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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Ok, I'm not a big Bon Jovi fan, but "Wanted.." is a cool tune with a great acoustic lick. Eventhough they play it off, Richie and Jon were the first MTV Unplugged and it was so cool to see an Ovation on TV.
So I'm replacing the tile in my kitchen and I hear "Wanted.." on the tv and they are plugging a new album of their tunes re-arranged for acoustics. I'm not as "in the loop" as I should be sometimes and ran to the tv hoping/wishing to see Richie and Jon with the double-neck and 6-string at it again, and that's what I see alright. Unfortunatly I guess I should have been specific in the "wish" I had on the way to the tele as the double-neck I had never seen the likes of before. Some big box with a gothic looking soundhole thing, and I did not recognize what Jon was playing. But I was surprised, especially for that song, Richie wasn't playing an Ovation.
Does anyone know what they are playing these days? From their website it looks like Jon has a collection of old Gibsons, but the box looking double-neck was kindof interesting. A Takamine maybe? It's disappointing to see an artist that was once associated with an Ovation in their hand, playing something else. |
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Location: San Francisco, CA | Richie & Jon play Taylor double-neck & Takamine 6-string, respectively.
Jon has been playing the same Takamine for the past 2+ years, and yet he's not on Takamine artist list. Why did he switch from Ovation to Takamine? Both Ovation & Takamine are part of Kaman Music. Someone from Kaman should talk to Jon before he moves over to the Taylor camp.
It's ironic that Jon is playing Takamine's Steve Wariner Signature Model & he does not have his own signature model. Maybe it's time for Ovation to add another signature model for Jon. |
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Location: Australia | I remember reading an interview with Bon Jovi where he was asked about his switch from Ovations and he made some stupid comment like he thought it was about time he stopped playing tupperware.
Now that's loyalty for ya. |
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Location: NJ | Miles
The sambucca Ovation doubleneck was sold on ebay or at least up for sale on e bay about 8 months ago. At that time I posed the question, Who does it actually belong to? Sambucca or KMC. No one was able to come up with the answer. |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | ...Jon Bon Anchovi and Richie Sambucca.
They're new album "this left feels right" is a greatest hits with a twist-every song is reworked with new grooves and sound completely different.
I'm not completely thrilled with it, though it is interesting. My girl loves it. Most of the songs are quite mellow...they turned almost every rock tune into a ballad. Perhaps they've "matured" a bit. I would have liked it better if Jon and Richie just banged the tunes out acoustically, which is what they more or less intended to do-but then took wicked turns with each song. They're creditted with "starting" the recent unplugged movement, but don't have an acoustic cd themselves (other than bootlegs).
The highlight, to me, is a bluesy (almost acoustic stray cats style?) version of You Give Love a Bad Name. They "zeppelined" out wanted dead or alive. I like the original version better.
My humble 2 cents...as if anyone cares about Jovi.
Johnny |
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Location: Netherlands | I do.
BTW as I recall Tesla started the unplugged circus with their 'Five Man Acoustic Jam' CD. Still one of my favorites.
Martin :) |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Yes, Tesla was among the first to record an "unplugged" album (great album), but supposidly, as I've read/heard several times, Jon and Richie played a few songs at one of those huge, publicized anti-drug "benefit festivals" in the late 80's (mostly hairbands), with just the two of them on acoustic guitars. At the time, this was very condradictory to the big, overproduced live sounds of the time. They went out on a limb, skipped the big guitar sounds, and let the songs stand on their own, stripped down with just acoustics. This was the performance that supposedly inspired the "unplugged" movement of the 90's. The tesla album followed.
Who knows. |
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Location: NJ | And here I always thought that Segovia had started the "unplugged" craze. Go figya'! :D |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | From another thread re: Yngwie "he walked up to an Ovation held in playing position on a stand. I'm not sure what model...it was a shallow bodied slot head with a dual leaf pattern and nylon strings. Sounded gorgeous. " That's pretty cool.
Several years ago, mid 90's I saw Damn Yankees and Tommy Shaw did the same "on-stand" walkup with an Ovation. He managed to really play a very cool intro to whatever song it was even with "The Nuge" (or as you would say in yiddish "the Noodge") sneaking up from behind and tickling, blindfolding, and trying to de-tune him.
