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Location: Omaha | I'm sure this topic has been discussed before, and maybe even "beaten to death," but does Ovation have any kind of reputation for having any "golden years" of production - the really good stuff, or - for lack of a better term - any "rust years" of duds to avoid? It seems like almost every American instrument company went through the Dark Ages of the '70's, but I've never heard anyone here say that Ovation was "plagued" (no pun intended!) in such a way.
???
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | some would say early mid 90's was a rather dark era. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Round center hole Adamas was a bad year(s). |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | For me, 67-69 were by far the Golden Years. A renaissance occured in the late 70's with the original Adamas guitars but that was later snuffed out. Some would argue there is is a bit of a resurrection with the LX and Contour Bowl guitars. Ice cream? Brief periods of Hagen-Daz seperated by years of store brand plain vanilla.
Flash back to early 80's. The suits tell you that they are going to push k-bar necks, supershallow bowls, colored tops, celebrity models, and position themselves as the plugged in guitar. As the marketing manager who loves quality acoustic sound how are you going to deal with THAT? And the ironic thing is that once the whole unplugged thing comes around everyone flocks to Tak and Martin because AR has been asleep at the wheel.
As Ovation fans we are lucky that we 1) have this site, 2) have each other, 3) have dealers like Al, and 4) have places like ebay, to search out the real gems. And make no mistale there are some like I mentioned above. God forbid if we were at the mercy of the chain stores.
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Location: SoCal | 67-69 were great. The 70's, for the most part, sucked (exception being the Adamas, and the Custom Legends). 80's with advent of the A bracing pattern, and the 1537's, were good, but the trend started towards the SSB. 90's sucked. No way around that. There were still good guitars out there (I have a 93 Adamas I deep bowl that's outstanding), but the push was for stage guitars, f*#k the acoustic sound. In the 2000's, with the LX and contoured bowls, things are looking up again.
Also, to add to Dave's things to be thankful for list, add Kim & John, and the rest of the customer service guys. They have a real love for the older instruments and it shows in their work. |
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Location: Tennessee | The 70's, for the most part, sucked True enough. But the 70's was when every way you turned, a major artist was playing an Ovation. From rock, to country, to fingerstyle. The list of endorsees was huge, and the sheer market presence of Ovation was even bigger. It's hard to argue that when you're on top of the game you're not in your golden years. |
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Location: Chicagoland | That's becuase Ovation was the only true aucostic/electric guitar for quite awile. No one really had any choice. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I would have to say that the 70's weren't that bad for Ovation. Yes there were some bad models but there were a ton of good ones and it was the company's leap to center stage. Gibsons and Fenders weren't that good then. I would say that the early 80s were darker years for Ovation.
There were maybe three periods (maybe more) that stand out as brilliant.
1. 66-69 Bringing a great idea to reality. Not sure how to do it but doing it anyway. Once it got perfected, it started getting too smoothed out to make production easier and the specialness slipped away.
2. 76&77 Slothead production. Same reason as above.
3. Now. Completely different reasons. Dedicated people reinventing the guitar and making great products. Struggling to succeed (and doing so) in a corporate environment where it's just another product line (with abnormally huge costs associated with it that other lines don't have, read factory). |
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Location: SoCal | Please keep in mind that my comments were generalizations. There were great guitars built every single year. I've got guitars built in 68, 69, 72, 83, 87, and 93. All are great guitars.
Also, I tend to judge guitars by their acoustic sound, not whether you can plug them in, or who was first to plug in. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Bill sounds like he actually knows what he's talking about! Dave |
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Location: SoCal | But he's a retired gas station owner for cripes sake..... |
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Location: Omaha | Not to steer my own thread off topic, but Bill's comment(s) raises another question...who really owns Ovation today? The Kaman family? A corporation? Stockholders? _____________? (Doesn't "sound like" it's the employees...)
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Location: SoCal | Ovation is part of Kaman Music which in turn in owned by Kaman Corp.
