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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Spent some leisurely time at Huber yesterday.
First... they have a Fender acoustic... wood box body with at stratocaster headstock. Man... does that look awful.
It was made in China... for now. On the Guild tour we saw them tooling up to make them in New Hartford. They can't make a bunch of Ovations there anymore but they can make ..... this.
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Second... Huber loves Taylor and Taylor loves Huber. Paul stocks a good number of what has to be the high end of the line. They look fantastic. Great looking spruce and koa tops, various bindings (including maple), unique, intracate rossettes, and nice abalone work.
That said.... I'll never, ever buy one. Sale prices were between $3500 and $4500.
It's like looking at a picture of Miss November. Nice to admire but that's as far as it's ever gonna get.
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Then there was one Ovation that caught my eye and ear. EliteT style top and neck. Stark black, maple neck... D scale.
It doesn't feel like you're playing a long neck. The fret spacings at the first positions don't look like South Dakota. Very playable. The bridge is moved deeper down the body like a UTE.
Unlike other longnecks I have played there were "normal" gauge strings on it. Yet it didn't sound all sloppy & floppy.
To bad it only has a mid-bowl. I'm sure the contour would have been an improvment.
The thing is, do I want to buy and lug around another guitar just to use on a small handfull of songs?? My Man-Brain went though the standard mental gymnastics to justify it by telling me I could now do those couple great songs that have been out of reach of an open tuning or a capo.
It's a nice enough guitar, but I don't see it in my living room any time soon. |
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Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | But you could play those handful of songs, then just capo up for the regular songs you play....and still just lug around one guitar. (I capo up on 95% of all the songs I play anyway, so it wouldn't bother me in the least) |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | That's what I have been doing for the last couple months at open mics. I only take the longneck and start out with a couple tunes (to warm up singing) then gradually capo up for the remainder of songs.
Works great for me.....YMMV.
Definitely would not get excited about one of the mid-bowl longnecks though.....it needs a deep bowl or contour bowl to really make the room rumble. |
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September 2011
Posts: 260
Location: Spain | Haha I'm laid up in bed after some hospital time and just read this. I have just realised the point of longnecks!!! Thanks! :-)) sounds like a really good idea to me!!!
Carry on... |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado | Over thanksgiving I was window shopping at Sam Ash's in NYC. In the old store (which used to be Manny's I think) there were just a few low end Ovations...except for an NFS wall with every anniversary model - plus a few high end other Ovations and Adamaii...look up right when you walk in....there is a lot of history on that wall....Beal...do you know any of the story of that wall? |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | yes |
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Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado | Can you or will you share it....? If so please explain...because no one in the store could or would tell me anything...btw happy belated birthday |
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September 2011
Posts: 108
Location: eastern united states | hmm... those taylors are nice, i have 1 1/2. K10ce koa top and an 855ce that ripped its bridge off after only two weeks(never even got to tune it). i still play my ovation T's mostly. much more comfortable. don't really care for the overly bright sound of em either. most of the stuff i play has a strong hint of baritone to it so the taylor's out for that stuff. my only source for xmas shopping is ebay and online stores. hopefully taylor will refund me soon and i'll be on the hunt for an adamas. that's my xmas window/screen shopping. apparently i'm supposed to concentrate my time and money on things for the Blonde for xmas... dunno why thats more important...hmmmpphh ! |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Sammy liked Ovations. Somehow he got started on collecting them and he had #4, so every year we'd (I) would give him #4.
Not sure what they have done since 1998. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7236
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | @Beal - I think the defining moment that I indeed had the answer to "how many is too many" is when you introduced me to Sam and I found out I had at least three times as many Ovations in my collection as he had in his.
If I recall (for those watching) I walked up to Beal at the Ovation Anniversary party in LA while he was talking with Sam whom I had not met yet. Beal said to Sam "You really need to talk to this guy, he has like 300 in his collection" and introduced us. I didn't want to be rude, nor brag, so I just smiled. Sam and I started chatting and as I was curious how many he had and didn't want to brag either I said something like "Well 300 is a bit exaggerated now although I had that many at one time, it's not that many anymore, I think I'm down to a little over 100" to which Sam said something like.. "I have about 30 I think" It was at that very moment I realized that it is possible to own TOO MANY guitars and I had exceeded that number for many years.