It's fun to see Ovations pulled out by artists. Unfortunately the days of artist loyalty to an intrument for "brand sake" is all but gone. It must be hard to compete with the likes of Taylor who I would guess spend more on wine and dine with the celebs and customers than is spent to build the guitars. Also by dropping celeb endorsed models on anyone with a fan base musical or otherwise, especially otherwise, they are capturing a whole different demographic that is providing even more free advertising to them, and it keeps snowballing. I wonder how many Steven King fans own Taylors, because they are Steven King fans and it's their first guitar.
On the otherhand, for the most part, there is something to be said for the Ovation endorsers, most of which are pretty loyal. When they play an Ovation, with all the competition out there for their hand, they must be making a concious decision to do so.
I'm glad in one sence that Ovation doesn't price the guitars to what they are really worth, or just to pay for advertising. I think this is what the other manufactures do. Adding $1K+ to the cost of each guitar to cover the all the freebees, road trips and bar tabs. Unfortunately in this day, those perks are what the artists are looking for.
I guess it just erks me when I see Artists I respect playing other brands when they would sound better with an Ovation. No I don't think ALL artists should play Ovation, although that would be nice, but there are many who's tone and style scream for an Ovation. As example, Jewel and Dave Mathews, wouldn't matter. They pretty much stay in the money frets. John Maher, Cherl Crow, Alanis M. and several others can actually play. Shania Twain, although a strummer, seems to "fit" Ovation better being as non-traditional as she is. Then there are all the Country artists.
Back to the thread topic, I guess I'm also bummed when I see someone that is or was an Ovation artist playing something else. I really don't believe it's because they moved to a "better" guitar, but probably just got cornered by a "used car salesman" at the right time. That doesn't speak well for the artist. I know a few artists that have turned down endorsements, opting for what they like to play instead. That's integrity and it's rare these days. |
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Location: Central Florida | Did anyone happen to catch Glen Campbell on Larry King last night? He was one of a panel of artists paying tribute to Johnny Cash. He had an acoustic guitar with him, but lo and behold it too, was not an Ovation. I know he's used several different electrics since the early eighties (most notabaly Strats), but acoustically has (until now?) stayed pretty loyal to Ovation. |
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Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Reading this topic reminded me of a conversation i had with a "higher up" at the Ovation a couple years ago..We were discussing artist relations and endorsees..If i remeber correctly i think that Ovation and other manufacturers dont really pay endorsees for playing the guitars.I believe that the artists get a few guitars for themselves and for the band but i dont believe they actually get paid for playing that particular brand guitar..Im sure this may be different if its a signature model but i dont think even then there is money exchanged,just the cool factor of having your own signature model..I would love to hear from Bill or anyone else who would know the answer to this..If im not mistaken Josh White simply got free guitars but no money..
This may have something to do with why they float from guitar brand to guitar brand.
Artist dont lock themselves in or sign contracts when playing a certain brand guitar.. They play their guitar for a couple of years and then move on to the next, new,cool guitar manufacturer for free guitars.Anyone know how the artist endorsee thing works? |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Sam, that's what I was actually getting at. It's not money anymore (if it ever was) and in many cases I know it's not even a free guitar, but depending on the artist and such there are other perks. I really don't know what Ovation does, I would guess/hope a combination of whatever it takes, but there are others that do things as simple as provide a free trip to NAMM in California or MusikMessa in Germany. I know Ernie Ball sends out press releases for new artists all the time, I think I get at least two a month of a new artist that is using an Ernia Ball guitar. Even if the artist had to buy the guitar (at cost I would assume) those press releases are invaluable to a new artist and it gives EB an excuse to send out a press release getting their name out there too.
I would also guess it's difficult for a Company like Ovation who has had some established artists for a long time. Unless they are talking to Al Dimeola every single week, on a casual basis, there's not much of a sales pitch they can throw his way, he already has his own guitar model. For Artists like him, Melissa and Glen, there must be some fine line of "staying in touch" and just "bugging them."
