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Location: south east Michigan | Nothing wrong with a little wishful speculation.
Just as long as we don't let our hopes get to high.
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What you you like to see in the first model lineup?
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I can't image there'd be more that 3 or 4 models to choose from.
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Wouldn't be surprised if all models were the newer contour bowl. I'd be fine with that.
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Can't expect what we've had. These will be true Custom Shop guitars. Therefore the prices will be up there. To justify the custom shop prices there will be have to be some level of tasteful bling.
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Hope they stay far, far away from that last headstock they showed. Might be a nice guitar but they belong in the odd, collectible category. If they want to relaunch the brand it needs to be... THE BRAND.
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A koa blowhole model would be nice.
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Don't break a string when I suggest a low cost Adamas. The UTE was an attempt at a low cost Adamas and it's become a legendary guitar. Restrained bling... No carved bridges or necks... white binding.... probably shouldn't be a 12 fretter.
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yes? no?
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Location: Canada | They should learn from Gibson and Martin and go back to the roots, make modernized versions AND authentic reproductions of the models that built their reputation and made them great in the 70s: original Adamas, Balladeer, Custom Legend ... |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | I think the Elite T was the best bang for the buck. I'd love to see them come back in all three depth bowls. I know if they made one with the contour bowl it would be a Sweet T, but they could omit the koa. Maybe do the normal multi-piece epi or none at all. And if they do the black, it would be cool if the neck were black too. A real "Harley" type guitar.
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | merlin666 - 2015-04-02 10:18 AM
They should learn from Gibson and Martin and go back to the roots, make modernized versions AND authentic reproductions of the models that built their reputation and made them great in the 70s: original Adamas, Balladeer, Custom Legend ...
This is what I am hoping for. The stuff that made every band/great singers in the 70's play Ovations, and then of course a new something put in for fun, and a Custom Shop! Someday, I want to get my Dream O!! Although, I have several now that come awfully darned close to Perfect for me!  |
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Location: SoCal | Thought they did what d'ovation suggested...1687 Adamas I reissue, 2004 Custom Legend, Balladeer, etc.
Heck, I believe Al still has a couple of the very limited run of the Koa 'blow hole" AS A SLOTHEAD. Very, very nice guitar.
Other than an all graphite guitar that you could probably play (unplugged) in a shower, they have used the Collector series to have different tops, bowls, finishes, etc., for the 'traditional' crowd and even non-traditional finishes that a rock band might use.
Really doubt if they would come out with a reissue of the pre-production Adamas I slothead. 47RI was as close as they could have done but I doubt if the cost to make versus price sold was appropriate. Textured top UTE slothead came out at about $1,700 retail, following year they came out with a similar CVT that was almost twice the cost of the UTE.
David previously referred to ROI (return on investment) in a post...actual cost of production of a guitar will be very important in development of a production guitar.
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Location: Canada | Tony Calman - 2015-04-02 11:26 AM Thought they did what d'ovation suggested...1687 Adamas I reissue, 2004 Custom Legend, Balladeer, etc. And were these not sought after? It was probably the limited production runs that contributed to high prices of these re-issues. If they were produced on a continuing run they sure would be more affordable I assume. I have been looking for one of these re-issues for several months and as there was not much offered on this site or elsewhere ended up with a Guild Orpheum (which I actually really like). |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I agree that they should go back to 4 or 5 of the traditional models, but probably all of the "Custom" variety, like Custom Legend, Custom Balladeer, Custom Elite, and Adamas, consistent with the Made in USA label as representing the high end of the brand. I'd like to see whether the contour bowl was successful economically before deciding whether that should be the main bowl. I understand the concept of matching the backs of the guitars to the fronts of the burgeoning American population, but I don't know how well it was accepted by the public, or whether it was considered to be some sort of acknowledgement that the original bowl wasn't such a great idea. I think the SSB was a compromise in that direction that led to the perception that Ovations don't sound good unplugged. No matter what they do, they have to get the guitars in the hands of the performers. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | There were numerous "back to our roots" attempts ... the VL (vintage Lyracord) model, the shiny bowl reissues, the Pacemaker and Glen Campbell Artist reissues, the John Lennon, the Adamas reissues, the Traditional series, etc. Somehow these just never struck a chord with many folks outside of this forum.
When Gibson and Martin say "back to our roots" they are talking about vintage wooden hand made guitars. But Ovation's "roots" were cutting edge technology and space-age materials. So OK everybody we're going BACK to cutting edge technology and space-age materials .... ooooh ho hum been there, done that.
As wacky as this might sound, I don't think Ovation has enough History to build a Future based on History. 'Zat make sense?
Edited by Standingovation 2015-04-02 1:05 PM
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Location: south east Michigan | In a world where guitars have a round back, that makes all kinds of sense!
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Innovation is a good way to build a brand but eventually you're gonna innovate to the point of diminished returns.
Maybe... guitars are about as good as they are ever going to be.
Kinda like bacon & eggs and Kelloggs Corn Flakes.
Edited by Slipkid 2015-04-02 1:20 PM
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | After a couple of decades of knocking the kinks out of the process, is it possible to make an all-carbon-fiber "Q" at a competitive price point with other CF brands? It's one of the few Ovations I've always hoped to get a hold of somehow, but never even sniffed an opportunity. But as they say....There's always hope. |
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Location: south east Michigan | I'd have to ask someone who was there but I'd have to think there is a good reason the "Q" never made production.
And don't bring up Rainsong as an example of someone who made it happen. Never played one I liked.
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Yeah... Maybe you can abuse the snot out of a Rainsong or CA.... but there's a big compromise / trade-off in the sound. (IMHO)
Edited by Slipkid 2015-04-02 1:41 PM
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Location: Sydney, Australia | I think it could be done. Small volume of a set number of models, with Custom Shop available for those with the money and the patience. Maybe label everything as an Adamas, to distinguish them from a "Custom Legend" which is made in Asia.
Focus on fibre glass bowls, newest technology and high quality. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Some will cry sacrilege but I'd be okay with the Adamas name on all the highest end / USA models.
Edited by Slipkid 2015-04-02 1:50 PM
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Location: Texas | Wouldn't labeling everything as Adamas, detract or diminish from the originals? Transitioning the name to everything certain sounds like a pure bred to mixed breed move. Don't get me wrong...the top of the line O's were top notch, but there certainly was a line of demarcation between the two brands. Not crying, just askin. Oh...and are Asian made O's still being produced????
