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Location: Ohio | So which Ovations are still made in the U.S. and why in the hell are they trying to confuse us by keeping US model numbers/names on them? I recently read that an Elite T was an Import and was pretty surprised. |
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Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | Here's a list of the models still being produced in the US: |
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Location: Ohio | Are you serious? None? What about Adamas? What about the custom shop? |
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Location: Jet City | aaronharmon - 2012-04-25 8:33 AM Are you serious? None? What about Adamas? What about the custom shop? That would be all that's left. THey build Guilds now. |
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Location: Utah | They will build you any O or A you want, but it is a custom job. Anything with an AX or TX is an import, while LX and T would still be USA made but only on a custom basis. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | aaronharmon - 2012-04-25 6:40 AM
...and why in the hell are they trying to confuse us by keeping US model numbers/names on them?...
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Location: Ohio | damon67 - 2012-04-25 10:43 AM
aaronharmon - 2012-04-25 8:33 AM Are you serious? None? What about Adamas? What about the custom shop? That would be all that's left. THey build Guilds now.
I think I'm going to be sick
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Location: Flahdaw | Almost makes you want to throw on a pair of Nikes, grab a six pack of Kirin, jump in your Lexus, pound down the beers and commit Seppuku with a Ginsu knife in the parking lot of the UCLA math department.... |
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Location: Ohio | darkbarguitar - 2012-04-25 2:12 PM
Almost makes you want to throw on a pair of Nikes, grab a six pack of Kirin, jump in your Lexus, pound down the beers and commit Seppuku with a Ginsu knife in the parking lot of the UCLA math department....
I must be getting old are Nikes passe? |
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Location: NJ | WRONG WRONG WRONG
please do not give mis information here this IS the FAN CLUB
all Adamas models are made in the USA along with the Al D model
you can get anything built on a custom basis
the glenn campbell model and anther model were recently built in the us.
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Location: Ohio | alpep - 2012-04-25 3:14 PM
WRONG WRONG WRONG
please do not give mis information here this IS the FAN CLUB
all Adamas models are made in the USA along with the Al D model
you can get anything built on a custom basis
the glenn campbell model and anther model were recently built in the us.
O.K. now I am confused again.
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | No need to be confused it's pretty simple... - ALL Adamas models are made in the USA
- The Al Dimeola Model is made in the USA
- The recent Glenn Campbell model and another model were built in the USA.
- You can get anything built on a custom basis in the USA
seems pretty simple to me. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Nice...senior font. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Mark in Boise - 2012-04-25 6:40 PM
Nice...senior font.
Is he Mexican? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I would focus more HOW it is made, HOW it plays and HOW it sounds ... rather than on WHERE it was made.
Some mighty fine instruments are built in other countries. |
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Location: Massachusetts | Standingovation, you're right about that , but I think the consensus here is regarding the Ovation guitar being sent off shore after having begun here in the USA. This is giving many of us here a feeling of the Ovation being "cheapened" for the sake of profit on the part of Fender. Made in the USA still has a nice feeling about it, and that has been taken away from the main product. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | javaman - 2012-04-25 8:26 PM
Standingovation, you're right about that , but I think the consensus here is regarding the Ovation guitar being sent off shore after having begun here in the USA. This is giving many of us here a feeling of the Ovation being "cheapened" for the sake of profit on the part of Fender. Made in the USA still has a nice feeling about it, and that has been taken away from the main product.
Right, I wasn't talking about foreign made Ovations. But I don't blame Fender one bit. Their business is to make money, and the more the better. The problem is a government that does everything they can to force corporations off shore to survive. Shame on us. |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | Here is what I have learned. If it is made in the U S of A it will cost you close to twice what the others would cost. I hate to say it. But it's true. I own 3 Japanese guitars(a couple of Takamines and a Yamaha) and, guess what?, they play and sound great. It's ALL about the dollar. I still haven't gotten my CL2079AX, but I'll have it setup by my luthier and I bet it plays and sounds just like it's American counterpart. I just won't have to mortgage my house for it. I have played music since I was 10 years old. If you play any well-built guitar long enough, it's gonna sound great. I don't own as many as some on here. But if what I have owned since I started were here, it would rival anyone's collection. We gotta quit hating on the offshore ones. That's all there is. If you got the do-re-mi you can own an "American". I'll be happy just to get my new one. You can't hate what ya ain't played! Some of us aren't fortunate to have the money to buy the great stuff. I have to settle with what I can get and you all make me feel like an a** for buying what I can afford. It kinda hurts a guys feelings. Just saying.
