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Location: Veedersburg, Indiana | Does the factory conduct tours as a normal part of business, or does a tour have to be requested and scheduled? Are tours for groups only, or can an individual family do one? Never been on a tour and am thinking that a trip to the East and going on one would be a fun thing to do on a long weekend. Thanks for the responses. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | The tour of the Ovation portion at the Mothership should only take 15 or 20 minutes.... tops. I'm sure the guy in shipping can shake loose few minutes to show you around.
If you want to see the new generation of Ovation production you'll have to catch a flight across the pond (the BIG pond).
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On second thought, maybe thats kinda harsh.
That old building in New England still puts out the only type of Ovations that mean anything.
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To tour the Mothership at the apex of it's Ovation and Hamer glory was quite an experience.
Like we Old Guard members likes to say... "Ya shoulda been there"
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | by Slipkid:
The tour of the Ovation portion at the Mothership should only take 15 or 20 minutes.... tops.  |
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Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | But if you hurry you might get to see them putting the finishing touches on my custom-made Adamas baritone! :cool: |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Hey Alison... If it hasn't shipped by the first part of October we can take it out to the lobby jam at the Guild Tour. That's where we eat greasy pizza, drink a lot, and recklessly pass around and play each others guitars.
That is... if you want us to. |
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Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Slipkid:
Hey Alison... If it hasn't shipped by the first part of October we can take it out to the lobby jam at the Guild Tour. That's where we eat greasy pizza, drink a lot, and recklessly pass around and play each others guitars.
That is... if you want us to. When did you buy a Guild? |
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March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | When did I buy a Guild? Well, the first one was in 1988...
Oh, you mean recently? I just got a 1960 Guild C100D the other day. I WILL post some pics one of these days when Jeff comes in with his camera. In the meantime, it looks like this:
http://bernunzio.com/products/0914448 |
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Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Actually I was asking Brad.... |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I thought he was askin you too.
I'll check on the bari next time I wander by. |
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Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Alison, that Guild is a really beautiful guitar..... |
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Posts: 3650
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Geez- +1, on that. Nice git, Alison! |
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Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Ouch! Just looking at that Guild hurts me that I don't own it. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | a 175, only probably better. |
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Posts: 137
Location: Massachusetts | Getting back to the Ovation tour, I took a tour with a group from my friend's music store back in the '80's. I was so impressed by the working conditions and the genuine attitude of the employees that I was tempted to put in an application to work there, but the drive from Massachusetts would have gotten old after a while. Don't know how much all of that has changed, but it might be interesting to take another tour if they still have them. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | The last factory tour cost me. I took delivery of an amp from Al, bought a custom KoaLA on the spot, caught a glimpse of my OFC-I under construction, ordered a custom VXT after seeing a few mahogany bodies under construction with natural finishes, then after meeting Jol and seeing the Hamer workshop, I had to get out the big wallet. I miss those factory tours. Not that it could ever be determined, but I'd be curious how much new product was actually sold as a result of those tours. |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | ProfessorBB,
I hate to increase your total cost but after playing my Elite 1778T Red Flame you got one of those too. :D :eek: |
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Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Yep, you're right, Phil. I was only considering new stuff direct from the factory through an authorized dealer. |
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August 2011
Posts: 2
Location: New Hartford, CT | I work in New Hartford and stopped by the Ovation Factory to ask about a tour.
This was around two months ago, and they told me that they did not offer tours.
I don't know if this was just general public or if they don't do tours of any kind anymore.
I was kinda bummed about it, that and because they didn't have a showroom of any type. |
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November 2004
Posts: 367
Location: Eaton, Indiana | I wish I would have taken the tour when Ovation was really alive. I did get to tour the Martin factory before they started making guitars out of floor tile and aluminum. That was great. Things change...not always for the better, but,
we still have pawn shops. Every once in a while something good pops up. Keep looking :)
scott lamperd b c (before computers) |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | The last factory tour cost me Ditto Brad: I played Tom's (Woz) '79 1688-8 and I was ruined for life...but ruined in a great way...lol
I lost count of the A's I have owned in order to get to the 5 I currently have...but I'd do it again to find them.
The tour was a great time... |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | What cost is freedom?
Current posessor of one of Miska's cast off Adamas'...
I have fond memories of the Tour I attended! |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | One of my many regrets. I joined this forum too late for the Factory tour in 2005, but really became interested after the 2006 tour videos and pictures. Something came up in 2007 that conflicted, so I resolved to go in 2008. Fender's purchase of KMC screwed up my plans. Maybe some day I'll get back there, but it's slipped way down the priority list. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
but really became interested after the 2006 tour videos and pictures. I might have to resurrect those DVDs. Seems unlikely anyone's going to see the factory in that way again. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | I might have to resurrect those DVDs Good idea.
Charge lots.
They're worth it. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | I'll have to look and see if I ever got one of those dvd's... |
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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Alan,
You may not feel like you're getting a straight answer. Emotions like sarcasm, bitterness, disappointment...don't come through in little postings like these.
I've been on several tours with these guys. The tours were strictly for the OFC which, back then, got along famously with the powers-that-be at Ovation. That has all changed. Fender bought out Ovation at the same time that the economy went bad. All Ovation production was sent to Korea, and most of the Conn. factory is now producing Guilds. Adamas and custom order Ovations are still made there, but Ovation USA is a shadow of it's former self. There is a yearly tour for Guild fans, but I doubt there's enough Ovation stuff going on to build a tour around.
I know I left out a lot of details and nuances of the history. Old-timers...please forgive me. Just giving a sad answer to Alan's question.
John.
John. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | I'd like to think there will be swell days ahead for someone but it will never be like it was for some of us.
The positives - The Roadshow and some Social media. |
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March 2004
Posts: 1388
Location: Paris/France | I was so lucky to be there with my friend Tom for the 2007 OFC Tour.
It remains one of my greatest memories and I regret that this fantastic event is over.
You should been there... ;)
J :) |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Alan814,
Look in my photo gallery I have pictures from the factory Tours 2004-2007. I just missed the 2003 tour.
Phil |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | jerome it was a pleasure to have you here |
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August 2007
Posts: 1008
Location: Tuscany, Italy | I really would like to visit once the factory ... Ok put it this way ... when a door close, another one (or more ..) opens ... (this is not valid in the elevator) |
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June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Some photos from OFC Tour 2004
 
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
I'll have to look and see if I ever got one of those dvd's... Let me know, Paul.
2005 was 1 dvd, 2006 was 2. |
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December 2005
Posts: 247
Location: Seacoast NH | I've wanted to get down to CT to see the factory and get a tour for a long time. Guess I waited to long. :( |
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November 2005
Posts: 4832
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Hence the common refrain after ALL gatherings of the OFC.
Y S B T !
you shoulda been there
(which, due to certain cultural differences, does not
apply to me...... :p ) |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | I'm glad to have been a part of the 2006 and 2007 tour. For those who haven't : YSBT :) |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | I think I can name just about all of those people in those pictures. Those were the days, my friends. Then again, there's always Guild! |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | To paraphrase...
"We were so much older then - we're younger then that now". |
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March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Slipkid:
To paraphrase...
"We were so much older then - we're younger then that now". No, you're not.... |
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September 2003
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Location: south east Michigan | Speak for yourself there pappy. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | ah, yeah, WE are. |
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Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | True. |
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Location: Nashville TN. | yes we are |
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Posts: 2791
Location: Atlanta, GA. | Maybe in "Your Back Pages". |
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Factory Tour