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Location: Miami | This Christmas I was back in England and found a shallow bowl Elite from 10-12 years ago. It was in great condition and produced a good acoustic sound considering its slim dimensions. The wooden epaulets also looked much classier than the newer ones, which seem to be inlaid rather than attached to the surface of the top, which I prefer. I've handled a few more recent Ovation models but they haven't seemed to be of the quality of this guitar, or of the Elite I owned in the mid-90s. Has Ovation maintained (improved?) its quality, or are the older models superior? |
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Location: Utah | I'd say that the epi preference is personal. I rather like the single bass side inlaid epaulets. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | WOW. Great question.
Personal opinion, I think it's a mixed bag. Without question many aspects of the guitar are far superior to what they were decades ago. Especially in terms of consistency and quality. But the economic realities are that many other aspects have to get cheapened in order to just stay in business and turn a profit. And in the end much of the mojo and cool factor gets lost in the process.
Same is true of automobiles. Is a brand new Mustang a better car that a late 60's Mustang? You could argue either way. |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | The current USA-made Ovations have the same build quality as the older ones. Newer technology has done a lot to improve features on the guitars.
The current imported models appear to be better quality than the older imports. This is probably just because over time they've gotten better at what they do. The design and construction methods of the imports are inferior to the USA models.
So if you want a NEW Ovation that's as good as or better than the old ones, make sure it's a US model.
John <>{ |
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Location: Omaha, NE | I think the new LX necks are better than the Kaman bar necks. I think the inlaid epi's look better too.
YMMV |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I think it also depends upon which models you are comparing. I like some of the older do-dads like the carved bridge and truss rod covers on the old Custom Legends, but many of the old tops didn't hold up over the years, I think the LX bracing is better on that model. I believe finishes have greatly improved, but time will tell on that one. I like the inlaid epis on some guitars, but not on others. The '09 Collectors is one that I like. I HATE white binding on any guitar that is not white, and was very glad to see them using some alternatives like the tortise. One of the cool features I like on the 1537s is the wood binding. I don't like the idea of narrowing the triple wood strip on the neck backs. It looks like they did it to reduce material costs.(kinda'a like everything you buy in the grocery stores today) I must say that I have been very impressed with the last bunch of collectors guitars. I would never have bought a new guitar if it weren't for the cool new styles and wood choices. I also REALLY like the contour bowls, and wish they'd come up with a non-cutaway contour bowl. So ... as you see there are a LOT of pros and cons to both old and new.
Oh yeah ... I really like the 2010 Limited Elite. Looks like a great combination of all the things I like in an Elite. |
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Location: SoCal | Until I saw the 2010 Ltd Elite, there was nothing new that I was that interested in. Not a question of what was better, old or new, just that new didn't ring my chimes sufficiently to make any changes.
While I have no plans to spend money on guitars this year, the 2010 Ltd Elite makes my heart pound a bit harder. That's kinda cool... |
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Posts: 888
Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | I think the clear coat guitar finishes have improved dramatically. The old finishes sounded fine but had a bad tendency to crack...usually in several places. For my money, I prefer the newer guitars.
Finally, does Al or will Al carry the 2010 Elite? |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Define quality. |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | No. |
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Location: SoCal | Originally posted by bauerhillboy:
No. Better or worse, John? |
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Location: Alagoas, Brazil | Originally posted by ProfessorBB:
Define quality. Quality is the generator of everything we know. |
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Location: NJ | yes |
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Location: Morristown, NJ | how about the brand new korean made balladeer vs older usa made balladeer? my neighbor bought a brand new "usa" and it says made in korea on it |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by drift:
my neighbor bought a brand new "usa" and it says made in korea on it Beautiful ... |
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Location: Huntington Beach | OK - here's what I remember. In Ohio in the 70s Ovations were scarce. I had a Guild D25 cherry that I loved that was stolen from a motel room in Kentucky. I have not yet forgiven Kentucky for that. I tried all kinds of guitars looking for a replacement and the marketing hype of Ovation - and the fact it was the only AE at the time - prompted me to seek them out. Tried all the models - narrowed it down to Legend or CL - then tried scores of Legends in multiple locations until I found "the one". Build quality was excellent then and build quality is excellent today - but every guitar is different just as every person who plays a guitar is different. This is true with every make and model. The ingredients of quality - design, materials, processes, knowledge, experience - all can be at their peak and still produce a product that doesn't have "it".
We have fantastic tools - machines - that can build anything in a very precise and beautiful way. But without the input of a craftsman it may not sing. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Also depends how you define "quality". I don't know of one universal definition.
I run my hands over the body edge binding on a typical modern ovation and it is anything BUT smooth and uniform. Other brands I own in this regard are perfect. Doesn't effect how the guitar plays or sounds. Is it poor quality? I dunno, really depends on your definition. |
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Posts: 288
Location: Maine | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Also depends how you define "quality". I don't know of one universal definition.
I run my hands over the body edge binding on a typical modern ovation and it is anything BUT smooth and uniform. Other brands I own in this regard are perfect. Doesn't effect how the guitar plays or sounds. Is it poor quality? I dunno, really depends on your definition. I suggest that's a design limitation because of the the matte / textured FG bowl, Ovation can't simply sand all adjacent surfaces to make them even and then clear coat over them like the wood box makers.
They can do some scraping, but it requires tigher up front routing for the binding.. |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Oh I agree. I'm sure there are reasons, and certainly they don't intentionally try to make it uneven, scarred up and scrape marks, etc. We need to remind ourselves that ovations are working mans tools like hammers and screwdrivers. They are not pieces of art. |
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Location: Maine | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Oh I agree. I'm sure there are reasons, and certainly they don't intentionally try to make it uneven, scarred up and scrape marks, etc. We need to remind ourselves that ovations are working mans tools like hammers and screwdrivers. They are not pieces of art. Well said.. Some of the high-end guitars rival the finest furniture and decorative box makers in fit and finish. A lot more cost for labor, looks, feel and material |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | I cherish my 1537 .. my 1618 .. 1617 .. and when my wallet gets a feed of financial steroids , I`ll get a 47 ..
Vic
..Ol´ ones good .. new ones good .. YUP !! .. |
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Are new Ovations the same quality as older ones?