Did I get those names right? Probably not.... |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Kaman is a publically traded company. Symbol is KAMNA. |
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Location: NJ | I'd be inclined to think that the 80's were "dark times" for ALL acoustic guitar manufacturers (punk, disco, techno, power-pop, . . name yer "poison"). |
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Location: SoCal | "I'd be inclined to think that the 80's were "dark times" for ALL acoustic guitar manufacturers"
Yet 2 of the 3 six strings I have and play the most were built in the 80's.........
There are exceptions to all the statements.... |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | My wife follows the stock for me. They recently had some sort of stock conversion, which I've been informed, makes the shares more fairly valued. Also, Kaman bought MBT, the same guys that distribute Tribal Planet, Hondo (they make the chiquita guitar) and other stuff. It'll be interesting to see how this works out. It would be great if they had TP bags specifically designed as an option. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | For the insomniacs and Economists amongst us:
Change in Stock Type
Overview
Hey Miles,
Can we get KAMNA stock in the OFC Store soon? |
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Location: closely held secret | ...zzzzzzzz... |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Buy high and sell low. Oh wait, that only applies to my guitar aquisitions ... |
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Location: Omaha | Hah! How true!
Oh boy...
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Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | Although in the early 70's O's were everywhere, I think now is the start of the golden years for Ovation. But I don't know if the current popular music could support it. There's not enough acoustic guitar based music selling as in the past. The quality of the guitars coming out of the Ovation factory are great. The new models such as the T's LX's wild paint schemes, better electronics, bracings, contour bowls make this an exciting time to be an Ovation Fan. Now is the time my friends! |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | The problem is that there are too many people now who hate Ovations. I run into this every time I'm at my local GC. So many won't even give them a chance; paint schemes, electronics, bowl configuration doesn't matter.
Roger |
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Location: Central Florida | I agree with the 1966-69 camp. Ovation put out some incredible acoustic instruments during that period. Even my snob brother, who's an avid O basher, admitted that my former (now GN-Nick's) '68 Deluxe Balladeer was--in his words--a "tone monster." Eventhough the 70's were the highest profile era for Ovation (and my sentimental favorite period for Os), I agree with Mr. Moody and others... Acoustically, their tone began to seriously wane, with the exception of the Adamas and Custom Legend models. This, I believe, was largely due to their experimentation with alternative bracing patterns.
When I'm cruising the 'bay looking for good deals on older O's, these days I find myself gravitating towards the early to mid 80s models. I think that was also a pretty good period in the companies production history, mainly due to the inclusion of the A pattern bracing on more models. I used to have an Elite deep bowl from '89 that ws an exceptional guitar (another one I kinda regret selling).
I can't speak much about the 90s, the only O I've ever owned from that period is the '95 Elite SS bowl I currently own. It's a well built guitar, but because its a SS bowl, it shines when plugged in, but is limited in other applications.
Unfortunately, I can't really speak to the present quality of Ovation. They seem to be building some pretty spectacular instruments, but all I can do at this point is watch from the sidelines, since they're currently not offering any of their new innovations to the lefty market, and it appears it's gonna be a while before they do--if ever.
So, for me personally, this is how I'd break it down:
Best era so far (sonically): Late sixties.
Second best (sonically): Early eighties
Sentimental favorite: The 60s & 70s in general. |
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Location: Flushing, MI | I'm kinda wondering if their darkest hour could be right NOW. They seemed to be all concerned with the painted up tops (the Nikki Sixx lightning bolt design comes to mind), and super shallow bowls, and totally ignore the acoustic tone. I thinking their aiming for the teenage market.
They oughta be concerned about repairing their tarnished reputation. But, on the other hand, as long as people keep a-hatin' 'em, we can keep a-buyin' the good ones cheap!
