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Posts: 124
| i don't think sound is the problem. ovation has its own unique sound. some sound really good & are as good as many guitars from martin & taylor.
so what's the problem? what are the solutions?
perception is the major problem
possible solutions
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(1) get some well-known endorsed artists. to the public, kaki seems to be the only player.
(2) increase prices, at least on the adamas side. custom-ordered adamas 1687 cost $3500 few years ago. it costs about the same today. how can the flagship model be so "cheap"?
(3) stop selling FRG & factory second |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | maybe elias should get a life |
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Location: Orange County, California | Huh? |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | I think that Ovation is getting more respect with their new lines and I predict they will have more "stars" choosing their guitars.
To me, $6000 guitars are not the answer, every great picker had to start with something they could afford before they became great. If you are an astute observer of "stardom", you will see most of them playing a well worn version of that guitar. Good quality at a good price will get them while they are starting out and keep them as they succeed. One of the best family guitar bands was Sam and Kirk McGee, who I was lucky enough to see in San Diego at the SDSU Folk Festival, and they were great. They played Martin D-18s that they had bought in the 1930"s or 1940's because, as they said in a q & a session, they were reasonable and reliable. They had played those same guitars for over 30 years, and probably still were playing them when they died.
Martin only became a collector's guitar since that time, and only because people like Sam and Kirk McGee could afford them before WWII. |
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Posts: 651
Location: Australia | I don't think Ovation has a respect problem.
They're a very successful American guitar manufacturer who seem to be going from strength to strength, continuing to push the boundaries of acoustic guitar technology.
Haven't the LX guitars almost doubled their production ?
If your worried because your pal says your strummin' Tupperware, who cares.
They'll never receive the effection of the majority of the Martin/Taylor/Larrivee brigade and if that's the "respect" your talking about, well dream on. |
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Posts: 112
Location: WV | If getting respect means paying twice as much I would rather things stay as they are. Personally I don't see where there is a problem. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | I think Ovation does very well selling to their target market. You have to keep in mind that for Ovation, the target market is basically $1200. and below. Compare Ovation with the Martin 15 series, Takemine, etc. for example.
Ovation is not a "boutique" guitar or a high end chi-chi Martin or Taylor. Ain't supposed to be. If it pisses you off that someone would buy a $3500. Martin when they could get a Legend LX that (in your opinion) sounds just as good or better, that's just too bad. Get over it.
What SHOULD piss you off is that Ovation does a shit poor job of Artist Relations and product endorsement. Anyone capable of passing gas qualifies as a Martin enforsee. Ovation should be flooding the concert stages with guitars that are bullet proof and best of the lot plugged in. But somehow they don't even seem to try.
Dave |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | sounds like a marketing issue.
click. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Springsteen is playing a Tak on the Today show. |
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Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | You all need to keep the whole "Ovation is a good deal" thing quiet for a few more years while I pick up a few more unappreciated instruments. Don't let the world know what these are worth until I get my wish list filled!
Seriously, there is a very strong, very annoying relationship between the "mob approval" of a product and the Artists that sponsor them. It is a fickle and unfair relationship. It also has little to do with the appreciation that the "Armchair Artists" of the Front Porch and Church have for these instruments.
Respect? Whose respect? If you mean the general public's respect, be careful what you ask for! |
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Location: NJ | The day Springsteen starts playing Ovations is the day I'll sell ALL of mine and take up the f@%#*g BANJO!! |
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Location: SoCal | I ain't a Springsteen fan. But Bob Seeger used to play an old Adamas on stage. Don't know what he plays these days. |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Cliff,
I could see you playing an nice fretless five string. Even if Springsteen never plays an O.
Seeger...
better left hauking Chevy Trucks. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I'm more comfortable with a 4-string.
I'd love t'get a MagII or a Viper . . .
