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Location: Tuscany, Italy | Surfing youtube just found this 2min vid.
It's about the guys in CT crafting Guild guitars at the Ovation factory (it's still somewhat strage to me ;) ) .
Also the TV channel CPTV is nice; it's all about Connecticut ......
HERE |
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Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Makes me wonder why they named it Ovation Creation when they didn't show an Ovation in the whole vid.
Maybe they're calling it "the Guild factory where they make Ovations" now. :rolleyes: |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Nice Vid and YES CPTV is great!! They show a lot of great concerts (J.T., Moody Blues) Rock & Roll of the 60's and so on. They are also the ONLY public station that shows womens college basketball consistantly. The 2 time undefeated (78 wins in a row over 2 seasons) National Champion UCONN Huskies were on 21 times this year!! Every game that wasen't on CBS or ESPN. |
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Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I'm hopping once Guild inventories are up and being maintained that Ovation will be the focus will turn to revidalizing its products. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Okay... Rant Time!
I understand that some people like wood boxes... Everybody has their quirks.
But just because Kaman made Takamine did not make Takamine into an Ovation guitar.
Somehow it made some OFC members decided that "This wood box is okay cuz it is made by Kaman."
No... Not really.
Now that Fender bought Kaman and inherited the Ovation factory, then switched a large area of the factory to creating Guild guitars...
Meanwhile they shipped manufacture of the flagship Balladeer and Elite lines to Asia...
This is NOT GOOD.
Just cuz they make Guilds in New Hartford does not mean that I desire one.
Guild are Nice guitars. I had one, my first guitar... But I don't want one.
Just cuz they are made where they Should be making Ovations don't make them cool.
Fender doesn't give a sh_t about Ovation... They just wanted the Drums and Electronics and Distribution centers.
Ovation was just an annoying division that came with all the other stuff.
Fender fired a bunch of Guild people, then took a bunch of Ovation people off of Ovation production.
They have some qualified people in Korea making TX's, AX's, and DJ Ashba Celebrity's...
Those Ovations ain't coming back to the USA.
That they make Guilds at New Hartford is only cool to people who really don't like round-backs anyway. I can search back and find members saying that Ovation should start making wood-boxes for more market share. Since I don't own stock in Ovation, now Fender, I don't care about the market share. Fender already makes wood boxes, so one more don't make any difference.
The reason why I Love Ovation is because of the innovation of the Round Back.
If I wanna play a wood-box I have endless choices in many price ranges. (Blueberry and Morgan Monroe come to mind) I feel no brand loyalty to Guild just cuz it is taking-up space at the MotherShip. That goes for Takamine, Gretsch, Toca, Sabian, or Becker Instruments.
OH! And the TV Clip is probably "Ovation Creation" cuz to the people in Connecticut that will always be the Ovation factory. |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Did Kaman ever make Takamine's?
I missed that. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Weaser P asks:
Did Kaman ever make Takamine's?
I missed that. Here\'s what the website claims.
I don't believe Kaman made Takamines, but just distributed them in the USA.
Depending on the model it sez "A Kaman Music Product, Bloomfield, CT" on the label.
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Location: south east Michigan | Just cuz they make Guilds in New Hartford does not mean that I desire one.
Let me put in in a different context. If I was in the market for a wood box guitar, knowing where and how Guilds are now made makes me 1652% more likely to purchase one.
Ovation was just an annoying division that came with all the other stuff.
How can any of us really know what Mr. Fenders purpose, intentions, and motivations are?
I could make other points but that's enough for now. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Well, look on the bright side. If Ovation was such a little piss-ant to Fender they could have just shut the whole thing down and roundback guitars would be no more. The New Hartford factory could have been left to crumble in vacancy and all those hard working taxpayers at Ovation could have been kicked to the street forced to live off government hand outs.
Sometimes you just gotta make the best out of the situation. I'm sure the guy who glued spruce tops to plastic bowls for 30 years isn't happy about having to wood kerf rosewood backs and sides. But I bet he's glad to be employed and be making a paycheck.
Just my opinion. |
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Location: Flahdaw | That's true. At least they're providing jobs to people who really want to work! Could have moved everything to Vietnam. |
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Location: Tennessee | And it's important not to let facts get in the way of a good rant. But I do think it is interesting how folks can bitch about how big bad Fender/Ovation is producing some of their guitars overseas, and then immediately proclaim that if they were going to buy a wood box, they'd get one made in China or Indonesia. Sheesh. |
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Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I think its about harsh to say you don't like like roundbacks if you are OK with Guild being made in New Hartford. I too am not happy that much of the Ovation line was shipped to S. Korea.
In all honesty I ruled out buying ANY TX or AX guitars now or in the future.
They not bad guitars but they not the same.
