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Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | Hey Folks:
Any videos from the NAMM 2018 Ovation Booth?
Jim |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | No booth this year....
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August 2003
Posts: 888
Location: Louisville, OH 44641 | Bummer. I thought I saw an interview with Glenn Campbell's son at NAMM talking about reissues. Here....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz2DA30pNG4 |
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Posts: 2315
Location: Pueblo West, CO | Very kewl! Torrefied top Glen Campbell Re-issue. |
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October 2012
Posts: 1034
Location: Yokohama, Japan | DanSavage - 2018-01-27 2:30 PM
Very kewl! Torrefied top Glen Campbell Re-issue.
Way cool! I like how they applied the technology to the most appropriate O instead of releasing a full line-up of torrefied models. But the intro begs the question, "What torrefication process is the Mother Ship using." O's history of innovation sure does make one wonder! A trail that you blazed for us in the BFLG, Dan!
Edited by arumako 2018-01-28 1:13 AM
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Posts: 848
Location: Canada | moody, p.i. - 2018-01-27 10:53 PM No booth this year.... Should we be concerned? |
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August 2002
Posts: 596
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA | Hi, Everyone,
Yes, d'ovation, we should be. OVATION should have a booth at NAMM, but seems they don't have anything that is new, and/or innovative, or that is really outstanding in their line up at this point in time? We shook up the guitar world in 1966, with the Lyrachord round back, and then again in 1976, with the carbon-topped ADAMAS. Ovation always thought out of the box, and was thus, ahead of its time in many ways. Is this about the company's past history? No, because OFC members here all know it. Is this,"What have you done for me lately?" syndrome? No, it's not, but some would say, like me, "New isn't always better". The aging toner/torrefication process is NOT new, because M***** used it in some of the pre-WWII models, because of material shortages that were re-directed to the war effort at that time. Yes, it does speed up the aging process, and no, I've never played a torrified guitar. I don't have the need or desire for one now, because I'm content with what I have. (And my wife doesn't want to have another guitar, so SWMBO has spoken!) Torrefication just seems to be." the flavour of the month", in the acoustic/electric guitar markets now. This is absolutely no reflection on Dan, and THE BFLG members here on OFC. They are all, like john Budny, and The MOTHERSHIP, masters at their craft. My Ovation 1993 Collectors Series guitar is now classified as a, "vintage guitar", in some circles, and it got its aging top/tone by somebody just playing it A LOT for a certain period of time! As for the, "new", 2018 GC reissue, it's NOT the same as the GC 40th Anniversary Reissue at all, upgrades or not. It looks like someone just put it together at the last minute, as a commemoration of Glen passing last year, and the input from Cal Campbell was minimal? OVATION STILL ROCKS! That's just my opinion, so don't take it as the gospel. "Just sayin' my say."
Mike S.
Ottawa, ON.,
CANADA
Edited by Mike S. 2018-01-28 7:58 PM
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Posts: 43
| I was trying to meet up with Thomas Mitchell who replaced Bill Xavier, but he was in meetings all the time at Namm. I did speak with Bo Mathews who works with Thomas and he advised me that Ovation will be at the summer Namm Show. We will have to wait and see what the summer Namm Show will bring. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Eh... But Summer NAMM is like the NFL Pro Bowl.
(did anyone watch the Pro Bowl? Or are you waiting for the Super Bowl?)
Summer NAMM is minor league.
Nobody really goes there. 
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Posts: 43
| Yes the summer Namm Show is not a big deal and to me it gets worse every year in Nashville, but a lot of the companies like showing there, due to location and cost. To me it is a warm up to the mother of all shows- the winter Namm Show. I viewed the video on Ovation and the GC guitar looked lamed and there was no excitement about it. I got the promo natural finish acoustic Glen Campbell guitar from the winter Namm Show last year, and there is super quality and craftsmanship on that guitar. I was so happy that I was able to get that guitar. I am hoping that Ovation will keep the quality and craftsmanship on the new Glen Campbell guitar like they did on the one I have. Ovation's website needs to be updated. There is no mention about the GC Bluebird guitars or any of the 2018 models that are coming out. I want to continue to be an Ovation customer, but the new company that took over, is making it hard for me to want to do that. I am going to be keeping my fingers crossed that Ovation Guitars will be the fore runners in the acoustic/electric guitar market again! |
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Location: SW Mintsoda |
Glen's son seems like a nice guy, and my continued sympathies to him and his family. Unfortunately, my takeaway from his comments was, "Ovation...this is your dad's guitar."
