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February 2003
Posts: 9
Location: Indiana | every 12 string framus I ever owned could shoot arrows. what a piece of crap
how many pieces of crap did you buy? |
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December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | There has been a lot of talk about "labor" being the main cost difference in the import line (and I may have even written that in another thread) but I was also thinking that most of the major tech countries outside the US have a bit of a technology leap on us for several reasons and that cuts cost also. It's not a huge techno leap, but due in part to import laws, a lot of good computer tech doesn't hit here in the US for several years after it is on the ground elsewhere.
A lot has to do with some thing that I believe Mr. Gates said at the technology conference in Geneva a couple of years ago that while the US is designing and building faster chips, Europe and Asia (primarily) is writing software and firmware to use that technology.
I can only imagine the technology in one of those big computer driven routers and the circuit etching tools must be unbelievable.
I'm glad to see the point that our imports are built to a U.S. SPECIFICATION. They are not "copies" of the US models that some foriegn company dreamed up. They are building EXACTLY what they are being payed and told to build. I think many folks are starting to realize that Ovation is not just importing guitars to be "cheap" or "save money", they are importing guitars to offer a good instrument, as high a quality as possible, in every pricepoint so anyone can own one. I know many of us have talked down about the import quality, but the other side of the coin is that even an Applause, which I believe is the entry level, outplays most of the other guitars available for the same price. |
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February 2003
Posts: 9
Location: Indiana | I believe you could be right. How well it's built will always out weigh how much it cost to build it. At least it should, I think. |
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July 2002
Posts: 150
Location: Minneapolis, MN | Alot of good points are being made via foreign vs domestic when it comes to O's. I might like to add that unless you don't mind traveling to Southeast Asia for your next factory tour, that if there's no neglible difference between U.S. made vs Asian made, hopefully you'd consider O's made in CT. After all, what do guitar manufacturers do to make up for poor sound quality? "Polish the turd" as they say by dressing them up with all the visual appointments. It's the "all hat, no cattle" argument- as the cowboys like to say. I will concede that I've never had the opportunity to play a Pinnacle Deluxe against an Elite Special- Hell I'm still trying to figure out what a $5000.00 Martin has that my $400.00 Ovation (USA) doesn't have... but if I find out, I'll be sure to share! |
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February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | $5000 Martin vs an Ovation????
Here's how I explained it to the wife.
I strummed the Martin... NICE
I strummed the Elite 1537 I got from EBay for $549... Nice at first, but then I heard this loud metallic sound.
Strummed the $5000 Martin again... NICE
Strummed my 1537 - Nice, but then I heard that loud metallic sound again
After much trial and error I finally figured out what that noise was...
That loud metallic sound was the $4400+ spare change, left over after buy my Ovation, rattling around in my back pocket. ;)
Bradley |
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July 2002
Posts: 150
Location: Minneapolis, MN | Nicely put, Bradley! Couldn't have said it better myself!
I'd like to add that the GC I work at, recently took in a used Balladeer (USA). I looked at it and marvelled that we were only asking $199.00 for it (with the OHSC). It was in great condition :) I said to myself out loud "...hmmm only $199.00, that's quite a deal..." Another guitar salesman heard me say this and replied, " I wouldn't pay $1.99 for that guitar!" (Remember that it was in great condition, just another case if Ovation snobbery). I had the pleasure of replying "...you really are in idiot..." I really didn't feel the need to educate him, just felt like being brutally honest... my bad?? I don't think so :D |
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December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | "That loud metallic sound was the $4400+ spare change, left over after buy my Ovation, rattling around in my back pocket. "
Bradley, I am actually laughing out loud... that is so dead-on, so well put.... |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Before church today this guy I know bought over his new Ovation for me to see. It was a CC059 Celebrity classic guitar. I must say it was nice. It had a Cedar top, and played quite well. So I asked him if I could play it at church today and he said yes. Great little guitar. It sounded really good plugged in the PA also. Only thing I didn't like was the shallow bowl, but it is a very well made guitar....Paul Hebert |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Bradley
You hit it on the head, as a provider of instruments for two sons who were playing in my band in CA some years ago, that "$4400" is what allowed us all to have pretty good $400 guitars instead of bragging rights to Dad's one instrument: e.g. "My dad has a Martin, but he can't afford a band cause we don't have anything to play, but we're sure proud that he has that $5000 guitar locked up in his room, even though he won't let any body touch it. Guess I'll light up a joint and chill out, as I probably will never have a Martin like my dad has." My boys made it through the CA dope scene unscathed because they were busy playing and trying to become professional and they got to be better than me so that $5000 Martin would have been a waste of money.
Bailey |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | unfortunately if the guitar is not going for its proper value it hurts consumer user and seller all around everyone loses. |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Al
Quit salivating every time someone says "$5000". |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | bailey
go feed the burros make them strong like bull. |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Well, I am trying to get together a couple thousand for a 12 string, but 5 grand is tooo much. Does this mean I'll have to find somebody who will deal with a broken down prospector on a well fed burro, with an excess of gold dust in his pouch to get the guitar I want. You big town merchants only want to deal with guys that look like Liberache.
Bailey |
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July 2002
Posts: 280
Location: Waterloo, IL | What ended up happening to the $199 Balladeer? Did you decide to buy it, or did another lucky customer decide to pick it up? At that price, I would seriously consider picking it up if possible.
Chuck
Floating somewhere in the Middle East. |
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July 2002
Posts: 150
Location: Minneapolis, MN | Chuck,
A savvy picker snapped it up before the end of my shift :(
I could already hear my wife- "...but honey, why don't you let someone ELSE have a good deal??" LOL |
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Korean Ovation is not a bad thing!
