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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | Very valid points. I got to take the Taylor factory tour last year, and was so impressed that I had to fight the urge to run out and buy a Taylor. On the other hand, where a good Taylor will run you 2 to 3 thousand, you can get the #47 reissue for $4,000, and that's about the most expensive guitar you are likely to see new from Ovation at all. And, as much as I like the T5 Koa and the 914ce, I'd rather put my money on an Adamas that is far less likely to get scratched and dinged, and blows the other two out of the water.
Now to be able to do both...that's why we live in America, right! :D |
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August 2005
Posts: 22
Location: Ky | One reason I sold my Taylor, was that I now live in Ky., where climatic changes are far more extreme than Ca. I found, with the Taylor, I really had to be mindful of humidity levels, or the action would go all over the place. It would either start buzzing, or get too high. I was constantly having to mess with the truss rod, which always scares me. With the Ovations, I can virtually ignore them -they seem impervious to anything -nothing ever changes.
I know there's still a finish to worry about, and no guitar should be ignored -but the Taylor just seemed unbelievably sensitive to everything. I like not having to worry about a guitar.
Speaking of guys who own both -check out the 2002 David Gilmour concert DVD. On most of the acoustic stuff he uses a Taylor, and gets unbelievable sound out of it. But he also uses a Custom Legend on several songs, including "Comfortably Numb". I think he has it set up with that special "high strung" tuning he uses, which would probably put too much strain on the neck of a Taylor. This is truly a dude that doesn't have to worry about what he can afford. |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | There is no disputing that Taylors are indeed nicely crafted guitars. I must also admit that the playability of Taylor guitars are quite impressive. On the other hand, it's a matter of personal preference and as much as I admire Taylor guitars, they're simply not for me - whether I could afford it or not.
With Ovations, I don't have to worry much about sensitivity issues with regards to changes in humidity and temperature. Heck, I'm having those problems with my Martins right now, especially with the HD-28. Playing an Ovation amplified, I can just plug it in any amp that's available, and immediately have fun with it. That saves me the time and effort to make necessary adjustments.
As an OFCer, I happen to love both Ovation and Martin guitars. With regards to membership with on-line clubs and forums, I prefer the OFC. Peeps can go ahead and criticize our guitars -- tupperware, salad bowl, flower pot, plastic, bicycle seat if turned backwards (I heard them many times before) -- but the camaraderie and musicianship that I share with the members in this virtual musical community is one that is genuine, sincere and quite humorous. At one time, I acquired a Chinese-made Applause that was instrumental in my desire to improve my playing ability, and no OFCer ever criticized it as being of lower quality than the U.S. made cousins.
I used to be a member of the UMGF, but just like Taylor enthusiasts, most Martin owners tend to think that their guitars are far more superior than the others out there. They too belittle anything that's not a Martin ... heck it even came to the point that Martin guitars lower than the 16 series (including the 15 and Road series) are considered to be "substandard" over their 18, 28 (and up) series brothers. As far as the Little Martins and X series are concerned, some even had the nerve not to consider them as Martins because they're made south of the border in Mexico. To make matters more insulting, there were threads where the content of the people's characters were also attacked, in addition to the criticism of the guitars that they own(ed). I say, that's too bad because there are many nice people over there, and all it takes is a few a**holes to ruin it. I left the UMGF for good, and I don't intend of ever going back. Just like my Ovation, I love my Martin guitars, but the UMGF I can live without. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 176
Location: Denver Colorado | Hey all...
I'm coming into this one kinda late - and I apologize for that.
A few dozen posts back, someone made mention that these used guitars can be bought inexpensively.
In my mind (and I may be alone in my mind! LOL)... I think some of basis for the guitars selling easily (at somewhat low prices, overall) is because of the internet - and the fact that anybody that is anybody is on the internet now.
It's simply made it soooo easy to buy and sell. This just wasn't the case even 5 years ago. While eBay existed even back then, it wasn't something that most people had tinkered with until more recently.
10 years ago, there were a few of us on CompuServe forums. But that didn't make it easy to buy and sell like it is now. If you wanted a guitar, you pretty much had what was listed in your local Sunday paper or you went to buy a new one.
Now, we can scour Craigslist, eBay, and a multitude of online forums to find niche stuff like guitars.
So then... I wonder... if more people now are able to move used guitars around easily instead of buying new - maybe the new guitar sales numbers take a little hit more than they did 10 years ago.