There are places like TV and Radio shows that have insturments "on hand" for the walk-on guests that show up. I would assume the marketing folks at Taylor and Gibson are pretty aggressive at making sure if any artist gets coaxed into an impromtu session, there is a guitar "just hanging around" the studio for them to use, as those are the ones I see most of. That's an expensive risk, but as we have seen, it only takes one big star to show up on a show like Conan, Oprah, Kilborn, Letterman or Carson Daly without their own axe for whatever reason, and "the spare" is paid for. |
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Location: Tennessee | There's an interesting chapter in Walter Carter's book on Ovation that talks about Ovation's approach to artists "back in the day". One story in particular related how the artist relations director (David Bergstrom?) just showed up at a Paul Simon rehearsal with a bunch of guitars and got one into Simon's hands to try out. That led to the black Legend and tons of folks on this board who bought black Legends following the Central Park concert.
Is Ovation doing this anymore? Wouldn't it be cool if part of the field reps' job was to show up at all the likely venues with an armful of Ovation cases and get artists to try them out during sound checks? |
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| With Glen Campbell's background with the company, it's amazing there isn't a Glen Campbell signature model permanently on the list of new guitars. More signature models may end up with more artist loyalty (if that's what you want to call buying artists to endorse a product). Associating the models with artists would lead to more sales and prestige. |
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Location: Parkersburg, WV | I think asking an artist for a lifetime commitment to an instrument might be asking for a little too much. Their careers most likely will be a series of valleys and one peak, and the key might be to get them to use your product when they hit their peak. Using Bon Jovi as an example, their peak was the release of "Slippery When Wet". When this came out they were everywhere, especially on heavy rotation on MTV. When "Wanted Dead or Alive" was pushed they were using Ovations on the video. When they performed the song live on the Video Music Awards they were again using their Ovations. That performance was considered the start of the so called "unplugged" performances. They have not been as popular since that time as far as mass exposure goes. Ovation benefitted from that. Years from now when the Bon Jovi "What ever happened to" retrospectives appear they will be shown at their peak, playing Ovations.
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Josh and Glem for $$$ it was a % based on the sales of the model that had their NAME on it. The rest of these guys got guitars if we could use their pictures in advertising as we saw fit, there was probably an amount and then after that they had to buy them. When things were going well they probably forgot about these amounts.
Does Ovation even have artist relations anymore? I don't know. Last I heard There was a guy in Nashville who waited for people to come by the office. There might be a guy on the left (as in burning) coast but who know what his many jobs entail, maybe part of his time is for endorsees. (note it should be to go out and find endoresse, not deliver guitars previously ordered. He can be a delivery boy but should be much more)
If David Vincent is still the guy in Nashville here's your chance...Dave, describe to us a typical day, or week. Your choice. Go get permission from Bloomfield to answer this and do it. What's the worst that can happen? you'll have a third or so of the OFC helping you bring in new tallent, or al least open your eyes to who they are. My experience with this was you can never have enough of it and it's so much better when it comes from your friends. And if Bloomfield doesn't tie your hands you may be able to get some new talent on board playing Ovation and that will make all 1800 or so OFC people here happy as well as the MPs in Bloomfield. It's a win/win.
OK I'll shut up now, jeeze, you'd think I ran a music company and artist relations department or something shootin my mouth off as if I knew what I was talking about!!! |
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Location: Canada | I became interested in Ovation in 1996 when Kiss released thier unplugged DVD. Bruce Kulick played a black ovation (elite?) and man did it sound good. Even if you hate Kiss you can't deny the fact that Bruce sounded great playing that Ovation. I really wanted an Elite in black but Ovation didn't make a lefty in that color this year. ;) |
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Location: Maine | I had heard that Ritchie contacted Ovation for electronics retrofit in the Taylor. This was over a year ago, and there was great discussion over whether or not to do it. Can't tell you what the outcome was... |
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Location: Maine | And...in response to Mr. Ovation's question...
"gone to Taylors (almost) every-one, when will they ever learn..." |
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Location: San Francisco, CA | Richie is currenty Taylor artist, with his own signature guitar. It's highly unlikely that he would put Ovation electronics into his Taylor. The Koa double-neck he uses is quite unique.
Why is Jon using the ugly, black T-box consistently for 2+ years? And it's someone else signature model! I'm curious why he does not use Taylor. You never know, maybe tomorrow. I think he's up for grab ... Anyone from Takamine talked to him?
