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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 43
Location: South Africa | LX Series - Quality Control Problems??
In response to Tony Calman's comment(Member# 1654)
"For the LX's, my understanding is that there is no excess inventory and that they are selling all they can produce."
MY POINT IS THIS:
About 2 years ago I purchased a Korean Made Ovation Celebrity. The general playability, quality and workmanship of this guitar is so good that it turned me into an instant Ovation fan. (The other instruments I own are a Martin D28 and a Fender Strat).
Last Week, I bought a new Legend 1777 LX (Black) from the local agents here in South Africa. Once at home and after closer inspection, I noticed a small flaw in the fretboard under the high E string near the soundhole. It looks as if a small splinter of wood had come off the fretboard during the manufacturing process. I do accept that this is merely a cosmetic issue and will not affect playability or tone but I find it very strange that this type of thing was allowed to pass through the factory's Quality control check on a guitar of this quality and price. (Here in South Africa, it cost the equivalent of about US Dollars 1,986 after discount).
In my opinion, the overall finish (construction, trimmings, paint and everything else) is far superior on the Korean made Celebrity to the USA made Legend LX - I kid you not!!
The local dealer here is speaking to the factory in the USA to see what can be done but I must say that I am mildly dissapointed to say the least.
Apart from this, the Legend LX sounds FANTASTIC, even next to a Martin.
I would love to hear some comments from members of the board.
PS: I will post some photo's once I have a response from the dealer and or factory. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Ouch as to problem and the price...
You have a warranty and a great company behind you...only seen a couple but the finish work was excellent. I am confident that you will end up a "happy camper." |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | What are the rules in south africa? Can you bring it back to the dealer and have her fix it? Most dealers I've dealt with would be mortified to let you take a guitar with a defect. Though I've been very picky with who I deal with. Why wait to hear back from Kaman? My advise is, if the guitar is otherwise great, don't return it. You are so far away from the mother ship. There are a couple of ways to fill the gash: 1)a mixture of glue and ebony dust, 2)Black stew mac glue drop into the crack, would be a little cheaper, and would look good. And then for both sand with 400, then 600, then 800 WD SP. Just tell the dealer to fix it, if she doesn't then bring it to a place to get an estimate, and then have the dealer knock the repair cost off the price. If she doesn't, find a new guitar guy. I bought a new discontinued MEWP last June, and in terms of fit and finish have had no problems. Knock wood. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | since the great guys at the factory usually read these posts, you may get answers and support quickly.
as such, I would defer making any repairs first. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 234
Location: Phoenix, AZ | Just out of curiousity, did you buy the guitar directly out of the shipping carton? If not, could the chip have occurred when the guitar was being removed from the carton? For that matter, could the chip have occurred when the guitar was being packed for shipment, after quality control had finished inspecting?
My point, the "damage" might have occurred after Ovation quality control had inspected the guitar. If you really like the guitar, it's playability and sound, then have it repaired and enjoy it.
My LX is great, and based on comparing the quality of my 2004 LX and my 1969 Deluxe Balladeer, I haven't noticed any decrease in quality over the past 35 years. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | I am thinking maybe the guitar might have been hit, or nicked. It really does not take much of a hit to do the kind of damage we are talking about here. The fret work on my Legend LX is beautiful, and it has no flaws at all in it's construction. Keep us informed on what the factory tells you. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | I have a similar chip in the fretboard of my Custom Legend. It's at the very top of the fretboard right next to the nut and there isn't much chance that it happened after the guitar was put together as it butts right up to the nut. The guitar is beautiful and plays/sounds extraordinary. Quite frankly my dear, I don't give a damn, I love playing it.
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I should probably add that my guitar was used. Had it been new, out of the box,from the store I'd probably want the store to make it right. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Upon receiving my LX in February I did the complete inspection and found:
a 1/4" scratch in the ebony fretboard at the 15th fret (like I'll ever use it!). Hard to find.
a yellowed glue spot (1/8") on the binding
Otherwise perfect.
I have since put a 1/2" scrape along the top in an "Up too late" toppling unlatched case accident involving a cluttered floor. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | Agree with Tony....get support from The factory. They have performed fabulous repairs on my ovations. |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 43
Location: South Africa | :)
Good News:
Tuerk Music who are the South African distributors of Ovation have agreed to replace my Legend LX with a brand new guitar which is on its way from the factory in the USA.
Both Ovation USA and Tuerk Music here in SA have been very obliging in sorting the problem out. The factory in the USA are inspecting the repacement guitar to ensure that it has no defects before being shipped to SA.
Long live Ovation!!! |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | There ya go.
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Aren't you glad you have a Ovation
Don't you wish everyone did?
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I cant remember what TV commercial I stole that from. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | I love a happy ending.
/\/\/ |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3664
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Brad- "Dial Soap". Likely fact is; I'm older than you. And, The MotherShip comes through, yet again. Makes you proud to be an Ovaholic, doesn't it?! |
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LX Series - Quality Control Problems??
