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Location: Fort Worth, TX | This is in the opening sentence of the home page of this site, although worded differently. I can't fathom why that is? I don't understand why you don't see them being played by more mainstream artists - it's almost as if they are being boycotted. From an aesthetic standpoint, they are works of art. I'll admit I sometimes look at myself in a mirror with my Balladeer from a few different angles. I can't help it, O's are just sexy instruments. Sonically, I've yet to play one that left anything to be desired, except for some weird one years ago that seemed to be modeled after an alunimun ball bat. I can't get enough of the sound of my Balladeer mic'd when I play it. My son asked me if I wanted a soundhole pickup for Christmas and I said NO WAY! I think they are long overdue for a resurgence in popularity. I think if a few big names started playing them the effect would snowball. I just don't understand why that isn't happening. The biggest irritant to me is to hear them labeled a "plastic guitar". Plastic is the last thing that comes to my mind even with my Balladeer having a shiny bowl. I love telling people they are the result of tons of acoustic research and have their roots in helicopter rotors. I doubt many people would want to fly in a helicopter they think has plastic rotors! Until some big famous musicians make me cool for having an O, I'll just sit here so contentedly and watch the river flow. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Welcome to the club.
You echo the majority of our thoughts over the years. |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by stephent28:
You echo the majority of our thoughts over the years. Which really illustrates just how few thoughts we've had. |
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Location: SoCal | Huh? |
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Location: Flahdaw | Guitars are like beer. Lots of different brands, and everyone has a favorite. The best selling American beer is Bud Lite. Does that mean it's the best beer? Ovation is more like the Sam Adams of guitars.
I don't know what the number one selling acoustic guitar is, but I guarantee it's not the BEST guitar... |
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Location: SoCal | It's going to be interesting to see what, if anything, Ovation shows at the NAMM show in January. That should indicate where they are headed over the next couple of years..... |
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Location: sitting at my computer | Back in the `70's I recall Ovations getting a fair share of respect and positive P.R.. As a teenager then, my friends and I all referred to Ovations as the Glen Campbell guitar... and later on there were all those Hip & Groovy (yes, I'm old) ads showing Cat Stevens, Loggins & Messina, Bread, Mac Davis, Dan Folgerberg, Eric Clapton, Al DiMeola, and others all playing their Ovations. And Os weren't cheap either... bought my 1617-4 Legend brand spanking new for $480 in `75. That was a heck of a lot of cash for most twenty year olds back then!!!
So what the heck happened to Ovations popularity between then and now??? Well, Ovation has certainly had it's share of less-than-popular models... IMO the aluminum neck gits went over about as well as the Edsel, but other manufacturers had their own duds too. ??
And although I haven't personally experienced it, I have read of some disapproval from "purest" folk / bluegrass musicians towards Ovations claiming that they aren't proper guitars 'cause they aren't all wood construction. IMO WTF??? Is a washboard bass all wood???
Maybe Ovation dropped the ball in the P.R. department by not fully dispelling the notion held by John Q. Public that they are "plastic" guitars, or maybe by not distributing enough top of the line, highest quality models to the music shops (all I ever see these days are less expensive Celebrity models), the local Guitar Center always seems to have at least a few higher end Gibson and Martin acoustics.
Oh well whatever the cause, I'll remain happy that since only a few of us appreciate and realize the value of these guitars... we can still afford to buy 'em!
sorry 'bout the rant! |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by dark bar:
Guitars are like beer. Lots of different brands, and everyone has a favorite. The best selling American beer is Bud Lite. Does that mean it's the best beer? Ovation is more like the Sam Adams of guitars.
I don't know what the number one selling acoustic guitar is, but I guarantee it's not the BEST guitar... +1000000
Dark Bar and Mr Ovation... long lost twins separated at birth... LOL I absolutely could not have said it better. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
Dark Bar and Mr Ovation... long lost twins separated at birth... Miles, you may need a new shirt to pull that off... |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Originally posted by Designzilla:
Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
Dark Bar and Mr Ovation... long lost twins separated at birth... Miles, you may need a new shirt to pull that off... |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | That explains a lot. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Does that mean I have some kind of control over this website? If so, Beal is officially banned. |
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Location: Texas | That should indicate where they are headed over the next couple of years..... If the last 4 years are any indication...
I am sure this is the direction:
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Yeah, but does it have a preamp & notch filter? |
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Location: Flahdaw | No, but you can download software into it. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Boy did this discussion start spinning out of control.... |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Do threads spin out of control in the opposite direction below the equator? |
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Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | :) |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | I went through the phase of being a fan of Ovations, losing interest in them, and then gaining interest again.
