Ovation guitar factory in Connecticut is closing

Associated Press ^ | Apr 23, 2014 1:47 PM EDT | Dave Collins

[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. …

[Scoutmaster]

There is nothing like a Martin!

I said that until I acquired my first Collings. Now I say there's nothing like an old Martin except an old Martin or a new Collings.

[vetvetdoug]

I play a Taylor 910 that handles as well as any Gibson SJ-200, Martin, or Collings. Purchased in 1996, its held its own and not deteriorated. I had an Ovation prior to the Taylor and it was fine but nowhere near as good as the Taylor. I sold an Everly Bros, a J-45 and an L-7 after I began playing the Taylor.

[SkyDancer]

So much for that laser like focus on jobs the Liar In Chief mentioned.

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

Is that correct? There were acoustics before 1967 that could be plugged in I’m thinking

Not straight acoustics. Hollow-body guitars such as Guilds, Fenders and Gibsons still used magnetic pick-ups.

Ovation invented the underbridge pickup that used piezo crystals to directly 'read' the vibration of the strings and bridge, which gave the Ovation the acoustic sound.

Glen Campbell was one of the first artists to popularize the Ovation guitars on his Goodtime Hour. He collaborated with Ovation to fine-tune their guitars.

[phormer phrog phlyer]

Charlie Kaman did some pretty amazing things in very different fields.

[Olog-hai]

Well, he didn’t say what the laser was going to do to the jobs. Now we know.

[SkyDancer]

I think he was using it to harass some cat.

[Sirius Lee]

Some sad faces down at Chatterley’s.

[ExCTCitizen]

Ovation is New Hartford's biggest employer. New Hartford is a small town but they ( until 1990s) had some manufacturing (Waring Appliances had a plant in the town).

Oh well, Ovation is still going to be operating on my model railroad. :-)

[Avid Coug]

Speaking of American made guitars: I think that many Freepers would take some joy in knowing the final outcome after Gibson had their nasty experience with the federal gov’t invading their factory and seizing some Indian rosewood at gunpoint, based on a theoretical violation of Indian law concerning how much Indian processing had been done on the planks. (Thank you, Obama.) Gibson ultimately used the returned rosewood planks to make a special run of “Government Series” guitars that were certified by the CEO to have fretboards made from the seized and returned planks. They sold out fairly quickly, and will certainly be a true collector item.

[MountainYankee]

I will have to do some research. Never heard of them. There are many obscure luthiers out there that make exquisite instruments in my neck of the woods. I guess it is what you are used to.

[MountainYankee]

I own a Hummingbird Pro made at the Montana facility. I love it. It is totally different than the Martins I have. I also have 1970 Gibson Southern Jumbo made in Kalamazoo that is all original and pretty cool sounding. I’ll match my Jumbo against an old Martin anyday.

[Scoutmaster]

The fit and finish on Taylors is excellent. Bob Taylor made and still makes great contributions to the industry, such as the introduction of new, more affordable tonewoods, Taylors are very playable guitars.

I've owned and sold Taylors, including two full Legends of the Fall Brazilian rosewood four-piece sets, and a custom koa 512 that Taylor regional representative Aaron Diablo helped design.

I have friends who love theirs. I'm glad you have found the guitar that excites you. My opinion on Taylors is my opinion. To my ear, bolt-on necks lose a small something in tonal quality.

[Scoutmaster]

The list of outstanding small luthiers who are currently producing exquisite instruments is long. Try visiting Dream Guitars in Asheville to see the work of outstanding obscure luthiers.

Collings Guitars are made in Austin, Texas. Collings now makes archtops, electrics, and mandolins, as well as his normal flat-top acoustics. He became known for making dreadnoughts that sounded like pre-war Martin dreadnoughts.

[Scoutmaster]

knowing the final outcome after Gibson had their nasty experience with the federal gov’t invading their factory and seizing some Indian rosewood at gunpoint

The feds seized both East Indian rosewood and East Indian ebony in that raid, at gunpoint. If you listen to Gibson, it's always been about East Indian rosewood. If you go to the original news accounts, it's always been about East Indian ebony and rosewood.

Gibson's experience with the feds included both the 11/2009 and 8/2011 raids.

Should we address only the final outcome of the East Indian rosewood, or include the disposition of the East Indian ebony, the Madagascar ebony, and the $300,000?

[MountainYankee]

Thanks...

[Scoutmaster]

I notice both are mahogany Gibsons and that neither were built in Nashville. Mahogany Gibsons have more of an Americana sound to them than Martins do.

Maybelle Carter (archtop L-5), Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson. Although Hank Williams is best known for playing Martins, he also favored a Southern Jumbo.

[Rebelbase]

“I like how Ovation guitars sound, but they don’t seem to work well if you play them sitting down.”

I had an ovation acoustic bass and that was my primary peeve about also.

[Rebelbase]

IMO, Taylors stand up to anything on the market for tonal quality, feel and action.

The only brand I’ve found to be better than taylor was from a boutique Luther shop in California. I want to say it was called a Santa Rosa, but am not certain. I only played it once about 15 years ago. Incredible instrument with an incredibility high price.

[MountainYankee]

I have no idea if my Gibson’s are Mahogany or Maple. They both have a distinctive sound. You seem to be very well schooled in the technical comings and goings. I knew Maybelle Carter played a Gibson, along with Dylan, Woodie Guthrie. I love to watch Doc Watson play. I always thought Hank W. played one as well. I also have been slam banging around for over 40 years. My passion is acoustic old fashioned country and folk stuff. I admit that I paid on the high side for some of my stuff, but, what the heck. I play every day. I am primarily self taught, but, have taken some lessons over the years. I know what I want to play. I can hear the stuff in my head. the challenge is creating the sound. I saw David Bromberg last week. He is one of my all time favorite guitar players. I live 10 miles from the site of the Woodstock Festival that took place in NYS in 1969. www.bethelwoodscenter.org
I have the opportunity to see some good stuff once in a while. Maybe before I die I will be a half decent guitar picker. The fretboard is the ultimate jigsaw puzzle. Give me a shout if you ever pass through.