Give me a deep bowl with an A bracing, or give me my Matrix! |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I don't think the darkest times are now. Following your line of thought then the darkest times would have been from 99-03. |
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Location: NJ | any day they make an Adamas with a textured top is a good one. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I have to say it again, the flame / tribal top guitars are popular. I don't care how they get ovations in everyone's mitts. Once they see how good they are, they'll try others.
The people in charge now are doing the right things. Both at the product lines and distribution levels. (three things I'd add. on the ovation side, an A papoose type instrument, and on the Hamer side, a small body travel guitar and a short scale mustang type guitar) The alternative is that we wind up in an ovation ghetto.
PS I've played at least a dozen adamas from '03 and found them to be stunning. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by alpep:
any day they make an Adamas with a textured top is a good one. He doesn't say much, but he obviously knows what he's talking about ... |
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Location: south east Michigan | Yes...we have Nikki Six and flame tops. But we also have the re-issue Adamas as well as all the other retro designs we played with on the tour. I think Ovation currently has things pretty well covered at both ends of the market.
(I think the flame tops are cool...not for me...but cool) |
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Location: New Hampsha | I agree - Things peaked in 1968-73 with the Huricanes, Tornados, T'Heads, and Typhoons and the dark period started when these lines were discontinued. Waiting for the semi-hollow body resurrection.....
And waiting.
:p |
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Location: south east Michigan | Waiting for the semi-hollow body resurrection.....
Your wait is over. The headstock looks different and says "Hamer", but it's all you could want from a semi-hollow body. |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | I agree with what Roger said...too many serious guitar players hate Ovation because of what it represented for so long...trendy, durable, great plugged in. If I'm looking at serious guitars I'm not looking for those things. I visited a couple of better music stores on vacation last week (one of which sold higher end Taylors, Martins and Ovations). I was wearing my Ovation Tshirt w/ the "plug it in" motto. I could tell by the look on their faces that none of the people who worked in those stores could understand WHY I would be interested in Ovations. We know the great things that are going on, but most people seem to have a bad memory stuck in their heads. |
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Location: SoCal | Tragocaster thinks that the dark times may be today, but I disagree. Acoustically, Ovation is building some of it's best guitars. The LX's and the contour bowls LX's sound wonderful acoustically, on par with some of their best instruments. |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I agree, Ovation is building some of the finest instruments they have ever made. It's sad to see them ignored. I've tried a couple of times with lookers at our local GC to have them get the 2005 Collectors (hung up in the rafters so no one can get it) down to try it and they WON'T...it's an OVATION. Won't even consider it.
Roger |
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Location: Flushing, MI | I didn't mean to sound like I was saying that this is their worst period for building instruments. Obviously they still make the same high quality instrument that they've always made. I just meant that it was the company's darkest hour due to public perception of it's product which, face it, has never been lower. And Ovation don't help matters by promoting their electric super shallow bowl guitars, and neglecting to promote their more toneful models. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Some good points made Trago. Part of the low public opinion is that there is so much else for them to have higher opinions about and those companies are spending the bucks to get those opinions.
As usual I was much more focused on the product. |
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Location: NJ | The stuff that's coming out now is some of the best built/sounding, innovative-designed product that they've done in quite a few years (ThankYouDarren!). I would also venture to say that a LOT of the shift towards the "better-sounding ACOUSTIC guitar" and the interest in the older, "legacy" models came from information that they've been able to glean from the FREE, on-going demographic studies that're available from Forums like this one (and others) - both Positive and Negative . . .
There IS though a LOT of negative "hype" that's garnered by the AcousticGuitar cogniscente out there over the years that Ovation'll have to overcome . . . but they're getting there.
I personally feel that they need to "distance" themselves somewhat from the Import line by demanding that prime purveyors (GuitarCenter) take the TopOfTheLine products DOWN from the rafters and put 'em in the "A" room with their counterparts so that they can be FAIRLY compared side-by-side. There's no reason to "bulk-display" ALL of the models on one wall in the main room - they don't to it for Martin . . .
