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Location: LewistownPA | Just wondering if anybody knows yet which other models will become available with the contour bowl and when that might happen? |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Yes, but they work at the Factory and don't talk much. Perhaps we can hold thier feet to the fire in May and get some answers.
And if we don't get answers, we could still toast marshmallows and make s'mores. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Just a guess, but maybe something will be announced at Summer NAMM. That's when the announced them last year for the CE and CL.
I'm guessing the plan is to replace the old bowls starting from the top of the line downwards, so if that's the case I would imagine Legend, Elite, Artist and Folklore would be next. But I really have no idea.
I tend to be pretty polarized in my opinions (someone told me that once as a compliment). If it was up to me I would discontinue all the roundback bowls immediately and produce nothing but contours. The damn things are THAT good. I know that's hard for a lot of people to digest since the company was founded on the whole roundback thing. It would be like Mercedes giving up the 3-point star. But at some point you need to move on and go with what really works, history be damned.
Some people don't like the contours, that's fine. You'll never please everybody. I just hope to hell that they don't go on offering models in contour AND regular bowl. It'll just lead to yet another consumer confusion and drive away customers. Little Johnny goes into Guitar Center and he can buy a Legend, a Celebrity that looks just like a Legend for 1/3 the price, and another Legend that has a funny back. Oh, and there's this thin one over there that doesn't sound so nice, but sure is comfortable. In total confusion and frustration Johnny whirls around 180 degrees to the other wall and picks out something else. Another lost customer for Ovation.
Dave |
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Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Expanding on Dave's thought, maybe all USA models should have the contour bowl and all foreign built models should have the traditional bowl. And Ovation should push the difference like crazy. That way, there could be no mistaking which models were built where.
Of course, they're not listening to me anyway..... |
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Location: south east Michigan | And that's why Johnny can't play.
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Dave's right (again??). Ovation don't need more blurring of the different models.
Shallow bowl.... select Celebs only.
Mid bowl........ Replace all of them with the contour.
Deep Bowl....... Bring them back to the for-front on a few higher end models. |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | not yet having been able to play a contour bowl...
it would have to be DAMN GOOD. I find the roundback very comfortable to play. Much more so than wood box. But then I have never suffered from the slip syndrom others seem to. |
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Location: ms | I think Moody`s right.They at least should get a lot more agressive with their marketing.I`ll give you an example they could have a rising star(myself,in my hometown anyway)Holding a Ovation found floating in the gulf after Hurricane Katrina!!!!! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | As long as there are a couple hundred discontinued models out there so I can torment my wife by telling her I intend to have one of each, like Dave. I still have not seen, much less played, a contour bowl, so I can't judge. |
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Posts: 181
Location: Queens, NY | I don't think dropping all traditional bowls on USA models is a good idea. Not everyone may like the deep contour bowl. It least now you still have a choice, and having choices doesn't necessarily lead to customer confusion. It just depends on what you like. Or if you can't decide, buy one of each!
Besides, not too many little Johnnies I know could afford a Legend anyway, or maybe I just live in the wrong neighborhood. |
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Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I think they HAVE to keep the mid-bowl. I own a 2005 Collectors, and, although I really like it, I'm far from convinced that it should replace the roundback mid-bowl. Each has its strengths. The problem is that, given how few U.S. Ovations dealers carry anyway, it will dilute what is carried even further.
To those of you who have never played a deep contour bowl O....it IS damn good. Especially with new strings.
Roger |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | According to the price list Tony posted, the LEGEND and ELITE are now available as CONTOUR bowls. Dave |
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Location: south east Michigan | "deep" contour bowl?? There is just one style contour bowl, right?? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Yup, all contours so far are deep. I would guess the M.P.'s came up with "deep" contour to satisfy those crying for more deep bowl models. Dave |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I think a contour bowl on the classical would make a lot of sense. Most classcial players play seated and this bowl puts the guitar in a more proper position. The soundboard should be facing the audience, not the stage lights. Dave |
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Posts: 76
Location: LewistownPA | Originally posted by Standingovation:
According to the price list Tony posted, the LEGEND and ELITE are now available as CONTOUR bowls. Dave Allrighty then...I was hoping that would be the case. Now the next question,are they actually in production yet...
