|
|
Joined:
February 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Newfoundland, Canada | Hi,
I am thinking buying a 2778AX and was wondering if anyone has any opinions on quality, how it compares to the LX model, etc. Tks Ernie |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1456
Location: Texas | LX = Made in USA (and discontinued)
AX = Made in Asia
Opinions vary from "no comparison" to "close" but I don't recall ANYONE claiming that the AX is an improvement…
If I were looking for one, I'd try to grab an LX if I could still find one somewhere, even if I had to scrape up a few more $$ for it…
just my 2¢… |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | The LX is worth the extra money. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2011
Posts: 121
Location: NH | I don't know if this helps or not but I picked up a 2771LX just before they moved them off shore, and I absolutely enjoy this guitar. I've never played an AX of any kind, so I don't know how they compare. My personal opinion is that AX can't be much different from the LX, but given how much I like mine, I don't think I'll ever know. :D |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | We love American. It has become the exception to own something home grown.
But there are not any tangible qualifiers that I can find in the replies that helps solve the mystery of AX vs LX. Nothing comparing the sound, touch, finish, durability...
I am not sure as to the origin of the stickers for the new Folklores, but it certainly is poor QC by Ovation. And this type of oversight only supports the "cheap" rap of asain made instruments.
Folklore or Folkore?
It will probably take a couple more years, but I would imagine that if fit and finish hold up, the only reason to choose an LX will be good ol American pride. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Few things to consider.
USA LX's have a bolt-on neck that can be reset if necessary.
I have reset a bolt-on neck myself.
Or your Luthier or the MotherShip can do it.
AX's have a dove-tail glue-on neck, like a Celebrity.
The MotherShip will not fix an AX, even a New AX doesn't have a Lifetime Warranty
Once it is broke... it is fodder for the trashcan.
If you are patient you can find a used LX.
A 6778LX just sold for $400.
And No... in a coupla years import crap will still be import crap.
I own many nice Indonesian and Korean guitars.
The USA Ovations are Still Better. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4080
Location: Utah | The few AX guitars I've seen have not had the same fit and finish as LX. The neck construction is different, in addition to be dovetailed it isn't one piece or 5 piece, the heel is multiple pieces as well.
The little details just aren't as good, either. As much as people complain about lousy quality or craftsmanship in America, the guitars built in New Hartford (Ovation, Adamas, Hamer, Guild) just have a level of attention to detail that is missing from the AX and TX. Paint is not quite masked properly, the edges of sound holes aren't as smooth, the fretwork isn't as good.
All of that adds up to a cheaper import, so it is good for the corp. And compared to other guitars in the same price range it is adequate. The AX is a lot cheaper than a new LX, so they aren't going to be the same.
For me, I'd either find a new LX hanging around a shop somewhere or buy a used LX, or have a custom guitar made at the factory. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 29
Location: Germany | Just a short thought:
If I were in your situation I'd ask myself if the difference in price (not so much in my personal opinion) is worth to remain unsure if I made the right decision.
Over the time it's cheaper to buy the best affordable from the beginning than climbing the stairs step by step. Believe me, I know what I'm writing about, as I had to pay for this knowledge... ;)
I'm not an American, but I like US manufactured guitars, because their sound, playability and overall quality convinced me. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Newfoundland, Canada | Thanks for the input. I think I'm going to look for an LX, or at least a model made in the US. Very limited selection here in music stores and most of the sellers on eBay.com won't ship to Canada. I always liked the look of the Elites but there is a 2771LX on eBay that looks nice although the price is a little high ($800) I think?. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Newfoundland, Canada | Hi, I just bought a new 2771LX, I think I got a pretty good price and I've always found a lot of truth in the old saying..."You'll remember the quality long after you've forgotten the price!" Now my biggest problem is waiting for it to get here from California; I live in Newfoundland, any further east and I'd be speaking Gaelic. I've had (and sold unfortunately) a couple of Ovations over the years and it will be good to be back in the family. Thanks again. Ernie |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Very happy for you Ernie!
Would love to make it to your part of the world someday. We drove to P.E.I., then all around Nova Scotia. Just didn't have it in us to go any further : ( Someday...
John. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I've ridden to Nova Scotia on a motorcycle and plan to do the same in Newfoundland in a couple of years. SWMBO loves the way residents maintain their flowers. I love the absence of traffic and easier-paced lifestyle. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2011
Posts: 121
Location: NH | Congrats Ernie!
