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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | For those not on the Internet, there's a rumor going around. However, it started BEFORE April 1st, and it's actually not that far out there. It's simply that someone supposedly talked to the Ovation rep at DW who mentioned they are trying to round up what's left of the people and equipment to restart production on some level in CT.
Based on the timing.... I was thinking I'm not biting... But at the same time... what's the joke, what's the punchline?
Anyway, from a Facebook post "So this is interesting- Just got off the phone with the new Ovation brand manager at DW- nice guy. Mostly talked about imports, since that's what we sold the most of, but he told me that DW is restarting US production, in the New Hartford facility, on the original machines, with as many original employees as possible. He says Darren is there now, and that this is not a plan for the distant future, but is happening now. Taking it with a grain of salt, but DW might end up being a much better steward of the brand than Fender ever was."
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Location: Thredbo, NSW, Australia | Let's hope it's true.
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | mileskb - 2015-03-31 9:28 PM
For those not on the Internet... How would they be reading this? 
Like I said on Facebook: Seeing = Believing.
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Location: Yokohama, Japan | Oh, YES (cautiously, cautiously)! |
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Location: SoCal | Doesn't anyone else think it strange that John Budny and his wife don't know about this? Sworn to secrecy? Not sure how they could do that if they were contacting prior employees. Unfortunately, in the past, Joshua Munter (the poster) has not revealed his source(s). This time he said "Ovation brand manager" but not name. Great news if so...horrible joke if untrue.
Kim's post back to Joshua Munter (Music Center, Ashland, Wisconsin):
"I hope it happens, but it would be a very long uphill battle to start production again in New Hartford. The way Fender left things with most of the employees in NH means few would return. Too many ghosts. Very little left in tooling, but some of the machines might still be there. If they manage to get everything working and re-certified, you might see a trickle of guitars in a year."
From what I have seen, DW Drums has a hands-on management team, corporate in Santa Monica, factory in Oxnard, factory in Ensanada. Sounds to me from Kim's post that it would be difficult to bring the production at the factory back to even pre-Fender days, as well as provide appropriate skilled workers, equipment, material, and a team similar to their current management team.. In addition to high costs as it is basically a start-up, there is marketing and distribution necessary.
It appeared (may not be accurate) but it sounded like Fender was going to retain off-shore O's. If so, this could be even more confusing for dealers even if off-shore was labeled "Celeb".
Most likely, if DW is responsible for warranty, DW may augment the small crew that Budny has for warranty, repair, and custom work. As to their purchase of Gretsch, appears this is Gretsch drums, not the guitars. My question is who owns Adamas and Hamer? Adamas could be a dba but KMC acquired Hamer which could be a separate corporation. |
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Location: Sydney, Australia | "dba"?? |
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Location: Flahdaw | "dba"- Don't Believe Anything |
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Location: New Hartford CT | Born and raised in New Hartford. Have lived here for 53 years and personally carved and raw sanded over 70,000 guitar necks. If they start up again that would be fantastic - there is no bitterness about the guitars, just Fender. They wrecked it. But Drum Workshop (DW) is a wonderful company...who knows?
We'll have to see what happens. I'd love to see them come out with the Ovation 'Phoenix' |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Nice to dream but there is a lot of damage to be undone. In my opinion the task would be similar to startng a new guitar company but with the advantage that you already have the IP and design and already have the distribution network. But (re)starting a new guitar factory? No disrespect but why would you do it in CT when you can get cheap facilities and cheap labor in the southwest?
I don't know DW (but I love the initials) but I hear good things about them. But in the end it is a business no matter how passionate we or they are about the product. I have to believe the ROI on such an undertaking would be a steep steep climb no matter who was in the drivers seat. I'd love to see it happen but only time will tell. |
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Location: NJ | I talked to the same product manager yesterday.
the intention is true.
timeline unclear.
scope unclear.
time will tell..... |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | We ought to try and convince some of those DW leaders to join the OFC since we may have a mutual interest in a brand they now own. |
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Location: Texas | Tony, FMIC would technically still own Hamer. They ceased production. I am sure that someone with deep pockets could buy the name from FMIC or FMIC could ressurect the brand...but neither will happen...for the same reason FMIC scuttled it. They certainly set the bar on custom electric guitars. |
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | George Frey - 2015-04-01 6:19 AM
Born and raised in New Hartford. Have lived here for 53 years and personally carved and raw sanded over 70,000 guitar necks. If they start up again that would be fantastic - there is no bitterness about the guitars, just Fender. They wrecked it. But Drum Workshop (DW) is a wonderful company...who knows?
