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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | I accidentally ran into this review of dreadnaughts that claimed to be priced under $1,000, while doing a google search for a similar topic. I find the reviews quite interesting, when being informed that the gap between the guitars made in the USA, Canada, Japan, S. Korea and China -- with regards to craftmasnship and price -- are virtually nonexistent! Great reviews IMHO :) , but alas! no Ovations :mad: :( .
Here's the link ...
http://www.acousticguitar.com/issues/ag131/feature131.html |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Well ... Ovation doesn't make dreads ...
Interesting article. A couple of months back we went looking for a dreadnaught for my son who wanted his own guitar so I've played many of the guitars they rated. The Blueridge are very nice but way too much bling for my tastes, and the non-bling versions just don't have "it". Obviously, the Seagull is a fine instrument, and Yamaha, Tacoma and Takamine make some fine instruments. But it seemed anything that had real tone was at a price point that was beyond sensible values for what was needed at this point in skills development.
Then we found a Washburn. Made in Indonesia. Dread body, solid woods, Cedar top and Koa back and sides (very pretty!), mahogany neck, abalone inlay rosette, Grovers w/ Imperial buttons, and excellent craftsmanship for the most part. Nice touches including MOP headstock inlay, multi-ply binding, neck binding, and ivory-color heelcap complete with "W" and lines logo. List price was $899, and we walked out at a closeout special price of $180. Replaced the cheap plastic saddle and pins with bone, and the guitar has a very nice voice. It's never going to pass as a high-end dread, but it's very solid, especially for what was paid. And there's nothing like sticking your nose in the soundhole and getting the aroma of real wood. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | Helluva deal. You realize, of course, that your son will become a chick magnet now that he has string fever. Teach him well. Show him some guitar stuff too. Cheers |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5327
Location: Cicero, NY | Yikes, Stony, you gotta take me shopping next!
All kidding aside, you're son is very lucky to have that kind of connection with his Dad. I don't care of he's playing Slipknot right now and you're into James Taylor - as you guys mature, I can't help but think it's going to be a very special connection. Enjoy it. |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Definitely helluva deal Stoney! Hmm ... perhaps, the next time you go out shopping for axes, I just might go along for the ride (even if it's only in my dreams! hehehe...). :D
Who knows ... I just might get a bargain or two along the way. :rolleyes: hmmm... |
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October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | I suspect there must have been some compromising photos of the store manager. How else can an 80% discount be negotiated? Way to bro. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | We all have our little secrets, Buckaroo. Thanks all for the kind words ... I'm always ready for trips to the music store. Actually not as steep a discount ... I figured $899 list translates to 500's street, then someone needs to move them or Washburn needs to unload so they discount. I had a spare dread case at home which was nice.
But a beautiful guitar, and plays nicely. Uhhh ... I know this is the OFC board but I'll post a couple of pics. To keep this on at least somewhere on topic, can you count how many Ovations are in the last (dark) picture? Bonus points if you can name them! :cool:
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | I think there are six O axes, plus the lumber. The new rig looks like a martin body. I hope the youngun enjoys it. ps: How did you get the pictures up? |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Not six!
My son likes it a lot. Played(?) bass for about three years and about six months ago decided he wanted to play acoustic. Hank, Johnny, and Willie have his attention right now. Lord knows where that came from, but at least something I can teach him and guide him through. So time for his very own and this was it.
Pics were posted to my gallery and linked from there. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | I have an ovation and an Adamas dreadnaught. Oh yeah and an adamas dobro dreadnaught
they both sound great |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | Enjoy, Stoney. Both my daughters started playing guitar after they went off to college. They never seemed too interested before that, even though I always had at least one sitting around. It sure makes Christmas shopping more fun. Picked up one daughter's Celebrity Deluxe on Saturday and a couple of Pink Floyd and Jack Johnson books for the other. I'll have to get out our Dark Side of the Moon album and see if the turntable still works the next time she comes for a visit. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Al, I don't think your O dreads count as production models. ;) But the one I heard in CT sure does sound awesome. |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | ...5
1537
Custom legend
Viper bass
Ultra
Viper
Wadda I win??? |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Close, but no cigar!! 5 is correct, but your models are not.
We have a nice home version of "Guess the Ovations", and a years supply of Windex as parting gifts. :-) |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I got jipped. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 5327
Location: Cicero, NY | As my 12 year old would say, "Time to call the waa-mbulence."
Can you tell where she got her sense of humor?
Poor kid. |
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interesting reviews ...
