|
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | For those not on the Internet, there's a rumor going around. However, it started BEFORE April 1st, and it's actually not that far out there. It's simply that someone supposedly talked to the Ovation rep at DW who mentioned they are trying to round up what's left of the people and equipment to restart production on some level in CT.
Based on the timing.... I was thinking I'm not biting... But at the same time... what's the joke, what's the punchline?
Anyway, from a Facebook post "So this is interesting- Just got off the phone with the new Ovation brand manager at DW- nice guy. Mostly talked about imports, since that's what we sold the most of, but he told me that DW is restarting US production, in the New Hartford facility, on the original machines, with as many original employees as possible. He says Darren is there now, and that this is not a plan for the distant future, but is happening now. Taking it with a grain of salt, but DW might end up being a much better steward of the brand than Fender ever was."
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2012
Posts: 811
Location: Thredbo, NSW, Australia | Let's hope it's true.
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | mileskb - 2015-03-31 9:28 PM
For those not on the Internet... How would they be reading this? 
Like I said on Facebook: Seeing = Believing.
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2012
Posts: 1034
Location: Yokohama, Japan | Oh, YES (cautiously, cautiously)! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Doesn't anyone else think it strange that John Budny and his wife don't know about this? Sworn to secrecy? Not sure how they could do that if they were contacting prior employees. Unfortunately, in the past, Joshua Munter (the poster) has not revealed his source(s). This time he said "Ovation brand manager" but not name. Great news if so...horrible joke if untrue.
Kim's post back to Joshua Munter (Music Center, Ashland, Wisconsin):
"I hope it happens, but it would be a very long uphill battle to start production again in New Hartford. The way Fender left things with most of the employees in NH means few would return. Too many ghosts. Very little left in tooling, but some of the machines might still be there. If they manage to get everything working and re-certified, you might see a trickle of guitars in a year."
From what I have seen, DW Drums has a hands-on management team, corporate in Santa Monica, factory in Oxnard, factory in Ensanada. Sounds to me from Kim's post that it would be difficult to bring the production at the factory back to even pre-Fender days, as well as provide appropriate skilled workers, equipment, material, and a team similar to their current management team.. In addition to high costs as it is basically a start-up, there is marketing and distribution necessary.
It appeared (may not be accurate) but it sounded like Fender was going to retain off-shore O's. If so, this could be even more confusing for dealers even if off-shore was labeled "Celeb".
Most likely, if DW is responsible for warranty, DW may augment the small crew that Budny has for warranty, repair, and custom work. As to their purchase of Gretsch, appears this is Gretsch drums, not the guitars. My question is who owns Adamas and Hamer? Adamas could be a dba but KMC acquired Hamer which could be a separate corporation. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | "dba"?? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | "dba"- Don't Believe Anything |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2011
Posts: 402
Location: New Hartford CT | Born and raised in New Hartford. Have lived here for 53 years and personally carved and raw sanded over 70,000 guitar necks. If they start up again that would be fantastic - there is no bitterness about the guitars, just Fender. They wrecked it. But Drum Workshop (DW) is a wonderful company...who knows?
We'll have to see what happens. I'd love to see them come out with the Ovation 'Phoenix' |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Nice to dream but there is a lot of damage to be undone. In my opinion the task would be similar to startng a new guitar company but with the advantage that you already have the IP and design and already have the distribution network. But (re)starting a new guitar factory? No disrespect but why would you do it in CT when you can get cheap facilities and cheap labor in the southwest?