Not the message you want to be broadcasting... |
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Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | There are 2 new guitars announced. The American SX which is a big change from anything else they're doing currently (new electronics, mahogany top and neck, and everyone's favorite new headstock), and the new Glen Campbell torrified top with a revisited shallow artist bowl (I was told the last ones were mid-bowl).
The torrified GC was amazing, and in my mind better than the last one, but yeah... same ol' stuff or "your dad's guitar". Not necessarily the worst thing with all the Campbell-Heads, but in a few more years there's not gonna be many Campbell-Heads left, so...
The 'hog' topped model was impressive as well. A much warmer tone, very pleasant. The blending preamp really brought it to life plugged-in.
From what I was told, there will be more new releases in TN. Some that will blow a mind or two.
While Ovation chose not to have a floor presence, they did have a suite there for meetings and displaying new/current offerings for current and prospective dealers.
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | 360Ovation - 2018-02-01 10:15 AM
"Ovation...this is your dad's guitar."
Not the message you want to be broadcasting...
Remember, Martin has been making the same guitars Forever.
Ovation has always been a "Love 'em" or "Hate 'em" guitar.
While the Lyrachord bowl was ground-breaking and that Adamas was unique.
Nowadays you have Composite Acoustics, RainSong, Emerald, Blackbird, Journey Instruments, and Martin HPL (formica) guitars, that are using innovative and sustainable materials.
Some people will always like Ovations because of the Wood Top on a sturdy bowl.
The joy and wonder of whizz-bang electronics may fade...
But a good Ovation guitar will still be playing 50 years after it's construction.
So yeah... There is a place for a guitar like your Dad's old hippie guitar. 
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Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | "But a good Ovation guitar will still be playing 50 years after it's construction." OMA...I am not sure where your stats came from. Look how many 67 and 68's are still playable. Damon has one of the exceptions, but typically when you find a 50 yo Ovation, the soundboard is cracked, the lacquer is cracked, you have some issues behind the bridge with the top and the neck is being sucked into the soundhole. There are a myriad of problems that usually have to be addressed on the 50-year-old Ovations. Maybe there are a lot of guitars like Damons 68 in strong hands, but the secondary market typically offers up 50-year-old projects Now maybe all 50-year-old guitars need neck resets and/or soundboard work...but most large cities have luthiers that will tackle those jobs in their sleep. There is only one place I know that will replace a soundboard and do a bowl bend on a 50-year-old Ovation. How many posts have we read about shiny bowls, where the action had become unplayable. 485 was ready for the dumpster. It had become unplayable. Dan rescued it. Before Dan...I think Woody was the only other guy that tackled a bowl bend and was successful. All of that to say...your enthusiasm is admirable...it just isn't supportable (yet).
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I am sure that there are many 50 year-old Ovations out there.
I have a 48 year-old Artist Balladeer. It isn't perfect, but it works fine.
I also had a 48 year-old 1627GC that I sold only because I have too many guitars.
Just because there are many 50 year-old Ovation that did not survive does not mean that there are No old Ovations out there.
MOST things cannot survive 50 years. But here is a 1968 Balladeer
HERE is me playing my 48 year-old Artist Balladeer.
I have a 1972 Folklore that works just fine with a minor defect in the body binding.
And I am sure that there are Fifty year-old Ovations around.
Not every Ovation owner visits the OFC.
But that is okay. You are correct.
Ovation guitars are truly crap... People have been saying that for years.
1972 Folklore with 1981 Folklore.
1970 or earlier paper-label 1121 Artist Balladeer.
And for good measure, here is a 40 Year-old Anniversary with NO repairs or upgrades other than new V+T knobs and a Rebuilt 35 year-old 1537.