Granted, Martin has a lot more expensive models that require a more secure, controlled area. WHY then is the method of "securing" the more expensive Ovations done by simply placing them "out of reach"?
Put 'em in the "A" room, where they're SECURE yet ACCESSIBLE!!
KMC provides more than the Lion's Share of product to these guys. Perhaps they need "flex a bit o'muscle" . . .
Not "favoritism" . . . just "fairness" . . .
ahhhhhhhhhhh(click!) |
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Location: SoCal | Boy, Cliff hit the nail with his head regarding the need to get the high end O's off the rafter hooks and down with the other high end guitars.... If people from the corporate office are reading the board this morning and can only take one point, that's gotta be the one. |
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Location: NJ | . . . and my resume' is Available Upon Request. |
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Location: Flushing, MI | Cliff - Amen and Amen!
I've been playing since the mid-60's, but I've played VERY few Ovations over the years. And the only ones that I've EVER been able to try out in stores have been the foreign made, super shallow jobs. Fortunately the Celebrity that I own has the OP24+ electronics, which help out a lot. I honestly can't tell that it's construction or materials are in any way inferior to the US made models. For what I paid for it, it was a great deal.
But honestly, prior to joining this board I'd never really had the chance to give a good Ovation a fair shake. All I knew was the opinions that I've read from others, which I've never really taken to heart. The few older Ovations that I'd played over the years I thought were either OK, or less than OK. Not bad, but not mind-blowing.
Then I got this Legend. WOW! This is truly up there with the finest acoustics that I've ever played, and I've played old pre-war Martins old Gibsons etc. etc.
Now that I recall, I had a student years ago that had a very beat up Ovation. I couldn't tell you if it was a Legend, Balladeer, or what, but I do recall being mightily impressed with it's tone, and thinking to myself "Hey those aren't supposed to sound THAT good".
So yeah, they need to get these better sounding models in the showrooms where people can play and hear them. I'm sure they're reputation would become much improved.
I'm currently DYIN' to try out an Adamas. I've never even seen one in the flesh before. |
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Location: south east Michigan | I know...it's really frustrating but we just keep ending up talking about it.
But just for a minute, imagine if you will, a "high end" room in a GC with a U681T, an AD-II, and a 2005C hanging on the wall.
GC could put an excessive mark up on them and still sell them for less than a high end Taylor. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | maybe someday...... |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Al,
Are the high end A's & O's hanging your "A" room... next to the Taylors??? |
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Location: NJ | I've been fortunate enough to have been allowed INTO Al's "A" room . . .
I'd venture t'say that the only Taylor you'd probably find MIGHT be the half-eaten TaylorHam sandwich from Al's lunch . . . . |
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Location: south east Michigan | You know Bill, when I go into a GC or my local music store of choice I try to be an Ovation advocate. When salespeople or managers strike up a converstion I'll try to pass on information that they might not have. However, I am very careful not to come across like just another obsessive "fan-boy". I just can't pretend to have the credibility that a sales rep or Kaman employee would have.
I'm sure that others here do the same thing.
We'll just keep plugging (pun intended) away! |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I bought my 2005 Collectors because, for some reason unknown but to God, they put it in the high-end room at our local GC. The second one they got didn't get that royal treatment. As soon as it arrived, up in the rafters it went.
Roger |
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Location: SoCal | Hello, Ovation marketing??? Anybody home??? (Sorry Rick, but this is very important). |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I have an opinion about the problem, but not about the solution. I started with Ovations in the early 70's because people like Jim Croce, Cat Stevens and David Gates used them and I liked their music. It was a huge sacrifice for my bride to be and me to sell my electric and acoustic guitar and scrape enough together to by my Matrix so I could play it at our wedding. $250 was a lot of money for us. It was more important to us than an engagement ring.
At that time Ovation was new technology and on the cutting edge or modern or whatever we called it and that was important.
