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Location: Maine | My father James H Rickard, Know to most as "Jim " or "Rick", was involved in Ovation from the early days. Very saddly he passed away in 1996.
I think he joined in 1967. Through the years working there he quickly became in charge of the R&D dept. I'm sure many on this list who knew him through Ovation know the specific history better than me. He worked side by side w/ Charlie and Bill Kaman for many years His career lasted 18 yrs there until he left in 1985. He then worked for D'addario String for several years before going on his own as an Autocad dealer for New England ang later did contract work for Martin Guitar strings/ Mapes Strings and finally took a QC role in Martine guitar ona weekely basis in PA.
( My older sister now owns and currently plays the C.Kaman signed 1985 shallow body collector series Adamas, sn #00001 that they gave him when he "retired" from Ovation.)
I graduated HS in '87 so much of the early "company" stuff was unkown or uninteresting to me. His knowlelgde of Aucoutics / guitars and Music has been very inspiring to many people.. to me he was my Dad, and I assumed all Dads were the same. I now realize how this is not true. He was instrumental in the design of Ovation's Acoutic bridge Pick-up to name one of his 12 or so patents through ovation.
His passion for the Aucoutic guitar was all based on a Vintage pre-war Martin D45 he owned for many years. It was the guitar he wanted to "beat". But my Dads humble ways let him enjoy the instruments by playing them viewing them, rather than getting caught up in the material value they may one day obtain. He was not selfish in sharing his knowlegde w/ other and his opinions were always open minded.
I learned a ton from him , and now I wish I could learn even more.. I feel this group may be able to fill in many of the "blanks" I have regarding the origins of some things as well "why" some ovations are the way they are.
As a child growing up I was surrounded by Music, musicians, and guitars (all acoutic instruments actually as my Dad was a Bill monroe and Bluegrass fanatic) . I recall many Ovation picnics where I saw planty more guitars. It's all relative. This is why I was not too interested THEN to know all the details I'd like to figure out now. My dad let us do our own things and be kids. I played Bass guitar (Ovation electrics of course) for a few years in HS bands, but then got into MT bikes Old cars and girls. Guitars kindda faded.
He travel to NC to set up the shop down there, He travel to Asia for years to work Mfg the import stuff for Kaman. there were times I never saw him for days because he was so involved w/ work. He never lost the passion for acoustic instruments.
His dream was to retire and build guitars at home in his wood shop.. he built his first guitar in highschool and that kindda started the ball rolling.
My thoughts in this have been very scattered, But I have so much I could go on about.
Talbot James Rickard (TJR) |
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Location: SoCal | TJR:
Or if I may be less formal, TJ:
I suspected that you would have a good story behind your guitars and I was right. I suspect everybody at this board knows who your dad was because of the book on Ovation history (well, maybe seedoubleyoukaytwo has more knowledge about him than the rest of us) but the book on Ovations never talked about him as a family man. I suspect that you will be fielding questions here shortly.
I for one, am looking forward to what you can tell us about your dad. |
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Location: Maine | thanks for your replies..
. I would also like to add that growing up around Ovation has made me realize just how lucky many of you are. Its a great circle of people who share a common passion. Its tough to find a job you are passionate about.
As a teenager, I was always impressed by the people/things Bill K and staff were able to meet/do in the music industry. just awesome!
Although I chose a different career path...after my Dad passed away, I really missed the Ovation connection. they were like a family to us kids growing up ,( Willie,Budney, RJ, Starkey, G.Brown..too many to list.), . The guitars I spoke of are all I have to remember my Dad by and his years in New Hartford. I'm not a performing guitar player, a collector, or an expert in thos field, but I do share in the interst that you all have.
Ovation guitars are really under-rated as the welcome board says. I never knew there was such a following, and the collections many of have are simply amazing.!
nuff-said. Talbot
any further ?'s people can email me at trickard@psouth.net
I apologize for all the previous spelling errors. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | There have been many many "Legends" at Ovation over the years.
Your father is certainly one of the greatest. |
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Location: NJ | TJR;
On behalf of (I think) Al and myself, let me formally apologize for any inferred suspicions previously posted. When inquiries were made about your guitars' histories, your responses were (for lack of a better word) "evasive". Both Al and myself are products of NJ inner-city youth and evasiveness can often trigger a "street-wise" defense that is sometimes hard to contain. Please be assured that there was no offense intended, and I sincerely hope none was taken.