Edited by AdamasW597 2012-04-25 11:16 PM
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Location: Raleigh, NC | Cheap Labor is the deal on most everything that leaves the US. I was amazed though, to see HondaJet build a plant in Greensboro, NC. There had to be a reason for that too..... Tax incentives galore and maybe the Corp. Jet Market is here in the US - still I guess. If the Epiphone Masterbilt was made here, it wouldn't run $599. Like new but used - they're half that. A very good solid wood flattop that's made in Asia. With a US design and specs, tight QC, quality materials like Grovers, and the latest manufacturing equipment, any human can make quality guitars in the new factories in Asia.
I am new - so bear with me. I have a buddy with a Foil Label Custom Balladeer with a busted top - the neck and bowl are great. He would swap for it a fifth of Wild Turkey, Cuervo Gold and a fishing trip. Would be a fair deal IMO. Is there a program to refurbish the Golden Era Ovations? New Sitka top and all - for a sensible price? Kind of the best of both worlds. They would make money at it in Hartford. |
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Location: Massachusetts | Adamas, do you currently own any USA model guitars? I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm just wondering if you will be able to give your new CL2079AX an unbiased comparison against an equivalent USA model. |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | I have a 2005 Adamas W597 that I got for less than half price. That 2079 costs more than I make in a month. I had to save 6 months and sell 3 of my guitars to get it. I don't want to argue but it seems to me what we have here are a few who don't believe others can make a good guitar. I'll put my Japanese Stratocaster up against any American made one. I'm not saying anything bad about US made stuff. I just cannot afford to buy a guitar that costs a LOT more. I have a feeling the people that make the offshore ones are proud of their work. Mercedes and BMW seem to be doing fine. Besides if the guitar sucks. I don't have to buy it. They don't have a penny yet. I'm not waiting 6 months to buy a used one. People don't sell great gear. They sell stuff they don't want. Besides I do have my Adamas. I just need a second guitar to detune when I play live. If I want to play an acoustic I'll play my 33 year-old Martin D-35(by the way, I got it for $800, or I wouldn't have bought it). I'm buying this guitar solely to play electric. I really won't need to compare. I have a great luthier and I know the preamp smokes.
Edited by AdamasW597 2012-04-25 11:48 PM
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I'm thinking Ovation probably makes FEWER Ovations overseas now than they did in the 80's. As long as the flagship models are still made in the USA, and you can get ANY model made in the USA by custom order... it's all good.
As far as overseas models... outstanding guitars at an affordable price. What's not to like?
As often as this Made In wherever conversation comes up, I never seem to understand it.
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | MR. O it's my bedtime or I would stay up all night and talk. I am what some people might call poor. I am very lucky to get the guitar I'm getting and I don't need to be told that what I'm buying is junk. It's that simple. It must be nice to be able to buy what you want indiscriminately. I have to scrimp and save and cut corners. While others take photos of their guitar in front of a Porsche. I own a 10-year old car that I'll probably have 10 more. Oh, it's Japanese too. I may take a pic in front of my car with my guitar. Thanks for reminding me I'm poor.
Edited by AdamasW597 2012-04-26 12:04 AM
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | I had to reboot my computer. Mr. Ovation I was not talking to you. I just want you to know that. I'm not feeling sorry for myself. Some of us can't own Lamborghini's. So we settle for Mazda's. I know my guitar may not be the same as an LX. But I'll bet you $500 I can still make it sing. I've played all over the U.S. and Canada and I've been lucky enough to have famous guitarists tell me I was great. I'm not a name dropper. Don't brag. But I have a passion for guitar that not many have. I play 4 to 5 hours a day. I'm disabled. My first gig this year is Cinco de Mayo. I'm going out with no music stand and no lyrics. I'm playing 3 hours. All from memory and hopefully with my new Custom Legend 2079AX CCB. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Heya AdamasW597,
I don't think anyone actually called your guitar junk... they better not have.. LOL.. Seriously.. most of us at least started out with Celebrity line models. Unlike some other brands, Ovation has always focused on putting a guitar out for every price point that was a QUALITY guitar. For the most part the ONLY differences between the USA made guitars and the imports are the necks, tops, warranty and method of assembly. The bowls and pre-amps and up until recently even the necks were the same.