We'll have to see what happens. I'd love to see them come out with the Ovation 'Phoenix'
I LOVE it!!!!! Rising from the Ashes! It would even be a great advertising slogan to take off on!!!
I am going to think positive, because it never hurts, and if we all think positively about it, maybe we can come up with something to help DW achieve their goal and ours! Constructive Feedback from loyal Fans is a great help to a new endeavor!!
Never mind me, it is sunny out and may get above 60 today, I am all happy and sunshine today!  |
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Location: south east Michigan | So...
Al...
When's the factory tour? |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I choose hope... sign me up for the factory tour and where do I apply for a job on the line? |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | If there's a factory tour, I'll make it this time. I promise. If I don't you can sue me. Set the date for the factory tour so I can use it to make sure I retire by that time and tell my daughters that they can't schedule any weddings for that date. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | arthurseery - 2015-03-31 10:37 PM
mileskb - 2015-03-31 9:28 PM
For those not on the Internet... How would they be reading this?
LOL !!!! I meant to type "on Facebook"... fingers auto-incorrected. |
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Location: Charlotte, NC | What day is today (the day this thread was started)?
Sorry but that's all that's in my head as I read this thread...lol 
Edited by speedingpenguin 2015-04-01 11:34 AM
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Location: Boise, Idaho | The thread was actually started yesterday on the West coast. I am quite sure Mr. Ovation wouldn't have started it as an April Fool's joke. |
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Location: Tennessee |
If it's to become reality at all, everyone here is going to have to open their purses and wallets be prepared to shell out at least $2K on a new guitar within a couple of months of this thing being announced, and then buy at least one NEW guitar every year. The diehard fans here will have to be the ones who start the tsunami. If you're not willing to commit to this, let the conversation die so no one has to go through the pain of the brand folding again. |
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Location: Charlotte, NC | Mark in Boise - 2015-04-01 12:46 PM
The thread was actually started yesterday on the West coast. I am quite sure Mr. Ovation wouldn't have started it as an April Fool's joke.
Ahh. Here on the east coast it looks like 28 minutes into April Fools day... even with the mention in the first thread, I kept thinking "no... I've fallen for these before, but not today!"
Hopefully it happens! I'll be saving up in the meanwhile...  |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | mileskb - 2015-04-02 3:19 AM arthurseery - 2015-03-31 10:37 PM mileskb - 2015-03-31 9:28 PM For those not on the Internet... How would they be reading this? LOL !!!! I meant to type "on Facebook"... fingers auto-incorrected. but... I thought Facebook IS the internet. Your'e telling me there's MORE?
Edited by muzza 2015-04-01 4:37 PM
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | stonebobbo - 2015-04-02 4:44 AM If it's to become reality at all, everyone here is going to have to open their purses and wallets be prepared to shell out at least $2K on a new guitar within a couple of months of this thing being announced, and then buy at least one NEW guitar every year. The diehard fans here will have to be the ones who start the tsunami. If you're not willing to commit to this, let the conversation die so no one has to go through the pain of the brand folding again. I won't be buying one. I've only got one left and I'm considering putting it on the market. If it is an April Fool joke, it's not funny. |
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Location: Utah | I'd certainly be in for a new guitar. Not one per year, but I would certainly thin the herd I have in order to get something new. |
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Location: NJ | hamer is actually owned by jam inc
not dw |
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Location: Suisun City, Ca | stonebobbo - 2015-04-01 12:44 PM If it's to become reality at all, everyone here is going to have to open their purses and wallets be prepared to shell out at least $2K on a new guitar within a couple of months of this thing being announced, and then buy at least one NEW guitar every year. The diehard fans here will have to be the ones who start the tsunami. If you're not willing to commit to this, let the conversation die so no one has to go through the pain of the brand folding again. I'm in! I want a 12er to replace the 1538 I let get away... |
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Location: Tennessee | How did that 1538 get away from you, Dan? I've still got first rights to the 1537 if that one tries to slip away. |
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Location: Suisun City, Ca | On the theory of one-out-one-in.