I (unfortunately) had never known of your dad until I read the Ovation book. When I read about him and saw that GREAT piture of him playing his old Martin, I saw that big ol' round bearded smiling face and the pocket protector (I'm a bearded guitar playing AutoCAD enthusiast as well) I said to myself, "THIS is a guy who REALLY enjoys his job!!
I had long been an Ovation proponent (since '76). But I had never really been an ACTIVE proponent as I didn't have a lot of contact with those who shared my enthusiasm. When I happened upon and read the Ovation book, I came to realize why I 've had this affinity for these instruments and the names and faces contained therein became my own personal historical figures. To me, to be able to sit down and have a conversation with a Jim Rickard or Bill Kaman would've been like sitting down with Lennon/McCartney. These were the people who were THERE!
When I stumbled up this site, I felt like I'd reached Nirvana (the place, not the band). I initially enquired with some questions regarding my rare SlotHead Adamas. A half hour after posting it, I got a phone call from Bill Kaman!!
I nearly shat myself!
Obviously, there's no need for me to tell you how proud you should be of your father and his work.
Just know that there are many here who share it with you.
Welcome!!! |
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Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Cliff,it took Bill 30 minutes before calling you ? Bill is slipping!!He usually calls within two minutes of hearing about a slot head adamas.. :D |
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Location: NJ | He may actually have, but my line was probably busy! |
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Location: Maine | Cliff D. Thanks. I had earlier written Al a private note explaining why I was felt uneasy. simply put. as a new member. I have no idea who's in a public BBoard (wackos or otherwise). LOTs of ?'s came my way a bit too fast, and I hesitated. I'm now very cool with it and ready to move onto more learning. The knowlegde in this group is outstanding.( and personally Its even cooler to be able to chat w/ Bill K himself as well as all the other Ovation fanatics! any chance to get Melissa Etheridge in the OFC?)
till later, Talbot |
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Location: NJ | TJR
I NEVER read the privat message thing on this board. you should have just e mailed me my e mail address is all over this site.
I now read your e mail and understand your reasons for not elaborating on the guitars. Sorry if I was hard or mean or vile but sometimes I just can;t help it.
please feel free to contribute to the board and enjoy yourself here we are only searching for information about guitars that we all love and it is frustrating when someone has some really cool guitars and will not elaborate about them. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | TJR
If your dad was into bluegrass and Bill Monroe in the late 60's and seventies, I sure can relate. Those were golden bluegrass years and I had a bluegrass club in southern California, and the D-45 was a guitar that we all yearned for, but it was way out of reach for most bluegrass players. I didn't recognize your dad's name, but I remember Ovation's effort to match the D-45 sound in the 70's, I was a bluegrass fanatic then and my friend at a music shop had Ovations in stock, I already had all the acoustics I could afford, so I bought a Viper, which I love. If you browse through this board, you will see that much of the desire here is to keep Ovation's direction as it was with your dad, build the best acoustics possible and add the electric dimension because today's music is played through amplifiers. Modern bluegrass bands are tending this way, I don't know if it's bad or good. I just think Ovations bluegrass roots have been good, you can't fake a good break on a bluegrass song, either you can do it or not, I suspect that's what your dad knew. If we had met we probably would have had a good jam. Did he ever mention the Country Gentlemen, they were moving it out in those years?
I taught AutoCad for a few years for our family computer training business, musicians and computers have an affinity.
I will stick my neck out and say the obvious, you have all these great guitars, you are fairly young, learn to play. You don't have to play bluegrass, play what you like. Ovations are at home in all types of music. My sons have played with me, and played with their friends, I learned a lot and they learned a lot. Pick up a guitar and express yourself, it's your destiny.
Bailey |
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Hi TJR, welcome to the board! Your fathers's contributions certianly made the acoustic guitar world a different/better place.
Does your family still own the 'reference' D-45 guitar?
Wayne |
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Location: Maine | Wayne.. My mother sold that guitar (1939 Martin D-45 , 14th of 91 pre war) in 1997 if I recall. I was strongly against her selling it, but she had her reasons. It sold thru George Gruhn) and I still don't know to this day who bought it.. I wish I did know because I have the original case, bridge and bridge pins for it. (Martin did a repair which required a new bridge, and it shipped to Gruhn in a plastic HSC from my D-16T.) anyhow . it was a stunning instrument. I always wanted to know where the batteries were 'cause it was so loud and alive. That very guitar was featured on the cover of Acoustic Guitar mag, and Tony Rice played it on "Tone Poems" (Acoustic Disc label, David Grissman, track 9)....It certainly was an inspiring instrument. thanks for asking... Tal |
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Location: Dallas | GUESS What? I have done some homework on MusicMatch Jukebox and I'm going out on a limb to say, that the picture here - Shows Tony Rice holding THAT guitar with along with David Grisman. Hope it is , cause then it will make my efforts worth it. Out of 54 songs that it threw at me, of which I skip'd over, I only got 1 Rice song, and it was "Girl from the North Country" which is a very good tune. But I believe the tune TJR mention'd is "I don't want your Mandolins Mister", and it did NOT come up. Check this site out now boys....also I have it on MP3pro if any one would like to hear it. Just say the Woid and it'll be on it's way.