It all started in the 80s when a teenage friend had one, and then my favorite musician Robert Fripp started using them for Guitar Craft. When I became an adult, I knew other guitarists who played Ovations, and when bought my first acoustic, it was an Ovation. I attended a Guitar Craft course and used an Ovation. Ultimately I bought a 2005 Collector's edition, which was the best Ovation I owned.
There is a certain sound - a harpsichord-like sound - which I like about Ovations, especially when plugged in. But it does lack some body and warmth, even when using a larger contoured body model like the 2005 Collector's edition. What I came to realize is the bowl of an Ovation is good at projecting the sound forward, but for the player it doesn't sound as good as a traditional guitar since the sound does not radiate as much from the back and side of the bowl. As I compared my Ovation to Martins, Taylors, Gibsons, or other traditional acoustics, I preferred the later sound (at least as the player), so I traded my Ovation towards a nice Taylor.
Now I'm back to buying an Ovation for use in another Guitar Craft course. I've been wanting one for a little while anyway as a second acoustic. The new guitar hasn't arrived yet, but I'll be curious to see if my opinions have changed.
BTW, I wish I had never traded the 2005 Ovation; though I did prefer the Taylor to it, it still was an incredible guitar. |
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Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Weaser P:
Originally posted by Designzilla:
Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
Dark Bar and Mr Ovation... long lost twins separated at birth... Miles, you may need a new shirt to pull that off... |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I agree with most everything said so far, except for the twins thing. My additional thoughts are that Ovation went from being out front when came up with the roundback and the first and best preamps, to a focus on "plug it in". That led to the shallow bowls to improve plugged in use. That opened up the criticism of the "thin" sound and the slides off your knee comments.
Personally, I prefer the sound of almost any deep bowl Ovation to the sound of a Taylor or Martin. It's clear and crisp from high end to low. Few people hear that sound and there's no real marketing being done to counter the negative marketing spoo. |
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Location: Cicero, NY | The shirts.
Miles or dB would have to go to Woody for, um, cleaning up. |
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| I have also heard people say they'd never touch an Ovation. I once went into a famous DC vintage guitar shop and asked what Ovations they had - got nearly kicked out buy the looks of the guy, not to mention the words. One of the reasons I got my first USA-made Ovation was that, for the money, it sounded way better than an M or T. And even the Korean models, when plugged in, beat the hell out of big brands.
So it's marketing, first of all. Secondly, I think it's still too soon for composite instruments. Look at CA guitars. People just can't accept carbon, composite or, yes, even plastic or god knows what polymers can sound better than traditional materials.
You guys know Smallman classicals? They're more carbon than wood - but hey, on the outside they look woody so everyone's happy. and of course they are among the best sounding classicals in the world.
As for the thing I've heard lots of times "those Ovations got no soul" - an instrument, as anything around us, has the soul or personality WE imbue into it or discover from it.
I love and own numerous wood instruments. Cheap, but very dear to me. And if I had a guitar built out of rock that sounded great, well very good then.
...sorry for the rant guys. Just some morning revolt against the hypocritical others :) ) |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | Originally posted by DaveKell:
I think they are long overdue for a resurgence in popularity. I think if a few big names started playing them the effect would snowball. I just don't understand why that isn't happening. Sadly, I don't think this will ever happens since Fender moved most of the operation overseas. Being also a Hamer owner & fan, a brand which Fender now eliminated except for custom shop orders, I'm sorely aware of the reality of the situation.
The one thing I wonder is if Ovations and Hamers will increase in value in time since they have almost been discontinued. So far it hasn't happened a year later, but maybe in time. |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Not sure about BIG names but here's one that's been in the news lately - Jack Wagner |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest |
The one thing I wonder is if Ovations and Hamers will increase in value in time since they have almost been discontinued. So far it hasn't happened a year later, but maybe in time. While I don't know if it has to do with production or anything else, but I can attest that Ovations have been going up in price pretty consistently.
When you are scouring prices, don't look at the $300 viper that someone hooked. It's more important to look at the $750 one. Ten years ago, I would never have thought of paying more than $500 for a Viper and it better be in dead mint condition at that. The going price of a UKII was $600 at that time. Granted you can still get them for that price, but some are creeping up and supply and demand will kick in a little more.
What I'd like to point out is that the prices are creeping, even in a poor economy. As things get better, I think the prices will start to jump up a little more. Than we'll all be complaining we can't afford them at all. :) |
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Location: sitting at my computer | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
...Than we'll all be complaining we can't afford them at all. :) Now there's a good excuse er... I mean reason to invest in a couple more!!! :D If only I had some extra cash. :( |
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Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by Weaser P:
Not sure about BIG names but here's one that's been in the news lately - Jack Wagner |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | I wish I could afford an Adamas. I've always wanted to try one. |
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Location: sitting at my computer | Wow, THE MAURICE SCHNERDINSKI plays an Ovation!? Prices outta sky rocket now! :D |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Yeah, those guys from Wagner Schnerdinski Overdrive are big Ovation users. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | And let's not forget the incredible Jordan Rivers. I'm guessing he was the reason Fender took notice of Ovation in the first place.
