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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | (From Reverb Tank)
DW Drums To Reopen Historic Ovation Factory
Sep 16, 2015 by Jess Mayhew
Ovation-lovers rejoice - the previously closed American Ovation factory is opening once again to resume production of their unique but beloved guitars, basses, mandolins, and ukuleles. After being out of production for over a year, Drum Workshop has taken ownership of Ovation Guitars and will be rolling out new lines just in time for the holidays. Take a look at the press release below:
Reopening the same factory where these guitars have been handcrafted for nearly 50 years was essential to the heart and soul of Ovation
"The previously shuttered Ovation Guitar factory in New Hartford Oxnard, will resume USA production of its iconic, round back acoustic electric guitars, basses, mandolins and ukuleles, it was announced today by the company’s new owner, Oxnard, California-based drum and hardware manufacturer Drum Workshop, Inc. Under its previous ownership, the innovative "acoustic/electric" guitar brand made famous by such legendary artists as Glen Campbell, Melissa Etheridge, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Richie Sambora and Kevin Cronin among others closed the New Hartford factory in June of 2014. Ovation was acquired by Drum Workshop in December, 2014 and under its new ownership, the factory will resume production in October, 2015. New models are expected to be available at select U.S. retailers and online in time for the holidays.
"Reopening the same factory where these guitars have been handcrafted for nearly 50 years was essential to the heart and soul of Ovation," said Ovation product manager, Bill Xavier. "Among our four key luthiers at the New Hartford factory, there are over 120 years of combined knowledge of the brand, as well as the skill, artistry, craftsmanship and integrity that Ovation fans demand of our instruments."
2016 marks the 50th Anniversary of Ovation and the company plans a rollout of new models that will retain many of the brand’s classic features including the distinctive parabolic shape, Sitka spruce soundboards and innovative onboard electronics which allow the artist to move around the stage. The new models will also feature wood and mother of pearl inlays, as well as Ovation’s emblematic inlaid wood epaulets and multiple sound holes that increase the instrument’s volume and further reduce feedback during amplification."
To learn more about Ovation Guitars, DW, and their upcoming releases, check out Ovation’s website and DW’s website.
Edited by Nancy 2015-09-19 12:58 PM
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | And just to share what DW can do with inlays, and complicated artwork, take a look at this:
"The Queen of DW Snares
At the top of the DW's model lineup lies the collector series, which includes three limited "Icon Snares" made to honor Neil Peart of Rush, Nick Mason of Pink Floyd and, in the case of this featured listing, Roger Taylor of Queen. This snare was built to replicate the specs of Taylor's own preferred snares and, as shown, features laser-cut and hand-inlayed Queen artwork on the burled Maple outer shell ply."
I think we may be in for some new Artistic Directions from DW that we could never have dreamed of.... I can't wait to see what they can come up with!!!
Edited by Nancy 2015-09-19 1:01 PM
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | 
I know that this is from Reverb... But that is a Celebrity guitar. 
(I went to Reverb and go their photo... it is clearer that this is a Celebrity)
Edited by Old Man Arthur 2015-09-19 1:54 PM
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Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | They probably didn't have any old USA O's to take a picture of, and of course they don't have any new ones yet either. Also, they probably, like most people, don't know the difference - YET. |
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Location: Jet City | I have to say, announcing the USA factories plans with pictures of Chinese guitars is pretty f'n lame. Bill if you're hurting for pictures that badly, I'll get you some high rez stuff... no charge. Leave the pictures of the chineseshit for the import ads. Here's some newer USA stuff. Feel free 
Edited by Damon67 2015-09-19 7:13 PM
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Location: Pittsburgh | Nice photography Damon! And beautiful O's!!! |
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | HOLY CRAP!!!! (Can I say that here???)
Bill, I would listen to Damon, and take advantage of his generosity!!!! Those pictures are ORGASMIC!!!!!
DANG DAMON!!!!!!!  |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | For a number of years, Damon has set the standard for photographing guitars on this site. He really has a remarkable skill for this stuff, both technically and artistically. And the fact he has some outstanding models as subjects sure helps, too. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Heck, I even used Damon's red blanket as the background motif for an entire calendar. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I wonder if DW is even involved with these articles. This one was written by a freelance writer for Reverb. |
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Location: Denmark | ovie26 - 2015-09-19 7:26 PM
Nice photography Damon! And beautiful O's!!! +1 |
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Location: SW Mintsoda | mileskb - 2015-09-20 3:34 PM
I wonder if DW is even involved with these articles. This one was written by a freelance writer for Reverb.
Reverb runs "tribute" articles like that one regularly...basically a promotional piece to drum up (sorry DW!) sales.
Edited by 360Ovation 2015-09-21 9:56 AM
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Location: undisclosed | I feel a bit sorry for DW. They probably are using the overseas photos because that will be the bulk of guitars the world sees as Ovation and is what they have to sell. Like it or not Ovation's success depends on the larger market, improving the image of the offshore guitars is crucial to their success. The US plant can operate at a bit f a loss for tax breaks for awhile but isn't going to carry the company with the current business model. DW probably cringes everytime xenphobia comes up in the fan club.
Edited by Cavalier 2015-09-21 10:36 AM
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Location: SW Mintsoda | Cavalier - 2015-09-21 10:35 AM
DW probably cringes everytime xenphobia comes up in the fan club.
Well, WE should stop cringing everytime foreign made O's come up (unless we're cringing about them not being called Celebrity only...); we don't have to buy them, and others will and it will support the USA builds as Cavalier noted.
But I also agree the USA plant can't run a deficit forever. Which is why I believe we'll see USA O's eventually at a lower price point than DW's press releases have been suggesting... (I said eventually, not immediately). |
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