Well they must be...Elderly Instruments has the legend listed with a nice gallery of pictures.. |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | I bet the Legend Contour is REALLY nice. Will probably sell well. Dave
PS - GO BUY ONE !!! |
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November 2003
Posts: 76
Location: LewistownPA | Originally posted by Standingovation:
I bet the Legend Contour is REALLY nice. Will probably sell well. Dave
PS - GO BUY ONE !!! I just might do that...depends on how big of a price difference between that and the custom legend. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Hopefully some countour bowls will finally find their way into Orlando's dismal selection of music stores. I eventually hope to actually play one. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Likewise. I've never seen one, let alone played one. I asked the local GC when they would get one and they said they'd never heard of them. Then I pointed out one in a display they had on the wall. |
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Posts: 22
| ...an Ovation guitar should have a round back, but not a contour bowl !! I bought my Ovations because of the round back, I would never buy a contour bowl !!! It is only a concession to guitar players with a round stomach to make playing guitar easier for them!!! I still remember the words "Ovation - because the world is round !!" - that was printed on all german newspaper advertisements and in every brochure I got from Ovation. They never said: "Ovation - because the world is contoured !!" - or have you ever heard this?? Maybe I am a little bit conservative, but I still love the round back and when I want to play an Ovation guitar I want to have this "round back-feeling". I tested the new round back style at the Frankfurt music fair and I missed that special feeling. Other players I met there told me about there Ovations and they said: "These old Ovations had style, but the new ones are built for everybody!" So I hope that Ovation will let us the choice to buy a round back or contoured back.
Best regards helmut-pl (from Germany)
Ovation 1768-7 Ltd.
Takamine EF508C Nils Lofgren-Signature
Ibanez AC 900
Ken Rose Resonator-Guitar |
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Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | As I've said on here before, to quote the words of that great philospher J.T. Kirk,
"Young minds, fresh ideas..... be tolerant Mr. Scott"
Ovations have fiberglass bowls that have, over the years, come in different sizes. Why not different shapes? Remember from the History of Ovatin, the first attempt at a fiberglass back was still in the body shape of a Martin D size guitar.
While I don't yet own a contour bowl, I think it is in keeping with Ovation's philosophy towards guitars. I expect that I will own one eventually. |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | It's odd that there are not more contour bowls out on display. I know the supply/ demand/ inventory pipeline can back up but come on....a year an a half??? |
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Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | My 2 shillings as the custodian of a contour bowl, a deep fiberglass bowl, a mid GS Bowl and having played some of the more odd shaped non-standard instruments.
The Elite LX 12 string I have has the contour bowl and is as heavy a guitar as you'll find in the new line up. I don't hold it the same as I do the Elite LX 6 or the 1112. I find myself squeezing the upper bout with my right arm and tilting it up a bit with the neck at a 45 degree tilt.
The 1112 is a finger picker and is the lightest guitar of the full sized. For the 1778LX I pound a little harder and stroke a little longer.
I rarely sit and play, almost always I am standing with a strap.
Each of my guitars have a different purpose/sound and I hold them differently. I can't say one is better or best.
As far as distribution goes - When I bought an early issue LX it was a year before they were common in most Music Stores.
Let's move on! |
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Posts: 972
Location: PDX | Interesting discussion. From the traditionalists who are a bit put off, to the revolutionists who would scrap the old product line.
I can see both sides. I'm curious however, why was ths done? Was it done to improve playability or sound quality. Seems to me a change in body design would effect both, no?
Just curious.
_____
gh1 |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by helmut-pl:
"These old Ovations had style, but the new ones are built for everybody!" God forbid they should be better, still have style and be attractive to more people. They might actually sell more. Can't have that.
I've played a Contour Bowl (2005ES) and liked it. If I were to buy one I'm sure, like Woody, I would hold it differently than my roundbacks. But I still like them.
I like the looks of the 2002-2004 CRV's better than my 2005. But, guess what? The 2005 is a much safer, more comfortable and just plain nicer vehicle to drive. If I was gonna leave it parked in the driveway... well, you get the point.
My only fear with the CB's is that they'll find thier way into the Celery or Applesauce lines. The last thing Ovation needs is more product resemblance between the USA and asian models.
Just my 2¢. |
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Next Contour Bowls?