I don't know the exact number that puts one into the "too many" category. Maybe it's when you've bid on a really cool guitar you think you've never seen before and when it arrives you find that you have another one. Or worse, you buy a guitar at a guitar show that you MUST HAVE and find it's one that you SOLD on ebay in the last year cause you had two others. Maybe it's when you move and you have one truck for your household goods and a recording studio and another for the guitars.
Whatever the limit is for you, I assure you, there is one.
For the OP... one of the reasons Taylors are so popular IS the look. Lets face it, if you are playing clubs and stages e.g. amplified, the audience is likely not hearing a true representation of the acoustic tone of any guitar on stage, so it might as well look nice.
For many artists I see, they are actually singers using the guitar just for their own purpose of holding something, and maybe feeling it as they play. They aren't even mic'd up. So again, it might as well look cool if nothing else, and you can't deny that Taylor has some amazing looking woods on their guitars.
Now I think Ovations look cool, but.. if an artist owns an Ovation, it's likely because they ARE interested in how it sounds and hence not interested in a Taylor. |
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Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
[QB] For the OP... one of the reasons Taylors are so popular IS the look. Lets face it, if you are playing clubs and stages e.g. amplified, the audience is likely not hearing a true representation of the acoustic tone of any guitar on stage, so it might as well look nice./QB] Ovation has some of the most beautiful LOOKING guitars out there...much prettier than Taylors. They've got koa's, quilted maples, bearclaws, sparkles, etc.... There must be a better reason.
(accidentally edited as I was logged in as admin, returned to what was originally posted) |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7236
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by dark bar:
Originally posted by Mr. Ovation:
[QB] For the OP... one of the reasons Taylors are so popular IS the look. Lets face it, if you are playing clubs and stages e.g. amplified, the audience is likely not hearing a true representation of the acoustic tone of any guitar on stage, so it might as well look nice./QB] Ovation has some of the most beautiful LOOKING guitars out there...much prettier than Taylors. They've got koa's, quilted maples, bearclaws, sparkles, etc.... There must be a better reason.
(accidentally edited as I was logged in as admin, returned to what was originally posted)
Agreed to a point, but it's limited to the top. When you go to a convention like NAMM or a guitar show where there are a wall of Taylors, the first thing the seeker does is look at the BACK of a Taylor.
I think of it this way... If you are shopping for sound, you look at an Ovation and they also have some exquisite tops. If you are looking for amazing woods... you're not looking at an Ovation. Broad stroke assessment, but I see it a LOT. I'm justs report'n whats I'ama seen.
IJRWIS |
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July 2005
Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado | Thanks Beal...they are very prominent in the store...however...they are more like a museum display...didn't know the item about the serial number... |
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July 2005
Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado | Any story to the very nice dark leather jacket up on the wall with the guitars? |
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Ok, but you mentioned "the audience", as in the audience preferring the look of a Taylor......The audience doesn't see the BACK of the guitar, only the face. In witch case, it may as well be a better looking (from the front) Ovation. |
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September 2011
Posts: 108
Location: eastern united states | i'd still take my O onstage if its for pure asthetics. damn sexier than a taylor... i should know. the Blonde doesnt really notice when i play the taylor, but "smile" by sixx a.m. on the hot rod rft and i'm gonna be " late for work" i'd probably trade my taylor for an adamas or two, probably will someday. flatbacks may be easier to stand and play for long periods( i'll never know) but i'll grab my o first always. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7236
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by dark bar:
Ok, but you mentioned "the audience", as in the audience preferring the look of a Taylor......The audience doesn't see the BACK of the guitar, only the face. In witch case, it may as well be a better looking (from the front) Ovation. Ummm actually I mentioned "if you are playing clubs and stages e.g. amplified, the audience is likely not hearing a true representation of the acoustic tone of any guitar on stage, so it might as well look nice." and I further mentioned that "if you are looking for amazing woods" (as in wood guitar) you probably aren't looking at Ovation anyway. I mean this as "AND" not "and/or" or "or".
