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Location: Phoenix AZ | Do we think/guess/know if Ovation is gradually replacing the entire line with the "LX" type? I mean, it would seem like a natural progression and more cost effective manufacturing to only have to tool the factory for one style. Phase out the K-bar stuff (or maybe religate it to offshore plants only) and go all LX ??? What about Adamas. How does (or will) LX get into the Adamas line? Dave |
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Location: NJ | they hinted at the possiblity of changing over the line to lx only. but time will tell.
as for the adamas they just said there are big plans |
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Location: SoCal | I'd bet almost anything that once the K bar inventory is gone, it won't be back. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | That just baits the old question of "Do I buy it now, or wait until more options come out?".
Plus - wonderful acoustic sounds and dazzling options ahead!
Plus - more options to debate, conjecture and drool over!
Minus - El lacko denero, mucho! |
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Location: Converse, Texas | The Op Pros on the LXs I don't think have the "notch" knobs that I have grown to love.
I really hope they don't do away with the other necks. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | There was a question (actually a couple) about the lack of the "notch" filter on the Op Pro and the answer was something like "we are still making improvements." With that said, the EQ on the OP PRO is totally different than in the past and has two "voices", so I for one would be curious to hear from a player to find out if the need for the notch is still an issue. |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I would think that they would discontinue the non-LX models since there about a $100.00 price difference. I'm wondering if the non LX models might start being deeply discounted as more LX's become available. There could be some really good deals out there eventually. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Miles,
I'm not a pro, but I have an opinion (what else is new)! The pre-Q button is all I use when plugged in. You can still adjust the 3 part equalizer with the pre-Q as well. It's a good setting.
It sounds acoustic to me. Any other adjustments, like feedback, are done by the person at the soundboard.
The cool part is when they come up with an upgraded EQ it will most likely be a pop-out, pop-in upgrade |
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Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | To me one of the best things about the OP-PRO preamp is the great big volume knob. I just love that.. |
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Location: Fort Worth, Texas | I asked about mandolins and the "LX technology", I think it was basically the mando, bass, longneck, etc. are still what they are and the LX technology will eventually be on all those custom type instruments as well. |
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Location: New York, NY | My understanding (and correct me if I'm wrong on this) is that the LX features will eventually filter down and be found on all or most of the current USA models in the next couple of years.
One criticism of Ovation was that the lower end USA models look too much like the Korean models, and the LX enhancements was supposed to address that.
My guess is the Korean Ovations will pretty much stay the same (i.e. they'll keep the Kaman bar and glued on epauletes), while the LX models will eventually become the current Ovation USA line. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Interesting Tony. I'm thinking the opposite will be true since Kaman is all about standardizing production methods. I think the Korean units will use all of the fundemental building blocks including inlaid epaulets and lighter bracing.
Their installation methods will still lack what the Connecticut Yankee's put in - but the instrument will still be solid. |
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Location: Converse, Texas | There was a lot of discussion about visually distinguishing the Korean models from the USA ones. I believe Tony PD was correct. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Yet another reason I shoulda been there!
Hizzoner,
Your Honorship Sir, is there any way you can put a subpeona or something from the gloroius City of Converse, in the humungous State of Texas, that says I gotta be there to carry your guitar case next year?
Heck, put them letters in the OFC Store and we'll all go for free!! :D :D |
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Location: Converse, Texas | MWoody: I gotta tell ya -- I love the pic of your Elite LX! I must admit I'm not on the "love the Legend LX" bandwagon. That being said, I'd like to play the other models.
About the subpoenas ... if they move the plant to my neck o' the woods ... where it's cheaper to live and Kaman would pay much lower taxes ... I could make that happen! :D |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | There was never any question in my mind that if the LX went over well that all the U.S. guitars would be LX, it was just a matter of when.
There may be deals on the non-LXs, but I am not sure how many of them are still around...my local GC has only a S771 and that is IT. Those of you that went on the tour could maybe give us some recon on whether you saw ANY non-LX 6-string guitars being built at the factory.
My bet would be few, if any. If they are straining to meet the demand for the LXs, why build non-LXs that you have to sell for less, and maybe blow out to get rid of them?
