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Posts: 4413
| I've been thinking about you since I read the news.
Good luck, and I hope its all good news for you guys. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13986
Location: Upper Left USA | Ditto!
So... move out West (Northwest) and live under the trees you've been working with.
Better fishing.
Better weather.
...and better health care and convalescent centers... |
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October 2005
Posts: 5328
Location: Cicero, NY | Actually I've been thinking about the boys at the 'Ship as well. I know they all know where they sit with the Club. If there's any question at all with the boys at Fender - and I sincerely hope there's not - tell 'em to talk to us.
And let's face it, as guitar buyers, players and fanatics, we know what we like. We're kinda guitar conasewers, if you will.. |
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April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | I know that you good folks at the Mothership can't say much here on the board, but my primary concern is for all of you, who are the face of Ovation to us and who have made the guitars we love more than just a commodity. You have given of your talents and abilities to bring the rest of us immeasurable hours of satisfaction and pleasure; for this, we thank you.
And even though I know this isn't a "politically correct" statement, let me say that my thoughts and prayers will be with you all in the months to come.
With gratitude,
Karen |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Whenever I start freaking out about a situation I try to remember that 99 times out of 100 the "worst case scenerio" never materializes.
That being said, if it ends up that they need a chain of bodys to surround and protect the Mothership, I'm in. |
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October 2005
Posts: 5328
Location: Cicero, NY | Sometimes "politically correct" can be damned, Karen. Say it if you feel it. |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Always wonder if time for a new company...
Will be interesting to see if there were some side deals for G-B and Hamer...as far as I could see, it would destroy Hamer - both as product and tradition. |
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March 2005
Posts: 5563
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I have been involved in the Music Business and Industry for most of my life...I have dealt with many, many persons both "famous" and not, and with companies both large and not...
In all of my dealings, I have truthfully never met a more dedicated, consumer oriented, first class group than those at the mothership...It's an honor to know you and to have my guitars pass though your knowledgeable hands! I personally wish the best for you and appreciate you all more than you know!
Now, I have to send a couple of others your way... ;) |
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March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | You guys really are great. I hope this doesn't cause you problems. Good luck through this. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Ditto the feeling.
Its why I suggested writing FENDER and telling them
how we feel about All the people at Ovation.
I have always felt we were family.
I hope that doesn't change.
The great service and being treated well goes far.
I did not get that feeling when I dealt with Fenders Custom Shop. I hope Ovations rubs off on Fender. |
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April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | I hope it's just a change of ownership, not policy and procedure. We've all come to accept Ovation customer service as second to none, and I'd sure like to see it stay that way. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Enough of this move out west sh!t
You gotta know those type of things never have happy endings, except for the one or two that move. The ones with familys and roots stay behind, unemployed. |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | 'zactly. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I went through this same thing about 7 years ago...
There are no guarantees and folks should prepare themselves for the real possibility of significant changes. This is the nature of large(r) corporations and buy-outs/mergers/acquirement.
That said, I do hope you all have many more years of job security in CT. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Change has to be alot harder on those who have enjoyed many years of stability.
I've worked with same company since I was 16. A change for me would be tramatic even if it was for the good.
Some level of change is coming, but many of these posts read more like an obituary... which it is not. |
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October 2002
Posts: 170
Location: The Shop | Thanks! |
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November 2002
Posts: 3610
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | That signed label in my 1127-redo settles the matter. It's never leaving.
Jeff, get the trebuchet mobilized. The Huns may be storming the gates. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Yeah, tone down that westward ho' glee ...
An alternative scenario is that some production lines move east. In all, I hope it's not a zero sum game, but a synergy where all parties can grow. KMC is a jewel, with good people behind it, and a group of really decent people who play their instruments. It would be hard to find another group like this, both luthiers and players, and I hope Fender knows it. Like I said before, I think Fender bought KMC cheap. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I bet a fender solid body would go a ways.... |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | ... oh yeah. |
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Posts: 4827
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Now, now. Time to make friends.
Meet the new boss |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Now, now. Time to make friends.
Meet the new boss $ame a$ the old bo$$ (not that there's anything wrong with that, everybody needs to make a buck).
The concern is what will happen to the fine artisans and craftsmen who take piles of dead wood, carbon, abalone, metal and plastics and magically transform them into objects of incredible beauty and utility coveted by so many. The suits will make out just fine no matter what happens. The same may not be said for these artists who define the real Ovation. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Let's relax just a bit.
Nothing good, bad, or indifferent has even happend yet.
Reckless speculation can take the mind to some weird and scary places. |
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November 2005
Posts: 4827
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | The only things that don't change are dead, and even they are decomposing.
I think we're getting a little ahead of ourselves in trumpeting the demise of music as we know it....no, sorry, that's exactly what it is. But we don't know yet if it's better, worse, or indifferent.
Change is inevitable, liking it is a choice. |
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November 2002
Posts: 3610
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Conjectural analysis is entertaining, though. Yer right, don't fight the current. Might keep an eye on an island, just in case.
And, despite the annual wildfires, earthquakes, and the odd volcanic eruption, the Left Coast is a pretty groovy crashpad, thank you very much. |
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November 2002
Posts: 3610
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Did I mention our relative humidity hovers at 45-55%, year-round? Nice weather for luthiery, eh wot? |
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December 2003
Posts: 13986
Location: Upper Left USA | I apoligize for the Westward Ho line. I was venting my disbelief at the time.
As a Gov'mt employee that has a potential change of ownership every four years (01.20.09) I can apreciate what the Team is going through.
Phase one is upon us where shock and dismay are quickly replaced by an uncommitted silence by the new management. In the absence of facts we will fill the void with something.
I hope that the new "Plan" is discussed soon and that the unique character of the Mothership is supported and maintained. The Tacoma plant was struggling financially before their buyout and is now stable and doing a robust and diversified bussiness.
Tacoma is limiting their center hole guitars and playing up the "Wing Series" that is unique to them. Ovation/Adamas & Hamer are unique and proficient so I can only see them as maintaining their niche.
I do expect to see higher prices.
I anticipate improved Web and MF/GC exposure.
I also anticipate more bad seeds doing photo ops on flags.
But this is not under my control. My prayers are for you and my driveway is open.
Did I mention that we have a plethora of Llama Farms over here? |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Woodman, No problem, didn't mean to jump on you, you were just there.
It's way too early in this whole thing and the only guarantee is that at least 90% of the speculation is wrong. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13986
Location: Upper Left USA | Beal, I need a hug... or just send me one of your old beater guitars (relic'd).
I guess this qualifies as a "Life changing event" and we will all go through the grieving process.
Denial, Anger, Helplessness and Acceptance then repeat.
I'm into about 75% so far. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Y'gotta' take into consideration that there's a whole NewEngland-Yankee craftsmanship/pride that also goes into these guitars . . .
btw Woodster, Norm Abrahms called.
He said "f@ck ahhff!!" ;) |
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December 2003
Posts: 13986
Location: Upper Left USA | I haven't been addressed by Cliffy and Norm in quite a while. Not since Cheers went off the air.
Note to self: Cliff - step two and holding. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | wrong "Norm". |
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November 2005
Posts: 4827
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by seesquare:
Nice weather for luthiery, eh wot? And in May/June steam boxes for bending are totally redundant! |
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March 2002
Posts: 15661
Location: SoCal | Didn't Cliffy and Norm host This Old House? And Bob Villa was on Cheers? |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | It's no WONDER why you can't find anybody . . . |
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December 2003
Posts: 13986
Location: Upper Left USA | He found us!
Dangitalltaheck... |
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For John, Kim, Rick and everyone