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Location: Miami | I realize that this subject may have been done to death - apologies for that in advance. But what is the verdict on Ovations made in the far east? Do they stand up favorably alongside their US-made counterparts, or are they a lesser instrument? If we put aside the sense of national outrage and dismay that many North American guitarists experienced when most of Ovation's operations upped sticks and departed for more easterly and cheap-labored climes, is it really true that the orientals are not up to producing a great Ovation, or is that all in our heads? |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | There's one just below you titled "Offshore guitars". |
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Location: Miami | mymartind35 - 2012-10-28 8:50 AM
There's one just below you titled "Offshore guitars".
There's "one" what? Whaddya mean? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Try using the search button. You will find many verdicts. |
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Location: Flahdaw | I think the overwhelming consensus was...."great, good, bad, terrible." |
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Location: Miami | Standingovation - 2012-10-28 10:33 AM
Try using the search button. You will find many verdicts.
I'm not interested in the "search button". I'm trying to have chat with anyone who has the inclination to chat back on this topic. If you don't, that's fine - just move on and leave the thread alone. |
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Location: SoCal | Sometimes the people on this board just get tired of rehashing the same material over and over and over again. The search button is a good thing. Not our problem if you can't be bothered with it...... |
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Location: Miami | immoody - 2012-10-28 10:42 AM
Sometimes the people on this board just get tired of rehashing the same material over and over and over again. The search button is a good thing. Not our problem if you can't be bothered with it......
The people on this board are under no obligation to enter threads that are old hat for them. Nor am I under any obligation to second-guess what may or may not meet with the approval of such members. This is an online chat forum, not an online database, and I am here to do precisely that - to chat about Ovation guitars with others that share my interest. If the topic turns out to be one you find tiresome, I would repeat; leave it alone and find one that better suits your level of knowledge and insight.
Edited by Timolin 2012-10-28 11:18 AM
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Back to the Original Post
Timolin - 2012-10-28 6:18 AM
I realize that this subject may have been done to death - apologies for that in advance. But what is the verdict on Ovations made in the far east? Do they stand up favorably alongside their US-made counterparts, or are they a lesser instrument? If we put aside the sense of national outrage and dismay that many North American guitarists experienced when most of Ovation's operations upped sticks and departed for more easterly and cheap-labored climes, is it really true that the orientals are not up to producing a great Ovation, or is that all in our heads?
I have a Korean 1778TX. It sounds nice.
When I first got it, it sounded pretty good (still does).
But then I got a USA 1778T and compared them side-by-side.
They USA T sounds much better acoustically.
Plugged-in? They both have OP-Pro preamp and sound similar.
But like Jukebox Joe noted, the top on the TX is about twice as thick as the T.
But! The Korean T is still a nice guitar for the price I paid.
When I first started here I owned many Korean Celebrity's and Ultra's.
(As well as a Korean Balladeer and Chinese Celebrity's)
Most of them sounded pretty good. And I knew that they were Imported Asian guitars that were designed for the budget-minded consumer.
So long as you understand what you are buying you are cool.
I have an Awesome sounding Epiphone AJ220S (Advanced Jumbo Slope-shouldered Solid-Top) Woodbox...
These things can be had for $200 New. I got mine for $160 with a case and a tuna.
It sounds Great! For what it is... I'm sure that a Martin or a Gibson would blow-it-away.
But it is really nice for $160. (I put soundboard button-piezo transducers in it)
Many of the Old-timers here remember when you could get a New USA Ovation for the price of a Korean O with a lifetime warranty and a friendly voice on the other end of the phone in New Hartford, CT.
Now some corporation has bought Ovation and subcontracted manufacture to the lowest bidder.
And the guitars ain't as good. They are good guitars, sure. But not AS good as USA Ovations.
Many people's Love of Ovation started in the 70's when you could get a really nice guitar for less than $500
$500 was a lot of money. But you got a dependable guitar that was made in the USA for a good price.
Now Fender has shipped construction of ALL of it's guitars overseas because that is what corporations do.
So, No... Korean Ovations do not stand-up favorably with their USA Namesakes in a side-by-side taste-test.
But you are not gonna get a New USA Ovation for under a thousand bucks anymore, either.
Oh, but my Korean TX would stand-up just fine against a DXME $800 Martin.
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | I hate it when you go to a forum to ask a question and you get "use the search button". |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | muzza - 2012-10-28 4:25 PM
I hate it when you go to a forum to ask a question and you get "use the search button".
+1 |
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Location: SoCal | Timolin - 2012-10-28 9:17 AM
immoody - 2012-10-28 10:42 AM
Sometimes the people on this board just get tired of rehashing the same material over and over and over again. The search button is a good thing. Not our problem if you can't be bothered with it......
The people on this board are under no obligation to enter threads that are old hat for them. Nor am I under any obligation to second-guess what may or may not meet with the approval of such members. This is an online chat forum, not an online database, and I am here to do precisely that - to chat about Ovation guitars with others that share my interest. If the topic turns out to be one you find tiresome, I would repeat; leave it alone and find one that better suits your level of knowledge and insight.
