Posted 2020-01-17 3:39 PM (#550992 - in reply to #550989) Subject: Re: NAMM 2020
Joined: March 2002 Posts: 15674
Location: SoCal
Koenig Kurt - 2020-01-17 10:29 AM
This new bridge looks good. More break angle. And no more wasted money for string tubes.
best regards,
Kurt
I like that bridge. The squared off body is probably a good idea, but it kinda makes Ovations more like every other guitar manufacturer who is using composite materials. Of course, it could be great. Verdict is still out. But I'm really happy they are trying now things and not just making panelmeisters.......
Posted 2020-01-17 5:39 PM (#550993 - in reply to #550983) Subject: Re: NAMM 2020
Joined: January 2006 Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains
My first impression was that the squared off body was just another chambered model like the EA vipers and those several Adamas models displayed at NAMM about four years ago. Are they really acoustic hollow bodies?
Posted 2020-01-20 11:37 AM (#551015 - in reply to #550983) Subject: Re: NAMM 2020
Joined: July 2005 Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado
Professor - I played one - it is not like a viper, it is a full acoustic, just not rounded like we are used to. Takes the shape similar to some other composite makers.
Posted 2020-01-20 11:37 AM (#551016 - in reply to #550983) Subject: Re: NAMM 2020
Joined: July 2005 Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado
Professor - I played one - it is not like a viper, it is a full acoustic, just not rounded like we are used to. Takes the shape similar to some other composite makers.
Posted 2020-01-20 11:47 AM (#551018 - in reply to #550983) Subject: Re: NAMM 2020
Joined: December 2003 Posts: 852
Location: Canada
Some mysterious pictures for sure. Is the new bridge made of wood or synthetic material? Also on FB they posted a body picture of a 12-fret Adamas, possibly with slothead - some more info would be nice.
Posted 2020-01-20 7:58 PM (#551024 - in reply to #550983) Subject: Re: NAMM 2020
Joined: February 2006 Posts: 43
I was so dissapointed with Ovation at this Namm Show. I told one of the reps to get back to where Ovation began and put out some reissues of the guitars that started it all. I would love to have seen some of the electric guitars reborn again. I guess I won't be buying any Ovations in the future, unless they are the original ones from the past. I am glad I have mine and held on to them.
Posted 2020-02-11 2:32 AM (#551197 - in reply to #550983) Subject: RE: NAMM 2020
Joined: October 2012 Posts: 1064
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Just chimming in from Japan over here! I know most of you have probably already seen this, but this video features our most hallowed brand! Unfortunately, the interviewer keeps interrupting Rick, but the line-up is pretty interesting. The first Adamas featured in the video looks like a 12-Fretter Ute!
The USA built Elite style nylon stringer is also very interesting. Something found in the older Celebrity line (like my CS249); previously available as a USA model only as a custom order - I think. I know some folks have been pretty critical of O's 2020 NAMM showing, but this video kinda gives us outsiders a bit of hope. It looks like another step in the right direction anyway...
Posted 2020-02-11 6:13 PM (#551203 - in reply to #550983) Subject: Re: NAMM 2020
Joined: February 2016 Posts: 1838
Location: When??
Thanks for posting the video, Ken. I thought it was a nice presentation, and gives a much, much better impression apart from what we perceived not long ago when the original Mothership closed and we were all picturing not much more than the last guy sweeping up before turning out the lights. As well, I didn't see any guitars in the video that I wouldn't be glad and proud to have in my own collection. However, I do hope that next year they will place the Ovation booth farther way from the "exit" door.
Posted 2020-02-11 6:15 PM (#551205 - in reply to #550983) Subject: Re: NAMM 2020
Joined: December 2001 Posts: 10583
Location: NJ
the bridge is made of wood.
the back of the new body is contour
it was on a balladeer.
from what I was told it was a prototype
they are not yet sure the direction it will take
Posted 2020-02-11 6:40 PM (#551207 - in reply to #550983) Subject: Re: NAMM 2020
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 651
Location: Australia
Having worked as a marketing manager for over 20 years with other guitar brands, I cannot for the life of me understand why Ovation completely ignore their glorious past. As we all know, so many A list artists over the decades were seen playing Ovation, a player list that many other brands would envy.
Look at their stand, it should be covered with a collage of all these famous players.
How about some tribute models, say a Paul Simon Ltd Edition Black Custom Legend with the lighter bowl, torrified top etc or how about a McCartney Custom Legend? Something exciting that would get attention in the market.
Honestly companies like Rickenbacker are still living off the Beatles who have broken up for 50 years, Ovation needs to wake up. Most successful guitar companies live off their past.
Posted 2020-02-12 3:01 PM (#551214 - in reply to #550983) Subject: Re: NAMM 2020
Joined: August 2002 Posts: 627
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
Hello, Everyone,
Having grown up with the early OVATION ROUNDBACK GUITARS, and worked in music retail for a time, I agree with all of what richardd says. The only new model that stood out for me was/is the Elite Nylon String, and the YT video only showed the top, so we don't know if it's a contour bowl, or not? ( I personally don't like the contour bowl, but that's another story, with reasons that I've already mentioned here before.) Ovation has definitely forgoten its roots, and moved from a distinctly, truly innovative fibrebglass/composite roundback acoustic/electric guitar, to something that now conforms to what everybody else is making, and /or what people think they want. What happened to the really neat pinless/string-through bridge? They've put parts in there that worked fine without it. "New isn't always better. The more parts you have, the more there are to break. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Some people don't know when to leave well enough alone." Ditto on the website thing. The Ovation apparel shown has a disclaimer/asterisk, but NO PRICES are listed for the aforesaid items? Go figure. YES, PLEASE, to more tribute models, but NO, THANK YOU, to the way they already managed to discombobulate/massacre the Glen Campbell Artist model. Yikes! "Lord, save us from such stupidity."(Anonymous)
Mike S.,
Ottawa, ON.,
CANADA
Posted 2020-02-12 4:09 PM (#551216 - in reply to #550983) Subject: Re: NAMM 2020
Joined: December 2003 Posts: 852
Location: Canada
The new bridge looks interesting. But I guess it will be a while until we get some reviews how usable it is in reality. The slothead Adamas looks like a winner, I hope they will feature it as a production model on the website. I sure don't care about that "venue body" thing, though if I will ever see a guitar with it in a store I might try it on. As I have not even seen an Ovation with contour bowl yet in the wild I doubt this will happen in my lifetime. This Rick guy really lost me when carried on about "graphite tops".
NAMM 2020