I don't know DW (but I love the initials) but I hear good things about them. But in the end it is a business no matter how passionate we or they are about the product. I have to believe the ROI on such an undertaking would be a steep steep climb no matter who was in the drivers seat. I'd love to see it happen but only time will tell. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | I talked to the same product manager yesterday.
the intention is true.
timeline unclear.
scope unclear.
time will tell..... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | We ought to try and convince some of those DW leaders to join the OFC since we may have a mutual interest in a brand they now own. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | Tony, FMIC would technically still own Hamer. They ceased production. I am sure that someone with deep pockets could buy the name from FMIC or FMIC could ressurect the brand...but neither will happen...for the same reason FMIC scuttled it. They certainly set the bar on custom electric guitars. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2014
Posts: 1713
Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | George Frey - 2015-04-01 6:19 AM
Born and raised in New Hartford. Have lived here for 53 years and personally carved and raw sanded over 70,000 guitar necks. If they start up again that would be fantastic - there is no bitterness about the guitars, just Fender. They wrecked it. But Drum Workshop (DW) is a wonderful company...who knows?
We'll have to see what happens. I'd love to see them come out with the Ovation 'Phoenix'
I LOVE it!!!!! Rising from the Ashes! It would even be a great advertising slogan to take off on!!!
I am going to think positive, because it never hurts, and if we all think positively about it, maybe we can come up with something to help DW achieve their goal and ours! Constructive Feedback from loyal Fans is a great help to a new endeavor!!
Never mind me, it is sunny out and may get above 60 today, I am all happy and sunshine today!  |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | So...
Al...
When's the factory tour? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | I choose hope... sign me up for the factory tour and where do I apply for a job on the line? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | If there's a factory tour, I'll make it this time. I promise. If I don't you can sue me. Set the date for the factory tour so I can use it to make sure I retire by that time and tell my daughters that they can't schedule any weddings for that date. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | arthurseery - 2015-03-31 10:37 PM
mileskb - 2015-03-31 9:28 PM
For those not on the Internet... How would they be reading this?
LOL !!!! I meant to type "on Facebook"... fingers auto-incorrected. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2013
Posts: 22
Location: Charlotte, NC | What day is today (the day this thread was started)?
Sorry but that's all that's in my head as I read this thread...lol 
Edited by speedingpenguin 2015-04-01 11:34 AM
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | The thread was actually started yesterday on the West coast. I am quite sure Mr. Ovation wouldn't have started it as an April Fool's joke. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee |
If it's to become reality at all, everyone here is going to have to open their purses and wallets be prepared to shell out at least $2K on a new guitar within a couple of months of this thing being announced, and then buy at least one NEW guitar every year. The diehard fans here will have to be the ones who start the tsunami. If you're not willing to commit to this, let the conversation die so no one has to go through the pain of the brand folding again. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
September 2013
Posts: 22
Location: Charlotte, NC | Mark in Boise - 2015-04-01 12:46 PM
The thread was actually started yesterday on the West coast. I am quite sure Mr. Ovation wouldn't have started it as an April Fool's joke.
Ahh. Here on the east coast it looks like 28 minutes into April Fools day... even with the mention in the first thread, I kept thinking "no... I've fallen for these before, but not today!"
Hopefully it happens! I'll be saving up in the meanwhile...  |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | mileskb - 2015-04-02 3:19 AM arthurseery - 2015-03-31 10:37 PM mileskb - 2015-03-31 9:28 PM For those not on the Internet... How would they be reading this? LOL !!!! I meant to type "on Facebook"... fingers auto-incorrected. but... I thought Facebook IS the internet. Your'e telling me there's MORE?
Edited by muzza 2015-04-01 4:37 PM
|
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | stonebobbo - 2015-04-02 4:44 AM If it's to become reality at all, everyone here is going to have to open their purses and wallets be prepared to shell out at least $2K on a new guitar within a couple of months of this thing being announced, and then buy at least one NEW guitar every year. The diehard fans here will have to be the ones who start the tsunami. If you're not willing to commit to this, let the conversation die so no one has to go through the pain of the brand folding again. I won't be buying one. I've only got one left and I'm considering putting it on the market. If it is an April Fool joke, it's not funny. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4044
Location: Utah | I'd certainly be in for a new guitar. Not one per year, but I would certainly thin the herd I have in order to get something new. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | hamer is actually owned by jam inc
not dw |
|
| |
So there's a rumor...