Fretless'd be cool, but I'm not crazy about the "training wheel" fret lines on the fingerboard. . . . |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Cliff, my Typhoon has training wheels. I actually like it because it "looks" like a normal bass and people hear you play it (fretless) and say "HTF did he do that"? Keep 'em guessing. Dave |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Early on springsteen played an ovation. Can't remember the album. |
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Location: NJ | Then we're even, 'cause I DID play a banjo. Once. |
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Posts: 68
Location: Malden, Massachusetts | Hey "Banjo Boy"
Where's my registration information?
You're supposed to help me with anything that I desire, remember?
Why are you so bitter about Bruce?
Do you have a Hungry Heart? Weren't you Born to Run?
Or, maybe you've been frozen-out on 10th avenue one time to many. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | "You better watch out, you better not cry..." |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I posted the hotel information for you on the other whiny thread that you started, but as soon as I'm done here, perhaps I'll go back and delete it . . .
(at least the banjo wasn't a Gibson) |
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Posts: 123
Location: Massachusetts | If you read all the other guitar newsgroups you do get the snobs who say it is just a paddle and they won't buy a guitar made out of plastic.
But the main reason people steer away based on what I have read?
The bowl.
Most people hate the bowl resting against their stomach causing the neck to twist inward and even more importantly:
It slides off the leg sitting down.
Heck, that is even mentioned here. It seems like it would be an easy factory fix to put something sticky and rough where it sits on your leg.
I too have gained weight since I bought my O and I got used to it sitting down but the bowl against my belly causeing the neck to twist is really bad.
I was thinking of buying an LX or having a custom one built but after really playing my O more standing up I couldn't stand it any longer and bought an all wood guitar.
NOW...with the countored back which I have yet to see in Ma. this could be interesting because if the bowl sat flat against the belly that takes care of one problem and they just have to do something about the slippery leg.
I think if these 2 factors were addressed people would really start going towards O's.
Eveywhere you looked in small and big stores last year were advertising for the LX's...you couldn't miss them so it isn't a problem with marketing. |
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Posts: 110
Location: Peoria, Illinois | I respect Ovation, and that is what counts. I have several nice Taylor acoustics. Love em a lot. But since discovering Ovation in 2004, I spend more time playing my '05 Collector and LX 12-string. And I am not even playing plugged in yet!!!
In any event, I am already looking forward to a chance to buy an LX 12-string contour bowl. I do not have any experience with the older Ovations, but the newer ones are really nice, very well built, and priced fair. I hope it stays that way. |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | They need to advertise better.
Take some info from the new Adamas site and place some ad's in the trade mag's.
Martin & that other company do. |
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April 2005
Posts: 8
| As a new O owner (1867 Legend) but a long time player, I can say that few traditional players would pay attention to a guitar with a plastic bowl where a wooden body normally would be. Similarly, many excellent traditional guitars (such as Guild) are undervalued. I bought the 1867 on MF's clearance sale with the understanding I could return it no questions asked if I didn't like it. I have never seen the Legend line in any music store (usually they have only Applause and Celebrity), so I took a shot - and I'm very impressed with everything - albeit, it is difficult to get used to the IDEA of the plastic bowl - but the playing comfort for this middle-aged picker (with a moderate gut) makes me forget about its looks. The acoustic sound is more Larrivee-like than Martin - this is all subjective - and comparisons must be made at similar price levels. At the $599 clearance price I paid for the 1867, there is no US made acoustic-electric comparable I'm aware of. At a $900-$1,000 price, there are Martins and Larrivees that are real competition for the Legend. Regardless, this is one great guitar for sound, playability and looks (if you don't turn it over). |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| I think there's a lot more respect out there than you think. It may be grudgingly given at times, but there isn't a better workhorse available for the money. Think how many people here play them pro/semi pro/worship etc, and love the fact that they're tough, reliable and UNBEATABLE when you plug them in.
And the answer to any critic is Al Di Meola. |
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how can ovation get more respect?