Just make an Ovation Jon Bon Jovi signature model. Easy. |
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Location: Maine | Why do you find that highly unlikely? Kaman has been routinely contacted for electronics retrofits for all sorts of guitars. Ovation and Tak both. |
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| How about Nancy Wilson of Heart. In my DVd she's using a Martin most of the time, but whips out a 12 string ovation for a song. She used to make her living on Ovations. Get her on board. In some cases it might not just be buying an artist, but also showing them respect at the same time. |
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Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | If I worked for Ovation I would be some pissed if an artist would contact me to use any of my products in some other manufactuers guitar. If this is true, I hope Ovation told him to take a hike! |
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Location: Maine | Absolutely! Englishplayer's got it right. Acknowledgement and appreciation of the artists that play the guitars!!! |
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Location: Maine | Delicate balance, 1687. Wouldn't want to burn any bridges.... |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Going back to Heart....Ann and Nancy seem to play several types....on their DVD "The Road Home" from 1995, Nancy plays a Takamine 6-string and a blue-burst Ovation 12-string, looks like a shallow-bowl Custom Legend. Ann has a white Ovation or Adamas 6-string....looks very much like the ME Adamas 6-string, but the video pre-dates it, I believe, so it shouldn't be one of those.
On the (recorded in) 2002 "Alive In Seattle" DVD, Nancy plays the Martin 6-string mentioned, although Ann plays the blue-burst Ovation 12-string that was seen in "The Road Home" for one song.
I also have a video of Nancy Wilson teaching techniques for playing Heart's songs, and she uses the Takamine 6-string she used in "The Road Home" video for it(it has a conspicuous patch below the sound hole in both)--it dates to 1996.
It's unfortunate that they appear to have wandered away from Ovation a bit. If you look in the gatefold of their first LP from 1975, there is a picture of Nancy playing an Ovation on stage, looks like a Balladeer or a Custom Balladeer. |
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Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | I found this from Nancy Wilson out of the September 1999 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine. Nancy Wilson depended on the six and 12-string Ovations to get her through the early years of melding acoustic playing with hard rock, and she still uses a 1992 Ovation called Burley. " I had to have an Ovation for big, live shows," she says." There was no feedback; I was able to turn up the volume all the way and let the soundman tweak it."
Takamine guitars became another staple while Wilson was on the road with Heart. "I saw Pete Townshend using one and loved the sound of it." Wilson recalls. " I was looking for something other than an Ovation, because I craved that more acoustic sound. The Ovation is great for a more percussive sound, but it has its own distinctive place. The Takamine is really an all-around guitar. "I just run it flat and all the way up." She currently uses an NP-18C and an NP-15C, both cutaways built of Indian rosewood with Sitka spruce tops. |
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Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Two questions Nancy:
(1) What do you mean you craved that more acoustic sound?
(2) Why is the Takamine an all around stage guitat and the Ovation is not? |
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Location: Waurika OK | Might as well jump in here also. Some of this may apply to topic some may not.
In a recent topic (Blues 101?) the conversation got to who controls what most artists record and who is in charge, not the artists, but the record co. bigshots. It seems the moguls are more interested in image and whether the image will sell than the music. Could they not be having an influence on what instrument is used? In other words, if it does not portray the image get something else. It certaintly works for their clothes, staging, sets, and body movements.
Now I am really going to get into trouble.
As I set here, I am looking at my beautiful 79 darkburst legend. At least it is beautiful to me. At age 60 many things are beautiful that would not have gotten a second glance 40 years ago. So I think, if I was 20 or 30 would it be so appealing to me? Probably not. We live in a faddish society, change for change sake is considered desirable. I don't agree with this philosphy, but it is a fact of life.
I think Ovation needs to make some "appearance" changes, for instance on the center hole guitars that have the wide plastic rosette, eliminate that and go to a narrow inlaid rosette as some of the Balladeers and others have.
Change the headstock. Looking at my Legend, the fanned out end reminds me of a pompador hair comb, nothing wrong if you comb your hair that way, but not on my guitar. Leave it mostly as it is, just take the "ears" off on each side.