More simply put... Ovation makes some of the most beautiful guitars out there, but I don't think people who buy Ovation do so for the looks. They do it for the sound. Most guitarists (all levels all ages) are buying for the looks first. This has been my experience anyway.
Go to a guitar show or convention and even big box store and all you hear is "Hey, check out the finish on this" "Check out the inlay on the back of this". So rarely do you hear people raving about the tone, even after they try one.
Here's a fun experiment. Go into a store with a good Acoustic collection and ask for them to recommend a guitar with a full sound that has a balanced tone all up and down the neck. Watch as they fidget cause they don't know what you are talking about and likely just go for the most expensive guitar they have. Sometimes they will go to Ovation, but rarely.
Have someone else ask.. I want a real fancy wood guitar I can use onstage. They won't even go to Martin or Takamine but likely straight to the Taylor rack.
I'm just say'n.... It's an observation, and kinda fun. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | There was a leather jacket that my friend Tony Murga made (www.murgaboots.com). I think Rick Hall ordered it in 06 for the 40th.
Sammy was by the booth that afternoon and put it on and it turned out to be his size. He didn't take it off.
Later that night at the 40th bash he had people of importance sign it.
Is that the one? I've not seen the store in many years or the display you're talking about. |
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July 2005
Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado | Yep - there were signatures....it is hanging prominantly right with the guitars...but no one knew anything about it...my daughter Sam commented it was for the 40th...I had missed that |
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Posts: 1483
Location: Michigan | hey miles is an ass-man . he looks at the behinds of his prizes first and then checks out the front end and there's nothing wrong with that. :D GWB :D |
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December 2001
Posts: 7236
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by guitarwannabee:
hey miles is an ass-man . he looks at the behinds of his prizes first and then checks out the front end and there's nothing wrong with that. :D GWB :D LOL... Not really... I like Ovations... I'm into pretty curves and nice necks. |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Beal,
My observation, reinforced by the statements by others, is that your jacket was "stolen" (at a minimum taken) and no one at Ovation had the guts to say anything...so the kiss-ass Ovation employees allowed it. Doubt if the sales of Ovations and Adamas increased after this incident.
Sad, you came to represent your family at the anniversary. You had no obligation to Ovation at that time. Those of us who were there did appreciate your presence. |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Not trying to take this back to a Taylor discussion, but the only Taylor I have really been impressed with is their hybrid classical. (NS74ce) I owned an earlier O classical model once, but it just didn't feel and sound like a classical to me. I just don't think lyracord will ever be able to get a true classical sound. But as far as steel strings go, I think I'll always prefer the Ovation/Adamas.
Oh and as for Beal... I really appreciate all you and your family have done for the guitar industry. 'Wish I knew you better and could hang out somtime. Same for the rest of you. That's why I'm still hanging out here. |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | A. It wasn't my jacket, it was the companies. It was my good friend Tony who made it.
I was very happy to see the company spring for ordering it.
B. Yes, it probably was "technically" stolen, since Sammy put it on and wouldn't take it off.
SO WHAT?
Who better to have it than Sammy Ash, who over the years has always been a real good friend to Ovation and to me.
And where is that jacket now? On prominant display, right? Perfect, isn't it?
If it had gone to some dealer who had placed a large order that day it would be in the back of some closet somewhere, or some place equally important.
I'd bet over the years that Sammy himself, has done more to promote Ovation and Kaman that just about anyone in the industry (except maybe Glen).
He told me the story about how much he liked the jacket at the 40th bash that night and I told him to keep it and don't give it back, (as if my word meant ANYTHING back in 2006!!). I also tried to get as many "important people" that I could find that night, to sign it. I know we got Larry Coryell and a few others. Cliff, did you sign it too? You were right there that night.
Glad to see it's still working for the Ovation line after all these years. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I signed it w/Larry when we were both still sober enough to remember how t'sign our names.
Didn't know it's now in th ManhattanStore. I'll hafta' go visit it . . . |
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guitar window shopping
