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Location: Flahdaw | I had the pleasure of meeting and playing some guitar with SOBeach on Saturday. He brought his 2003 Collectors Edition with the inlaid epaulets. WOW! This was the very 1st Ovation I've seen with those inlays. I know some people don't like them, and think they look like a form of animal poo,...But I think they were really beautiful and a very well done bit of woodworkery.
What is everyone else's opinion of this treatment (not that it would change MY mind).
(Btw....SOBeach may be kinda low key, but that guy can play and SING!!!) |
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| Hi BobG,
I love the epaulets. I just bought my first Ovation (b'day present) and its a 2078ax custom elite and it has those which i think makes the look of the guitar! |
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Location: Jet City | I'm never going to live down that poo comment am I?
I love the inlaid epaulets, just not the single-wood ones... I have 2 with multi-wood and inlaid eppies that look great. A c2078LX and c2078LX 12 string.
That said, NOTHING compares to the original Adamas eppies. The ones these days are a mockery if you ask me. Comparing a couple dozen individual hand detailed pieces of exotic wood that were pieced together to create a specific design... to a single computer guided etched out piece of figured walnut, koa, or even the 9 individual inlaid pieces in my 2078s, well there is no comparison in my mind.
The eppies went way down hill and fast in regards to the amount of detail once they were introduced to the wood-topped models. I should note the exception of a few models, one being the 1768-7LTD. It's obvious that extra time and meticulous detail was put into that one as well.
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| Ooohhhh, i really wanted the 2078LX, but couldn't afford it. the AX was such a good price and still sounds amazing. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Yeah Damon...the c2078 is nice with the multi-wood. But I really liked that 2003c inlays also.
At the 3 different gatherings I went to, I don't think I saw any O's with the inlaid epaulets (but I may have had my beer goggles on and missed them..) |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Damon, don't worry about any quotes left on the internet... they won't last.
The 2003 was the first USA Ovation with the inlaid epi's and the oval Pre-amp, basically an LX before they called it that.
On an Adamas the Epi's are awesome, especially the "outies" but the inlaid epis are the only way to go for the wood tops. |
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Location: Denver, CO | I think the multi-piece epis are the most beautiful design ever! I like the flush mounted ones on my 6778LX better than the raised ones on some other models.
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Location: Utah | The inlaid are pure 21st Century, and where everything is going to go manufacturing wise. CNC can't be beat for uniformity and precision. Where low cost is a significant part of the marketing plan there is nothing better. We get so many very excellent products at crazy low prices because of such manufacturing.
But there is nothing like old fashioned workmanship. Who doesn't love an old 1930's Lionel train, or a hand build piece of furniture? My wife makes jewelry as a hobby and there is such personality in each piece, in part due to the imperfection (which is not a detraction!).
I personally like the inlaid epi on the modern gloss finish LX more than the on-top epis on the gloss finishes. I have weird tastes though because I also like the swoosh on the Adamas 2080. |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | FlySig - 2013-03-18 9:12 AM
But there is nothing like old fashioned workmanship. Who doesn't love an old 1930's Lionel train, or a hand build piece of furniture? My wife makes jewelry as a hobby and there is such personality in each piece, in part due to the imperfection (which is not a detraction!).
I agree. Somewhat along those lines, here is a description from Dr. Jonathan Conant, an old retired college professor who is a luthier up in dwgpreacher's neck of the woods. This is part of his description of a new parlor he is sending me to sell for him: "I keep looking at it. I really like the slotted peghead (with logo). The binding is nice. I'm glad I did the extra purfling. The heel cap is graceful. The african mahogany has some surface crumpling in the waist -- I don't know what else to call it -- it's not structural and I could have sanded more of it away but I didn't want to weaken the sides so we'll just say it adds character. I do like the wood. I am also glad that I used some green in the borders."
Someone I'm sure will pick up on whatever it is he is describing here. He stressed it's not a structural issue. I think it is going to be something that separates this instrument from a factory assembly line guitar. An imperfection that shows human handiwork went into its construction. I can't wait to get it this week and get a video link of it being played up for the five people who are interested in it for a mere $850.00!