I think Ovations are great guitars, my next one will be a 12 string, Ovation of some kind.
Well, time for this old man to go to bed.
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Noel you bring up a good point.
Image sells. I think the MOB, Elite-T and the new Adamas guitars with the Fiber and Woven tops meet the chic, high-tech, beachy etc.. as appropriate categories.
As was mentioned at the last Factory tour, SOMEONE and in fact MANY someones are buying these guitars.
Maybe like yourself some of the early artists are growing and moving toward the more traditional. That is a possibility. I guess that means that NEW artists need to be introduced to the New Ovations. I see several artists that I would think fit Ovation better than what they are playing, and there are a few Ovation artists that I don't really see as Acoustic players, but it's still nice to have them onboard.
I'd be curious to the response to CWK2's post. I know the whole industry has changed with the visual being as important as the sound in most cases. What kind of artists is Ovation looking for to sell their instruments? |
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Location: Netherlands | I'm also curious about the reply to CWK2's post. I only think it would not be wise to mention potential endorsees from this board. I'm 33, and from what I read here, i'm one of the young ones on this board.
No offense, but IMO the future of Ovation is with endorsees the youth gets to see, not with Glen Campbell (can't even get that right), Nancy Wilson and the like. Nowadays even Lukather complains about the lack of interest in Toto. I don't know how Melissa is doing on your side of the pond, but in Europe her last hit dates back 10 years or so.
If I hear younger guitarplayers about bands they like and they want to copy, I hear lots of names I don't even know.
BTW having O-electronics installed in a Taylor signature doesn't sound strange to me. I know of soccerplayers who endorse Adidas, but play different brands and have the Adidas logos stitched on their shoes.
just my 2 cents
Martin |
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Location: NJ | ". . .Why is Jon using the ugly, black T-box consistently for 2+ years?. . ."
Probably because that OTHER New Jersey fuckwit Springsteen plays one.
Doesn't anyone else find it amazing that six months after Springsteen started to talk with a phony, "Nebraskan" affect to his voice, BonPhony started wearin' cowboy hats and talking like he just came off a cattle drive? Sorry, but native NewJerseyans don't talk like that. I'll shut up now.
Just got the latest issue of GuitarWorldAcoustic in the mail and it's got an article about the new BJ "acoustic' album. Sambucca's pretty much touting all of the new and "vintage" Martins that he's acquired and Jon's Gibson's and the occasional Guild 12-string used on the album. Fuck 'em both!
The NEXT PAGE however feature a FULL PAGE PHOTO of one of the guys from Godsmack playing a CVT Adamas!!
Evidently they've just released a 7 song, acoustic-based EP. When asked what guitars were used for the record, the response was that the lion's share (if not all) were Ovations! Both guys in the interview touted the benefits of the Balladeer, Adamas, and various O 12-strings that were used for the recording.
Win some, lose some. |
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Location: SoCal | In the 1950's and 60's, every airline pilot who had flown in the military sounded like he came from West Virginia. That's 'cause they flew with Chuck Yeager in the military. It's kinda stupid, but true.
Wouldn't it be something if Springsteen started playing Ovations? Imagine the influence he would have (at least with everybody over the age of 35). Probably never happen, but.....? |
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Location: San Francisco, CA | Could be good match. Imagine Springsteen plays the Legend w/ USA flag top & sings "Born in the USA." |
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Location: atlanta | cwk2, Kaki has had nothing but nice things to say about David Vincent.
pc |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Actually, I remember that Springsteen, early on when I was a kid, used an ovation a/e, though I don't remember what model, and he used a tele. He must have influenced me because, to this day, to my ear, the tele and a ovation a/e are the best. Interesting if you get to the kids at the right time, you can influence them for life. Ovation has to get a guitar into the mitts of the current Bruce. Who is it? Who speaks to the 15 to 20 year olds now? |
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Location: Scotland | David Vincent was very helpful in organising some guitars for me for a couple of gigs I was supposed to play in Nashville in September. Unfortuately due to a hand injury I wasn't fit to play (I fell off a 5-foot high festival stage onto concrete the day before I flew out - very embarrasing & painful) but the instruments were there for me. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Godsmack playing current model USA made Ovations on a new album is a good thing indeed. Kudos to whomever put that one together. It's nice that they mentioned the models being used because that's what the fans will ask for at the store instead of just "Ovation" and be shown the import line. The import line is fine, but the requests for the USA line models came into the stores, they'd be more inclined to display them better. This is a good good thing. |
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Location: NJ | Yeah Miles, it really surprised the hell outta me! I know that Ovation recently had a Godsmack reference in their press release section, but I had literally just "flipped" a page or two from the BonJovi thing and BAM! there it was! Full page! Not even as much as a caption. Woulda made a great ad! Very cool indeed. |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | That's great about Godsmack playing Ovations....I'll have to go check it out after I'm done, I have the issue and haven't read it yet.
