|
|
Joined:
October 2003
Posts: 44
Location: Richland, Washington | A lot of folks on this list know him, but as a junior member to this list who never heard of Al Pepiak until this month and to people who have never done business with him I just want to say that Al is a great person to get an Ovation from. I’ve never had a better experience in a long distance purchase. My BRAND new 1863-4, Legend Classic, which is a Shallow Cutaway straight from the Factory, just arrived tonight and let me tell you it's smooth as silk. Al was professional, negotiated a fair price with me, communicated well on e-mail and the telephone, is very knowledgeable yet humble, not a pushy sales person, very helpful, and he’s a pretty funny guy too. Now seeing that I never have met Al, I am new to this list, and I live about 3000 miles away you might say I was taking a risk at buying a guitar that retails for about $1800 with OHSC. Well it was no risk. The transaction was absolutely safe, the instrument arrived in premier shape, is beautiful and plays well and I am a happy customer. My guess is that many others on this list have had the same experience-I just wanted to share mine. If you’re thinking about a new or unique Ovation for the holidays or other, get a hold of Al Pepiak (Alpep@aol.com) of Lost Art Vintage Instruments
Craig :)
1863-4 Legend Classic (2003)
1612-4 Custom Balladeer (Original Owner since 1980)
1515D-4 Ultra Deluxe 12 String (Bridge Repair on the way!-thanks Nils and seesquare)
Photos soon to come! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6192
Location: Phoenix AZ | Craig,
Glad to hear you like your new guitar. But did you count your change? No, just kidding, Al is AOK. Welcome to the OFC.
Dave |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2003
Posts: 44
Location: Richland, Washington | I'd post what I actually paid for it but I'm afraid Ovation would drop Al as a distributor and my future purchases would suffer (lol). I'm only telling my wife what the actual cost was...well sort of...hehe.
Craig |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | Dealer agreements PROHIBIT the advertising or posting of anything but list price. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | I also will sing the "Praises of Al"! The contacts I've had with him [3000 miles for me also] (OP40 advice/purchase and 2001 Collector's Redwood) have been stellar. His attention to detail, customer satisfaction and personal integrity have been quite impressive. So much so, that I've sent an email to the good folks at Ovation commenting on what a great member of the "O" team he is.
So, Al, do I get that new Trace Amp now? :D
tim |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | He does a nice job on guitar stands as well. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Both Al and Miles host this site. Not the only reason we should seriously consider supporting them, but one of them.
Although, Miles is not an Ovation dealer as Al is, Miles is a collector who occasionally buys and sells. Their support is well appreciated by this member. No local guitar store in my area has earned my loyalty. The discounters on the internet do nothing but process an order. I expect to purchase a couple of new Ovation/Adamas in 2004. I will call Al to make the deal. I have already bought an older Storm Typhoon bass from Miles and will continue to check on what he has available. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Miles did a remarkable job with an 30+ year old album of mine. It had been played to death and was full of snap crackel and pop. The result was really nice. I agree, we should support them as much as possible. (Cliff, as soon as I need a convention planned, I'll let you know.) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Thanks, Bill!
I could do a logo or an album cover too, if ya' ever need it. :D
If it wasn't for the "distance factor", I'd definitely consider using Miles' studio.
As far as Al goes, there isn't another place in the country that I'd go to for another Ovation. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Thanks guys,
Speaking of Album covers I need some artwork and liner notes for the OVation Fan CLub CD. I'm in the final stages and should have a song list/order by next week. I'm really pushing to get this up for the Holidays but I'm working on another suprise that you will all see in a couple of days too.
Miles |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Do we have a title yet?? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Not locked in yet. I will present the top suggestions for choosing. In another thread. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | Hey everyone.
thanks for the support. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | alpep Dealer agreements PROHIBIT the advertising or posting of anything but list price.
So how is it that Musicians Friend, Guitar Center, Music123 and the rest put out their catalogs and web pages with discounted prices? Sort of seems unfair to the smaller dealers and independents. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | I am sorry you can post MAP price, but generally the big guys get away with this by giving you a cheapo case and free shipping so you get an extra discount. they can also buy in volumne or take hits on certain products to sell others and that is how they give their "deals".
Ultimately the guitars all come from the same place, it is how you package and sell them. There are deals to be had out there but remember if you shop "price" only you get what you pay for. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2003
Posts: 44
Location: Richland, Washington | Customer Service is important to me too. With the ‘Big Guys’ you are just a number and customer service is not always their priority (“operators are standing by ready to take your order…”). With LostArtVintage you’re dealing with someone who really knows Ovations, who is actually known by people who built Ovations, you’re dealing with a person who is sincerely interested in making you happy, and someone who you can directly work with when there might be problems with the merchandise. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | I knew Al long before the OFC, because he was a regular on the Hamer Fan Club (to which I also belong.) Over the years I have come to know Al as a reliable and helpful person, and heartily recommend him as a source for guitars, etc. Buying from Al also, btw, helps support this Website! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 4
Location: Mount Dora, FL | Gee, Alpep, I am Catherine who just posted on here for the first time.Now this my first reply What can you tell me about the Cs 257-4 Celebrity Deluxe ac/el apparently after talking to Ovation, All Ovations are not made the same place. Some from Korea and some from the USA. What kind of deal do you have on the slim bowl 5 hole ac/el Ovation Natual finish? Are all of yours made in the USA? :) |
|
| |
Great Place to Buy an Ovation
