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| TX's, I know, are still offshore items, but are they still built at the same offshore factory(ies)? Is quality of manufacturing as good as before dw's purchase of Ovation? Better?
Insights would be appreciated. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I do not have a definitive answer....
But rumor has it that the DW TX's are better.
Be sure that the serial number begins with K16 and that it has the new Logo.
Many online dealers are offering discounts on NOS Fendrovations.
So, you want a headstock logo like this:
NOT this:
Here is the DW TX from the Ovation website.
Notice the new headstock logo:
Edited by Old Man Arthur 2016-12-11 5:49 PM
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| Great information. Thank you, OM Arthur. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | In just comparing those headstocks I'd say DW is really on the ball. I realize one is gloss and the other not, but look at the line of the edge, the corners, all of it... quality. Thanks for posting this, I had not looked that closely before. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Sorry Miles... But that "new" headstock at the Top is a 50th Anniversary guitar.
That is why I trimmed it.
But I have seen 2016 DW Korean Ovations on evilBay and the logo on Ovation website.
That is the logo that you want.
 (1778TX headstock.JPG)
Attachments
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 1778TX headstock.JPG (21KB - 1 downloads)
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I am waiting for DAMON to chime in.
He has posted photos of DW Celebrity guitars that are much better made...
Even Applause guitars that a new & improved.
I am hoping that he might have seen a DW EliteTX in person.
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I have not looked at TX models specifically but my comments on the DW AX guitars I have personally handled are quite positive. Most striking improvement that I notice is the quality of the fretwork, its vastly improved. Overall fit/finish also much improved. Weather you care for the sound or not is a matter of personal preference but I would no longer dismiss an AX model simply because of where it is made. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I'd like it if they came up with another indicator than the AX or DX so I knew where the line was drawn. |
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Location: NJ | nice guitars |
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Location: Jet City | I have new DW era TX and AX axes here... Applauses too. They're all better than the Fender era at every level. I also have the new Celeb doubleneck here (The one Lita Ford and Rudy Sarzo were playing at NAMM). That one's like night and day compared to the older ones. |
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Location: Jet City | New Applause... 
Edited by Damon67 2016-12-12 9:25 PM
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Location: Jet City | Here's an AX Custom Legend Plus Koa Burst
The fit and finish on these are excellent...
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Location: Jet City | Celebrity Doubleneck. Notice the new logo, raised gold lettering... very nicely done
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Location: Jet City | I didn't realize I didn't have these pics online yet. 1778TX-5 
Edited by Damon67 2016-12-12 9:45 PM
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| I want to thank everyone who posted in response to my question. Your insights were extremely helpful. |
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Location: Denmark | Damon67. You really know how to make your photo models look stunning. Do you practice portrait photography as well? :-) |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Damon's pictures of me aren't good at all. It must be the photographer is only good at guitars. |
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Location: Utah | Damon67 - 2016-12-12 8:31 PM
Did they paint the edge of the nut? |
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Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | I had the chance to play this one last weekend
https://www.thomann.de/de/ovation_2078axp_opk_elite_plus_ltd.htm?ref...
and I was blown away when I saw it!! Soundwise, ok there are better ones but what a looker!! They say, it is a limited run, but I can't found a number.
Finish and playability are very good.
Bernie |
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Location: New Hartford CT | The imports look to be vastly improved...Sweetwater has several in their catalog. I think it reflects well on the new ownership and can't hurt US sales at all. The idea is to make a quality offshore product at a price point where those starting out can afford one and then have them move up to a USA model. And keep the name out there and alive.
Gorgeous pics as usual Damon. Even the Applesauce is kind of interesting in that it has a differentiated look from the rest of the line. Have to wonder how it sounds...? |
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Location: Jet City | FlySig - 2016-12-14 8:22 AM Damon67 - 2016-12-12 8:31 PM Did they paint the edge of the nut? I believe they filed the edges for a smooth transition between the fingerboard and headstock. Like I said, they really paid attention to the finishing work. |
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Location: Utah | I am almost a bit disappointed that the quality is so good because I'd like to see more USA manufacturing. Weird? I'd rather see only the lowest entry level stuff made overseas if anything has to be made there, and then the rest made in USA. Perhaps DW will transition more manufacturing back to New Hartford, or ramp up Adamas production. |
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Location: undisclosed | Mark in Boise - 2016-12-13 3:12 PM
Damon's pictures of me aren't good at all. It must be the photographer is only good at guitars.
That's not true, it's just with the guitars there is sooooo much more to work with.  |
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| Wanted to post back that, based on the insights and the advice I received in response to my original question, I purchased an Elite TX in Satin White, and I am extremely happy with the purchase.
I have had a rollercoaster relationship with T's: The first T (not TX) in black that I purchased was great, but like a fool, I sold it, and after a year or so away from it, my desire for another T returned; and so, I replaced it--but with a TX that didn't have any of the charms--or the resonance of the non-TX Elite T. I kept it for awhile, but eventually/inevitably I sold the TX.
And that was it for awhile.
But the craving returned, and I wanted to give the Ovation T's another chance, to see if I could get that sound/feeling back that I had had with the original T I had owned.
This TX seems extremely close to my original T--maybe as good or better (I haven't tried plugging it in yet--and what's even better, it's white and not black. (I've turned against black guitars, in general, and the white allows me to experience the vibe of playing a poor man's (person's) "The Neck Is the Bridge to the Body" Kaki King.
Something that seems to have changed with the Elite TX is the neck profile. The necks on the other T and TX I once owned had seemed to have a medium V shape (something I didn't like), and the neck on this guitar seems to be somewhere between a C and a D.
Anyway, extremely happy, and I wanted--again--to thank all of you. |
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TX Quality Under dw: Better? Same?