The cheaper price doesn't make me want one.
I do not in general buy imported guitars.
I will pay more for an American made Guitar.
I am Ok DJ Ashba and Seven sig model being imports as the people that will buy those are teenager.
Ovation is my brand of preference.
I think that they not putting much into pushing the brand. But things could be worse.
Ovation could be Tacoma which appears to dead as a brand. They could have closed New Hartford and kept Tacoma. Ovation is still alive and its work force is still working in a real bad economy.
If your upset with the line being exported write them and tell them.
If enough people do that they could reverse course.
Fender been very sucessfull with American Standard Strats and Teles. Why could you not do American Balladeer? Roll them out with Stars endorcement.
If you actually take the time snail you be surprized how that can effect product and marketing. Every company on earth knows if a person takes the time to write there are 100s if not thousands who feel the way. |
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Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by PEZ:
If you actually take the time snail I never knew snails to rush ANYthing. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | It also seems to be they not operating at full capasity. Maybe 30 to 40 Guild guitars a day.
I am guessing based on having seen the finished racks a few times.
Maybe Beal remembers what peak production capisity was.
I hopefull that Ovation production will pick with the economy in the future. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by stonebobbo:
And it's important not to let facts get in the way of a good rant. But I do think it is interesting how folks can bitch about how big bad Fender/Ovation is producing some of their guitars overseas, and then immediately proclaim that if they were going to buy a wood box, they'd get one made in China or Indonesia. Sheesh. Made me LOOK... Yeah Blueberry's are made in Bali or somewhere near there. But they look cool.
I have two poor-people's Parkers that were both made in Indonesia. They are nice.
My rant is just a statement that I ain't gonna buy a Guild just cuz they are made in New Hartford.
Even if there might be some Ovation craftsmanship that coulda rubbed-off on it. :rolleyes: |
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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | I don't think anyone would buy a Guild just because of where it was made. Similarly I don't think anyone should not buy an Ovation just because of where it happens to be made. All that matters is buy the guitar that you like and makes you happy.
I'm happy to see Guilds being made in New Hartford because for years I've wondered how nice a guitar those good workers could build if they weren't shackled by having to make half of it out of plastic.
I see it as a win-win, Ovation as a brand has survived and Guild has gotten a modernized factory and the shot in the arm they needed. The New Hartford workers came out on top because they still have jobs. The Tocoma works did not. We'd be bitching a WHOLE lot more if it came out the other way around. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | the good thing about Guild being made in New Hartford is that New Hartford is still there because of it.
next? |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | From the beginning, I was concerned about the employees at the factory...they have provided us excellent products and superior service. Good that it has worked out for them.
As to Guild, I am excited that they are able to utilize their dedication and skills to produce excellent guitars.
Hopefully, this will continue... |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Nobody will force ya to buy a Guild.
But if these succeed, a rising tide normally raises all ships. That translates to people taking another look at Ovation & Hamer.
If your playing out 3 or 4 nights a week
maybe you don't want beer spilled in $3000
Guild and consider the more durable Ovation.
If they smart they could market togeather.
Picture this as an ad
Upper 3rd part of the page pictures of guitars captioned
Guild Traditional
Ovation Adamas Revolutionary
Hamer Electrifing
Picture the factory & workers.
Lovilgly made by Hand by Liuthers with (number years) combined expirence.
Which one can we build for you? |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Originally posted by stonebobbo:
[My rant is just a statement that I ain't gonna buy a Guild just cuz they are made in New Hartford. WTF? Who said you had to? It's not like anybody can make you buy anything... Cept maybe health coverage you don't want. |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Cept maybe health coverage you don't want. Hope that's not made in New Hartford...since no one seems to have read the bill, who really knows?... ;) |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | LOL
I actually read it.
took over two days.
anyone wants to know catch me on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/Paul.PEZ.Zukowski
now before we get yelled at
How bout them Mets??? |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I guess I'll throw in here and state a couple of personal opinions also.
I don't really think "Ovation" has a lot of control over their future anymore, so to say they should do this or that is a bit unrealistic. Do I like that? ... well not really, but I'm also really glad the guys and gals at Hartford still have their jobs and are still making guitars. I'm glad that the new owners have seen fit to allow them to keep making Ovation and Adamas Instruments. I am also glad that Guild lovers still have American made guitars. For that matter, I'm glad we are still making guitars in America. If I didn't have such an appreciation for Ovation/Adamas, and personally consider them to be superior in the combination of quality and value, I would probably consider a Guild, Martin, or Taylor. ... and maybe even a Gibson. |
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Posts: 4072
Location: Utah | PEZ, your marketing idea sure seems like a good one. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Thanks.....
I been watch Mad Men. |
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Ovation Creation