Originally posted by EPynn:
I've always found a lot of truth in the old saying..."You'll remember the quality long after you've forgotten the price!" "old saying"? I've never heard it before. Now I'll never forget it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Okay... How about "Buy the best and you only cry once!" |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Newfoundland, Canada | I don't know if the line about "You'll remember the quality..." is an old saying or not. Maybe I came up with it myself but then I'm getting pretty old and probably forgot. I haven't heard the one about "Buy the best..." but I will definitely use it. Thanks for all the input and for those who are thinking about coming to Newfoundland, it is well worth it. There are two distinct cultures in Canada, Quebec and Newfoundland (too bad we can't get along better!). A lot of music, theatre, the oldest street in North America and the most famous bar district in Canada, some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. Places like L'anse aux Meadows, Gros Morne and Coast of Bays are definitely worth seeing. Trouble is, it is one of the biggest islands in the world (with the population of a small city)so it takes a while to get around. Thanks again and I'll let you know when my new toy arrives! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Newfoundland, Canada | Hi,
It's been forever but just in case anyone is interested..the new Ovation 2771LX I bought some months ago never turned up. Lost courtesy of USPS. Looks like I'll get a refund in a few days so I'm looking again. There's a really nice 1667 on eBay. Very tempting!
Thanks
Ernie |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Ask Mr. Big, aka Alpep to call you and discuss options. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2011
Posts: 121
Location: NH | Wow, Ernie. That's a bummer! So sorry to hear that. I think you really would have enjoyed that one. (How in this day, with electronic scanning and the size of the box, can that possibly get lost? :confused: )
There was an almost mint 2778LX out of FL on ebay a few weeks ago. But between a combination of not really needing it, and it being just beyond my financial threshold, I couldn't pull the trigger. (Actually, I think OMA alerted me to it through one of his PSA's over in the For Sale section. It didn't sell the first time and was relisted.) I wondered if it ended up going to you!
The good news is you'll get your money back. Now, again, you get your pick of the litter. Good luck. Let us know what you end up choosing. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Newfoundland, Canada | Hi,
Still waiting for my refund. In the meantime there is an Ultra 2171 Contour GS on eBay. I know it's made in Korea but this one has a solid spruce top; one of my big reservations about the offshore Ovations is that they usually have plywood tops (I think). One big advantage is that it's in Canada so there wouldn't be any customs duty or brokerage fees. Just wondering if you have any opinions on the Ultra 2171?
Thanks
Ernie |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I own a 2171. Excellent guitar for the money. Korean made and QA'd and setup in the US. Every bit as good as an AX. I paid less than $400 for mine brand new. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Newfoundland, Canada | Hi,
This one has a starting bid of $399; it's new and includes the case. Doesn't seem like a bad price and a lot less than the one I bought and USPS lost. It was probably stolen so someone has a nice guitar...may the fleas of a thousand camels infest their..., well you know the rest! The Ultra is also a sunburst finish which I always liked. No bids yet and not a whole lot of people looking. May be because it's on eBay.ca and the seller only ships to Canada. Very tempting. I just got my refund so I may go for it. Thanks for the input. Ernie |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Mine was sunburst too ... Kimby-D likes it best of all my guitars for the way it looks. It's got that real red and yellow thing going on in the burst paint. Very asian the way it was done. The rosette is a nice abalone inlaid oak cluster motif like the recent Balladeers.
$399 with a case would be a nice deal on that guitar. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Newfoundland, Canada | Yeah, I've always really liked sunburst. There's also a beautiful Legend on eBay, it's an older model but looks great. It's a lot more money though and it's in the US so there are also custom duties and brokerage fees. At least my refund came through a little while ago. Ernie |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2007
Posts: 17
Location: Newfoundland, Canada | Hi,
This thread was left hanging so in case anyone is interested I should wind it up. I finally got my Ultra 2171-1 so I'm back in the family. I'd forgotten how comfortable the Ovation necks are and the contour body is a nice innovation. Nice guitar, used it the other night at a jam and was quite pleased. Now I need to find a 12 string!Tks Ernie |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2011
Posts: 22
Location: Massachusetts | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Few things to consider.
USA LX's have a bolt-on neck that can be reset if necessary.
I have reset a bolt-on neck myself.
Or your Luthier or the MotherShip can do it.
AX's have a dove-tail glue-on neck, like a Celebrity.
The MotherShip will not fix an AX, even a New AX doesn't have a Lifetime Warranty
Once it is broke... it is fodder for the trashcan.
Hmm, I thought there were some advantages to a dovetailed neck like a stronger physical connection between the neck and body, warmer tone and increased sustain. Of course it's more difficult to repair than a bolt on neck but geez, usually when you need a neck reset isn't this due to some problem in the soundboard causing the bridge to rise? The 2778 isn't a $5000 plus Taylor and if my 2778AX needed a neck reset, I'd buy a new guitar.
Anyone here ever played a 2778LX as well as the 2778AX model and have an opinion on their playability and sound quality? I'd be interested in hearing what you have to say.
Richard |
|
| |
Stand Elite 2778 AX vs LX