It's all about choices and I for one (and I know many others) are glad we have the choices with Ovation. When you get into the higher end Celebrity models, the major difference starts to be only the Warranty and method of assembly. Unfortunately, there is a deeper perception issue about the quality because while the USA made guitar are all individually QC'd and setup, far too many imports, fine guitars, make it to the store unplayable. Nothing wrong with the guitar per se... just no one took the time to set it up. Personally, I can live with that. I already know how Ovations are designed, and if I can pick up a guitar for next to nothing because the store didn't take the time to set it up and thinks its junk... I'm all over it.
Look what happened with the VXT, which is a made in USA guitar. Few if any stores had them plugged in correctly, was truly sad to see.
Carvin (another one of my favorites) figured it out early on. They knew they were going to be the only ones to show off their guitars. Back in the days of the Ovation showroom, Ovations sold well. I wonder sometimes if they had the showrooms because they sold well, or they sold well because they had the showrooms..
Bottom line... I don't think anyone thinks any Ovation is junk. Well, a couple people that hold the name and guitars close to their heart have opinions about some of the models and maybe some of the aesthetic choices over the years, but I don't think even they used the term junk 
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | If y'all are watching the news, many jobs are coming back because wages in China are going up.
I don't know if that affects the Korean made Ovations.
But on the Evening News they mentioned USA made "Element" LCD TV's being made in Detroit.
Shipping is getting expensive, long-distance quality control can be tough depending on the factory.
Back to the original question...
why in the hell are they trying to confuse us by keeping US model numbers/names on them?
Yeah... That is the exact idea, to confuse people.
I totally understand the concept of buying what you can afford. As a past owner of many Celebrity's and Ultra's... I am not saying that good guitars cannot be made in Asia. I have a Killer Made-in-Indonesia Parker, Made-in-Korea Bich, and a coupla Chinese Travelers. But Ovation USA was one of the few USA guitar manufacturers. The corporate plan is to export jobs to the cheapest labor... Good for the Corporations, not so good for the American Worker. Not particularly good for the guitars either...
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Location: Flahdaw | Hey AdamasW597....how come your posts are "edited by mymartind35"???? |
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Location: Texas | I think he changed it with the help of OMA...
Not unusual, Prince changed his name...
chastity bono changed her, err his,
well, its done a bunch |
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Location: NJ | If you have to mortgage your house to buy an imported guitar then you have bigger problems then where the guitar is made.
a guitar made in the USA is probably 3 times the cost if not more of one made overseas.
Funny how I get inquiries for USA built ovations that have been discontinued 3-4 years ago and people want custom orders. I get them priced out and then they freak out. Well, that is why they can't build them in the USA because you don't want to pay for them.
this is simple economics people |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Actually it's a hold-over from a previous version of the software... Originally this new BBS software did not support "Display Names" it just used the "username" as the "display name". I never liked that in other installations, so before we went live, the developer added the feature of "Display Name" and we changed the references in most places to show the "Display Name" rather than "user name". The idea is that showing the username is somewhat of a security issue. Anywho... we missed a spot..  Thanks for spotting it... |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | thanks. But, I'm afraid there are a few snobs on here! |
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Location: Texas | "But, I'm afraid there are a few snobs"
I'm ok with that. I am accustomed to the "n" being left out. snob is short of a compliment, but an upgrade nonetheless. |
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Location: Flahdaw | "I'm afraid there are a few snobs on here!"
I know!!! (most of them eat sushi, drink foo-foo latte's, and watch NPR, too) |
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Location: Utah | mymartind35 - 2012-04-26 8:13 AM
thanks. But, I'm afraid there are a few snobs on here!
Maybe, but I don't think really so much. There are members here who think nothing of ordering a custom guitar costing more than my car is worth, but I've seen those same people be incredibly supportive and kind to people of modest means and modest talent.
I think the anger or frustrations are more aimed at the corporate suits who are perhaps seen as trying to foist an inferior product on the unsuspecting customer who thinks it is the same higher quality USA guitar they used to make. And some frustration at the diminution of the brand reputation.
And then there is the sadness for at least a core group of OFC members who have been on factory tours and have fond personal attachments to the people who used to make all the Ovation guitars.
