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Location: SoCal | One of the new Elite's, the 1778T, that Al and Miles saw at the NAMM show is on ebay at
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=897565541
It looks to me like it was one block away from the World Trade Centers on 9/11 and got covered in soot. |
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Location: NJ | Paul
in person it looks better...give it a chance... |
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Location: Dallas | Don't know if it's me or what, but I'd give it a chance. Maybe it does look better up and close. But from where I'm sitting, I get a visual of George Jetson, dress'd up like Dash RipRock/IE: El Ves . Sorry fellas, but it is uglier than something I ate at Taco Smell 2 days ago. Y Chihuahua Dios me - Ooh. Needs something , what is it? :eek: |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I agree, it does look a lot better in person, but also keep in mind, it's supposed to be an inexpensive, made in USA, guitar. It's not a "cheap Adamas or Elite". I compare it more to the "idea" of the early Matrix/Medallion guitars, however this is nicer. Sure it's finished in bowl paint, but if you want a real finish, fork over another 1K and buy an Elite. I will try to post some better pictures later also. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | OK, it is plain, some dots on the finger board might liven it up a little without increasing the cost. Looking closely at the pictures, the overall quality appears good, the price is going to be hard to beat if the sound is there. An American made name guitar with ebony bridge and finger board and what we all agree is the best acoustic amplification design, for a "street" price in the $700 range new. The plain appearance might be better than cheap trim over the long run. If it is reviewed with the sort of reactions that you loyal Ovationists have printed here, it may be dead. Some of you might have the pleasure of seeing your opinions quoted in a national magazine as the board is more or less public.
Headline OVATION CLUB MEMBERS DESCRIBE NEW ELITE AS (put your words here)
Let's all try to see one up close in person, play it, and if it is good or bad we can be honest. Maybe the company would listen to honest criticism and make small changes, but if you want the collectors issues for this price, forget it.
Let's be fair, and let those who already don't like Ovation's do the unfair criticism, then we will flame them 400 strong for being stuck on appearance only, and we will judge them by how THEY look.
If it sounds good, has quality work and materials, and plays easy, OK.
Now, back to our usual degenerate pleasures.
Bailey |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | I took a gander at a couple of these new elites on ebay and also saw the picture of Al holding one at the namm show and I must confess, I like the "everything you need, nothing you don't" approach. The beauty of these guitars from what I've seen, (have yet to see one up close) is the simplicity. IMHO, the lack of fretboard markers (dots, diamonds etc) gives it a clean look. As for the bowl paint on the top side, gives kind of an industrial look. I just hope they sound as good as the more traditional O's...
[ August 04, 2002: Message edited by: Rich ] |
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Location: Pennsylvania | Well, folks, I think she's a beaut! And I'll let you all know what it sounds like soon--I just bought it! :) |
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Location: Central Florida | Hmmm... "Ovationists"... I like that word!!!
I don't recall ever hearing that word or seeing it used here on this message board before. Bailey, you may have just coined the official term to be used from this point forward to refer to us all - "Ovationists" - I like it!
As far as the new Elite, since I can only judge it by pictures at this point, I'll just say it doesn't look like my cup of tea, but if it generates renewed interest within the guitar buying public in US made O's again then I'm all for it!
Jeff |
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Location: SoCal | I'm more than happy to wait until I see and play one of the new elites to render a full opinion of it. It's looks just aren't my cup of tea. I'm fully prepared to embrace it as a winner. It just wasn't directed at me. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | From what little I could tell at NAMM... and I really hate to make such an obvious statement as I am about too... It sounds like an Ovation. With all the noise going on, it seemed clear. I noodled on it a little and also listened to Al noodle at it. It doesn't sound like an Adamas or Elite but it is unmistakeably an Ovation, I think if heard in a quiet room, probably has it's own sound, but with all the elements of an Ovation mainly a smooth curve across the whole guitars frequency spectrum. It's got the same pre-amp as used in most of the other guitars, so that's not going to sound much different.
I think it's the perfect gigging guitar for Rock and Country artists, or anyone else who tends to be in more abusive situations. Something simple, and reliable, made in the USA, with a finish that is pretty indestructable. If you are looking for a beautiful piece of lumber-turned-guitar, this is not the instrument you are shopping for... go buy an Elite or Adamas. If you need something affordable and simple, and made in the USA, buy an Elite T.
I really like the simplisity of this guitar. Fret markers would be nice, but that's at least two more steps in the production process that would end up costing money, being a possible point of failure, and cause more chance for an oops... all of which.. driving up the cost. Same for epulets. Again, if you want fret markers, epulates, binding, trim, and you want it made in the USA... BUT AN ELITE. If you want an inexpensive well made fancier guitar, but do not care if it is made in USA, BUY A CELEBRITY. If you want a top fo the line...yadda yadda, BUY AN ADAMAS or at least an Elite.
