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Joined: August 2004 Posts: 709
Location: Germany | Yesterday I visited a guitar store and I couldn't belive my eyes. They had over 50 Ovations ready to be played. I've never seen such variety of upmarket guitars before.
They claim to display over 2,000 guitars, 500 of them acoustic guitars, 50 of them Martins and 30 of them Taylors. I took some pics so that you can imagine why I had to pant for air in this shop:
Huge music store
I think this store is quite unique in Europe. I wonder how many of these Mega-stores you have in the US?
Karl |
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Joined: November 2004 Posts: 308
| Wow! this is guuuuuge! |
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Joined: December 2001 Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I have not seen that many Ovation acoustics on display anywhere since the 70's. There was a time when Ovation guitars, like Martin and Taylor today, had their own listening/playing rooms in a music store. I still have one of the large cloth banners they used to hang in those rooms. Since then the largest number of USA made Ovations in one place I believe is our own Alpep. |
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Joined: November 2004 Posts: 308
| Is his store at 330 THIRD AVE, BELLMAWR NJ? I checked Al's site "Lost Art/Vintage instruments" but I may have missed photos of the store...great guitar collection though! |
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Joined: July 2002 Posts: 1900
| I wonder if there's an Ovation retailer like that anywhere in the United States?...Ace Music never carried that much stock...Rhythm City Atlanta never carried that much.. Incredible.. |
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Joined: November 2004 Posts: 308
| I bet he has over 50 ovation/adamas in his store! |
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Joined: June 2006 Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Very Nice!! You sure could kill some time there. :D |
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Joined: March 2002 Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . I may have missed photos of the store . ."
Al is part vampire, and his store can't be photographed . . . |
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Joined: November 2004 Posts: 308
| :D :D |
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Joined: January 2005 Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I figured from the photos that this was just Bills European summer home, but the lack of shiny metal things (I saw a few) gave it away ...
WOW, I've never seen an adamas reissue, 40th reissue, or viper in ANY US music store. Ever.
When Al's place is done I think it will look similar. Right now it's almost the same, except for the ability to actually walk from spot A to spot B.
So Karl, what did you buy ???
Dave |
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Joined: March 2007 Posts: 665
Location: Tychy, Poland | where is this shop located?
i don't think there are more than 50 ovations in whole Poland, not to mention in one shop. |
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Joined: August 2004 Posts: 709
Location: Germany | Dave, my primary objective was to test the Glen Campbell and the Balladeer reissues side by side. Seems there are not so many opportunities to do that.
I was very impressed by the GC's (#62) sound, very brilliant, very loud and good bass even if it is not a deep bowl. Same played via preamp. And I fell in love with the Balladeer (#7). The rosette is sweet, the vintage yellowed binding looks terribly good. Sound comparable to my Dlx Balladeer, but I liked the GC more.
I doubt they ever sell the Balladeer here in Germany. Prize is 2159 Euros (about $2,900). There are not so many people around here who are willing to pay that for an acoustic only Ovation. To be honest, I only know two people in Germany appreciating the outstanding quality and sound of these guitars - at least for that prize.
If you can make it to the European OFC Gathering in July I would suggest to visit the shop at this opportunity. It's not too far away from me and it's really worth the effort. Dave, they have more than 50 Ovations and more than 50 Martins you can test side by side! Where else can you do that?
Karl |
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Joined: August 2004 Posts: 709
Location: Germany | The shop is here:
Musik Schmidt
Karl |
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Joined: January 2005 Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by kid-school:
Dave, my primary objective was to test the Glen Campbell and the Balladeer reissues side by side. Seems there are not so many opportunities to do that. You could have flown to Phoenix! But you would have had to hurry. The GC leaves for down under on MOnday (should have left Friday except for box troubles. I agree with your comments abut the GC 100%. I'm almost kicking myself for selling mine. I seriously think it is one of the best wood topped ovations I have ever heard. Fortunately there is something in the pipeline that will fill the void ...
Dave |
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Joined: December 2004 Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Wow Karl. That must have been a blast! It looks like you could spend hours in there testing different flavors. |
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 Joined: January 2002 Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | You could probably count on one hand the stores in the US that have 50 of the same anything in stock. |
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Joined: March 2002 Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | The shop where I got my first guitar (Ackerman's in Midland Park, NJ) was a small mom/pop shop and had a HUGE Ovation selection! I think they had a couple examples of the entire line. They're still in existence, but are a mere fraction of what they used t'be, and now just carry student models & used stuff.
Hey, Bill!
D'you remember (from "Back in the Day"), a store called Victor's House of Music (Ridgewood, NJ)??
They used t'be one of the biggest indie music store in Northern NJ. Carried a LOT of stuff.
I haven't been there in YEARS, but heard a few months ago, rumours that they were being bought by either GC or SA.
"Another" one . . . |
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Joined: October 2004 Posts: 256
Location: chicago | Imagine if some one tripped and knock over everyone of those guitars......wow!
www.guitarsoffire.com |
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 Joined: January 2002 Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Just imagine a dog barking in the store. |
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