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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Lots of different opinions on this one. From my perspective I think there are different reasons a certain model, configuration, color, etc. might be considered rare.
1. Limited Production
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By definition anything that's limited to short runs or true limited editions could be considered rare (especially in the future). For example:
- Collectors Series
- Slothead Adamas
- Contemporary Folk Classic
- Hurricane 12 String
- Deacon 12 String
- Certain anniversary models (i.e. Book Elite)
- Ultra GP's
- Hand signed Adamas
- Fretless Typhoon
- Adamas III
2. Very old models
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such as the early shiny bowls, solidbodies, storms of which few may have been built plus few survive this many years later.
- Josh White w/ non-floral rosette
- Inlaid rosette classicals and balladeers
- Chainlink rosette early balladeer
- Gloss finish Breadwinners
- Blue Breadwinner
- Shiny bowl Glen Campbell's
- Small soundhole 12-string
3. Unique combinations
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of colors, models, etc. limited to very few pieces made.
- Shiny bowl with sunburst top
- Tan Breadwinner
- Bound fretboard Typhoon and Tornado
- 5 point rosewood bridge with textured bowls
- Folk classics with colored bowls
4. Artist spec'd
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and owned models, such as:
- Bluebirds
- Bobby Goldsboro 12 String
- Jerry Reed Thunderhead
- Double neck Preacher
5. Proto-types and non production models.
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Could be almost anything. Like the wood top Adamas and many other strange birds I've read about on tis site
I'm sure there are lots more different ways to slice this and that members will have their own additions and comments (which is what this board is all about). My only point is that there are many different criteria for "rare". And guess what? Just because something is "rare" doesn't mean it sounds worth a damn. Some things are rare for a good reason and should better be left forgotten about. On the other hand there are plenty of examples of rare Ovations that sound truely stunning and we all wonder why these are no longer available.
Dave |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Well said.
There's a second part to this. That is when the price of these rare beasts moves to what it's competitors are bringing for comparable models.
(I know many don't want to hear this because good Ovations are a bargain but bear with me please)
Here's an example. In 65 CHK went to Manny's and bought a D-28 off the shelf as the benchmark of what Ovation had to beat, soundwise. I think the guitar cost around $400. The Deluxe Balladeer of 1967 listed for $369 (or real close to that). That D-28 today is worth about $4500 (yes I still have it) A 1967 Dlx Bd would be lucky to bring $1000. Maybe these numbers are off a little but the point is that the Martin is now worth four times the Ovation.
There are many reasons but I think the biggest is that Ovation doesn't get the respect that it deserves. (I heard that somewhere....) How do you get this respect? The old fashion way, you earn it. It does take decades to do it though. (For further reference see the whining in the MOB posts) |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Nice way of bringing it all around cwk2. A couple of really long threads, with many opinions sum'd up into the opening words on the homepage that Al wrote over a year ago.
I believe no matter what our preferences are, it's probably safe to say that we long for Ovation to be known as the maker of fine, made in USA, musical instruments that also has an affordable import line to be competative, rather than an importer that makes some quality guitars in the US that sort of resemble the fine guitars of the early days.
Hmmm I think I'll wear my body armor on the 27th :) |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | cwk2
I still have my 72LP deluxe that I bought with my paper route money new for 319. worth a ton more now. but when I play out I use my Hamers. Why? I want to play my best playing and sounding guitar out. I also have a couple of martins but use the ovations when I play out acoustic.I use the ovations becuase they are the best guitar for that situation. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Mr. O'Miles,
Yes, we do all long for that. Before it can happen Ovation needs to be a stand alone company or at least be given the freedom and funding to act like one. Then a driving force behind it and all the rest that goes with successful companies.
There is a corporate problem here. I'm not bashing corporate, just esplainnin it.
Kaman Corporation has three devisions, Aerospace, Industrial Technologies (Bearings) and Music. Corporate resourses are spread between these three acording to need and ability to provide return on investment. So Music has to constantly justify it's needs as do the other two devisions.
Kaman Music Corporation has many product lines than all need funding, Latin Percussion, Toca, CB Percussion, Takamine, Hamer, Seiko, and that other guitar Ovation. Ovation needs funding not just for marketing but for the factory as well. As you can imagine there is never as in NEVER enough funds so it's an allocation by, you guessed it, what gives us the best return. So Ovation has to go through two screenings.
This is not a complaint, just the way it is in the real world.
The competition is not structured the way Kaman is. Martin is Martin, Collings is Bill Collings, National Resophonic is McGregor and Don, Santa Cruz is Richard Hoover, PRS is PRS. You get the point. Given the way things are Ovation is actually pretty successful. It's just that it will never become a Mercedes, it's to be a Volvswagon unless there is a structural change. That's not likely. And in the eyes of Corporate, it ain't broke so don't fix it. And they are not wrong.
It just could be so much more................ |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I guess the good news, or at least the encouraging news is that because of the diversification of Kaman Corp, Ovation, Takamine, Hamer will all be around for a long long time. I would guess as long as an entity has the "ability" to turn a profit, it will remain intact, with aid of the other branches if needed.
With that said, it would seem that doing little things to insure the brand name is associated with "high quality" would still be in the best interest of all branches. Take Fender as example... They sell more imports than USA models, and have tons and tons of knockoffs. But the "Fender" name when spoken still stands for a "quality instrument" even when it didn't deserve it. When I was growing up (the early years, not the growing up after 40 years) an Ovation guitar was the holly grail. It was common to hear folks talking about "playing what they could afford, but someday, I'll own an Adamas." When Ovation started releasing instruments like my Medallion, and then the imports, it was like "they cared." They wanted me to have an Ovation, eventhough I really couldn't afford one. There were a gazzilion intertwined factors that helped the persona in those days. Hang tags, the Official Ovation Display Rooms, the artist recognition in almost every genre of music and music stores in general had musicians as sales people. I'm sure there are more influences, you get the idea.
Today, most of those influences are gone. We don't see or hear Ovations in the media much, the display rooms aren't feasable, hang tags are not logistically doable (unless they make Ovation price tags with little descriptions), salespeople in many cases have no interest in anything other than having a job that is cooler than working McDonalds. Ovation however, outwardly hasn't changed that much. They do have a website, but as we see, consistantly it is out of date, and inaccurate. They still have some of the best customer support on the planet, but the association to (or as) "quality instruments" has drifted. The instruments are still there, the quality frankly is still there (although they have had their moments).... so why not try to maintain the persona too? |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Well said Miles, I couldn't have said it better...Paul Hebert |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 389
Location: RI. That small State out East | All...I was going to rant on what I would do if it were mine... I like the sound, the feel of an Ovation guitar. It is the best bang for your buck IMHO... Marketing 101 Product, Price, Place, Promotion, Plan... I see no Promotion, or plan on how to market. I'm looking for it. Asking for it. Every visit to a Music store I ask if they have any info on Ovation. I'm looking for a... The store has "nothing" no bullets. It is the end of March and "nobody" has info on 03'
Really. I believe Ovation can do a cost effective solid promotion in the store "telling" the customer to check us out on the web. I understand when the "home office" says we don't have any money. I really do. That is when you get creative.
If "we" really have no money. Then use the ground swell from the current user. We have the product, price, place...
Woz |
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RAREST OVATIONS Part 2