Smile!   |
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Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado | I was fortunate and got to be at NAMM, went there to see friends and look at some fun audio equipment - guitars were a sideline for this trip, but I got to spend about a day near guitars. A few random thoughts - in hall E there was a Chinese knock off of an Asian Elite, there are more IEM companies than there are guitar companies, Damon and Sarah looked great, all of the intriguing guitars in the Martin area were over 100k, the Thalia capo mom and pop are really nice people, at some point an original and a new bluebird were side by side there, the food trucks outside are a nice touch, Robert Godin spent 30 minutes explaining to me some of his inspiration comes from old north African acoustic instruments, Moody and his wife shared a few of their hours with me in Laguna Beach - and I have never had more fun repaying a favor than the favor Paul did for me a few years ago, fly in and out of the Long Beach Airport - it is so worth it, enjoyed seeing 75 thousand people all wear some version of black on black, Lauren Daigle is a really talented singer, and you should check out her inspirational music - she has Louisiana chops, Ed Kerr from the 80s group Harvest works for Yamaha, there are lots of DAWs out there - everyone who was demonstrating a product that was not a DAW - but used a DAW - well they used ProTools, PCs are becoming more prevalent - Mac still has more market share in this environment - but not as much as they used to. The best guitar I played - that I had never played before - that is in the reach of the masses is the new PRS acoustic - about 800 bucks, the best new guitar I played that is a true pro instrument is the new Collings, I did not hear anyone whining that Gibson was not there, met up with the new Colorado group (shameless plug) Facing West - check them out- nice stuff for youngins, and I remind all of us here that this is a convention put on by those who make instruments and the related equipment - for those who SELL music equipment to attend, these are businesses all trying to be in business - not hanging on to a theoretical + or - a .5dB at the 12th fret of the G string, or a few millimeters in bowl depth. I still love my Os and my Adamaii - like the other brands too, oh btw, Matt Smith Says hello to the OFC! |
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Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | Namm was interesting as usual.
My opinion differs from some of the others expressed here.
the torrified top was a great sounding guitar.......and I will leave it there
as for the new electronics.... they are new for ovation instruments......
I saw many of my old friends and made some new ones!!!!! that is always fun
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Posts: 194
Location: Huntington Beach | I thought I saw a couple of Ovations at the NAMM Media Preview Day. And yes I just did a search and found these.
 (Screen Shot 2018-02-02 at 4.06.43 PM.jpg)
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 Screen Shot 2018-02-02 at 4.06.43 PM.jpg (50KB - 2 downloads)
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Posts: 194
Location: Huntington Beach | Graphtech was offering tuners for media to review so I had a set installed on my 1778T...
https://youtu.be/23XyT5hjTYo
Edited by 1617 2018-02-02 6:15 PM
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Location: Utah | How are you liking the Ratio tuners? |
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December 2015
Posts: 287
Location: Katmandu | I'm not a fan of the shallow bowl but do dig the torrefied top. I find all the GC reissues to be great instruments. Still getting a Gibson J-180 first, though, since I've already got a grand L717 Legend here.
Edited by leonardmccoy 2018-02-03 7:04 AM
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Posts: 287
Location: Katmandu | 1617 - 2018-02-02 6:11 PM Graphtech was offering tuners for media to review so I had a set installed on my 1778T... https://youtu.be/23XyT5hjTYoNot sure which Schaller tuners were on there before, but it seems like a downgrade. The tuner posts are also not sticking out high enough due to all the bushing?
Edited by leonardmccoy 2018-02-03 7:26 AM
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Location: NJ | the ratio tuners are pretty cool although I agree about the posts
the torrified top on the shallow bowl is a nice combination!! |
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | elginacres - 2018-02-01 11:25 PM
"... Moody and his wife shared a few of their hours with me in Laguna Beach - ..."
CONGRATULATIONS PAUL!!!!!!!!
Edited by Nancy 2018-02-05 9:38 AM
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | Jackie and I had a great time with Mark. He's really a top notch guy. Then on Sunday I had lunch with Kim Keller and Al Pepiak. Known Kim for about 20 years, Al for 16 (since the beginning of the OFC)..... |
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NAMM 2018