Just a thought. (and I haven't had enough coffee yet this morning to be responsible for this. :) )
Just my perpective. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | My wife can blame the internet and the OFC for my purchase of about 10 Ovations in the last year and 2 amps etc. It's wonderful. |
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April 2006
Posts: 176
Location: Denver Colorado | No doubt, Mark!
Since I wrote that post, another store wrote me back that is willing to sell that black 1778LX for $200 less than the store here so far offered.
I really hate being a snot when buying something like this - because I do want to see stores do OK (over GCs)... but.... $200 is a bite.
So.. there's a case in point - internet makes the prices drop too... competition leans out those profit margins.
Sally
Ovation again shortly ....
AWOL Martin Backpacker (LOL) |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 575
Location: Denmark | Ovations are not very popular where I live. I think I am one of few fans left. They are not sold in normal music stores anymore. Only though a web based discount shop - which I dont trust. Technical support is non-existing. It almost seems like a boycot.
I hope that this will make prices on the second hand market collapse since I have no intention of selling but a strong urge to buy. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | No it wasn't. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | I'm wondering: Why have the Ovation market guys not kept Al Di Meola as a "Senior Statesman" endorser? He keeps getting better as a composer and bandleader (long ago got past the speed demon trip). His signature model is top-of-the-line Legend, recently upgraded. Al shows up at NAMM regularly playing his O's. What gives? The guy surely commands more respect than the skanky Motley Crue bassist loser! |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | click. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I'm not on the Martin or Taylor boards very often but it seems like they never have the long threads about marketing like we have here. This could be because of our ever growing passion for our hobby or it might be evidence of an unhealthy obsession and the inability to mind our own business.
Or...maybe it's something in between. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Slipkid:
I'm not on the Martin or Taylor boards very often but it seems like they never have the long threads about marketing like we have here. Martin and Taylor marketing are very, very good. This is evidenced by the following examples:
1. What my eyes see in the music stores
2. What I see in magazines (the Martin ad campaign with quotes from famous lyrics written playing Martins is just brillient, I bought a framed one of the 0018 "Roundabout" ad)
3. Top flight Artist endorsements up the arse.
4. What I see on the Martin board. They don't waste bandwidth talking about someting like marketing that actually works well
4. What I see here at OFC, where we go on complaining about marketing, which for the most part is just a giant case of penis envy if you ask me.
Dave |
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Joined:
April 2005
Posts: 331
Location: San Angelo, Texas | Needless to say we are all big fans of Ovation guitars...and most of us have been around the block enough to have played other guitars and know what we like, and DON'T like, about a guitar. I had a Taylor deal on time, very nice deal, they come to you, they GIVE you the guitar and the shirt and pay you to say something nice. If you are important enough they give you two or three of them. I've seen Martin do the same thing...Ovation doesn't do things that way. Anf Breedlove is doing that NOW in the Christian Music circle. They called me yesterday, said they understand that I am going to start recording again, on my own this time, and wondered if I would like one of their guitars to use in exchange for promoting them...
Not at Ovation...at Ovation, if you like it, you play it, we'll pay you for your time, but not unless you really like the product and believe in it. That's my take on things :)
Needless to say, My 1777LX and my 1866 will be the featured guitars on anything I record :) |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | For 10 years the American public was convinced they needed SUVs and that they were safer. Good marketing can fool most anyone. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | We don't need SUV's?
I thought they were safer... |
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April 2005
Posts: 331
Location: San Angelo, Texas | Sure we need SUV's...how else do we haul all the Ovations around???? |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4832
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Mine fit fine
in the back of my truck, as I
Croon a tune
About my good luck, we
pray and play
some abomination, we're
part and heart
of THE OVATION NATION!
:o
Grandmaster fill
:o :o :o
and The Fat Bastards |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 1132
Location: Parrish, FL | ....part and heart of the OVATION NATION...
Boom chucka boom chucka boom chucka boom! |
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Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | At the risk of sounding like a young upstart...
BOOM CHUNK??? REALLY???
Don't get me wrong, I grew up on country, but if we're going to have a theme song, we might want to consider something a bit more contemporary. :eek: |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Ok how about
Oooog a Chuga! Aoogachewga!
Do the ovation with me! |
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Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | This could get REALLY bizarre REALLY fast!
Something to the tune of "Louie, Louie" comes to mind... |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4832
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | I Play
A git
It's round in back
And out
the front
It's wailin' fat
Most nights
I play
To stars above
No one hears
About my love
Ova-she-on
Wo oo Oh
Me gotta strum
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Ova-she-on
Wo oo Oh
Me gotta strum
Watch me, watch me now!>....... |
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Just how popular are Ovations anyway?
