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Location: Atlanta, Ga | Do you believe there is any loss of quality in the newer models of the custom elite's/legends vs. older models?
I like the idea of having newer electronics but am concerned that the overall quality of the woods and/or craftmanship has declined in recent years? Is there any truth to this in your opinion?
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | I wouldn't question the quality of todays new Ovations one bit. You'll hear some isolated "horror stories" now and then, but that's the case with any brand of instrument. A bigger deciding factor would be the models and designs that are currently available new vs. used. For example, if you want a deep bowl non-cutaway custom legend it will cost you plenty to have a new one specially built today. At the same time there are many of these that come up used on eBay for very reasonable prices. If you want the modern electronics, that can always be upgraded easily on any older model. If the model you want is available new, then by all means buy it new. You will not be disappointed. Dave |
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Posts: 38
Location: Seattle | Originally posted by cgadave:
Do you believe there is any loss of quality in the newer models of the custom elite's/legends vs. older models?
I like the idea of having newer electronics but am concerned that the overall quality of the woods and/or craftmanship has declined in recent years? Is there any truth to this in your opinion?
GCA Dave,
Is your concern the result of rumor or your own experience?
Sonny
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Location: Atlanta, Ga | Sonny,
My question is the result of rumor only. My guitar interests originally were in the classical arena and I avidly followed opinions of builders and players regarding top woods. The majority of serious players buy hand made classicals from individual builders who make 20-50 guitars/year and there is a lot of discussion about the wood quality. The general concensus that I've noticed is that old growth wood with superior tonal characteristics is very hard to come by nowadays. Many builders have stocks that will last them for awhile but I'm concerned about large companies that are answerable to share holders that inevitable have "cost reduction" efforts annually. I'm not sure they hold inventories of "old" wood. Newer harvesting (I believe) comes from trees with much less history.
As for the craftsmanship I am unsure of any management or focus changes within the company which would affect quality, it's just a question.
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Location: Reading, PA | After attending the factory tour, I can tell you there is a very strong commitment from every person involved in the production of Ovation and Hamer guitars. The tour ended with a meet and greet that included upper management and design folks who wanted to hear our thoughts on the product. When I went to Bethlehem, PA on a tour of another guitar factory, I didn't sense the same commitment. Ovation is not the 'Acme guitars works'where they shove hunks of raw material in one side and finished instruments march out the other. You might consider making the pilgrimage. Ovation does not appear to be a company that would forget the past in order to build its future on short term profit or market share. Let your ear decide and the rumors will remain what they are. Best of luck with your choice.
Jim |
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Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | "Standingovation - I wouldn't question the quality of todays new Ovations one bit."
That's really nice to hear as I sit here waiting for my new Elite 12 string to arrive!
Nils |
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May 2003
Posts: 143
Location: High, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado | Even if there is a slight depreciation in quality (like the use of different woods) over time in some ways, in others, Ovation is excelling. (like the use of different woods. They may have a good reason for the change, besides marketing)
I did have a quality control issue with them, but it was VERY small. So small, in fact, I bought another Ovation, with out worries!
The good folks at Ovation are fantastic, and I'm sure they would be most helpful with any issue that may arise. Thus far, they have treated me professionally, courteously, promptly, and down right friendly.
I think Ovation is still the "best bang for the buck" by far!
Dale |
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March 2002
Posts: 15683
Location: SoCal | When talking about the quality of new Ovations vs. old Ovations, I don't think that you can slight the people who make the guitars. Everything I've heard tells me that the people who build the guitars are commited to building first rate instruments.
Over the years, reading the catalogs, it appears that Ovation has sought ways to keep their costs down in order to maintain a good market price. For example:
On their Elites, the tops were first made of hand selected spruce. Now they use AA spruce. The spruce used now, might not have the appearance of the hand selected spruce, but probably has no impact on the sound. And I have yet to see an Elite that I thought had a crappy top.
The fretboards of the early Elites were impregnated walnut. Then they went to rosewood. Much cheaper. Now they've gone to ebony. More expensive than rosewood (and a better looking material, IMHO).
On Legends, in the 90's the gold tuners went away in favor of chrome. Gold is now back. The same comments as to the top apply as were made on the Elites above.
The plastic rosette has gone away in favor of a smaller inlaid rosette. Just like the original rosettes of the 1960's.
These comparisons can be made on the entire guitar line. As a corporation, responsible to it's shareholders, Ovation (Kaman) constantly has to look for ways to keep costs down.
But has the quality of the instruments gone down? I don't think so at all. I may not like every guitar that Ovation makes, but then I don't like every guitar made by anybody. In my entire life I've only played 4-5 Martins that I thought were worth owning.
Ovation is doing a great job. I'm looking forward to the next 2-5 years to see what's coming down the pike. |
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June 2003
Posts: 25
Location: Atlanta, Ga | Thanks for all the replies. I've almost convinced my better half that I need another guitar. I'm either going for a custom legend or custom elite. It's a tough choice. I've always believed Ovation quality was first rate and your posts confirm this.
Happy Independence Day! |
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November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | One thing I really miss on new Ovations is the nice wood overlay on the headstock. I am not sure what type of wood was used, maybe walnut? The black headstock overlays on the new Ovations don't do it for me. I have seen some beautiful headstocks on older Ovations. WIsh they would bring those overlays back.....Paul Hebert |
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Quality Question