My outlook is as I stated in another string....if you want a guitar NOW and find a guitar you like the sound of, GET IT. If you are not in a hurry and want to wait, do so. I bought what appears to be one of the last non-LX Legends and I am not unhappy at having done so, it sounds very nice.
I will probably be buying another new Ovation later this year, and I may well wait for the deep-bowl Legend LX on that one.
Roger
1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
1978 Ovation 1617-4 Legend 6-string
1981 Ovation 1118-1 Glen Campbell 12-string
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Ovation 1777-NAT Legend 6-string |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Just a remark on mandolin technology, the most popular (not necessarily the best) Gibson style mandolins have necks that have the part that goes over the soundboard raised considerably above the sound board in the style of fiddles. The new LX neck appears to be very amenable to this type of design and could lead to a much better mandolin than the present ones where the fretboard is impinging on the top. Mandolins are small and any impingement on the top is a dampening of the mandolin sound that most people like. The present Ovation mandolin is a small guitar, a design change would probably be very attractive to some players. But, what do I know, I've only played them for 30 years or so and can buy a cheap mandolin that sounds great vs. a Celebrity that sounds crappy for 3 times the price. The new LX neck might be the answer.
I welcome any and all flames, violent disagreements, and shouts of traitor and SOB, but at least we will be discussing mandolins.
Bailey |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | OK, let's drop the "LX" from our vocab. for just a moment. A few yrs ago I showed up at the O factory and Kim took my wife and I for a tour of the place. He was very excited about the one CNC they had just purchased (for $1 million)which carved 4 necks in 10 minutes. As I recall, this was the only CNC in the place at that time. As I took the OFC tour last week I saw CNC's everywhere! The point is...guitar makers have the ability to do things that were not possible in the past. They can do it faster and with far greater accuracy,and altogether differently than they could before. All Ovation had to do was spend millions and millions of dollars on new equipment. What we're seeing here is a paradigm shift, and there won't be any room for the old paridigm in Ovation's future. |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | bauerhillboy, I think you are 100% correct. I just hope there is room in the new paradigm for deep-bowl.
Bailey, I've never tried an Ovation or Applause mando, but I have an Epiphone A-type, and I know what you mean. Cheap and cheerful and I like the sound. Maybe one of these years, I can justify a nice F-type after I learn to play decently......
Roger
1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
1978 Ovation 1617-4 Legend 6-string
1981 Ovation 1118-1 Glen Campbell 12-string
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Ovation 1777-NAT Legend 6-string |
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Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | While at the tour, I'd say that the writing was on the wall, about LX replacing all the other models. The enhancements address improvements in sound, weight, electronics, although some may have preference for the earlier OP Systems. There is no going back. All models will receive the LX enhancements, ust shades of differences in design and neck feel.
Tommy M. |
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Location: Converse, Texas | TOmmy: I'd have to agree with you about everything migrating to the LX design... especially with all the back orders they have -- and Frank having to hire 5 more people. |
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Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | I really have to confess though. I got my LX legend in Feb. The one I played in the lobby before the tour. I really had no clue what LX meant at the time. I was attracted to it because of the mid-depth bowl, and electronics. The LX enhancements, now re-enforce what a great guitar it is. The folks at the Mothership, explained it well during our tour.
Tommy |
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Location: Converse, Texas | Tommy: I played your Legend LX -- and I liked it. And the color was SAWEET! But I like the neck of the non-LX Legends. That being said, I liked the neck of the Cherry CHerryburst Custom Legend that was in the back room. That had the ANS-type neck as well. I absolutely LOVE the "V" neck of my Collectors 2000. I guess that's what makes us all love the different looks and feel of the Ovations! ;) |
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Location: Converse, Texas | ANd that CCB CL had the ANS neck and the current bowl, not the new bowl. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | Got my 1778LX from Al in Feb, as you say, on a leap of faith. Saw the inlays of the 2003 Collector, knew I had to have an OP 30/40/50/whatever and trusted the media info coming out. It is just soooo cool :cool:
Yes, we will be discussing what set up is best (for us) for a long time to come. Fact is - this is a great time to live in and it's going to get better!
I hit the archives today - mostly over "Longneck" and "12 string".
Would love to play a Longneck LX :eek:
I'm quivering already. :D |
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Future of LX vs. Non-LX Models