Edited by jay 2015-04-02 2:11 PM
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Location: south east Michigan | Maybe it's not the best option but the Ovation name has been watered down too much with all the imports.
They need a fresh start.
Edited by Slipkid 2015-04-02 2:26 PM
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I had the same thoughts that Dave shared. OK, maybe just similar thoughts from a non-marketing person. Seems like most every industry has to come up with the "best new" something sales gimmick every year, but some guitar manufacturers don't. I suppose if the reputation is for quality, there will be new buyers that want to buy that quality product. On the other hand, I've been totally unimpressed with some of the cheap guitars that Martin has produced and the retro guitars that other manufacturers have made. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Whenever we talk about "retro" and "getting back to our roots" I think of the 40th Anniversary Series.
I am the PROUD owner of a K1111 reissue... But it seems that you couldn't give them away.
Everybody sez that they want a Old-style Ovation until it comes time to Pay for one.
I agree that a re-issue of the Elite T would be good.
But if the don't have bolt-on necks that can be reset it would be the same as the Asian crap.
Remember, what most of us really want is the MotherShip back.
We want the Best Service Center in the World... and we want it NOW! 
Edited by Old Man Arthur 2015-04-02 2:48 PM
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Location: Jet City | The marketing guys need to stick with the plugged in aspect, and take it to the next level. touting them as the best stage acoustic, HANDS DOWN (and that's not spew), and get real people that are still relevant in the industry playing and endorsing them. They'll have to do a grass-roots campaign, not unlike they did when they first started. What they need is someone with the passion Charlie/Bill, and the folks in those old factory pics had behind all of these efforts, and things that special are hard to repeat (just ask any Seahawks fan). It can totally be done, it'll be a lot of hard work and dedication and most of all passion. Does anyone here think DW will have this? For all we know, the CEO is a closet round back fan, so maybe so. And Dave... Did they REALLY do a reissue Pacemaker? Ewww. I've finally gotten past the urges to buy one to give it just one more chance. I think I've had 4 now.
Edited by Damon67 2015-04-02 3:13 PM
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Location: SoCal | Adamas should not be on an Ovation and likewise the Ovation should not be on an Adamas. As to Adamas, there are three different guitars (textured top, SMT, and CVT). Yet major difference between the three. Frankly, as I know some others who would agree, I don't believe anything but a textured top should have an Adamas logo. Early on I had SMT and CVT guitars but except for the Millennium, all were sold. The off-shore Celebs should never have had Ovation on the headstock.
What is important is to remember that there are what I describe as specific markets (both for customers and dealers) as to price. Retail prices from at least $200-600, $600-1,200, $1,200-1,800, and over $1,800.
Why do you think the Celeb is often in a guitar store even if the acoustic sound isn't close to a US Ovation (look good, decent neck, pre-amp, affordable). Martin, Gibson, Taylor, Fender, Takamine, and even Ovation recognized this years ago...off-shore, use of laminate, gig bag instead of a quality case, etc. Have you ever seen a father and son discussing the purchase at a guitar store (big box or mom & pop)? Usually a $200-300 purchase which is affordable and good for the store (additional purchases of strings, guitar books, strap, lessons, etc.)
Guitar stores stock these low cost guitars because they have good turnover of inventory while higher priced US Ovations collect dust. It is said that a low cost guitar (i.e., Celeb) will result in a future Ovation sale but probably not as they will assume that the main-line US Ovation will also be poor as an acoustic. It is a truism that sales will not be made if the potential buyer can't see and play the guitar first and dealers don't want guitars that they feel can't be sold in a timely basis.
Are you in the $1,800 or higher market? Some of us are but many of us are still trying to pay the mortgage or help with tuition costs. I have always believed that the majority of the higher market sales come from OFC'ers.
Al had twelve limited edition 2006LX-FKOA slotheads with the VIP pre-amp made back in 2006-2007; this last September, I recently got one of the twelve from him (and, I understand that he still has a couple). Even Al has difficulty holding onto new old stock (NOS) like this.
The Ovationguitars.com website (probably not updated but using new logo) lists the Adamas I (1687) as $5,499 MSRP, $5,599 for the 1688). Probable retail of about $4,000 or higher). A single custom guitar projected (if DW info is correct and a production line can be started) cost would be higher than a production model. Again, doubt if a guitar store will take the risk. With the cyclical nature of the market and debt ridden condition of major box stores, surprised that investors would take the risk.
As to performing artists, many used high end Ovation and Adamas years ago, some may still be using it on the tour bus but few (if any) are playing it at concerts or TV shows. Doubt if Ovation guitars would ever be able to say "hardest working guitar in show business" that Takamine claims.
Although Ovation has a lot of support from us on the OFC, any guitar company that depended on this group would have a balance sheet in the red. Ovation and Adamas, IMHO, would and will not survive unless it was a 'boutique' guitar maker which precludes artist relations, efficiency of scale, as well as mass marketing. Heck, a booth at NAMM would probably eat up their yearly marketing budget. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR |  Ouch!
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Location: Phoenix AZ | damon67 - 2015-04-02 2:04 PM
And Dave... Did they REALLY do a reissue Pacemaker? Ewww. I've finally gotten past the urges to buy one to give it just one more chance. I think I've had 4 now.
Sorry, it was 1618 Glen Campbell version, not 1615 Pacemaker. They made them in 2006. |
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Location: Texas | The Ovationguitars.com website (probably not updated but using new logo) lists the Adamas I (1687) as $5,499 MSRP, $5,599 for the 1688). Probable retail of about $4,000 or higher) Maybe it is just me, but I live on the wrong side of the tracks to even dream about shelling out 3-4K+ for a new guitar. Most USA Ovations were fetching 1,800 up...back when they weren't selling. Dave (and I know we blame it on FMIC's lack of support for the brand), but is there a sustainable market that would support that price range for DW to reintroduce O's & A's into the market? |
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | arthurseery - 2015-04-02 3:34 PM
Ouch!
Yep! What OMA said...
Very Thoughtful and Thought Provoking Tony. I hate practical, but realize that you are right.