Now, modern means nothing and new technology changes every week. My daughter is high tech, but doesn't like Ovations because she wants a "real guitar" that has a wood back. The 20 something sales manager at GC doesn't like Ovations because they slide off his leg, but he spends most of his time with the electric stuff. The generation that is in its 20's these days listens to digital music through ear plugs and wants an acoustic guitar, if at all, like some guy plays once in some grunge rock band.
Marketing acoustic guitars to this generation must be tough. Taylor got in the door somehow and the kids aren't impressed with the "new" technology, which they now think is old. They just think all wood guitars are better and can't or won't listen to the difference in the sound. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Does your daughter ever compare the sound of your guitars to the wooden back ones? Maybe listen while you play them both. |
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Location: Flushing, MI | I feel like the poster boy for DGOS - that's Deprived of a Good Ovation Syndrome.
At 44 years of age, and playing since I was about 5, and I can count the number of non-shallow, US made Ovations that I've played on one hand. That's just not right folks! It's not like I've avoided them. They weren't there!
For years all I've read over the net was how bad Ovations are, and how terrible they sound, yada yada. My Legend was an EYE-OPENER! |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | OH, this is sounding like marketing....again...click.
Well before I go click, your point that Jim Croce and Cat Litter and the Doobies and all the rest is valid. It was the music of the day and they played Ovation.
What is the music of today? Good question and one that the people in Bloomfield need to be answering, not just for Ovation but ALL the lines. Now they need those answers, and get those people.....
now, click |
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Location: Upper Left USA | ...and yet another traveller nearly gets sucked into the giant planets orbit...
This sounds like a great new topic! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Stephen, my daughter has heard both guitars. She even tried out a 1537 for me. Unfortunately, it was out of tune and she was just a beginner. Box guitars do tend to sound better from the back than Ovations and she has this opinion that guitars should have wood backs. My parents didn't know anything when I was her age, either. She lived around an Ovation her whole life and expressed no interest. I was shocked when she bought her Ibanez in college. At 22 or 13 or any of those years, her friends know everything and their opinions are all that matters. |
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Location: Germantown, MD | I had an experience last weekend that seems relevant here. My partner and his wife were over, and he was playing my new Balladeer 12. His wife--who plays some herself and has been with this guy for close to thirty five years and thus knows something about guitars--remarked that you don't normally get such a balanced, well-integrated sound from a guitar right out of the Guitar Center acoustic room. And when I listened--I hadn't been in front of the guitar to hear it played--she was right. And we know the tone of an all-wood guitar will change more over time than an Ovation. . . . So if you buy a Marin or Taylor at Guitar Center, you're probably buying a guitar with a somewhat raw tone and hoping that your playing (or your amp?) will mellow it out--which might or might not really happen.
Marketing has a lot of work to do. Of course, if they get the point across, the supply of Ovations relative to supply goes down, and we know what happens to prices. . . . |
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Location: Omaha | amstphd,
I assume you mean, "the supply of Ovations relative to DEMAND goes down, and we know what happens to prices..."
That doesn't have to be the case; like others here, I'm wondering why I don't see more LX models and an occasional 05 Collector's or Adamas somewhere local...are these that heavily back ordered? Are they not being ordered because everyone wants wood guitars instead? Are dealers becoming biased against Ovations/Adamas for some reason?
Still patiently waiting for either a non-cutaway lefty LX or the real deal...
:rolleyes: |
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Location: closely held secret | Mike - The Real Deal. |
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Location: Atlanta, GA | I'm a newbie to Ovations, but I was in the local Guitar Center a couple of days ago and they had an Ovation in the "used" section that was far and away the best sounding guitar in the room. Which got me thinking . . . I'm looking for a 12 string for accent/different sounds and the Ovations suddenly became a viable choice. I love the sound of 12 fret slothead 6 string guitars and I was wondering if anyone had a quick version of the distinctions between the Pacemaker, the Glen Campbell, and some of the other Ovation 12 strings, particularly any that it would be wise to avoid. I've got a budget of around $500, if that helps.
