Posted 2016-01-26 8:08 PM (#520705 - in reply to #520697) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: December 2015 Posts: 41
Cavalier - 2016-01-26 1:08 PM
I think they have a winner there, I'd get the electric over an acoustic. For me I'd like to see the same treatment on a Breadwinner style body. I do like the Adamas, shape wise it reminds me of the old Gibson L6S.
Gee, a Breadwinner/Deacon body would be a winner...! A solid link to the past, but with modern appointments!
Posted 2016-01-27 2:30 AM (#520710 - in reply to #520518) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: March 2013 Posts: 359
Location: undisclosed
I have often wondered if names like Deacon and Peacher hurt the marketing of the guitars. It is always seems better to come up with something catchy that everyone can relate to.
Posted 2016-01-27 2:35 PM (#520731 - in reply to #520518) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: March 2013 Posts: 359
Location: undisclosed
I may be somewhat pagan but I think introducing a Druid line of guitars might not appeal to all.... it really depends on customers degree of cultural acceptance of diversity. Everybody has money, a company is limited if it only caters to one sector of the populace.
Posted 2016-01-27 4:14 PM (#520739 - in reply to #520518) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: March 2013 Posts: 359
Location: undisclosed
Give this one a turbo but cross the fence and you'll have to name the version for naughty nuns "persuasion, the voice within ".
I think the way to pull it off is to give the guitars new names with the update.
This reminds me off playing in clubs on Seattle's Capitol Hill Way back, I have to go to NAMM next year...
Posted 2016-01-27 4:42 PM (#520740 - in reply to #520518) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: March 2013 Posts: 359
Location: undisclosed
If they kept the Deacon name and a photo shoot like this came up the "Deacon, Embracing All Diversity" campaign might miss out on the church band market but "Slipstream" might just raise an eyebrow. I apologize in advance if my advertising humor upsets anyone, I'm merely trying to point out the challenges of marketing.
Posted 2016-01-27 7:55 PM (#520744 - in reply to #520518) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: September 2006 Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR
I think that you are getting a bit caught up in religious bias.
Martin guitars are made in Nazareth, by Quakers and Mennonites.
Guitars with names like Demon and Bich sell and are played by Christian bands.
Let's made a premium carbon fiber Breadwinner and call The Pope!
Posted 2016-01-27 8:16 PM (#520745 - in reply to #520518) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: March 2013 Posts: 359
Location: undisclosed
No bias, just looking at non polarizing ways to market the guitars and speculating on why some of these instruments didn't catch on. Like politics religion can be a sensitive area., Not sure if it is still true but my friends in music stores used to say that the church market was their largest so maybe the Pope model would sell big.
Posted 2016-01-27 11:02 PM (#520750 - in reply to #520518) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: December 2015 Posts: 41
If one were really to expand on the name, then exapnd feom the Breadwinner to the Mogul or the Tycoon... or even the Philanthropist or (for magnanimity) the. Magnus.
Posted 2016-01-28 5:47 AM (#520754 - in reply to #520750) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: January 2009 Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw
Explorer - 2016-01-28 12:02 AM
If one were really to expand on the name, then exapnd feom the Breadwinner to the Mogul or the Tycoon... or even the Philanthropist or (for magnanimity) the. Magnus.
Posted 2016-02-03 12:32 AM (#520854 - in reply to #520518) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: December 2008 Posts: 1454
Location: Texas
Random questions/thoughts (mostly) related to the Adamas Viper:
When did it go from a prototype to "available now" as stated at the end of the Premiere Guitar video?
If the Adamas Viper is (or will be) available, will it have that new headstock? (If so, will I be able to easily clip my capo &/or tuner on it?)
I have two conflicting thoughts about that headstock.
A. I'm all for change and modernization, but…
Have any of you ever seen someone playing a guitar on a stage and thought "what kind of guitar is that?"
There are a ton of headstock shapes out there from (most) guitar makers that are so similar that they all look the same from more than a few feet away. IMO very few headstocks are as distinctive, iconic and recognizable (even at a distance) as the paddlehead. To me, there's no doubt it's an Ovation when I spot THAT headstock, even from quite far away. From an audience, will anyone recognize that Viper as an Ovation? Does it matter?
I think that every time someone recognizes the brand of the guitar, it helps further popularize the brand and builds on existing brand awareness. Why would you want to hide the fact that an innovative new model is an Ovation? And why confuse the overall brand recognition with more than one headstock shape (unless the brand has a negative image)?
Which brings me to the opposing idea:
B. Maybe the reality is that "Ovation" does have a negative image with some consumers? Some might suggest that the last owners of the Ovation brand muddied up the brand-name by labeling their more-affordable mass-produced guitars as "Ovation" instead of using a different brand (like "Celebrity") as was done further in the past.