So do we drop it, and just accept that O & A will never come back, or hope that they can find a small niche to fill with one small, but economically significant market demographic, and that these will be a medium to high end guitar worthy of the O name??? |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I suppose we have to acknowledge that the recession, the closing of many brick and mortar stores and a decrease in interest by youngsters can't be blamed on Fender. |
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Location: SoCal | Sure we can blame it on Fender. Give it a try. Feels good..... |
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Location: Denmark | Difficult to guess about anything without knowing how the sale actually is on the present line op products. Even if they have the chinese build guitars they only do any good for business if people actually buy them. I would personally not buy anything with the new headstock no matter where it is produced. If they wanted to do something new they should be able to do better than that headstock. My wishes for the brand would be to make a reasonably priced quality series with good and consistent QA and based on rational and modern manufacturing methods. Like two wood tops (one with sound hole one epaulettes) available in SuperShallow, Medium and (maybe) a contour. And they could keep one Adamas of peoples taste if they can sell them.
Somehow I also think that they will really need to reintroduce the brand as a quality product and find some popular present musicians to help promote the brand.
Edited by tpa 2015-04-02 5:30 PM
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Location: SoCal | Well, we can blame companies from allowing big box stores almost unlimited credit while pressuring the stores as to how much inventory they purchased
GC is an excellent example of Fender allowing credit even though it has been well known that GC wouldn't be able to pay. Feeding the pig until it can no longer walk. In a guitar example Fender providing credit until GC implodes and Fender has to continue to try to sell off assets and attempt to raise funds through optimistic projections. Even the buzzards stayed away from Fender's IPO several years ago. This manipulation of the market by GC and Fender has seriously hurt (if not destroyed) the mom & pop stores.
I would like to see that the former workers, design, technology, etc., to allow a boutique company to compete at a profitable level. Lots of competition by major companies (Collings, Martin, Taylor, etc.) as well as boutique companies in guitar sales of $3,000 and a lot higher. |
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Location: Utah | The USA built instruments have to be clearly differentiated from the offshore instruments. Fender used the opposite tactic of confusing the customer (and intentionally hoodwinking the customer in my opinion) until the typical prospective customer didn't know what he was looking at in the store.
Edited by FlySig 2015-04-02 6:52 PM
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | amosmoses - 2015-04-03 6:03 AM Wouldn't labeling everything as Adamas, detract or diminish from the originals? Transitioning the name to everything certain sounds like a pure bred to mixed breed move. What, something like calling a Celebrity an Ovation? (Look where THAT got them) |
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Location: SoCal | Let's see, couple of things to distinguish a US...gold label, brown bowl and case, old logo inlaid across the headstock or down the headstock, old round rosette, and carved bridge. |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | damon67 - 2015-04-03 7:04 AM The marketing guys need to stick with the plugged in aspect, and take it to the next level. touting them as the best stage acoustic, HANDS DOWN (and that's not spew) Well they'd have their work cut out for them. Acoustic guitar amplification has come on in leaps and bounds since Ovation created the benchmark. One of the reasons I sold my 2005 Collectors (which I swore I would never sell as it was, at the time, my dream guitar) was to buy a Maton that I fell in love with when I heard it played acoustically - and when I heard it plugged in... I had to have it. FWIW, the pickup system is called an AP5 Pro. 9 times out of 10, when I get off stage after an open mic night performance, I get people coming up and asking me about my Maton. A couple of times the open mic compere has asked if he could play some songs with it. The only times people came to discuss my Ovation was to ask what it was, because they're not so widespread down here. Not because of the sound, but because of its appearance. So Damo, with the utmost respect - "the best stage acoustic, HANDS DOWN". Well, nowadays I'm afraid it IS spew.
Edited by muzza 2015-04-02 10:11 PM
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | naellis58 - 2015-04-03 8:50 AM So do we drop it, and just accept that O & A will never come back??? Yep. No point in getting your hopes up. |
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Location: Sunshine State, Australia | tpa - 2015-04-03 9:28 AM Somehow I also think that they will really need to reintroduce the brand as a quality product and find some popular present musicians to help promote the brand. I've been a member here for nearly 10 years and we've been saying that for as far back as I can remember. It ain't gonna happen. |
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Location: Flahdaw | I just don't see anyone bringing Ovation USA back. These companies do business models and projections, and if they thought it was viable, it would have been done already.
The world has changed and moved on.... |
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Location: Denmark | FlySig - 2015-04-02 6:51 PM
The USA built instruments have to be clearly differentiated from the offshore instruments. Fender used the opposite tactic of confusing the customer (and intentionally hoodwinking the customer in my opinion) until the typical prospective customer didn't know what he was looking at in the store.
FMPOW - and described well by the words on mr. Calman ... the pig can walk no longer. So in reintroducing the Ovation brand I would drop the asian manufactured lines completely and stick to domestic manufacturing of a limited conservative line. Clearly they will need to be very rational in manufacturing methods etc. to compete this we have to learn anyway - also in Europe. |
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Location: Denmark | BTW Reviving a strong brand has been done before. Look at kitchen machines, the Mini, the FIAT 500 some Ray-Ban models. |
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Location: Jet City | Muzz, I've never seen a Maton here and hadn't ever heard of an acoustic one until you talked about them, so I can't really speak to them at all.
I'm sure there are lot's of other boutique brands out there that blow away an O too, though most I'd not want to carry up on a stage full of my loadie musician buddies.
Anyone that knows me aside from the Ovation stuff knows that I have owned a shitload of other brands too, and so far Ovation has indeed been the best stage guitar for me. I don't think they have the best preamp, I run it through a sound processor. I don't think they sound the best acoustically, though there are a few exceptions, especially if you include the Adamas line. I think both are good, but not the best hands down. I like the Cooltube preamp system on the Taks, the dual system my Larrivee has, and many others over the Ovation setup. I think that's one area they can improve to get themselves back into the cutting edge for sure, but overall, the playability and durability are what have done it for me. O's are built like a tank. Not to mention the SSBs that are so comfortable to play. There are certain pieces that I seem to struggle with on other guitars that come so natural and easy on my O's. I have no valid reasons I can point to for this. There are various neck profiles on them over the years, so it can't be that. It's a comfort thing, maybe the round back has everything to do with it. Maybe it's all in my head with my first love being a solidbody electric with a rounded back and a duck bill headstock.
one man's spew is another man's... never mind.... that's a bad analogy.
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | It is just not in me to give up, so I am going to hold onto the Hope.
DW seems to have a great reputation, and I looked at their drums, they know their woods, and seem open to being innovative while sticking to old fashioned high standards. And they accept Custom Orders, and have do-it-yourself Kits. So they are Flexible too, and want to cover a broad base of buyers.