As far as the "dark days" for other acoustic manufacturers, most sources agree that the '70s were it for Martin, Gibson and Guild. They were struggling to keep up with demand and quality suffered, not only at Gibson after it was bought out by Norlin (who wanted the guitars overbuilt to reduce warranty work), but even at Martin. By the early to mid 1980's both Gibson and Martin had had to refocus on quality since the onslaught of Japanese guitars had stripped away the bottom of the market and Martin and Gibson both realized that their only hope was to reclaim the high end by delivering quality. By the late 1980's Martin was back to some semblance of its former glory (and finally introduced a adjustable truss rod!) and Gibson followed a couple of years later after a buy-out from Norlin and a move of acoustic manufacture to Montana.
Any advice on Ovation 12 strings would be greatly appreciated.
Bill
'68 Gibson Hummingbird (bought new in 1968!)
'81 Gallagher Doc Watson (flatpickin' hoss/banjo killer) |
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Location: North Texas | Interesting thread, I've only now gotten around to reading it. I'm not sure if I believe Ovations ever had dark days. It became a fad instrument, for a long time, and the company had to produce a hugh quantity and enough variety to keep the fickle public happy. I do know that folks keep buying Ovations, even the "dark age" ones. What I think is, the only problem with Ovation guitars is very simple. Some people just do not like the round back shape of the instrument. The line is based on that engineered acoustic technology. The same design that makes the guitars sound so great is responsible, ergonomically, for limiting their desirability. Yes, Virginia, the instrument does slide off of your lap. Everyone on this forum has heard about the lap thing. It does not bother me in the least, I wear a strap to prevent slippage, however, many people hate the shape we know and love. That's cool with me. Let them unload those pesky Ovations all they want to. There are plenty of O fans to grab 'em up.
I still have not heard a word from the seller of that 4 year old 1979 1624. I'm beginning to think he's reluctant to give it up. Buck |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Slide off your lap???? Never has for me.......I dislike guitars with square-cornered backs, especially dreadnoughts, they jab me and are uncomfortable....the rounded backs fit me PERFECTLY.
Roger |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I have never had an Ovation slip off my lap with the sole exception of the '97 Collector. My conclusion is that if you have lap slipping, the problem is most likely your lap and not the guitar. Look in the mirror and see how you are holding it. Dave |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Ditto, never had ANY ovation slip off my lap. I think Dave is right on the money. Check how it is being held on you lap. |
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Location: North Texas | Geesh! |
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June 2002
Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | You would think, with my guitars having roundbacks and me having a round front, that they'd be two opposing forces working against each other. But I can honestly say I've never had a problem with "slipage." The key to playing an Ovation while sitting is to hold them close to the body, with the guitar sitting approximately mid-thigh, rather than out towards the knee. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Slippage is not due to the lap or the belly. It has everything to do with the force of your strumming forearm and positioning. If you are a lazy, poor postured player you will tend to rest too much on the upper bout with your elbow instep. I fall into this catagory when I play seated.
Another reason to play standing up! |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | No slippage here. Even though I've gained 30 pounds or so since I started playing Ovations. I think that was a rumor started with the shiney bowls. I have 3 depths and don't see any difference in whether it stays on my leg. I rarely play standing up. The only time I recall having a guitar slide off was when I was given a stool to sit on and the rung for my foot was too low. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | The only time I recall having a guitar slide off was when I was given a stool to sit on and the rung for my foot was too low.
Same here. It was at an open mic night. I have learned to be wary of that before I start to play.
