same as my Ovations but no they are not the same as my Taylor.
Buying a brand new guitar is much like buying a new car. They smells funny, are not setup how you like and depreciates 40% the first time you use.
I cannot imagine myself ever buying brand new guitar again. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Let me add to that...
The 'smell ports' (epaulet sound holes) on the Ovation's are one of their secret weapons.
I think I am mildly addicted to the exhaust fumes from my Os.
Maybe I need to go and lie down in a dark room for a little while... |
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Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | [I cannot imagine myself ever buying brand new guitar again. [/QB]
Unless it was an incredible markdown, like, 70% of list, I wouldn't buy a NEW Guitar anymore either.
Re: G.C., I live 5 mile from one. I haven't seen a new USA made O in that store since before
the 07 holidays. Infact, their inventory has dwindled down to a couple of Tradein's priced way to high for the shape they are in. The only New O's I've seen are Celeb's. :confused: |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | And you're in CT! |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | I would buy a new guitar in order to get what I want. Just wouldn't buy one from the Guitar Center. But from Al? In a heartbeat...... |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | D, Come over to the Ted Brown in Silverdale WA, or the one in Tacoma as well.
There are O's and A's as well as Tacoma's.
Or just buy a bunch of mine, tax free :) |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Bought a new 08C from Al last month (my first actual new [not FRG] guitar ever). Won't hesitate to buy from him again when the right one comes along (dang I wish I had the ready cash for the 07C). Wouldn't even consider buying any guitar from GC. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Originally posted by MWoody:
D, Come over to the Ted Brown in Silverdale WA, or the one in Tacoma as well.
There are O's and A's as well as Tacoma's.
Or just buy a bunch of mine, tax free :) I'd love to have that 12. It's a $ thing. I do have a very rare and pristine GC 12 from 1970 though! *tempt tempt* |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | FYI, I haven't bought a guitar from GC since 1984 (see the Flying V in my gallery), but I have bought several new from other places. I'm sittin' in both camps. I'd buy a new guitar still, and plan on eventually having a Hamer built to my specs. A collectors or custom made guitar are definitely "new" purchases. I also love finding those special deals on previously owned guitars.
I would have to say the best purchaese ever for me were when I bought my UKII brand new in 1983, and when I found the 1 owner 1537 just a couple months ago.
Oh, and Woody, thanks for the Ted Brown tip. I suppose I'll need to check them out one of these days. It would be nice if there was something closer. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I'm with Moody. I buy new guitars from Al because, quite frankly, he can coordinate custom orders which provide exactly what you ask for. The trick is knowing exactly what you want and making sure that's what you ask for. If you truly want something that is a one-off custom, a special order is the only way to obtain it. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I go to Guitar Center here about once a week. I've bought 3 used guitars from them and a used amp. The Ovation selection is disappointing and on a par with Damon's experience. They had a USA Balladeer recently at the clearance price, but it sounded a bit dead. They had the ad for the 2005 Collector's with the contour bowl posted on the wall, but even the manager didn't know what the contour bowl was. I'll keep working on them. |
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Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Originally posted by Damon67:
And you're in CT! Pretty sad, Ha Damon? Less the 35 miles from the
Ovation plant and G.C. won't even support them locally.
My Opinion on this is as a former Employee of a Co. called Unisource who was bought and downsized by Bain Capitol, YES, the same Bain Capitol that bought G.C. 10 months ago. They are going ONLY with the top 3-4 selling brands AND their own "name" brands (Laguna, Parkwood made for and distributed only by G.C.)Buy reducing Choice's they think they will sell more. The did that to Unisource and sales went from 6 Billon + to Under 2 Billon in 3 years!!!!!!!!! Our, excuse me their competitors LOVED IT!!! |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | There is a flip side, however. One of the guitars I bought at Guitar Center was a Celebrity Deluxe 247 for my daughter. Her boyfriend is an electric guitar player and is babysitting her guitar this summer. She said he loves how it plays so much like his electric guitars.
If they can bring some of these youngsters into the fold with the entry level models they may have lifelong customers. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | I don't have any lustings for the early and post early model acoustics except the Adami.
While I have been fortunate in finding Ovations stocked at the Ted Browns I have always bought from Al.
The guy is such a lousy Salesman you gotta feel bad for him. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by MWoody:
While I have been fortunate in finding Ovations stocked at the Ted Browns I have always bought from Al. The guy is such a lousy Salesman you gotta feel bad for him. Ted Brown or Al? |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | Ted Brown is dead.
Al is still happening...
But has anyone ever seen Moody and Superman in the same room, at the same time?
Or Bill Clinton and Waskel... |
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May 2006
Posts: 4238
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Wait 'til you guys see what I found at the GC in Bethlehem, PA day before yesterday! (I've lost my camera, or I'd have posted pics already. :mad: ) I left the store thinking my wife's gonna kill me, but she actually said it's probably the best-looking guitar I've found yet. If I'd known my luck was running that strong on Saturday, I'd have bought a lottery ticket. :rolleyes: |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Oh, do tell! All I ever buy from GC is patch cords and pedal power supplies. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Patch...?
Have you been a naughty boy? |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Yeah Patch, wadya get?? |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub |  |
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May 2006
Posts: 4238
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by ProfessorBB:
Oh, do tell! All I ever buy from GC is patch cords and pedal power supplies. Originally posted by dweezil:
Patch...?
Have you been a naughty boy? Originally posted by Trader Jim:
Yeah Patch, wadya get?? Got pictures now!
Hee, Hee, Hee Patch chortled in an Irish accent while dancing a jig! |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Congrats Patch. I saw over on the wood box forum. VERY NICE! |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | Went to the San Bernardino GC on Sunday. Nothing but Celebs hanging on the wall....
I did play a Martin D35 that actually possessed ALL of the so-called Martin MOJO.
My gawd what a guitar! When all of the stars line up just right something magical happens. That thing was incredible! Booming basses, sweet highs and sustain forever. Played Loud it barked! Played Soft it purred and sang...it vibrated down to my very soul...damn.
Why did I have to play THAT one!?! I can't get it out of my mind!
No way to slip it under the Spousal Radar! |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | There were a bunch of O's at the GC I visited with Moody. Some offshore, some USA. I got my 2000 Collectors new from a GC in Northern California. My last three new guitars have come from Al, but those were all special deals. But actually, I don't mind GC so much. I'd rather go there than some stuffy, snobby place that looks down on anything that doesn't meet their own bigoted version of "good" guitars.
P.S. Go for it Tim. Use that JiffyPop deal to deflect the radar. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ...well, $2000 will just not fit under the current Spousal Unit Radar Upgrade. I also think she may have secretly replaced my Deflective Cranial Thought Protection Device with a cheap immitation. I seem prone to accept many more "Honeydos" than ever before.... gotta get a spectrometer test.... |
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RANT: Guitar Centers in the NW (and a Taylor 814CE review)