Not ready to hang up my hopes yet! Come On DW!!!  |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | I'd love it, but need those old necks too... Never surrender. 
Regards, BillÆ |
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Location: Flahdaw | Yeah...those necks were something special |
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | BillÆ - 2015-04-03 3:31 PM
I'd love it, but need those old necks too... Never surrender.
 Regards,  BillÆ
HI BILL!!!
Nice to see another Minnesotan here!!! |
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Location: sitting at my computer | darkbarguitar - These companies do business models and projections, and if they thought it was viable, it would have been done already. I'm not convinced Ovation wasn't viable or able to be profitable. I'm thinking it simply wasn't profitable enough to satisfy Fender's corporate mismanagers. Seems to me there are lots of small, but viable, guitar brands out there, so I'll continue to hope we at least end up with a boutique Ovation (and service center) rather than none at all. |
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Location: SoCal | An archtop and/or a resonator using the current bowl might be interesting (doesn't have to be metal)...not sure about a banjo but Deering had a model that is played like a 12-string guitar. or |
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Location: Utah | SOBeach - 2015-04-03 4:26 PM
darkbarguitar - These companies do business models and projections, and if they thought it was viable, it would have been done already. I'm not convinced Ovation wasn't viable or able to be profitable. I'm thinking it simply wasn't profitable enough to satisfy Fender's corporate mismanagers. Â Seems to me there are lots of small, but viable, guitar brands out there, so I'll continue to hope we at least end up with a boutique Ovation (and service center) rather than none at all.
Fender went all Ivy League Wall St. accountant on it. They wanted maximum market share and ROI, which meant they needed to cut costs at the expense of quality, and they had to ramp up quantity of units sold. Musical instruments fall into several categories, but one of them is not $300 professional grade guitars.
The market is not going to support high volumes of $2k+ guitars. The business model has to acknowledge this, and make room for the pride of employees, the value to the community of domestic manufacturing, and customer pride as worthwhile reasons to exist in addition to profit. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | That ain't gonna happen.
ROI (return on investment) has ruined almost ALL American (and international) companies.
People, meaning the people who make the decisions, want immediate 150% Profit.
Investors front some money, and they want to see an immediate return.
Investors are not necessarily trying to make a superior guitar.
They are not trying to "create jobs" or "produce a fine product."
These folks ain't trying to maintain or restore an iconic American Company.
The current crop of Accountants and Investors cannot fathom that concept of Hard Work and long-term earnings growing over decades for both the employees and the owners.
Rather than understand the concept of creating a great product that people can be proud of, and slowly accumulating wealth in the process...
The current crop of business school morons only care about the next quarterly report, and how much money can be made for Shareholders so those business school morons can get a bonus.
This applies to everything, not only guitars.
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Location: Flahdaw | It is SO costly to start a manufacturing business in this country these days that you HAVE to think in terms of ROI. The reality is, no one is gonna buy the brand and start making Ovations again if they can't make GOOD money doing it, And truth be told, the demand from the public for an Ovation guitar is simply NOT there. |
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Location: Yokohama, Japan | Thanks for the interesting thread. Great read...lots of love mixed with sheer reality and some pain/bitterness... I am one who is hoping for US production to start again. Ovation is an American icon. The company and guitars still represent all that is and was so good about America and American music. Nearly all of my guitar heroes, played Ovations. I just saw a post by Damon67; and for the first time, I realized Neal Schon played Os too! Now, I keep thinking I'll never be able to afford a new quality Ovation made in the USA; but then, that's a cop out isn't it. So, I'm going to keep saving each month, just in case. Who knows, in a couple of years I might be able to buy a brand new New Hartford O or Adamas...but every year?..., I'm afraid not. But then do the guitar "collectors" keep the guitar industry alive? I don't think so.
The industry has changed so much, but is it naive to think that 'it is still that young guitarist who dreams of playing great on a great guitar that saves his/her dough and goes out to buy that incredible guitar that he/she dreamed about' that makes the guitar industry live? I don't dislike Fxxxxr because they bought or sold Ovation. I dislike Fxxxxr because they took a beautiful guitar that used to be the epitome of the music world, the guitar that my heroes played with soul and passion (my 'dream' guitar) and brought it down to the level of a flutophone (no offense to any flutophone fans out there). Sure, the market for Os is soft; but the Os that we love and play were so innovative they practically made a market for themselves. I guess that is why the demise is all the more difficult to swallow.
I think somebody mentioned Harley Davidson's comeback in this or some other related thread, but if O is going to make a come back, I think it's going to need to be like HD's. That means DW will need to make some risky investments to bring Ovation back. For example,
1). Close all overseas production and build exclusively in the USA. No offense to Asian manufacturing (btw, that's where I'm writing from), but play a Celebrity then play a NH built O. Nuff said. You just can't afford to have mediocre stuff out there anymore.
2). Investing in innovation. Ovation was always synonymous with innovation. New materials, manufacturing processes and amplification technologies have advanced. Ovation was always on the cutting edge, and they'll need to stay there to survive (I don't think O can survive today using Gibson or Martin as a business model). These may be stupid ideas (sorry, if they make you laugh or angry. I know some of you guys/gals are way closer to this than most of us, and have probably thought about stuff like this for years...), but how about...
a). An alternative to Lyrachord, like an affordable wooden bowl back. The traditional wood box guitar has been back in vogue. I've seen discussions on the OFC about wooden bowl backs. It makes sense. The native Americans and northern Eskimos used to make their canoes digging out logs; there's got to be some way to either make a pure wood bowl or combination wood-synthetic bowl back? I'd bet they'd kinda sound cool too?
b). Variable thickness soundboard - I remember when my friend let me play his 1687 Adamas long time ago. He showed me a document that showed the resonance characteristics of the guitar. That was mind boggling to me. Scientific evidence that the 1687 produced awesome sound. Of course, one strum, and I didn't need a document to convince me of that reality. It was simply the best sounding guitar I had ever heard. With high tech machining capabilities today, making soundboards with thickness variations can enhance or tone down certain tonal characteristics of an acoustic guitar and give it a unique voice.
c). New bracing patterns, materials and tooling to accommodate and provide durability for "b)." above.
3). Get the O back into the hands of great guitar players. Marketing will be so crucial. Ovation's reputation as the "best" will need to be re-established in the minds of the general public.