I have yet to hold an O with inlaid epis, but have encountered the ones glued on the top curling away from the surface. I removed them and replaced them with hand painted ones that a few people who have seen it so far agree is an improvement. I hope my next O has inlaid epis as well, if for no other reason than I bet it alleviates the curling on older guitars.
Edited by DaveKell 2013-03-18 10:25 AM
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I just don't like them. This is one of those things where the process to me is more impressive than the outcome, or more simply put they look so good, that they might as well be a decal. When I first say them at NAMM in early 2000's I thought they were decals. Like so many Ovation innovations, at first glance their true value and/or creativity is "under the hood" or hidden in the process.
Unless you're an aficionado .. You can stick a Porche engine in a VW and it's still a VW. Stick a VW engine in a Porche and it's a Porche.. And for those that are not familiar... they are the VW Karmann Ghia and the Porche 914.
The slick looking inlaid epaulets I would expect on the import models. While I get the technology that creates the perfect fitting inlaid epi's I'd rather be impressed with the obvious craftsmanship of the raised epi's.
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Be careful, Miles. You're treading on my turf. (Porsches and VWs).
I'm not a big fan of any epaulets, but I like the inlaid ones. I'm probably just fascinated by the skill that it would take to do the inlays, whether it's done by a human or a computer. As far as I know, rosettes or epaulets are just different means of decorating around the soundhole, so as long as it's not a cheap paper ring it's all good to me. (Except for the 88 Collector. I never liked those.) |
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Location: Fort Worth, TX | mileskb - 2013-03-18 10:34 AM
The slick looking inlaid epaulets I would expect on the import models. While I get the technology that creates the perfect fitting inlaid epi's I'd rather be impressed with the obvious craftsmanship of the raised epi's.
My only complaint with the raised ones is once the guitar ages they tend to curl at the edges. I have zoomed in on a number of them on eBay pics and observed this. Also, so far I have spotted three Elites where a portion has cracked off entirely in the exact same place adjacent to the largest center soundhole on the bass bout, between it and the one below it. I tried reglueing and weighting it down on my Elite but it just wouldn't work. So I took them off and painted them on. In this instance, inlaid ones would have saved me a lot of grief. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Mark in Boise - 2013-03-18 12:36 PM
(Except for the 88 Collector. I never liked those.)
The only one I don't like is the Kaki King intake manifold gasket looking thing. |
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Location: SoCal | darkbarguitar - 2013-03-18 10:34 AM The only one I don't like is the Kaki King intake manifold gasket looking thing. +1 |
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Location: Thredbo, NSW, Australia | darkbarguitar - 2013-03-19 5:34 AM
Mark in Boise - 2013-03-18 12:36 PM
(Except for the 88 Collector. I never liked those.)
The only one I don't like is the Kaki King intake manifold gasket looking thing.
+1
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Location: sitting at my computer | darkbarguitar - 2013-03-17 6:06 PM ...But I think they were really beautiful and a very well done bit of woodworkery Yup, the '03's inlaid epaulets are nice! Along with that multi-piece wood purfling too!!! I like both the single piece and the multi-piece epaulets, but I do prefer them inlaid. Those just have a more crafter's quality to me versus the applique feel of the overlaid ones. But, I'm still keepin' my Adamas, outtie eppies and all!!!  Bob, it was a pleasure meeting you and your family, and great fun getting to play some tunes and swap stories with a fellow OFCer. We gotta do it again! Maybe even try to round up a few more local OFCers too. There seem to be plenty here in FLA. (edited 'cause I can't speel)
Edited by SOBeach 2013-03-18 5:19 PM
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Location: New Bern, NC | I too have seen the decal stick-on things flake off, crack, or get knocked off eventually. For that reason, the inlaid version is superior, in my opinion.
By the way, I'm getting a new O soon. It will be on its way shortly. Pics soon to follow.  |
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Location: Utah | Tease! |
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Inlaid Epaulets- Opinions