If he can't bring Ovation back into the spotlight, no one can. |
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Location: Flahdaw | He can't even bring HIMSELF into the spotlight. |
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Location: closely held secret | And heaven knows he's tried. Maybe GW Williams can help him.
...no, wait... |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Originally posted by Waskel:
And heaven knows he's tried. Maybe GW Williams can help him.
...no, wait... Or may be HeatherDD...
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: |
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| They and other guitars made from composites may be getting more respect in the future.
I'm starting to see horror stories reposted on various forums about people running into difficulties at national borders because their guitars are made of some exotic hardwoods the importation of which is restricted in some way.
I don't know the full specifics of these stories, and I frankly don't want to find out. When I go out of the country, I'm taking my Ovies. |
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Location: NOR*CAL | I think the parallel is the Chevy(wood) vs Ford(composite) mentality, Ford lovers hate Chevy vice versa, to the point where they'd never touch the other.
And i've also been in a couple 'guitar shops' where the salesmen gave me the look of Ovation is crap, of course after asking these sales people if they've ever tried any, they (not surprisingly) said no.
I also agree with person per the super shallow bodies, while they sound good, and have their place, if most people have only heard the SS bowls then it's understandable per their negative first impressions.
I have yet to own a high end Ovation, while i think my D-Scale sounds perhaps as good as any high end Ovation. And the 2078TX is about as deep as any jumbo i've tried...so far, even to the point where it's so deep, i start crying(lol). |
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Location: Kemptville, Ontario, Canada | I have a Standard Elite 6868AX. I love the sound of my super shallow bowl. Sure it doesn't sound like the all-wood bodies but why do I have to like that boomy, woody sound??? My Ovation is really balanced across the strings.
I bought the Ovation more for the action. I can play all the way up the neck the same. Very few acoustics that I have ever played offer the playing experience of an Ovation. Well none that I can think of.
And the other "acoustic" guitars I owned, trying to get what I thought I wanted, didn't measure up. A Fender Stratacoustic Deluxe, Godin A6 and Kramer Ferrington. Sure they have action similar to an electric but they don't even come close to the sound and pure pleasure of playing an Ovation.
I played my brother's Big Baby Taylor and I don't like it at all. I don't like the action or the sound and I really dislike the ebony fingerboard. Why did they do that? Answer...who cares...lol.
There's a guy at the local music store that hates Ovation. Shows how much he knows.
Anyways, I am glad I found this site! Long live Ovation!
Steve |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
As things get better, I think the prices will start to jump up a little more. Than we'll all be complaining we can't afford them at all. The only thing worse than change
is no change.
Spunkwater Willie
...down on the corner, front of the likker store. |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | I'm keeping my Adamas. Plugged in my Celebrities sound better than ANY other electric acoustic I've owned. In 34 years you can buy a lot of guitars. Right now it's O's and A's all the way. |
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Location: Minneapolis | I bought my first guitar - a Pacemaker 12 string because I was knocked out by the sound of them on stage with Paul McCartney and Wings and then later on his "Wings Over America" album.
If you like that crisp sound with tight clarity, then you do. If you have to have all the overtones, maybe an old Guild or Martin is the ticket. I'm glad a lot of name brand artists over the years have played Os, but for me it still comes down to the sound.
That LAV Koa I bought last year has all the tightness I crave, but monster bottom end warmth too. That and every time I pick it up I marvel at how solidly built it feels. A guitar that feels that strong should sound dead - but it doesn't. It inspires me to play. What more can you ask for? |
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Location: Minneapolis | Oh, and on the subject of value? I think they own and keep it well. This from a guy who wishes he could afford to add to his collection - a John Lennon reissue 1651 and a Melissa Etheridge 1598-MEII... |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I just bought number 16. That's 16 Ovations that I currently have. There have been a few more that I've sold. I agree that I am brand loyal to an extreme.
I do not agree with a recent comment that I have 16 "of the same guitars". That only shows that the person making the comment doesn't know anything about guitars. The variety runs from the reissue Adamas to an electric "fat Strat" knockoff. Traditional guitars come in a variety of sizes, too. I have been able to afford my obsession so far, but I don't think I could justify buying, for example, two Martins where the only difference was the type of wood on the back. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
I don't think I could justify buying, for example, two Martins where the only difference was the type of wood on the back. How about two identical models but for color and 40 years difference in date of manufacture? |
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Location: Jet City | What's wrong with havin' more than 1 of something? I have a couple UKIIs with different finises plus I have I have 2 guitars, identical in all ways, color too. Only one has a trem...