Mostly I think this is a true FAN club, not a snob club. |
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Location: Jet City | FlySig - 2012-04-26 7:42 AM ...not a snob club. I dunno. I hit 2 of 3 on DB's list there (No fan of NPR) |
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Location: SoCal | Snob club or snot blob? |
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Location: Miami | mymartind35 - 2012-04-25 11:44 PM
I'll put my Japanese Stratocaster up against any American made one.
Yeah, okay. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I don't eat sushi, drink foo-foo lattes or listen to NPR. If that means I'm not on DB's list, should I be worried? |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I'd be more worried if I WAS on DB's list. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Mine is a VERY exclusive club. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | The good thing about db is that he usually posts what I was thinking, but didn't dare post. |
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Location: Suisun City, Ca | mymartind35 - 2012-04-25 11:44 PM
I have a 2005 Adamas W597 that I got for less than half price. That 2079 costs more than I make in a month. I had to save 6 months and sell 3 of my guitars to get it. I don't want to argue but it seems to me what we have here are a few who don't believe others can make a good guitar. I'll put my Japanese Stratocaster up against any American made one. I'm not saying anything bad about US made stuff. I just cannot afford to buy a guitar that costs a LOT more. I have a feeling the people that make the offshore ones are proud of their work. Mercedes and BMW seem to be doing fine. Besides if the guitar sucks. I don't have to buy it. They don't have a penny yet. I'm not waiting 6 months to buy a used one. People don't sell great gear. They sell stuff they don't want. Besides I do have my Adamas. I just need a second guitar to detune when I play live. If I want to play an acoustic I'll play my 33 year-old Martin D-35(by the way, I got it for $800, or I wouldn't have bought it). I'm buying this guitar solely to play electric. I really won't need to compare. I have a great luthier and I know the preamp smokes. Hmmmm, I don't know about that. I've bought some nice, used O's here from many different folks. 1538, 1617-4, 07C, very soon 1537-4 etc...
Edited by AstroDan 2012-04-26 2:27 PM
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | "I have a feeling the people that make the offshore ones are proud of their work. Mercedes and BMW seem to be doing fine." mymartin35
Both manufacturers also have very successful plants in the USA, BMW since 1994 and Mercedes since 1997. In today's global economy, the financial advantage of restricting manufacturing to a single country is minimal, if at all, and often exist only because of favorable government intervention and subsidization.
Incidently, we were asked to do a rather complex latin-jazz instrumental last weekend on short notice. Six pages of charts, lots of jazz chords with some lead, but mainly rhythm behind a lead flugelhorn. I had a number of options for gear, including eight archtops, all but one USA-made, and several very being very high-end customs. Because of its wonderful tone with Be-Bop jazz strings, I chose the only offshore guitar I own, a blonde Epiphone Emperor II, and it worked marvelously, plus it just looks right for jazz. |
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Location: Ohio | mymartind35 - 2012-04-25 11:05 PM
Here is what I have learned. If it is made in the U S of A it will cost you close to twice what the others would cost. I hate to say it. But it's true. I own 3 Japanese guitars(a couple of Takamines and a Yamaha) and, guess what?, they play and sound great. It's ALL about the dollar. I still haven't gotten my CL2079AX, but I'll have it setup by my luthier and I bet it plays and sounds just like it's American counterpart. I just won't have to mortgage my house for it. I have played music since I was 10 years old. If you play any well-built guitar long enough, it's gonna sound great. I don't own as many as some on here. But if what I have owned since I started were here, it would rival anyone's collection. We gotta quit hating on the offshore ones. That's all there is. If you got the do-re-mi you can own an "American". I'll be happy just to get my new one. You can't hate what ya ain't played! Some of us aren't fortunate to have the money to buy the great stuff. I have to settle with what I can get and you all make me feel like an a** for buying what I can afford. It kinda hurts a guys feelings. Just saying.
Dude I don't care what you spend your money on and I don't hate foreign instruments. It's mostly a matter of national pride for me. I buy american whenever I can to support companies that continue to employ people here. These companies wouldn't move offshore and import their goods if we simply refused to buy them. It's as simple as that. |
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Location: Flahdaw | For what it's worth, a foreign mail-order bride can be just as satisfying as an American made wife... |
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Location: sitting at my computer | darkbarguitar - 2012-04-26 4:49 PM For what it's worth, a foreign mail-order bride can be just as satisfying as an American made wife... well yeah... but then there's that whole foreign language thing... and always wondering if maybe she's a KGB agent. |
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Location: Flahdaw | Are you kidding? The KGB agents are the best. They'll do anything for some information. |
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Location: sitting at my computer | darkbarguitar - 2012-04-26 5:30 PM Are you kidding? The KGB agents are the best. They'll do anything for some information. touche! 