Going back to Nancy Wilson's comments on page 2...I think I understand what she means. She is speaking of desiring to go back to a more "traditional" acoustic guitar sound, which Takamine has. Ovations have a very definite unique sound, especially if you play aggressively(which Nancy does). When one does quick, sharp strums, Ovations sound like no other guitar on the planet--great if you like it, not so great if you don't. I interpret her remarks not as a slam on Ovation, but a desire to change her sound. An artist always likes to have as many "colors" in his palette as possible. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Good discussion!
Last night I spent 10 minutes or so crafting a very erudite post on this thread where I suggested that the new Ovations might be the answer if they attract some new players who, by chance, become famous. Just before I hit the "Add Reply" button, everything went black, and I had to set for an hour or better in the dark from a power failure. My theory was that good players are attracted to good professional quality guitars and that is how endorsements begin. The good reviews of the Slot Head Adamas could be the start of something new. Kaki King, of course, is a great thing for the Adamas, but Josh Homme is playing a guitar that is no longer produced. My suggestion is the one that crops up frequently and has some validity. Differentiate the Celebrities from the "real" Ovations, and promote the quality of the "real" Ovations as represented by the Elite T, the Adamas, and the various American made models that even us avid board members can't name anymore. Is there still a Balladeer, a Legend like Paul Simon played, a Country Artist, a "real" Elite?? If we can't tell them apart, how does the upcoming star player know what the hell he should buy when the clerk shoves a shiny Celebrity in his face and he notices that it doesn't have that elusive quality and sound that he heard that Ovations have, so he goes on to the Martin, Taylor etc.; and VOILA (Walla to some), there it is; a nice acoustic sound. He never got to hear a "REAL" Ovation. Sorta like if you had to choose your wife from a lineup of Asian whores or an angelic group of Church choir singers who looked and sounded like the original "M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E" girl next door. (Just curious to see how many here name Brittany and how many name the real sexy Mouseketeer who has grown up and had her problems but I love her just the same.)
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Hi Bailey,
I won't touch your last analogy....guitars you usually "try before you buy".....at least I do!!!
There is variation within both the Korean and American Ovations....I seem to have a good Korean one, and I have played a few bad American ones, but generally the U.S.-made ones ARE better, no question.
I read the Godsmack article last night, and it struck me....Ovations are really the ticket for metal and shred artists with their "percussive" strum. Hope the company can make use of that!
If the bulk of the Ovations in music shops are Korean-made Celebrities, that is what is going to be sold. Actually, the Celebrities are no worse, and maybe even a little better than the others in that price range. But if you want to play with the big boys, you need to differentiate them more from the expensive models.
Go into any music shop, and look at the more-expensive Celebrities. Now look at the Elites(if they have any). Now look at the Adamas(again, if they have any). Confused????
The Adamas sound hole motif has got to GO on the Korean-made guitars. Or find a new appearance for the Adamas that is unique to them. NOTHING should look like the Adamas, not even more expensive U.S.-made Ovations. The Adamas brand identity has been totally diluted by using the sound hole motif on the cheaper Ovation guitars. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Ahhhh Annette Funicello, the "stacked" Mousekateer, or did you mean Christine Aguillara?
"My theory was that good players are attracted to good professional quality guitars and that is how endorsements begin." As has been eluded to above, this is probably only the case with accomplished artists with a certain level of integrity. But with most artists, what they play is a matter of the what the "used car salesman" sells them.
