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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Recently I have come across people who have owned one Ovation for a long period of time. For example:
Greg- Bar band player / same Balladeer for 26 years.
Ted- Plays at home / Balladeer for 22 years
Cliff- Professional / GC 12 string has been his main guitar for 29 years.
Myself- 34 years with my Balladeer / 33 years with my Breadwinner
Why is this? Brand loyality? Probably not. Of the 5 people listed, 4 of them have owned only one acoustic. They have never owned another brand.
Durability? This is probably closer to the mark. Greg's guitar as all the dings and cracks you would expect of a 26 year old bar band guitar. The treble side of Cliff's top has a good start on a "Willie Nelson" type hole.
And there lies the rub. Durable guitar is an oxymoron in the world of acoustics. Quality acoustic guitars are supposed to be delicate and fragile instruments that need to be kept in the humidor next to the cuban cigars. Describing a guitar as durable is like calling an exotic sports car sturdy or calling Vin Diesel a nice man.
When you think about it, can you recall any friends playing the same Taylor or Martin for so many years? I'm sure there are exceptions but I would bet that over the long haul, an Ovation would be the last guitar standing.
So....here is a poll that can either confirm my theory or send me back into a deep, matra like meditation. I know some of us here shuffle and deal guitars like a deck of cards. But I'm guessing that even these movers and shakers have owned that one special guitar for a long time. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | I'm not certain I understand the question. Is it how long have you owned one Ovation or how long have you owned one special Ovation? Please clarify. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | "One special" Ovation.
or...what is the longest you ever owned that one special guitar.
I'll try to edit the question. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | I will be keeping and playing my '74' 1112 that I got in 1980. I will be be fickle and court many others, but this one stays until I can't play any more.
Still looking for that "12 string of a Lifetime". |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | The 1537 will not be leaving the nest ANY time soon. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | I've owned a Legend since 1979, but the special guitar is my 1537. Owned since 1993. It's my "forever" guitar. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I guess I'm figurung that the one you have had the longest is the "special" guitar.
Do any of you OFCers have a friend who has played the same a Martin or a Taylor for over 20 years? Maybe it's just because Ovation is on my radar. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 398
Location: So. Cal. | Oldest guitar that I still own:
Oldest Ovation (original owner, bought in '87) is '87 collectors.
Oldest Martin (original owner, bought in '79) is '79 Martin D-28.
Before that, I had a 1617 bought new in '79, later sold to buy the '87. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | I consider my 1112-4 I bought in 1973 my oldest friend. I had to send it back to Ovation back in the mid 80s for some repairs. Now it has some cracks in the top so I'll send it back again. That guitar and I have been through a lot. I'll never get rid of it! As for my recently acquired 1537, I can't imagine getting rid of it either. I have owned several other non O acoustics, the best of the bunch being a Guild F45 CE I loved, I don't have it any more. But I still have my 1112-4... |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I have a 76 Matrix that my wife and I bought new so I could play it at our wedding in 77. It's still like new, but I've never played it much. Still have the same wife, too. She said she wouldn't have a problem if I sold the guitar, but for some reason she wants me to keep her. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I still have the "old Applause".....28 years and counting on my AA14-4.....
Roger |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 29
Location: NW Ohio | My Martin D28 is the guitar I've had the longest, and still my best friend(besides my wife of over 30 years). I've had a lot of brands over the years,but keep comming back to Ovations. There IS a reason for that! |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Islander2,
Well, if you're gonna add the wife...
My guitar is my oldest friend (1973), met my wife 3 years later. She's my best friend. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 29
Location: NW Ohio | Had to make that comment because she was looking over my shoulder at the time.(not really!)My wife is my best friend,my three children will always be my babies.My guitars,my lake, and my island will always be my addiction and my main vice! |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | I voted my oldest Ovation 1972 Pacemaker 12 string.
i also have an Elite 12 string givin to me by my father in 1989.
Won't part with either. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 383
Location: Indiana | My first GOOD guitar: 1960 Stratocaster.Have had it for 40 years.
My fave O:My 82 Annivesary(original owner).Bought it in early 83.Been played a lot and still looks beautiful and sounds like a Kazillion bucks. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | My wife is my best friend,my three children will always be my babies. Thank God my wife and my guitar get along! If I had to choose I'd miss my guitar. Now for the kids! I have a 24 yr old living at home I will gladly trade for any adamas. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Just curious Islander2,
It seems all of your ovations are from 1979.
Coincedence???
What years are the Martins? |
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Of Ovations and Longevity