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | As Ovation owners, players and enthusiasts, we share some thought processes that make us somewhat unique, especially when you add in the fact that we are musicians and artists at some level as well.
While I truly appreciate this sentiment.. "It's mostly a matter of national pride for me. I buy american whenever I can to support companies that continue to employ people here. " it's often in DIRECT conflict with "I buy the product with the most bang-for-buck that I can afford."
That's why we have choices.
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Location: Australia | I recently played some of the newer Korean guitars and I was surprised, they are getting better and are now much closer to the USA guitars. Also with the top of the range electronics, they're great guitars for the money.
As was previously said, if you still want that new USA Ovation, don't bitch about it, just order it. I recently received a custom order 1688 7 Adamas and it's perfect and because it was a special order it's exactly what I wanted. Price was also reasonable.
With all the talk about not being able to get a USA Ovation, I wonder how many people are actually looking to order one. Therein lies the problem for the USA factory I think.
Next time I want a USA Ovation, I'll order it. |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | All I'm saying and meant to say is...wait for it. I love American made stuff. I just cannot afford it. I'm getting my 2079AX at COST! I couldn't even afford it new. I just got upset because of all the hating on stuff most haven't played. I do try to buy American. I was a Ford guy till they cost too much to buy. I love OFC every bit as much as you all. I also understand the frustration of jobs moving out of America. I spent my last year of my job drawing unemployment. I have a disability which limits my job prospects. So I'm on SS disability. I would LOVE to be able to afford an LX. Just got the next best thing. I have a Takamine and I wouldn't take twice what I gave for it. I know some of you are the same. I do have a sense of humor and I love the banter on here. That's why I've been a member for 4+ years. I get great advice. Help from Al, Mr. O, Kim and lots of others too numerous to mention. Sorry for the outburst. I guess I was just feelin' sorry for myself. It won't happen again. Keep up the great work. |
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Location: Massachusetts | Getting back to Old Man Arthur's original post. It its confusing by putting the regular Ovation models/numbers and names on the imported product. Gibson uses the Epiohone brand for their imports and G&L uses the Tribute band to let the consumer be aware that it's not a USA product. If you check the Fender guitars you have to look for the country of origin on the headstock to see if it's USA made because they have the same model names as the original USA models as they do on the imports. |
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Location: Northwest Arkansas | Oh, and Darkbar. mymartind35 is my evil bluegrass twin. For some stupid reason I used that name when I joined OFC. OMA told me how to change it. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Uh, This is Aaron's original thread... I just quoted him.
aaronharmon - 2012-04-25 6:40 AM
So which Ovations are still made in the U.S. and why in the hell are they trying to confuse us by keeping US model numbers/names on them? I recently read that an Elite T was an Import and was pretty surprised.
Just wanna give credit where credit is due. |
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Location: Ohio | arthurseery - 2012-04-27 3:03 AM
Uh, This is Aaron's original thread... I just quoted him.
aaronharmon - 2012-04-25 6:40 AM
So which Ovations are still made in the U.S. and why in the hell are they trying to confuse us by keeping US model numbers/names on them? I recently read that an Elite T was an Import and was pretty surprised.
Just wanna give credit where credit is due.
Oh ***, not sure I want the credit at this point : ) |
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Location: Ohio | mymartind35 - 2012-04-26 11:20 PM
All I'm saying and meant to say is...wait for it. I love American made stuff. I just cannot afford it. I'm getting my 2079AX at COST! I couldn't even afford it new. I just got upset because of all the hating on stuff most haven't played. I do try to buy American. I was a Ford guy till they cost too much to buy. I love OFC every bit as much as you all. I also understand the frustration of jobs moving out of America. I spent my last year of my job drawing unemployment. I have a disability which limits my job prospects. So I'm on SS disability. I would LOVE to be able to afford an LX. Just got the next best thing. I have a Takamine and I wouldn't take twice what I gave for it. I know some of you are the same. I do have a sense of humor and I love the banter on here. That's why I've been a member for 4+ years. I get great advice. Help from Al, Mr. O, Kim and lots of others too numerous to mention. Sorry for the outburst. I guess I was just feelin' sorry for myself. It won't happen again. Keep up the great work.