4). Quality Assurance - remember when you went to the music store and every O you touched was made well, played great, and sounded excellent? Anything less will simply not do...
And probably most important is that the owners will need to love Ovation guitars and the people who make them more than they love money. Re-opening Ovation is going to be costly to say the least. ROI is bound to be non-existent for the 1st 3 to 5 years, and even when ROI goes into the black, it's probably not going to be enough to make anybody filthy rich. It'll probably be enough only to make a decent living building the finest and most unique guitars in the world. If that's not going to bring satisfaction; well, OMA's little cartoon may be my new avatar as well...
Edited by arumako 2015-04-04 9:30 AM
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | The good news is that it is still possible to acquire a quality Ovation or Adamas from the 70's or 80's if you have a little patience and search a bit. To me those guitars are superior to any new product which might come from Ovation or anywhere else!! Am I a recalcitrant luddite?? Maybe so but a happy one! |
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Location: Canada | It is also interesting to watch the development of Guild which is currently being re-developed as a brand. Though it is also painfully obvious that the survival of Guild has to some extent been paid for with the demise of Ovation.
Some of the things where Guild has an advantage compared to Ovation:
- quality manufacturing in NH was shifted from Ovation/Adamas to Guild which helped to re-establish Guild as high quality guitar
- Ren Ferguson was brought in to revive the Guild line
- Asian Guilds (GAD series) have great reputation as entry level/budget guitars
- Cordoba bought Guild brand with big commitment from the outset
- Cordoba acquired top machinery, tone woods, inventory, and Ren Ferguson in transaction with FMIC
- Cordoba makes major investment buy building a brand new factory in Oxnard
- Cordoba builds relations with dealers and musicians (some emerging ones too)
- Cordoba connects with collectors to acquire vintage models for measuring and testing
- Cordoba develops plan to start manufacturing simple traditional models and gradually re-introduce high end models as skill of new workforce is improving and production levels are anticipated to increase
So I think they have much going in favour for them, and DW hopefully has an eye on them to see how it could be done right, though Ovation unfortunately is at a much more disadvantaged point with years of neglect and abuse, dismantled assets, bad reputation current Asian models, and few remaining and aging artists who still play them.
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Location: Utah | arumako - 2015-04-04 8:12 AM
And probably most important is that the owners will need to love Ovation guitars and the people who make them more than they love money. Re-opening Ovation is going to be costly to say the least. ROI is bound to be non-existent for the 1st 3 to 5 years, and even when ROI goes into the black, it's probably not going to be enough to make anybody filthy rich. It'll probably be enough only to make a decent living building the finest and most unique guitars in the world. If that's not going to bring satisfaction; well, OMA's little cartoon may be my new avatar as well...
And there is value in other than profit. Yes profit needs to be there, but it isn't everything. Except that so much is owned by uninvolved investors who only care about profit. Hey, that's how I look at my retirement savings, I want the best return I can get. Profit is good. But we've hollowed out our economy chasing only profit. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Maybe I'm wrong but the imports might be the only thing about Ovation that has a chance at making a profit.
That branding the imports as an Ovation genie is out of the bottle.
Relaunch all USA models as an Adamas. Make them worthy of the name.
The Adamas name will still carry some weight with the people that know better.
Edited by Slipkid 2015-04-04 10:31 AM
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Location: Indiana | "There are always... possibilities"
Spock |
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Keep the imports for the beginners. For the price they really aren't that bad. Call them Celebrities or Applause.
Make something like the Elite T as your mid-priced offering.
Make a couple of higher-end wood guitars, one with a center soundhole, one with the elite soundholes
Make Textured top Adamas for the highest-end.
As far as getting them into the hands of the "stars", didn't someone start a thread here a couple of weeks ago about how they are seeing NEW videos of newer "stars" playing Ovations?
Back in the day, even the "stars" BOUGHT their Ovations. Gibson GIVES them to people. They even give them to TV shows for product placement advertising. If the resurrected Ovation did that people would start seeking Ovations.
Don't sell the brand short. WE know they are wonderful guitars and if we could get them into the hands of other guitarists (those who have never even SEEN a USA Ovation), they too will know what fantastic guitars they are. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | merlin666 - 2015-04-04 7:39 AM
...bad reputation current Asian models...
One thing about that... The Asian factories will make you EXACTLY what you spec them to make.
All of our computers and cell phones are manufactured in Asia and they work just fine.
(and TV's, and vacuum cleaners, and microwave ovens, and coffee makers, and everything else...)
I have owned some Great guitars that were made in China, Korea, and Indonesia.
Blaming Asia for corporate choices is a cop-out.
Korean Ovations could have bolt-on necks like the USA models...
Chinese Ovations could be made with good wood...
Business decisions were made to make crappy guitars in Asia.
The Celebrity line was an intentionally cheaper copy of Ovation before someone else did it.
The Celebrity line originally had the "Celebrity" name on the headstock.
Business decision were made to change that logo to Ovation before FMIC.
Those decisions were made by the same profit motive by the Kaman pencil pushers.
I have some Epiphones, Steinbergers, Travelers, a Morgan Monroe and a Hamer...
I also have owned some nice "CSE" Celebrity models.
All were made in Asia. All are great guitars.
Don't blame Asia... Americans chose to order a crappy product.
Americans invented the concept of Timed Obsolescence.
Pencil Pushers invented the idea of New Models every year (Henry Ford was against it).
Poor quality Ovations come from Asia because that is what was ordered.
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Location: Texas | w/o the celebrity's, FMIC would have shelved O a lot sooner. Those models were in the sweet spot of what kids can afford today. We might have lost the factory years before we did, had it not been for those cheap assed Asian guitars. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | The requirements necessary to resurrect the brand are much more complex than most of us understand or want to believe. I think back about all the tooling and skill and stock that no longer exists in New Hartford, both upstairs and downstairs, and just shake my head. If it wasn't profitable then, how can we presume that it might be profitable in the future even with a new business model, whatever that might be, given the huge cost of start up?
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | How much did it cost the first time around? And as far as tooling, a lot of that is overseas right now. Could easily be replicated in the USA. And Skill? There are a lot of Ovation folks who got laid off and most likely haven't found work elsewhere. Like a lot of us here, they are old - not old enough to retire but too old to get hired somewhere else.
Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part but I would think it is doable. If I ever hit the big bucks in the Lotto (you know, those jackpots that get up into the hundreds of millions) I would do it myself. I truly believe in the brand and if DW does too, I think it's VERY possible to bring it back.
And I like the idea someone threw out here to call the first new model the Phoenix. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Jonmark Stone - 2015-04-04 12:41 PM
"There are always... possibilities"
Spock
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"He's dead Jim" ... Dr. "Bones" McCoy. |
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Location: Flahdaw | "I'm giving 'er all I've got".....Scotty |
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Location: Canada | arthurseery - 2015-04-04 1:57 PM All were made in Asia. All are great guitars. Don't blame Asia... Oh I have no issue with Asian guitars at all. Actually I firmly believe that in the 70s when I was most active the average Asian acoustic was better than the average North American (i.e. Martin, Gibson) acoustic. BUT, when I lurk at the AGF there is a lot of talk about Epiphone, Yamaha, Guild GAD, Eastman, Recording King, Blueridge etc as main Chinese makes suitable for beginners that I think are in the same price class as the current Ovations ... but these Ovations are nowhere on the horizon of entry level AGF members, which is a pretty big group. So I think that ought to tell us something about the competitive level of Asian built Ovations too!
Edited by d'ovation 2015-04-04 5:23 PM
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | "Live Long, and Prosper"
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Location: SoCal | Takamine is a good example of an off-shore taking it to the US and European market. Good to excellent guitar, pre-amp, and high artist visibility. And, without a direct sales force but through other distributors.
Anything would be too late for 2015 Winter and probably Summer NAMM but the test would be 2016 Winter NAMM. Will guitar stores (big box and mom & pop dealers) give orders...need to be in stores for "see, feel, play".
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Location: Denmark | CanterburyStrings - 2015-04-04 2:31 PM... Gibson GIVES them to people. They even give them to TV shows for product placement advertising. If the resurrected Ovation did that people would start seeking Ovations. ...
This is the way to reach younger generations. Submit a selection of Os and As for product placement in "The Big Bang Theory" and let Dr. Leonard Hofstadter perform a laser vibrometer analysis of the soundboard. That would be cool and would make a whole new generation of people - maybe also musicians - beg to buy. |
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Location: Yokohama, Japan | I too have nothing against Asian made guitars. They have their place, but the reason why I think that O should close Asian operations is 3-fold:
1. the tools used in Asia can be sent back to NH, minimizing operation start-up times for US production. Tools and jigs are extremely costly, and just looking at the Ovation tour video gives us a glimpse of how extensive the technology O used to build their guitars. I would suspect the tools and jigs in the Asian plants were probably spec'd very close to or exactly like the NH tools and jigs.
2. price point issues. It is encouraging to hear that Celebrities and Applauses are still priced low in the US. I can't speak for the rest of Asia, but over here in Japan, the prices on Celebrities have increased (It's been hard to find new Applauses in stores). It seems that the Japanese distributor is pricing the Celebrity Elites and Balladeers with MSRPs that are close to the US made Os of yesteryear. I suspect that means that somebody in the middle is profiteering or they just can't get distribution costs under control. In either case, we see Celebrities pitted against Martins and Taylors, and that is just bad business. You don't even want know how the floor sales people explain the discrepancies! O in Japan is simply pricing themselves right out of the market...
3. increasing labor costs in Asia. As capitalism spreads across the globe, countries are getting wealthier and the world economy is headed for a "global middle-class." That means plants will find it harder and harder to find affordable labor. When I was in manufacturing, the plants I worked at moved from Southern California to Mexico and onto Korea and China, and maintaining affordable price points was a nightmare. Asian labor is still far less expensive than American labor, but there is going to be some trade-off of efficiencies. At some point, the Asian labor force may acquire equivalent skills to mimic NH employee output, but by that time labor costs will definitely increase. When you consider, the cost merits of producing overseas to producing in the US, there is going to be a point of diminishing returns. For example, It may be more cost effective to upgrade Quality Assurance and Cost Control standards in US manufacturing than to keep looking for cheap labor...say in the Middle East or Africa.
Unlike machine intensive high-tech gadgets like PCs and cell phones (which many countries in Asia have been producing effectively), guitars are (even with O's high-tech standards) still extremely labor intensive. One of the problems I see on Celebrities are high-action. Inevitably, the necks (especially on the Elite style models) are not flush to the body top. Just a 10th of a millimeter here and there. We don't see manufacturing flaws like that in NH produced Os even though the tools are probably basically the same, and I'm sure the Asian plant folks will say, they all fall under accepted manufacturing tolerances.
Guild's comeback and Takamine's business models are also very interesting. But to some extent I think it also testifies to the strength of the appeal that standard woodbox guitars are enjoying now... Oh yeah, and didn't Kramer make a comeback some years ago too? You know, it's like ProfessorBB says, resurrecting O is far more complicated than I could ever know...all of your comments make a lot of sense too, and I can see how closing Asian production could be a detriment to the survival of O. No 'easy' solutions here..., and I've only been lurking around the OFC since 2010...still, I sure do hope that DW commits to bringing O back. Maybe Winter NAMM 2016...
Edited by arumako 2015-04-05 10:23 AM
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Location: Michigan | captain , i can try reversing the polarity on the anti matter pods but i cant guarantee she-ll hold up ! GWB |
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Location: New Hartford CT | DW is a very innovative and modern company. Their level of quality is extremely high and they've come up with numerous improvements in drum hardware and drums technology. Their first real product was a cannister throne in the 70's and then they popularized the DW 5000 chain and sprocket bass drum pedal. From there they went into drum production, starting off very slowly but eventually becoming one of the greats.
In addition to their prowess in design, manufacturing production and distribution they also maintain a very close relationship with their artists. Most DW artists visit the factory frequently and this is a MUST for Ovation as it moves forward.
Ovation has have hooked up with a company that realizes the value of working with the pros who use their equipment and listens to them for ideas and inspiration. I may even start to think it's going to work...