As far as Josh Homme, although he plays a guitar that is no longer made, I would assume someone is trying to sell him a new Ovation or at least a Hamer "Josh Homme" signature model, or I would hope anyway. I think he plays acoustic sometimes too, I wonder what he plays?
"guitars you usually "try before you buy"
Good in theory, but most guitars sold today are not sold this way, even in music stores. First in most stores you can't reach most of the guitars. Then if you get a salesman, are you really trying the guitar? I have watched some kids "try" guitars without touching them. You've all seen it. The salesman picks up guitar "a" strums a few chords and says "see how this sounds" then picks up guitar "b" and strums a few chords and sais "see how this one sounds?" then picks up the guitar that he makes the most commission on and plays "Classical Gas" and sais "Now see how THIS one sounds, this is the guitar for you, and I can make you a great deal. Here you try it out."
Lets face it. There are a lot of great sounding guitars out there. It's a matter of taste. For most new players, their taste hasn't developed. Someone hopefull helps them make a decision, but for the most part, it's just what they see their favorite artist play. For the accomplished players, the guitar(s) that they get for free, the guitars that they get a free trip to California for an autograph signing, the guitar they take thier picture with that will be in a press release to everyone in the industry also mentioning their new album.... are all guitars that add a lot of spice to their normally "wooden box" like taste. (damn that was witty).. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | By the way, Nice to see an Ovation mando on Ellen yesterday played by the lady in Rod Stewarts band. |
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Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | Miles, I saw that on the Ellen show. That Ovation mandolin sure sounded great. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Popcritic, I have never heard any endorsee say anything bad about David Vincent.
However it's been a long time since I've heard his name and there doesn't seem to be much Ovation action happening. Several potential causes for this, Those who are being contacted or are using Ovations are not within my listening or visual realm, which as we know gets smaller as you get older, or so I'm told. Second, in my conversations with people in Bloomfield, which are few, the favored topic is golf, sometimes race cars. Third, maybe I just have a bad case of eyerectus.
The fact remains, The OFC members would like to know what's happening on the artist endorsee front because it doesn't look like much. You do see Taylors everywhere. If not them it's Taks or some other woodybacked thing.
This should be seen as an opportunity for the company to talk about what's going on but there I go talking like I know about this stuff again. Sorry. |
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Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | Miles
Josh Homme plays Ovation Gps IMHO because they are a unique old guitar that are cool playable with a good sound and it makes him unique. I am sure they tried to put a Hamer in his hands but I think Josh is into the vibe of the unobtainable cool old guitar.
I have seen his ovations in the Hamer shop getting worked on so Kaman Corp is aware of the influence he has on that model. The fact is you cannot make someone play an instrument they do not want to. Personally I would love to see him play a HAMER. If he had 1/10th the influence on Hamer that he has on the old GP's then it would be fantastic.
Ovation is no longer in the solid body biz so it is just counterproductive to keep bringing it up. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | When I mentioned "selling him a new Ovation"... I really meant a NEW Ovation as in an Adamas, or Elite-T or something. I tend to agree that he might be a hard sell on a Hamer, and I assume they asked him. I had actually heard he is more into a certain unique sound rather than the oddity rareness of the guitar. Remember his favorites are customized quite a bit. I'd like to think he'd be open to endorsing a guitar that he designed.
I was looking at the Hamer artist list and it seems a bit eclectic too, but as I haven't heard of about 90% of the artists, it could just be my age showing.
Saw Jon Sambora and Richie Locklear on the tele earlier this evening. Damn that double-neck he's playing gets on my nerves. I love the soundhole, but the rest of it looks so awkward. It sounds good, but seems like it is enormous. |
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Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | Miles
I am not sure if Josh uses any acoustic guitars |
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Location: San Francisco, CA | Miles, you said Richie's Taylor sounded good!?Not soulless piece of crap? :D IMO, it looks much better the double neck he played before. |
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Posts: 7210
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | "I am not sure if Josh uses any acoustic guitars"
Probably as often as Dave Mustaine |
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November 2003
Posts: 53
Location: Canada | I just picked up the Rush: Live in Rio DVD and it is great. In the middle of the set Alex Lifeson breaks out an Ovation 12 string slothead, very cool. |
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Where have all the artists gone?