It's all good man. to be honest I was suppressed when I came back to this thread and saw how heated it had become.
I much perfer that they handle it like Gibson ie all Ovations elites or better are made in the U.S. Applause and Celebrity models are made overseas. It just makes buying that much easier. I have been looking at MM68 Mandolins that’s how I discovered all this. It definitely adds confusion to the mix especially when sellers list their item as MM68 and forget to add the AX or whatever. Maybe its done to confuse buyers maybe its done out of ignorance, it doesn’t matter. The point is it's confusing. I am an Ovation Fan. I have 4 Ovations an Adamas and an Ovation Ukulele and I didn't know about this. Granted there has been a bit of a dry spell in the guitar buying department, I am recently married and back in school so I understand financial concerns. I'm certainly not posing for pictures in front of my Porsche. In fact I have a 10 year old Jeep Wrangler that was manufactured about 15 miles from my house. It's my second Wrangler, and as long as they keep building them in Toledo Ohio, my next vehicle will be a Jeep Wrangler as well. There is a direct and immediate effect on our economy when we buy locally. There is also a direct if not protracted effect when we buy imports.
Capitalism is the world’s only true democracy. Every dollar you spend is a vote for either foreign or domestic labor. I promise that these big companies will listen if enough people vote with their wallets.
That said, I realize that you can get a lot of “bang for your buck” when you buy an import. I have nothing against them. I just choose not to vote for foreign labor.
Edited by aaronharmon 2012-04-27 6:48 AM
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Location: Flahdaw | aaronharmon - 2012-04-27 7:22 AM
I'm certainly not posing for pictures in front of my Porsche.
Yeah, Mark!!!! |
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Location: New Jersey | Now I, on the other hand will gladly pose/post in front of my Porsche...
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Location: Utah | aaronharmon - 2012-04-27 6:22 AM
There is a direct and immediate effect on our economy when we buy locally. There is also a direct if not protracted effect when we buy imports.
Capitalism is the world’s only true democracy. Every dollar you spend is a vote for either foreign or domestic labor. I promise that these big companies will listen if enough people vote with their wallets.
That said, I realize that you can get a lot of “bang for your buck” when you buy an import. I have nothing against them. I just choose not to vote for foreign labor.
There is a hidden cost in buying an import which is the latent loss of jobs and the export of cash which never comes back. I have no idea how to calculate it, but I believe we are seeing the effect right now in the unemployment numbers and the exodus of manufacturing over the past few decades. So for me, the 'bang for the buck' of an import is not nearly what it might appear based on only the purchase price.
I am not categorically against imports, and I would rather someone buy an import Ovation than an import other brand of guitar.
When the weather gets better I would be happy to take a guitar picture in front of my porch. 
Edited by FlySig 2012-04-27 9:06 AM
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Location: sitting at my computer | my poor-sha 
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Location: Right now? | Beautiful guitar.
Willa |
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Location: New Jersey | Thanks Willa. My baby is in the "hospital" though-won't get her back until next week. I'll have to make do with playing my Celebrity until then... |
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Location: Massachusetts | What happened Scan, forget to set the e-brake? |
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Location: New Jersey | Hehe- actually my guitar problems are described in another thread I had started- long story short- the VIP pre-amp keeps randomly cutting out on me. Had everything but the piezo pickup replaced and it still cuts out. Now I'm getting sent another complete VIP preamp with can, jack assembly, etc. PLUS the piezo. Hopefully this will do the trick. Should have the guitar back by next Wednesday or Thursday I'm hoping. |
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Location: Massachusetts | Good luck with that . I hope it solves the problem for you, wouldn't want to be without that beauty for too long! |
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Location: Ohio | FlySig - 2012-04-27 9:03 AM
aaronharmon - 2012-04-27 6:22 AM
There is a direct and immediate effect on our economy when we buy locally. There is also a direct if not protracted effect when we buy imports.
Capitalism is the world’s only true democracy. Every dollar you spend is a vote for either foreign or domestic labor. I promise that these big companies will listen if enough people vote with their wallets.
That said, I realize that you can get a lot of “bang for your buck” when you buy an import. I have nothing against them. I just choose not to vote for foreign labor.
