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Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | With practically all the Ovations being made overseas, does anyone know if the bowls are still made in Ohio?
I hardly see any new Ovations in the larger music stores these days, and all the USA made examples are used.
Maybe the Adamas line still uses the Ohio made bowls?
thanks, Ernie |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I don't know for sure... But this is what it sez inside of many of the Korean O's.
 
I had never personally seen all that writing about patent number as on that Legend. |
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Posts: 21
Location: north coast ohio | not sure of the spelling maybe, zehrco in ashtabula. I remember pics of the guitars in the lobby early 70's. Don't know if they still produce them are not. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | They still have an Ovation in their Profile page.
Amongst other things. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I emailed those folks in Ashtabula... And I hope that they won't mind me sharing the answer.
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Arthur, Joe Rellick has forwarded your request on to me for your answer:
To my knowledge, all of the Kaman/ Ovation Bowls are still made in the
USA by Zehrco-Giancola Composites Inc, this includes the collector
series from 2008. The bowls have not changed much since the early 70's,
they were re-tooled in the late 90's to consolidate some changes,
improve bowl design variations, and consolidate the electronics upgrade
as well as neck designs used in Asia.
When Kaman/ Ovation began production off shore, we continued to produce
and ship overseas for all products that were contracted for production.
As I understand, at one time, the Asians did try to produce their own
bowl, but failed the acoustics and strength testing require by Ovation
USA.. Lyrachord, is a very special material for Ovation Only.
The latest style, the Contour Bowl, used for the Adamas-1, was developed
and introduces in the past 10 years, again using a Lyrachord, density
modified material.
Fender's acquisition of Kaman/ Ovation has been very pleasant and we
believe they intend to continue the fine traditions of the Kaman name.
I hope this answers your questions,,,
Yes, the Bowls are still, Proudly made in the USA !!!!!!!
Fred English
Engineering Manager
Zehrco Giancola Composites Inc
Ashtabula, Ohio
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So... There is the answer. |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | good |
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Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | OMA,
Excellent research. You can find or figure out anything. What number am I thinking of? |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Nick B. asks:
OMA,
Excellent research. You can find or figure out anything. What number am I thinking of? 7 |
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Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
7 Okay, now you're just screwing with me. :) |
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Posts: 3644
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | "Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR"
Says it all.
No prisoners, OMA! |
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November 2002
Posts: 3644
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | BTW, I wrote the folks in Ashtabula a few years ago, about "scratch & dent" opportunities, in a BFLG gambit.
No sale. |
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Posts: 137
Location: Massachusetts | 7 it is!!! |
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Location: Texas | Sorry, deleted premature postification of a duplicate nature. |
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December 2008
Posts: 1454
Location: Texas | Glad I checked in tonight, maybe OMA can tell me where my car keys are...
That's very interesting Art, thanks for sharing it. I've often wondered how much of the cost of imported guitars is tied-up just in shipping. Based on that information, A U.S. buyer is ultimately paying for the bowls to cross the Pacific twice... Seems like that would add a chunk to the cost without adding anything of actual value to the guitar.... There's a research project; how much of the retail price is really just covering all that transportation? |
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Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | And the bowls are all we know about. My guess would be that more than that gets shipped in for final assembly. I guess .25/hr makes up for it all. Hard to believe it is that cost effective. |
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January 2007
Posts: 137
Location: Massachusetts | Labor makes up the bulk of the cost of any manufactured product, so when you can do away with that part of the equation you've can make you're product inexpensively. Maybe a stiff tariff would make things equal. |
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Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | OMA,
thank you for all of your efforts! Glad to hear they are still doing them right here in Ohio.
Best, Ernie |
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Are the bowls still made in Ashtabula, OH?
