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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | I don't think that I've seen this one discussed here before: Celebrity CDX24 .
Ovation now has with a mid-depth, solid spruce top, Op-Pro w/OPP, center hole guitar that retails new for $599.
Want a multi-hole version? How about this Celebrity CDX44 ?
I haven't seen or played either of these guitars, but from what I've seen in other brands the quality of the Asian imports has really improved.
IMHO, this is a very nice marketing job by the smart (bottom line oriented) folks at Ovation.
(I'm trying to keep us back on track doing what we do best, talking about Ovation guitars) |
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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | I don't know if I think it's a good idea to use a common plywood grade in my model number, but it is a sweet looking guitar. |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Wow! Based on the looks alone, these new Celebrities are very nice looking guitars. With the Op-Pro preamps, I will not be surprised "if" they will sound close to, or just as good as their American-made cousins.
I guess it's the sign of the times ... them Asian-made guitars aren't the garbage that they used to be. It'll be a matter of time when they, too will hold their value well as the others in the future. Think of the Japanese-made instruments as an example. These days, Takamines and Alvarez Yairis made in Japan are fetching for as much (or even more) as a high end American-made guitar. |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 1388
Location: Paris/France | Hi,
My friend Cyril has bought a CDX-24 4 months ago and I've tried It.
The finish is very good and it looks very nice.
The sound is good even if it's not as loud as a US model.
The bad thing is that this guitar is a little bit hard to play and the neck is not easy.
For some dollars more, I will choose a standard Balladeer not because it's an American guitar but because it's a better guitar.
It's just my opinion and Cyril agree with me.
J :) |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 349
Location: Snellville, GA | Originally posted by JeffreyD:
I don't know if I think it's a good idea to use a common plywood grade in my model number, but it is a sweet looking guitar. If you look at the descriptions of each you'll notice this line:
Top: Solid Spruce |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | More and more we will have less and less to tell the difference!
The Celebrities will be as good as they are contracted to be. If the labor rate is low it allows you to increase the material quality or tighten your spec. |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | Originally posted by TWA:
Originally posted by JeffreyD:
I don't know if I think it's a good idea to use a common plywood grade in my model number, but it is a sweet looking guitar. If you look at the descriptions of each you'll notice this line:
Top: Solid Spruce |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 382
Location: USA | Tried it...wasnt bad,,,price did not agree with me.
I have a celeb cs257 so in my opinion... there really wasnt enough differece that I could tell for me to put the cash down.
it would just be owning another celeb... JMO... |
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February 2005
Posts: 349
Location: Snellville, GA | Thanks Robbie for clarifying that. |
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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | ok...somebody splane me.
Does anyone who we've met at the factory have anything to do with the development of these models? Because it seems to me that the more you blurr the line between USA and import models,the more it looks like it's possible to close up the Connecticut factory and just have everything made in China.
Is THAT where this is headed?
Right now you can buy products from Conn. at between $800 and $1500. That seems REALLY reasonable. Made in China could drop the cost by $200 each...or just produce more profit if high-end buyers get comfortable with a Made in China label.
Just seems to me that people who make corporate decisions and are only concerned with the bottom line would test the waters like this, then pull the USA plug like all the other mfgrs are doing.
Am I getting carried away? John <>{ |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | ...because the USA factory connection is a big reason why I like Ovation. If my choices were all imports, I might feel just as good about a Washburn or Alvarez or some other brand that has pretty good guitars from China.
Somebody give me some hope 'cause I'm spiralling downward. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 651
Location: Australia | I think it's a big mistake to feature the High Output pickup and OP Pro in the cheap import guitars. It just blurs the line even further with the USA models.
It's another example of Ovation shooting themselves in the foot. |
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March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | It's the reason why for years I thought Ovation had just gone to making cheaper imports - all you see in the local GC's are Celebs and the lower end US models. I had no idea that Ovation was still making more expensive, higher quality instruments, and I already owned one!
I do wonder when someone will notice that this is eventually going to hurt their "upper-end" business. |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | The decision makers at Ovation aren't stupid.
I fear they're one step away from shipping things to China.
All that's missing from those Celebs are the superior necks of the USA models, and that's just a matter of shipping machinery overseas...as soon as corporate knows they can trust the quality of foreign labor to be as good as it is here. We've all seen China's work getting better and better in the last couple of years. I don't want to watch as this happens. If that's what's happening. John <>{ |
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December 2005
Posts: 6
Location: Bolton, UK | I thought the celebs were made in Korea, mine is anyway |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by MWoody:
More and more we will have less and less to tell the difference! It's getting the same way with boob jobs. You used to be able to spot 'em a mile away. Lately it's getting more difficult. Or maybe I'm just getting old and I'm not quite as observent as I used to be. What do YOU think, Mr. Moody? Being a private eye and all, you must have to rely on your powers of observation all the time. And whatever DID happen with that little info gathering canvasing job you had a while back ???
Dave |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | Dave,
I have a set of knobs I think you;ll enjoy... |
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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | Originally posted by worshipleader:
Originally posted by TWA:
Originally posted by JeffreyD:
I don't know if I think it's a good idea to use a common plywood grade in my model number, but it is a sweet looking guitar. If you look at the descriptions of each you'll notice this line:
Top: Solid Spruce |
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Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | Now THAT's something to aspire to... |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | I think that Ovation's CT factory is heading towards producing premium guitars only. The guitars that sell in volume will be made overseas. The CT factory will concentrate on the high end models with the latest technology like the countoured bowl, VIP pre-amp, solid koa tops, etc, with a higher emphasis on custom orders and Adamas guitars. USA Ovation will be more like USA Hamer where the production numbers will be lower, but the prices will be higher. It makes a whole lot of sense for Ovation to only make in the USA guitars that will sell for premium prices. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | Originally posted by Tupperware:
Originally posted by MWoody:
More and more we will have less and less to tell the difference! It's getting the same way with boob jobs.
Dave |
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Have you seen this new Ovation?