There is a hidden cost in buying an import which is the latent loss of jobs and the export of cash which never comes back. I have no idea how to calculate it, but I believe we are seeing the effect right now in the unemployment numbers and the exodus of manufacturing over the past few decades. So for me, the 'bang for the buck' of an import is not nearly what it might appear based on only the purchase price.
I am not categorically against imports, and I would rather someone buy an import Ovation than an import other brand of guitar.
When the weather gets better I would be happy to take a guitar picture in front of my porch.
I agree with you 100%. We are shooting ourselves in the foot. It's all short term gains with huge long term costs. It is so sad to see. We cannot sustain ourselves as a nation of service industries. Without manufacturing we are nothing. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Just a warning that POLITICS is a forbidden subject on this board.... However, global economics is fun.
I suggest checking the History books. Manufacturing moves around the world. It helps countries grow and become part of the "modern" world. When foreign companies (any foreign, not just non-USA company) starts manufacturing goods in another country, it means two things to that other country. They finally hit bottom and now look like an investment, and they will come back stronger than they ever were.
While the press doesn't like to dwell on it cause fuzzy stories don't make headlines... Manufacturing IS coming to the USA again. It's starting with some foreign Companies like Honda and VW, and others like a couple of the car companies in Detroit are now making cars again in Detroit.
Even on a smaller scale, such as swag... A couple of years ago getting USA Made ball cap with embroidery meant paying a lot of money for a piece of crap. Now you can get a decent Cap that is made Overseas, but it's actually cheaper now to get it embroidered in the USA. For those that were never in the Military or otherwise traveled in southeast Asia, THIS IS HUGE!!! In the 70's and 80's there were people on the street that could embroider entire jackets with the names of your Commands while you watched. They could embroider your signature almost as fast as some people can write it for just a couple of cents. And NOW it's cheaper to get things embroidered in the USA. Yes, it's small, but it means for us in the USA that things are going in a good direction.
Here's another more close to home.....
In the 80's I might have asked how many Luthier's and boutique guitar effects manufacturers are there in the USA and there were a handful. Now there are probably 15 to 20 just in the Seattle area !!!! Everything from hand-wound pickups to fantastic Acoustic guitars to amazing effects pedals.
Again... it's baby steps... but really look around. We are at the beginning of a new age. And YES, maybe the Mayan's did get it right. The "end" of an age also means the beginning of a new one. |
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Location: Ohio | Mr. O which branch were you in? I served in the 3rd of the 325 AIR, 82nd airborne infantry regiment, at Fort Bragg NC 93-97. I joined in 91 during the gulf war but had to wait till I finished highschool in 93 to start Basic |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | @aaronhamon Navy '77 - '91 |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Just imagine how this conversation plays to the XX,XXX OFC members who DON'T live in the Excited States of America.....
....I'm just sayin' |
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Location: NJ | well as far as I can tell the customers I have want guitars built in the usa and they are from france england canada germany italy norway sweden japan china indonesia malaysia chile argentina switzerland and a bunch more I just am forgetting at the moment |
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Location: Flahdaw | Who says we're "excited"?
Edited by BobG 2012-04-28 8:22 PM
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Does anyone really care what somebody else chooses to buy? FTFF |
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Location: Massachusetts | Nope!! Just make mine good ole USA |
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Location: Ohio | Standingovation - 2012-04-28 9:16 PM
Does anyone really care what somebody else chooses to buy? FTFF
No. This topic just derailed a bit. If you read the whole thread you'll see it. |
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Location: Massachusetts | This is what happens when a beloved product moves to another country and retains the same brand name and model. I've seen it on other forums. |
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Location: sitting at my computer | fillhixx - 2012-04-28 7:51 PM ... XX,XXX OFC members... whoops, for a moment there didn't realize you were referring to a number. 
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Location: Flahdaw | The XXX would be Moody |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I think what adds even more to the confusion, and this has also led to misleading adverts on eBay and Craigslist, is ok.. A typical guitar owner has an Ovation and they are not sure of the model... look at some pictures... and call it a Balladeer and the BOWL is stamped Made In USA. I have seen this happen more than once. |
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Location: Massachusetts | well, I've seen this sort of thing happen before where a large corporation buys out a brand name and then milks it for all they can get out of it then discards it. One example was when AMF did this with Harley Davidson, but the brand loyalty was too strong, and the employees bought the business back and things are doing well.
In fact, Fender went through this with CBS back in the late 60's. |
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I totally missed this news