I guess my point is that now Ovation has something for everyone. Ok well almost everyone, but I don't see a solidbody happening any time soon. |
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Location: SoCal | Interesting comments Miles.
I remember in an interview, 6-7 years ago, that Al conducted with Seedoubleyoukaytwo, where he made the comment that the original Ovation was an everyman's gigging guitar (my phrase, not his), and that it could be taken to very different enviroments and it would always perform well.
I guess that is what this Elite T (what does the T stand for?) is. A USA built utility guitar that's got the Ovation sound. |
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Location: Scotland | T = "Textured" as in textured finish, maybe? I hated the bowl paint finish on the Breadwinners when I first saw it in the 70's and always wanted a Deacon instead, but with 20-odd years of getting used to it I think it's pretty cool now.
Paul |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | My grandson, who is 21 and in the army at Ft. Bragg, bought what I think he calls a gothic copy of a Gibson explorer, all black I think. He might like this Elite. Younger people are not into wood finishes like some of us.
Bailey
[ August 04, 2002: Message edited by: Bailey ] |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | Yeah Bailey, that seems to be a trend in the last couple of years... not only is his 'goth' explorer black, but flat black- like primer. The same thing is happening in motorcycles... various makers releasing some new bikes in what essentially looks unfinished (see Ducati and Yamaha among them). |
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Location: Pennsylvania | Hi. I'm the one who bought the new Elite. I had a Elite Special shallow and this beat it in most areas.
•First off it was mid depth, and I wanted a better acoustic sound than my shallow Elite.
•Also, the wood's better--AA grade rather than A.
•There's an Ebony bridge and fretboard instead of Rosewood.
•The tuners (I think) are better quality (they're the engraved tuners).
(I prefer this look, so that suits me too.)
So the guitar (if you like the looks, which most dont) beats out the Elite Special as far as specs go.
There are some questions unanswered though.
I'm not sure what the nut and saddle are made of.
Plastic or Graphite or what?
Also, there's no mahogany neck. It's still 2 peice, but it's maple. What's the story on that?
[ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: snowlock ] |
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Location: SoCal | I suspect that if you like the looks of the new Elite T, you'll love the guitar. If it's got the classic Elite sound and feel, then the price is definitely going to be right and the guitar will sell.
I just can't get past the looks. Gotta see one in person. Oddly tho', I love the looks of the all black Les Paul Gothic. And this from a poor middle age man. |
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Location: Scotland | Snowlock, most Ovation nuts & acoustic saddles used a synthetic called, I think, Delrin, which does a good job. I've seen lots of older Ovations with the original nuts holding up well. I would guess the Elite-T uses Delrin or similar with a black pigment rather than graphite as you suggested. Non-figured maple lumber is generally cheaper than mahogany so I would guess the maple neck is to keep costs down, there's nothing wrong with using maple necks on acoustics, Gibson, Guild & others did it for years. Plus there's the advantage that maple necks will take a whack on the headstock much better than mahogany, especially the cheaper Asian varieties of mahogany such as Nato & the like
Paul
[ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: Paul Templeman ] |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | moodypi
I might like the gothic too, I'll let you know when I see my grandson's.
I have a question for Al. Was there any indications of any color other than gray in the works, or is that practical? Blue with a bluebird decal, for instance?
Snowlock, This guitar definitely has character, if it plays good it will have beauty in your eyes. Remember, the player isn't looking at it, just hearing and feeling and living with it, and if it plays good music those that hear it will want one.
Bailey
[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Bailey ]
[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Bailey ] |
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Location: NJ | Bailey they had both gray and black displayed. i think that was it for the choices. The gray is more silver gray than battleship gray. For our friends in the UK it will be offered in grey. |
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Location: NJ | So what your saying Al is that in the UK the only colour will be grey?
hmmm...that'll look pretty strange from the back of the theatre. |
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Location: NJ | I like your homour about the colour. I think I will take the lift to my flat for a spot of tea, light up a fag and see what's on the telly. |
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Location: NJ | Quite.
The only problem with too much tea is that eventually I'll be qeueing up to use the lavvie-loo. |
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Location: Scotland | We stopped calling the head the "Lavvie-loo" years ago. Bog, dumper, P*sser or sh*thouse are the preferred euphemisms for the sophisticated non-colonial.
Paul
[ August 06, 2002: Message edited by: Paul Templeman ] |
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Location: SoCal | I for one, prefer the traditional name "crapper", named for Thomas Crapper, who invented the flush toilet. I prefer to be proper whenever I can. Besides, it cracks the kids up!
Seriously, my curiousity level is starting to rise regarding the Elite T. I have gone from saying that it looks rather dusty, to looking forward to playing one.
And unless it goes into production, I guess I'll never see one of the new folklores. Has Ovation given any indication of where they are going to send them? |
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Location: NJ | Paul
the folklores will go to whatever dealer orders them.
as for Brits... Miles told me many people on the message board were pissed so I asked him what they were drinking.... |
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New Elite