Edited by Geostorm98 2015-04-05 10:50 AM
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Location: Texas | “This is an amazing opportunity to extend our passion and commitment for the art of drumming,” said Chris Lombardi, President and CEO of Drum Workshop, Inc. We’re excited to welcome these legendary American brands to the DW family.”“It promises to be a very exciting year”, continued Lombardi. My father (DW Founder, Don Lombardi) and I are whole-heartedly dedicated to these already well-established brands and see a bright future ahead for the entire drum industry.” They are a drum company. From the beginning it appeared that FMIC "threw in" Ovation in the percussion deal. Maybe had DW taken over production...but to try to bring it all back together AND be profitable after startup costs...seems to be a tall order. It is a dog eat dog world, with few scraps, in the guitar sector and a whole different day from when Ovation became a monster player in that sector. They would not re-enter the market as the new kid on the block with innovative design and "plug in" excitement... Another thing about that time...you could walk into a "music store" and sit down and play one of many O models that were in stock. When is the last time that happened??? How can you fall in love with something you cannot compare to the umpteen Martins and Taylors hanging on the wall? We can always hope...but lately, that hasn't really lived up to its' billing. |
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Location: Utah | arumako - 2015-04-05 9:16 AM
2. price point issues. It is encouraging to hear that Celebrities and Applauses are still priced low in the US. I can't speak for the rest of Asia, but over here in Japan, the prices on Celebrities have increased (It's been hard to find new Applauses in stores). It seems that the Japanese distributor is pricing the Celebrity Elites and Balladeers with MSRPs that are close to the US made Os of yesteryear.
Same thing here. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | arumako - 2015-04-05 9:16 AM
2. It is encouraging to hear that Celebrities and Applauses are still priced low in the US. I can't speak for the rest of Asia, but over here in Japan, the prices on Celebrities have increased (It's been hard to find new Applauses in stores). It seems that the Japanese distributor is pricing the Celebrity Elites and Balladeers with MSRPs that are close to the US made Os of yesteryear.
If you go looking for NEW... Celebrity guitar prices have gone up here also.
That is the corporate plan...
Blur the lines between Celebrity and Ovation to raise the price of the cheaper guitars thereby increasing the profit margin. They make a LOT more profit on a cheap guitar than an expensive one.
That is how they came-up with Celebrity Elites & Balladeers and even Applause Elites & Balladeers.
Thereby encouraging Parents to buy the wrong guitar, because they look the same.
(you'd think that a new generation would not fall for this trick, but you'd be wrong)
If you are expecting the business people to Love Ovations, or any guitar...
That ain't happening.
Guitars, or toasters, or cell phones, or Hot Pockets, or soda-pop...
It is all the same to the corporate mind... it is just a commodity.
The problem with Guitars and Toasters is that you will keep them longer than your cell phone.
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Location: Always beautiful canyon country of Utah | I plan on keeping my cell phone for the remainder of my time in this corporeal state!! |
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| Great read, folks. I hadn't heard the rumors but I think I'm caught up after this thread.
I have a few questions.
1. Did they sell all the inventory (wood, wiring, machinery, etc) out of the factory or is it all sitting there or somewhere else? I mean, is the factory now an empty shell or aren't folks still there working on other things, maybe in other brands of the parent company? I don't know the answer to this.
2. In addition to all the start up costs mentioned here, someone would have to buy that brand, which even if out of production still has value to the folks holding the rights to the designs, patents, image, brand, etc. That's a huge cost. So, you'd be buying/leasing the factory, the equipment, whatever inventory remains AND you'd have to either work out a licensing agreement on the brands and designs (pay a percent on each guitar sold) or you'd have to buy it outright. Not sure about the financials--haven't seen the books--but I'd say the value for the brand, the tech, the design, the aesthetic of a guitar as well known as Ovations would probably cost you... what... 5 million as a bargain basement price? They aren't going to give it away. That's a lot of engineering and technology and patented processes. For all we know there's a manufacturer in Germany or wherever already courting them for licensing or design rights. What would that cost?
Building and maintaining a brand is about creating both a product and an image. Ovation failed only at the image portion (I'm not getting into the cheaper Os, but talking about the USA brand and Adamas). I got into Ovations when I was 14, so 22 years ago. And when I got into them, every young person I knew had F*nders and G*bsons (or Ep*phones, but they graduated to G*bsons). Having a guy like Slash play Les P*ul's probably single handedly moved a million or more of them off the racks and into homes. Those people became converts, for the most part. Str*ts had the same thing: lots of heroes playing them. My friends straight up teased me once they found out I was playing a guitar that Melissa E. played. Why? Because she was the pop hero Ovation had at the time.
Branding and image building is a vital part of marketing. Ovation didn't do very well, and it is really sad to me because they make these instruments that many of us love and consider works of art in themselves, instruments that I'd put up against any others on the market today.
If they came back they'd be hardpressed to get Slash or Clapton to start play Adamas, but that's okay. They need to get the newer indie stars playing them. Take some chances and just sponsor 30 of the most promising bands or artists on a sponsorship deal for the next 4 years. Free guitars. If 14-20 year olds haven't seen your guitar in the hands of someone they someday want to be, you've lost the sale.
I firmly believe that guitars are like cars. If your dad drove a Ford, you'll probably drive a Ford. Same thing with Chevys and Dodges. A few of us will have more than one guitar, but then don't almost all of us have predominantly Adamii or Os? They are our Dodge or whatever. Converting people to these guitars is not hard, but it can take a decade. My friend and someone I've played with for 15 years on and off finally admitted that he wanted an Adamas. His wall is filled with old M*rtins and T*ylors and he's got a rack of F*nders. 15 years it took him to say he wanted the same guitar I've been playing and he's been playing when we swap instruments. It wasn't the quality of the instrument. His mind was up against having seen so many people play so many guitars, but so few playing the one I've been playing. A good brand is like a religion; if not a religion... definitely a cult. Who is our high priest? We either need one or to not need one at all. But leadership matters, ask any failed cult. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | That New Guy - 2015-04-05 7:37 PM
I have a few questions.
1. Did they sell all the inventory (wood, wiring, machinery, etc) out of the factory or is it all sitting there or somewhere else? I mean, is the factory now an empty shell or aren't folks still there working on other things, maybe in other brands of the parent company? I don't know the answer to this.
I don't know everything, but I have a few answers...
The Wood was sold, I heard that Martin bought some of it.
I have no idea what they did with the Laser Vibrometer and all of the specialized equipment.
The Factory on Greenwoods Road in New Hartford is a big rental space.
You can see about renting it HERE
HERE is a short video of the old Factory, you can see it's size by looking over the people's shoulders.
Here is what it looks like with all of those people Gone!
I believe that the Mini Mother is still there (or near there), but it doesn't take-up all that space.