Ok. Let's chat. $&*k you.....
"Edited for content by admin" |
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Location: Pueblo West, CO | arthurseery - 2012-10-28 2:18 PM
But like Jukebox Joe noted, the top on the TX is about twice as thick as the T.
I wondered how thick the top is on my 2078TX-5, so I decided to measure it. Below are the descriptions for the pics I took of my measurements. 1) Total top thickness measured through the sound hole shows about 3/16" 2) I found a 3/32" thick piece of balsa. 3) I layed it next to the doubler inside the guitar which appears to be about the same thickness. It looks to me like the sound board on my 2078TX-5 is about 3/32" thick. (.0938") I searched online and the average thickness of most steel string guitar sound boards are about .090" (2.3mm), or just under 3/32", which is about the same thickness as my Korean Ovation. So, if the US 2078 is about half as thick, does this mean that it's about 3/64"? Even if it's only 1/32" thinner than the Korean, that would make it only 1/16" thick. Are the US Ovation steel string sound boards really only 3/64" (1.19mm) to 1/16" (1.59mm) thick? Dan 
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Location: Miami | Some interesting replies, guys - thanks! |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | arthurseery - 2012-10-28 2:18 PM
When I first started here I owned many Korean Celebrity's and Ultra's.
(As well as a Korean Balladeer and Chinese Celebrity's)
Most of them sounded pretty good. And I knew that they were Imported Asian guitars that were designed for the budget-minded consumer.
So long as you understand what you are buying you are cool.
This is probably the answer with the most meat. You can't really "compare" the USA Ovations to the Imported ones, as they are different instruments for a different market/pricepoint.
The $300-$400 import is a great $300 - $400 guitar and the $1000-whatever the upper limite is USA Made models are great guitars for their price.
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Location: Miami | Off-topic for a moment - can someone please tell me who the Moderators are, please? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Mr. Ovation
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | mileskb - 2012-10-28 8:23 PM
The $300-$400 import is a great $300 - $400 guitar and the $1000-whatever the upper limite is USA Made models are great guitars for their price.
That's about as succinct an answer as you are going to get I think. Almost every Ovation I have played, import or not, has been great bang for the buk. |
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Location: Pueblo West, CO | patchmcg - 2012-10-28 7:29 PM
That's about as succinct an answer as you are going to get I think. Almost every Ovation I have played, import or not, has been great bang for the buk.
+1
I've been happy with every Ovation I've bought, import or domestic.
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Timolin - 2012-10-28 10:17 AM
... This is an online chat forum, not an online database, and I am here to do precisely that - to chat about Ovation guitars with others that share my interest.
If it isn't an online database then why does it have search function?
Not to be a dick, but have you TRIED the search function? Taps you into one of the most extensive data sources of ovation information available. And it's all the knowledge of those directly and intimately familiar with the product.
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Location: Miami | Standingovation - 2012-10-28 10:43 PM
Timolin - 2012-10-28 10:17 AM
... This is an online chat forum, not an online database, and I am here to do precisely that - to chat about Ovation guitars with others that share my interest.
If it isn't an online database then why does it have search function?
Not to be a dick, but have you TRIED the search function? Taps you into one of the most extensive data sources of ovation information available. And it's all the knowledge of those directly and intimately familiar with the product.
Hi! Yes, I have, but exactly what the right combination of words is to get the candy bar I really don't know! I typed in "US Ovations vs. Far Eastern Ovations", and a few variations on that, and I got "No Match Found". But that aside, and without being "funny", I do come to forums such as these essentially to chat with other guitarists about their experiences. No doubt the search function is an excellent resource (if you know the right key words to tap in!), but, generally speaking, I do prefer the interactive side of guitar forums to their more bibliographical dimension. But that's just me! |
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Try being polite and respectful. Sometimes that works even better than a search button.
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I have had pretty good luck with the OFC search buttons but on some other forums (with different software) I totally agree that sometimes even searching the "exact" needed phrase, nothing will turn up.....and then you find the needed thread and the title is the exact same thing and wording that you entered into the search engine without luck.
I also agree with some of the other posts.....etiquette is a valued commodity. |
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Location: Seattle | verdict? the topic is pretty subjective to each individual and contains way too many variables.
I like my 1778T and my 2078Tx but they are both different animals and it is like asking which child I love more. (& I am not going to be measuring top thickness any time soon)....... kinda boils down to how much money is in your pocket, access to testing them out.... (which is, in my opinion the bigger issue.) and what sounds good.,
Without distribution is one going to pick the Gibson, Martin, Taylor, or order the unseen unplayed Ovation at the $500+ price points?
I have every confidence that the Ovation product will be the better guitar at each step regardless if country of origin....but the new guitarist ,seeing say this months GC 219$ ovation special ,will be comparing it to readily available other product choices at a range of prices.
In real dollars, good quality guitars have never been cheaper.
Since the pricing of the US product is now for the well heeled customer, the CNC machines are dialed in and ready to go ---can they build one for you? |
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What's the verdict on non-US made Ovations?