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Location: Jet City | At one point I had 4 of these...
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I said I couldn't justify it. That doesn't mean I think there's anything wrong with it. If I was independently wealthy, or even if I had a gig once in awhile, I might be able to justify having the same guitar in different colors. This is purely personal. SWMBO couldn't tell the difference between two guitars, unless they're a different color. |
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Location: Phoenix, AZ | Originally posted by MarkF786:
[/qb] Sadly, I don't think this will ever happens since Fender moved most of the operation overseas. Being also a Hamer owner & fan, a brand which Fender now eliminated except for custom shop orders, I'm sorely aware of the reality of the situation.
[/QB]
Please help me out here. Fender buys Guild and trys to build them in Corona CA. But, with the weather and the electric building people, it doesn't work out. Fender buys Tacoma, claiming it wants to save the factory and the jobs of the workers. Fender moves Guild production to the Tacoma factory and kills Tacoma. The Tacoma workers aren't happy, and Fender needs to close the Tacoma factory. Fender buys KMC. Fender wants the production facility for Guilds. Fender moves all O production offshore. Fender kills Hamer. Fender gets the production facility it needs for Guild (at the collective expense of Tacoma, Ovation and Hamer). Really good O's and A's are by order now, and quite expensive.
So, who's the guy at Fender who loves Guilds? Any way to brainwash him into loving O's?
PS. Is it safe to call Ovation the Saab of the guitar world? |
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Location: Texas | PS. Is it safe to call Ovation the Saab of the guitar world? Well, they haven't gone BK. But, they have been re-structured, so to speak.
Maybe O will end up like Harley. A guy by the name of Beal and a direct descendant of the Davidison family...along with a dozen other Harley loving joes that wanted to see Harley restored to a profitable American icon, bought the company from AMF (hmmmm AMF...FMC).
Of course, they had a little help from RR applying a 50% tariff on rice burners soon afterwards.
Oh well. |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | Excuse me, but every deep bowl Ovation I have ever played sounds better than any Guild I have ever played. I've said it once on here, I'll say it again, Fender doesn't know squat about acoustic guitars. I have a little message to Fender. Take good care of Ovation. Adamas, Ovation, Celebrity, and Applause owners are the most loyal owners I have EVER seen. Don't screw with something that works. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | mymartind35 sez;
"I have a little message to Fender.
Take good care of Ovation.
Adamas, Ovation, Celebrity, and Applause owners are the most loyal owners I have EVER seen.
Don't screw with something that works."
Too Late... :( |
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Location: Tennessee | Originally posted by mymartind35:
Excuse me, but every deep bowl Ovation I have ever played sounds better than any Guild I have ever played. You need to go out and find some of the Guilds they've been building in New Hartford. Simply put, they compete with anything being made by any production shop in the US today. As much as I wanted to find fault in them ... no way. Really, really good guitars made by some very talented craftspeople. |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | Guild upper end guitars sound and play great. But Fender has priced them out of range for the average Joe. The Adamas' have been raised to $3999.00 for the cheapest one. They're gonna price themselves out of the market. I love the way Guilds play and sound. I was just hollerin' mad. I could not believe how high they have priced their guitars. I agree with you StBo. Fender is so high on themselves, nobody will be able to afford one when they're done. I own a Japanese Stratocaster that I traded an American Standard straight-across for and I got the better deal. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by mymartind35:
The Adamas' have been raised to $3999.00 for the cheapest one. They're gonna price themselves out of the market. Or they are going to FINALLY price themselves INTO the market they should have been in from the start.
FWIW, and this is based on a Musical Instrument sales industry report, "the Average Joe" hasn't been buying guitars in a LONG time. The young musician (of which there are fewer and fewer just want something that plays well and looks cool. There are plenty of those guitars out there. They are not looking for a guitar that lasts, or care where it was made. It just needs to play well enough for them, and look cool. Most of the imports made by most of the guitar companies for a few hundred bucks fit this category...
The other demographic buying are older folks (older than 40) who have money. They are either buying for themselves of for their kids and grandkids. If they are buying, they are looking to the high-end. Maybe with these new prices, Ovation will be considered "in the high end" by those other than the ones that already own them.
Lets face it, like it or not.. Taylor is obviously better than an Adamas because they costs more. You don't like that comment, I don't like that comment, but that's the world of marketing. Just looked at GuitarCenter, 16 Taylors priced ABOVE $3,000.00. Ovation... ZERO priced over $3000. To the Average Joe... Taylor is better... or make that WAS. With the Adamas now over $3000, it will be interesting to see what happens. Personally, I think they will sell MORE of them at the higher price. |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | I was a commercial artist in college. I should have taken more marketing classes. You nailed it. I hope you're right. I would love to see Ovation make a comeback. |
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Ovation "don't get no respect"...