Isn't that depressing 
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Location: Canada | arthurseery - 2015-04-05 9:26 PM I don't know everything, but I have a few answers... The Wood was sold, I heard that Martin bought some of it. I have no idea what they did with the Laser Vibrometer and all of the specialized equipment. The Factory on Greenwoods Road in New Hartford is a big rental space. You can see about renting it Did they not mainly build Guilds there in the last couple of years of production? I would suspect that many of the assets and inventory would have been part of the deal with Cordoba and were shipped to Oxnard, or to wherever Fender acoustics are now built. Specific Ovation equipment that was of no use used to Cordoba or Fender may still be part of the mini-mother. However rebuilding a production line may not be all that bad. This could also be an opportunity to use newer and more effective machinery, and develop more efficient processes that could result in susbstantial cost reductions. |
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Location: Flahdaw | For arguments sake, if they were to start building O's again stateside, the LAST place they should do it is Connecticut.....probably the most expensive place to manufacture ANYTHING, between taxes, labor costs, etc. They'd best look in Texas, or Alabama |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Possibly the best thing about the sale to DW is it gives us something new to talk and/or bitch about.
Plus there's more hope and possibility than at any time since Fender bought Ovation. Is the hope misplaced? Time will tell.
My fingers are crossed! |
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Location: Colorado | IMHO, you gotta build a pro caliber instrument (I'm NOT talking 10K - 12K etc.. more like 2K - 3K) and get it into the hands of the pros, so others can see and hear them playing them. Takamine is a solid example...crosses many genre's too. I have been to a lot of concerts lately (odd for me), and you see a lot of TNVs, BGs, Pro, and T series Taks...why? - they sound good, hold tune, and are priced in the 1500 - 3K range. Heck, I couldn't count all of them at the Garth Brooks show...and those guys including Garth can play anything they want. Artist relations is key...gotta see the stars playing them. Oh...they gotta be acoustic electric too. The studio recording fairies are gonna mic the instrument with a mic that costs 3x the guitar.so the pure wood boxes will win there..but on stage...gotta plug in to get the gain above the drums and bass - it has to be real rugged - it has to stay in tune. |
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Location: Colorado | Also: develop the professional relationships - person to person in the industry. Make people a part of the company...make a profit - pour it back into the company...make a decent wage...believe in and stand by and behind the instrument. And for us...we must be willing to pay for the quality (even if you have to work hard for it) and buy it from the person who stands by the instrument and Ovation. I don;t buy like I used to, but I only buy from people I know. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | As to the price thing...
One of the reasons that some people didn't take Ovations seriously was the affordable price.
They must be crappy guitars cuz they only cost $600. (or $300 in 1972)
But you cannot change people's minds if their main criteria is price.
So creating $2K Ovations won't make anybody more likely to play it if they won't play a $599 Ovation.
If money is no object, Artists will play what they like.
(Joan Jett likes her Melody Maker, Willie likes "Trigger")
So why does Al DiMeola play an Ovation instead of an Adamas?
Because he likes the Legend better.
There are thousands of used Ovations available...
So any Artist that wants an Ovation could have one.
Anybody who really wants an Ovation probably already has one.
So I don't think that it is a matter of "Putting Ovations in the hands of Artists".
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Location: New Hartford CT | Artist relations are key to reviving the brand IMHO.
DW's artist program branches over to their advertsing gurus. They've built their company on high quality and bringing top talent into the fold and making them part of the family. Their advertising features the artists taking factory tours and learning all about the products. Then the artists explain why these drums work for them.
Sure they are a drum company but their overall knowledge in artist relations and advertising...combined with strong worldwide distribution is a winner. |
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Posts: 137
Location: Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire | ITs all about marketing unfortunately. As its been said already, getting O's in the hands of artists is not only for their discovery of the playability, sound and other attributes that make them our favorites, but its also brand recognition in the media and arts! Regular people will buy what they see. Garth with his Takamine certainly helped that brand as do other main stream guitars like Martin, Taylors, etc. Most companies give away guitars, strings, etc, etc, to get their name endorsed by whomever. NAMM and other industry events has their value but also their is a cost of participation. Companies need a pro-active approach and budget to stay ahead of the curve in todays world. Given all the various ways companies advertise thru the media, Facebook etc, you cannot survive in this world without getting in the game completely! Smaller guitar makers (very expensive low volume brands) carve out a living customizing to various artists or adding value in ways the average consumer is not willing to pay for. I hope for the best in Ovations future and hopefully the have an active marketing plan (and budget) to make it hold its own in this crowded market! |
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Location: south east Michigan | I don't think todays artists can have a meaningful on sales.
Our generation gets it.
The kids today are more interested in which rapper is getting rich from their brand of headphones.
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Location: Yokohama, Japan | arthurseery - 2015-04-05 12:26 PM
Isn't that depressing
Those pictures sure do put things into perspective OMA. I pray Mr. Budny and the Mini-Mother gang are getting along okay. My heart goes out to all the Ovation folks...cudos to everybody sending their guitars in for repair work...hopefully, it will keep things afloat until DW begins the resurrection process...
Edited by arumako 2015-04-07 10:58 AM
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Location: south east Michigan | Brad Durasa - 2015-04-07 10:30 AM
I don't think todays artists can have a meaningful on sales.
I should have been more specific and stated..... "guitar sales".
Edited by Slipkid 2015-04-07 11:11 AM
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Posts: 402
Location: New Hartford CT | Here's John Good of DW bringing in some of the top drum artists in the world to talk drums. Just consider this taking place at the old factory in New Hartford, featuring Ovation construction techniques with some highly regarded guitar players looking on.
I'm not suggesting guitar players sit through this but rather offer it up to demonstrate the advertising concept and strong committment to artists that is DW's hallmark. Why not apply to Ovation? During the glory days Ovation was consistently bringing new concepts to the market. They were a forward looking company. This fits in very well with what Drum Workshop has been doing for years.
Sorry, I'm just very excited about firing up the factory again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eOx4OOkw4E
Edited by Geostorm98 2015-04-07 11:38 AM
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Location: New Hartford CT | I should not get too far ahead. My bad. We'll have to wait and see... |
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Location: Flahdaw | Brad Durasa - 2015-04-07 10:30 AM
The kids today are more interested in which rapper is getting rich from their brand of headphones.
Just as long as they KEEP wearing headphones, so I don't have to hear their crap. |
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IF the rumor ever becomes fact.....