web pageDavid Grisman and Tony Rice picture
web pageDavid Grisman Tone Poem album
[ July 28, 2002: Message edited by: Gizz ] |
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Location: NJ | Sorry Gizz, but that ain't the guitar.
The one in the pic is an archtop.
Mr. Rice DOES have an old Martin (I believe it MIGHT be a D-45) that he's had over the years and cherishes. If you can procure a back copy (a couple issues back) of Acoust Guitar they feature it in the back section. It has a strangely "enlarged" soundhole and evidence of top repair where it was shot with a BB gun. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | The enlarged soundhole guitar is a herringbone D-28 that used to belong to Clarence White that Tony got after CW stepped on a rainbow. |
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Location: NJ | THAT'S the one!
(I kinda' KNEW that you'd know it, Bill!)
Couldn't remember what model it was as I'm here in my office and that particular issue is in the magazine rack in my bathroom. |
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Location: Georgia | A personal thanks to Talbot for his post
I believe that "there are no accidents" in the grand scheme of things. Seeing Talbot's post has been served to be yet another validation of my belief.
I am not one to read every post on this board. But, I did decide to read Talbot's initial posts re: the guitars and the responses. Today, this thread sparked my interest. (I had forgotten the name Talbot had given as being his father's name from the prior posts so did not connect this thread with the other one).
What follows is part of my personal e-mail to Talbot today. I too, by default, share in some of the Ovation history.
My name is Laura Hess. I am also a junior member of the Ovation Fan Club having joined in June.
My registered name is Lauren. My husband, Randy Hess, was advertising manager for Ovation guitars in 1981 - 1982. Randy died suddenly of a heart attack in November of 1982 at age 28.
I remember Randy mentioning your father with fondness and admiration and wanted to let you know this.
I really didn't have a particular reason for joining the fan club. Although I have an Adamas myself, I guess I joined the board simply because at the time,it looked "interesting" and nothing more.
I registered using a member name "Lauren" and my maiden name (rather than Hess). I did this at the time because I wanted to maintain my anonymity and privacy. Also, I wanted to be "just another member" with no possible extra attention. Reflecting back after reading your post, I realise now that I was not ready or comfortable to personally make my husband's memories "fresh", bringing the past to the present surface again, by sharing with others.
I was so moved by your post about your father. And, as I read the posts that followed, I was so blown away by the responses. Seeing that your father's legacy at Ovation had not been forgotten. In fact, people want to know more about him!
I also had the same feelings about this site you had mentioned. This is one of the most awesome sites I have ever been to. I have learned a lot just from occasional reading and, I want to learn more. I also discovered that the passion that I had seen in the past,and, came to have myself for Ovation guitars was very much still alive.
As a result of your post Talbot, I am going to share about my husband on the bulletin board. For myself, I feel that this somehow, plays a great part for me in my personal life. Although Randy was not at Ovation for very long, I have some great stories to share as well.
If it had not been for your posts..and my interest being "sparked", I doubt if I would ever have shared my own Ovation "past". I will start a separate thread to follow up my post here.
Thanks so very much Talbot. Truly, your post was an honor to your father. I am sure he is pleased.
~[ July 29, 2002: Message edited by: Lauren ] |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Lauren
I sure get a feeling of shock or loss at your husband's death at such an early age. You have to be admired for moving on in the face of that kind of loss. I hope we are supportive of any who have tragic losses, and welcome them to this board as a way of telling their story to people who are kind and sympathetic. We are musicians and fanatics about our instruments, but I hope we are also human beings that understand your kind of loss.
Bailey |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Laura,
A belated welcome, (since you've been around for a while)
While Randy was not at Ovation a long time, he did contribute significantly and some of the things he did lasted many, many years. One of Randy's greatest attributes was his beautiful sence of humor which we he used quite frequently.
He was a great guy. |
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Who was Jim Rickard