And I only play deep bowls. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | Have you ever put your foot in an awkward position until your leg started shaking? That also happened at the same wedding. That was the last public appearance for a few years. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | There must be some misunderstanding. My post was refering to those who don't like the guitars. I do not have any problems playing Ovations myself, with a strap, or otherwise. I think that players who like, or love the roundbacks "learn" to hold them, and do so instintively. Clearly, a curved surface is more prone to slip than is a squared, cornered one. I've played Ovations for more than thirty years and have kinda gotten the hang of it, however, during that time hundreds of people have asked if they could play mine. At least half of them complained about the shape and said it felt funny. Again, those are not my words, they are comments from others. If we look at guitar sales since 1967 I believe we'd find that conventional guitars have outsold our preference by a wide margin. I don't have the numbers to back up this assumption, but that's my guess. Since the quality, playabilty, and the tone of the Ovations are equal to, or greater than other instruments, in their price range, then there must be other factors. I've never heard a complaint from an Ovation owner, but I've heard them from others. Fess up boys and girls. I suspect some O fans have heard similar remarks from non O players, but I could be wrong. No one in the galaxy likes Ovation guitars more than I do, but I can admit that not everyone, who has ever bent a string, feels the same way. Cheers, Buck |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | While at first I found the roundness of the lower edge disconcerting, I quickly learned how to deal with it. I play both sitting and standing, but I usually wear a strap when playing to an audience, even if I'm sitting (never know when you might get an urge to stand for a song). What I hate now is the top edge of box guitars. It digs into my chest and my arm goes numb.
My experience with introducing Ovations to other players is this: IF they are more interested in the sound, quality of build, and playability of a guitar than their image, they take what I have very seriously.
The people who turn their nose up at a Legend LX are the ones who mutter things like 'plastic' and 'skunk stripe'. The strangest ones are those that hear the price paid, and simply assume it can't be any good because I didn't pay $2k+ for it...
You'd think after 30 years people would get it... |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I love the skunk stripe.
However, I don't think Rick Hall cared for that term when I used it at the tour.
I was bummed to learn that the skunk stripe is more for looks than anything else. I always had thought it added strength to the neck. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | The skunk strip did add strength in the early days, before the K bar. From the advent of the K bar forward, it's just been decoration. But it's kept (I'm speculating here) because it's part of what makes Ovation, well, Ovation. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
The skunk strip did add strength in the early days, before the K bar. From the advent of the K bar forward, it's just been decoration. But it's kept (I'm speculating here) because it's part of what makes Ovation, well, Ovation. True. But could it be possible that it was still used to add strength and stability to the neck until the recent addition of the new LX system? On my 2003 Legend the amount of 'stripe' material was signifigantly greater then on the LX. Or was it just cost-cutting? |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | To me, an Ovation is way more comfortable to hold. Like a big puppy dog with strings. As Waskel said, a "normal" guitar digs in, and I've experienced the numbness thing also. It's funny that many people think the shape is new. Some of the earliest stringed instruments built had a similar design. Without the plastic, of course. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | For whatever reason, with the advent of the LX, the skunk strip was been much narrower. Maybe it was decided that costs could be cut..... |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | It is lovely to have the ebony in there but also wasteful. How about a Titanium rod"? |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | The narrower is mostly for looks, doesn't save any money. I think ebony is good too. Afterall isnb't guitar building all about depleating our natural resourses? Use up that Ebony and Brazilian Rosewood and Black Walnut and Honduran Mahogony. Let's use up all the Spruce trees.
THEN, we will all hvae to play Qs. That's a nice thought! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . where do I sign up?? |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Once again I bow to Bill's superior mental powers! I am not worthy :rolleyes: |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Well, hell, Woodrow, we've often said that you're not worthy (altho' I was playing the Guitar Formerly Known As Viper last night -- I might have to rethink that "not worthy" comment)..... |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Yes, I didn't think the narrower 5-piece neck would save any money. Assembling 5 pieces is assembling 5 pieces, and narrower might actually be HARDER to assemble than a little thicker. I personally prefer the thicker stripe, myself. My favorite stripe is on my 2002 Collectors, with my 1777 Legend a close second.
I'm waiting for us to hurriedly use up all the good top wood so that the carbon fiber top will work its way down into Ovations(we can use old pallets for Celeb and Applause tops).
Roger |
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Ovation "golden years" or "rust years"?