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April 2003
Posts: 39
Location: California | They have been making guitar with low labor cost & overhead in Korea that look like the USA model.
$399 (MSRP $800)CP2003 limited edition (Korea) looks remarkly similar to a USA 2003 collector's edition. Take a look at CP2002, CP2001 & other "high-end" Korean made Ovation such as Celebrity Deluxe. Look at the 400-500 pieces of abolone around the guitar top PLUS around the fingerboard on some models. They look more expensive than Custom Elite & Custom Legend. Surely it's smart to have a low to mid-range product made in Korea. What is the point of making these limited edition cheap import?
Rolex has 2nd line, but they were smart to give it a different name - Tudor.
Ovation marketing is dumb UNLESS they wanted to make money by sacrificing their higher-end USA products/customers.
I suspect this chaotic product line & confusing image have to do with its status today. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Does it seem odd to anyone else besides me that anytime anyone has anything negative to say their email address and profile usually reveal nothing?
It probably means nothing, but it was just something I noticed. Ovation is not afraid of criticism. They will not come out and repo your guitars. In many cases, they feel the same as we do, but change happens in time, with money, and not overnight. Making a statement, but hiding your identity takes a little away from the validity of the criticism, and certainly cuts off the possibilty of anyone descreetly addressing an issue when that might be more appropriate. It would be a shame for some "flame" to result in a great guitar producing, money making idea, and they would have nobody to name for the credit. |
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November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Do any of the Korean made Ovations have a solid spruce top, or all of them laminated tops?...Paul Hebert |
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December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I'm not sure about the tops but there was an interesting conversation about tops that reminded me of something that I'll interject. Appearerntly it's easier to make the ply tops "look" pretty, but I don't recall the reason. But in the same topic, I learned that all of those "bad tops" I saw in stores, especially the black ones, where it looks like it's rippled below the bridge... is NOT bad at all. The tops are so thin, that if you look carefully, those are the braces you see. Granted, estetically, maybe I'm just looking too close, but the way they can get the tops so thin, yet so sturdy is amazing to me. I learned so much on this trip. I am humbled. |
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November 2002
Posts: 35
Location: Reading, PA | It's a fact of life we live in a global market. Anyone can purchase products from anywhere they can flash the plastic card. (Hmmn, maybe the plastic isn't as good as paper money...it's not organic) Where was I? Oh yeah, anyway when I bought my Elite I went to the store with a specific cost in mind. I thought the import version had a decent sound fit and finish. This is a local independent store with a good selection of US and import models. I'm thinking I can get out of here for $3-500 at least that's what I thought until I decided to just 'try' the Elite. In that short amount of time I was sold on the Elite. I went back to the import and just could not deny the quality of sound from the Elite. In this case the import helped sell the US model and I'm glad it did. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 39
Location: California | Mr. Ovation, I just signed up for the account & didn't realize that I need to post my email address in public. I just don't want to be on some junk mail list. Do I need to list my home address & phone no? Anyone could send me a private mail as an option.
Sorry, I forgot about your special relationship with Ovation & truly understand your position. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Hey RSW,
I sit corrected, I didn't notice the Private Message icon on your post, so I guess my comment doesn't apply to you, but there have been others. Not sure what you mean about "special relationship with Ovation," I guess it is pretty special, some nice folks up there. I felt kindof embarrased that I grew up not far from the Factory and this is the first time I have been there.
Just for anyone's clarification, as is stated in the signup disclaimer, we DO NOT give the member list to ANYONE for ANY REASON. I know that is a big worry for many. We don't, we won't. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 39
Location: California | jbx2, your USA 1868 definitely sounds better than its sibling from overseas. When plugged in & with proper setup & new strings, the Korean made O's sound damn good.
Like I said, Ovation is smart to make guitars in Korea. I think most of their revenue & profits are from the Korean made guitars.
There should be more differences between USA & import models and less yes men.
Frankly, in terms of R&D & engineering innovations, Ovation is second to none. Their marketing is another story. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Answer for Paul H -- the Pinnacle have a AA Solid Spruce top, the round hole has an impressive abalone inlaid rosette, and both have abalone binding. Combine these with the Made-In-USA bowls, the two piece mahogany neck (same as Balladeer and entry-level Elite?), OP30 preamp ... and you have a real blurring of the lines between USA and Korea.
For the record, I had a chance to put my hands on one and felt the quality, fit and finish were impressive. At about (street) $600 w/case, I would be mightily tempted to get one of these rather spend the extra $$ on a Balladeer or Elite Special. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Stone, I have played a Pinnacle, and it is a very nice guitar. I think this guitar says one strong point. That is if the craftsman making it cares strongly about his work, what does it really matter where he is from. The Pinnacle is obviously well made from good materials. I was very impressed with this guitar, Korea or not....Paul Hebert |
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Is Ovation marketing dumb or what ?