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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | IS NOW !!!
=== begin rant ===
I may be stirring the pot, who knows. But I truly believe NOW is one of the best times to buy a NEW Ovation for several reasons. I wish I could afford any guitar now, and if I could, I can think of at least two Ovations I would buy. The following lists why I think NOW is one of the best, if not the best time in the History of Ovation to buy a NEW Ovation guitar.
1. While it was great to have production lines, the nature of the beast is that mistakes happen. Ordering a guitar now means you get exactly what you want, and because it's being built for you as essentially a one-off, it almost certainly guarantees perfect build quality.
2. For the first time in Ovation history, as far as I know, you can order nearly any model ever made to nearly any specification. Want a purple top Ballader with a slotted headstock and pink bowl. Done. It just takes a phonecall to Al (or any other dealer I assume).
3. Price. ANY custom order guitar that you pay less than $4000 for is a BARGAIN. And while we have been spoiled for 30+ years with incredibly inexpensive guitars, isn't it about time we started paying for USA Ovation's what they are actually worth to build.
4. For those who really want to see Ovation guitars being built in volume in Connecticut... what better way to make it happen than to start ordering.
So what's really different now?
- I rarely if ever saw a Made in USA Ovation in a store, usually used if I did. This hasn't changed.
- New Made in USA Ovation guitars were fairly inexpensive, many under $1000. This has changed. I think the "free ride" is over. Just look at all the handwork and engineering that goes into these guitars. All of the "technology" is in tools and jigs and design. The guitars made in Connecticut are hand made guitars. Period. I haven't tried one, but I bet the new Guilds are fantastic.
I'm not saying to not buy any of the current production new Ovations. They are fantastic guitars for their price range. Better than anything for that price range built by anyone else. But if you are headstrong on buying a USA Ovation, there is nothing stopping you. Why on earth would you want to be limited to what's available in a catalog? Get the exact guitar you want.
Finally... I am a firm believer in the following things.
1. EVERYONE (men and women) should treat themselves to at least one pair of custom made boots or shoes. I'm not talking "boutique", I'm talking having someone measure your feets, you pick the fabrics, heel, sole, color and a few months later they show up on your doorstep.
2. EVERY MAN should own his own Tux. At some point in your life, you just should. For those that say they would never have an occasion to wear one, it doesn't work like that. If you have one, there will be occasions to wear it. I'm not sure if women have an equal garment to a tux. Women look pretty hot in a tux, but I'm not sure it's overall the same experience.
3. EVERY guitarist, at least once in their life, should have a guitar made for themselves. One that is fit to you in every way from pickup and wood choice to location of strap buttons, neck profile, finish, all of it. Just like the boots or shoes mentioned above. You owe it to yourself.
=== end rant ===
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | There's still no guarantee you will love the outcome just because it's a custom made guitar. Logic says you SHOULD be thrilled with it, but until you sit down and play it for a week or two, you can't be assured of it. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I agree with Miles and have ordered five customs through Al: two Ovations, and one each of Adamas, Hamer and Takamine. I couldn't be happier. |
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Joined:
November 2011
Posts: 741
Location: Fort Worth, TX | Soon as I snag a lotto jackpot I'm ordering ten. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Oh, I would still take the chance if I had the money, but you DO see a lot of preowned custom made guitars for sale, so not everyone was satisfied the 1st go around. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3611
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Predicated on being a competent player, to warrant a "fitted axe". Wannabees need not apply, I'm thinkin'.
Not meaning to discount the scenario, or opportunity here, you understand...... |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4044
Location: Utah | If I wasn't paying tuition on 3 kids... !
I would order an Adamas to my specs. And a Hamer. To me it is a joy to play a great instrument even though I don't have the skill or talent to justify it. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR |
 Ooops! Double Post
Edited by Old Man Arthur 2012-08-08 6:52 PM
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | FlySig - 2012-08-08 2:53 PM
To me it is a joy to play a great instrument even though I don't have the skill or talent to justify it.
Amen.
It's just fun to play with a nice guitar. 
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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 247
Location: Seacoast NH | My problem is I haven't seen or played very many different Ovations and would have a hard time deciding which features would best suit me. Well, there's that problem and the need to buy a bigger house with another lil' un on the way holding me back too.  |
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Joined:
April 2010
Posts: 823
Location: sitting at my computer | re: 1. 2. and 3. I certainly wouldn't mind having all of those... but IF I had the expendable funds for 1 and 2... I just know I wouldn't be able to resist spending it all on 3. A fella's got to have priorities! Now whether or not I'd know what exactly to specify in that custom guitar... well, I think I gotta play a few more before I could figure that out. A shoemaker and a tailor can measure you for a perfect custom fit, but a luthier is gonna need you to be able to tell him what fits best for you. Bling won't mean a thing, if you can't play that swing!!!
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The Best Time to Buy a NEW Ovation.