I really wanted that 1617ALE....
I do have first right of refusal, but Bear will never let it go.
I should've taken the cold-shoulder from SWMBO. She'd be over it by now, and I'd have both.
BTW, the 1537 never gets away! Best looking neck ever! |
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Location: Denmark | richard.parker - 2015-04-01 5:04 AM
"dba"??
In my country. This is an old second hand marketplace. A bit like ebay but only for advertizing and without the auction functionality of ebay. http://www.dba.dk/musikinstrumenter/musikinstrumenter/?soeg=ovation |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | AstroDan - 2015-04-03 4:57 AM On the theory of one-out-one-in. I really wanted that 1617ALE.... I do have first right of refusal, but Bear will never let it go. I should've taken the cold-shoulder from SWMBO. She'd be over it by now, and I'd have both. BTW, the 1537 never gets away! Best looking neck ever! I know EXACTLY how you feel about that 1538... |
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Location: SoCal | There was an article in the latest edition of Acoustic Guitar. As it stands now, DW is planning US production again...... |
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Location: New Hartford CT | Thanks moody, that constitutes official confirmation.
I've been using DW drums and hardware for 20 years. This is really, really good news for Ovation. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | immoody - 2015-04-07 1:00 AM There was an article in the latest edition of Acoustic Guitar. As it stands now, DW is planning US production again...... That article was written in Jnauary, but just showed up in print in the April 2015 edition. Here is the closing paragraph: "As for Drum Workshop, the bulk of their acquired Fender product lines revolve around percussion, while the inclusion of Ovation in the sale seems to be of secondary importance--at least for the time being. Initial reports indicate that DW will be keeping the Ovation brand alive. Scott Donnell, VP of marketing at Drum Workshop, calls it a "fluid situation." "We're excited about the future of Ovation and what we can do with that brand," he says. He adds that, based on preliminary discussions, there is a "distinct possibility" that Ovation will be re-opening a U.S.-based production facility. Although DW will not be showing the Ovation brand at the 2015 NAMM show, they hope to have a presence for next year's event." |
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doin' the Happy Dance!!!! |
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Location: Canada | I wouldn't be too optimistic - all they are saying is that they are thinking about options; well I guess that's a good thing that they're not writing the possibility off right away. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I have a Yamaha keyboard still in the box...
I don't play keyboards, don't have a clue about how to do so.
I bought it three years ago on Black Friday, but I am keeping it "as an option".
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | LMBO!!!!! You are just too Cute Arthur!!!!!  |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | On a more upside, Music Merchandise Review magazine sez... HERE
The obvious standout from the deal is the acquisition of Ovation as well as the Gretsch drum brand and sundry other percussion lines. But Drum Workshop’s VP of marketing Scott Donnell insists that the acoustic guitar range was no mere makeweight in the deal.
He told MMR: “Ovation may not be in our wheelhouse as a drum company, but we’re an instrument manufacturer first and foremost. We’ll make sure the right people are in place to take the Ovation brand to the next level. For us, it’s all about passion; a passion for the instrument and making music. I feel confident that we can channel our excitement for building drums into this new venture.
“Ovation wasn’t a prerequisite in any way. Our immediate plans are to get the company fully operational and begin designing, crafting and innovating with a new perspective. Long term, we see this as an entrée into a segment of the MI that we hadn’t occupied previously. It’s the perfect way for us to grow and reach more musicians.”
So, maybe from a marketing perspective they figger that they can sell you Drums and Guitars.
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Considering where it is at present, taking it to "the next level" doesn't necessarily set too high of expectations for DW. |
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Location: SoCal | I figured that the Ovation/Adamas USA built guitars were done. But until I see guitars being built in New Hartford, I'm not going to get excited. Lets wait and see what happens..... |
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So there's a rumor...