See: Guitar Makers
Posted on 04/23/2014 1:02:02 PM PDT by Olog-hai
An Ovation guitar factory in the western Connecticut hills that produced instruments for music legends from Paul Simon to Cat Stevens to Glen Campbell will be closing in June after 47 years and production of the Ovation line in the United States will stop, the manufacturer’s parent company told the shop’s 46 workers this week.
One former factory worker called it “the end of an iconic American brand.”
Fender Musical Instruments Corp., based in Scottsdale, Ariz., and maker of the iconic Stratocaster electric guitar, said in an announcement Tuesday that it was ceasing domestic production of Ovation guitars and closing the New Hartford factory, citing “current market conditions and insufficient volume levels.” The company also said it is consolidating production of U.S.-made acoustic instruments. …
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How much longer are we going to endure this failed socialist experiment? Until NO ONE has any jobs except rulers?
Fender got what it deserved for backing Obama and the Democrats.
I own a Balladier...pretty good accoustic, but I never got used to the backings.
I like how Ovation guitars sound, but they don’t seem to work well if you play them sitting down.
Who needs jobs??? We’ll just vote ourselves more money. /s
When we put it through the PA and Playbacks, it sounded like you were playing in a living room.
it was ceasing “domestic production” of Ovation guitars. ................................................Hmmmmmmm? ceasing domestic production? Why not everyone else is.
Martin and Taylor probably have the bulk share of the American made acoustic market. Both make incredibly good guitars.
“The first acoustic you could plug in”
Is that correct? There were acoustics before 1967 that could be plugged in I’m thinking.
I bought an Ovation Legend back in early ‘80s. Best acoustic I ever owned. Still sounds fantastic.
Used to keep it on a stand in the living area and ready to play whenever the mood struck. Spent many hours playing to unwind after a hard days work. Nothing like having an acoustic for practice. No cords, amplifier, or effects to hook up. Just pick it up and play until the blues go away then put it back on the stand.
Goodbye Ovation, I knew you well...
Your joke was so funny that I stood up in applause.
I still have my Ovation from many years ago. The electronics are shot and it would cost more to buy a new equalizer/preamp then buying a new guitar.
“How much longer are we going to endure this failed socialist experiment? Until NO ONE has any jobs except rulers?”
Agree with your sentiments. Also wonder how much the direction that music has taken has changed the musical instrument market. Now everything is ‘sampling’ and computer-generated crap. Not sure how many people care anymore about a pristine acoustic sound - from any manufacturer. There are clearly those out there who want a good Martin etc., but things have changed a lot.
I never liked Ovations much Though I am sorry to see another guitar company leave the American scene. Les Paul man myself. Ovation’s sounded good enough but I just couldn’t go for the plastic rounded backs. They made the guitar more difficult to play if seated. I don’t know if it’s just coincidence or not but many Ova’s that I seen with several yrs. on them usually have cracked finishes on the top sound board running vertically in line with the neck. Go Gibson - but keep an eye on that Obama guy. He might be out to steal your wood again ;- )
Translation: we're more committed to to improving our bottom line by pawning off cheaper made imports for the same money we charged for those made in the U.S.
Which means they will have a price advantage over Gibson. Gibson will now have to off-shore to remain price competitive.
Raise the import tariffs and bring back American manufacturing. Lower the income taxes by an equal amount.
Which means they will have a price advantage over Gibson. Gibson will now have to off-shore to remain price competitive.
Raise the import tariffs and bring back American manufacturing. Lower the income taxes by an equal amount.
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