Maybe from now on, ALL USA-made guitars, (regardless of whether they're wood-topped, carbon-fiber or anything else) should simply be labeled "Adamas" on the headstock and "Adamas by DW, made in the USA" on the label! In that case they probaly should sport a new, unique headstock that intentionally separates them from all other "brands" (even the other brands owned by DW, such as "Ovation")?
Posted 2016-02-03 2:39 AM (#521854 - in reply to #520854) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: December 2001 Posts: 7231
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
standing - 2016-02-02 10:32 PM
Random questions/thoughts (mostly) related to the Adamas Viper:
When did it go from a prototype to "available now" as stated at the end of the Premiere Guitar video?
If the Adamas Viper is (or will be) available, will it have that new headstock? (If so, will I be able to easily clip my capo &/or tuner on it?)
I have two conflicting thoughts about that headstock.
A. I'm all for change and modernization, but…
Have any of you ever seen someone playing a guitar on a stage and thought "what kind of guitar is that?"
There are a ton of headstock shapes out there from (most) guitar makers that are so similar that they all look the same from more than a few feet away. IMO very few headstocks are as distinctive, iconic and recognizable (even at a distance) as the paddlehead. To me, there's no doubt it's an Ovation when I spot THAT headstock, even from quite far away. From an audience, will anyone recognize that Viper as an Ovation? Does it matter?
I think that every time someone recognizes the brand of the guitar, it helps further popularize the brand and builds on existing brand awareness. Why would you want to hide the fact that an innovative new model is an Ovation? And why confuse the overall brand recognition with more than one headstock shape (unless the brand has a negative image)?
Which brings me to the opposing idea:
B. Maybe the reality is that "Ovation" does have a negative image with some consumers? Some might suggest that the last owners of the Ovation brand muddied up the brand-name by labeling their more-affordable mass-produced guitars as "Ovation" instead of using a different brand (like "Celebrity") as was done further in the past.
Maybe from now on, ALL USA-made guitars, (regardless of whether they're wood-topped, carbon-fiber or anything else) should simply be labeled "Adamas" on the headstock and "Adamas by DW, made in the USA" on the label! In that case they probaly should sport a new, unique headstock that intentionally separates them from all other "brands" (even the other brands owned by DW, such as "Ovation")?
Heresy? Perhaps, (but I personally favor "B".)
Just an opinion (from a retired marketing guy.)
Good points. A couple of further observations..
On the Viper.. and this is speculation based on what I saw... when enough people say "I want one, who do I write the check to?" it's time to consider making it a production model... but keep in mind you have to think about "production" in DW speak. That doesn't mean make a gazillion and sell'em at Gutiar Center. Production means.. it's an option and we'll build you one if you want it. Now this particular Viper was a one-off, but I played it. I want one. I didn't even realize it had a piezo so I went back and hooked it up with the stereo cable. I think I might be almost ready to say it's better than the VXT cause the piezo or whatever it is, sounds damn nice, and I'm not sure it has a pre-amp. Maybe someone else noticed, but I think it's all passive. I could be wrong. In any case... did I mention... I want one. The headstock looks better in person. I'm guessing (again) doing the traditional shape with carbon fiber might be an issue.
On the name.. DW seems to be leaning that if it has a Carbon Fiber top, it's an Adamas. Hence Adamas Viper. The headstock name actually has an Ovation "O" morphed with the word Adamas. It's a prototype and I like the idea... not sure if it's going to happen that way. We'll have to see.
Finally, the folks at the booth were getting hammered with questions and interviews ALL weekend. There was insane traffic at that booth from media types of all shapes and sizes. I'm sure there were some mis-speaks along the way as well. It happens.
Bottom line, the basic models are there in the catalog. If you want something close with maybe a cosmetic change, ask for it, they'll either say yeay or nay, then pay for it, wait for delivery.
Posted 2016-02-03 9:37 AM (#521862 - in reply to #520518) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: September 2003 Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan
I didn't think the demo did much to show what that guitar can do.
I'm sure it can go from subtle to scream and everything in between.
I'd like to hear how a Matt Smith test drive would sound.
Posted 2016-02-03 2:58 PM (#521871 - in reply to #521862) Subject: Re: Live From NAMM
Joined: December 2001 Posts: 7231
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
Slipkid - 2016-02-03 7:37 AM
I didn't think the demo did much to show what that guitar can do.
I'm sure it can go from subtle to scream and everything in between.
I'd like to hear how a Matt Smith test drive would sound.
Live From NAMM
