I am seeing this 9 years after filmed and I am glad to see that Ovation is still with us. The thing I like about this factory unlike say Martin's factory is here each member of the team of builders is doing several procedures creating variety for them. At Martin it seems as though each procedure is repeated over and over and over, day after day after day. Honestly, if I only ran a body around a router for receiving binding day in day out I'd go bat shit crazy. I even as a hobby build stringed instruments myself and thankfully when in the shop what comes next is not a repeat unless I am building two simultaneously.
I am a novice player and own three Ovation guitars. They are eye candy to me, sound great and play wonderfully. I love them!!! Enjoyed the tour and hope Ovation will always be with us.
I have three Ovations now and want more. Best acoustics I've ever owned or played, period. Would love to try an electric like a Breadwinner someday. Was very happy to hear of factory re-opening. Congratulations. Welcome back.
I have a deep bowl made there, I live in the tropics, and Ovation is the most stable guitar and look and plays top notch,, unique and solid! authentic tone! God, now I realized seeing this, the more I appreciate the build! Thank You Ovation for creating a beast!
I could never afford an adamas so I settled for a C57 years ago... This thing withstood so much over the years.. I once was on my bycicle wearing it on my back, in the rain.. (with a strap ofcourse) and I was totally wasted.. So I fell into someones front yard, off my bike, ON the Ovation!! (o_O) The only damage done was a slightly bent tuning peg.. everything else was ok!!.. The funny part (to me) was that it was even still in tune!! I'll never separate from that guitar.. I'll love it till the end of my days.. Ovation rocks :)
For guitar lovers, these factory tours are fascinating. Different people have hands with different shapes but for my hands, Ovations work best. It makes it more interesting when they interview the factory workers.
I personally love the Ovation. I am a working professional with my Ovation Guitar. Acoustically my Ovation projects a beautiful acoustic sound which is full with true tones. Semi Acoustically I love it's very distinctive sound powered by a 9v preamp 4 band graphic with shapes. I love Ovation. I have mine for 17 years now. If Ovation is good enough for one of the world's greatest and gifted musicians Glen Campbell... its certainly good enough for me.
An impressive research and study and use of materials and techniques! An immense effort to activate the production lines. Guitars built in an artisanal way to the rule of art with incredible technologies and materials! Unbeatable!
To anyone wondering about buying an ovation , I say go for it! I bought a DJ Ashba chrome bone model 4 years ago, it is easy to play, low action and full sound for an acoustic with no traditional sound-hole in the centre. Don't listen to this fool Tony Stark, he obviously can't afford one so he is slamming them. I got mine for $500 Canadian with a gig bag, I couldn't get any acoustic of this quality from any other company for this price. I can't believe how much quality you get for this low price. My long time friends who play guitar also love this guitar because of its bright crisp sound and easy playability. It also sounds great plugged in, three band eq, volume, and tuner! Love it all, so glad I bought this guitar. I was looking for an electric acoustic that had a more heavy metal rock type look instead of the traditional country guitar. This one caught my eye right away, and to my surprise it sounded even better than it looks.
I own an Ovation Celebrity from the 2000's and recently bought a Fender. I believe both were made in this shop. Both guitars display excellent quality, sound and feel. It is a pleasure to watch such innovation and craftsmanship.
I have a 1976 Gold Ovation Electric Legend (Sunburst). It took me some years to learn how to get the action down to where I wanted it; it was always somewhat high and stiff until I learned it can be brought down to lay right along the neck and, so, now it is shear heaven. She has always had a one-of-a-kind sound that I have always identified as uniquely mine. A story: I once came by a school activity my son was at where there was some music playing, when I suddenly heard this sound like only a parent can understand, like the unique sound of their own child crying in the midst of large crowd that only a parent's ear can discern through all that clamor. What I heard was somehow identifiable to me like my own child's voice: it was the sound of a guitar that somehow I knew belonged to me. Lo, and behold, in the crowd a see a guitar with its recognizable sunburst top being played by my son. He had apparently borrowed my guitar to bring to school and was playing it when I came in and I just KNEW that it was MY guitar singing in that crowd. The Ovation is marvel and a wonder. Nothing sounds like it and it always sounds clean, balanced and, notably, bold about the crowd; it's the one guitar you can always hear. I have loved my Ovation for nearly 40 years and I will never part with her. Thank you, Charles Saufley, for this delightful peak into the magic world of Ovation.
My dad gave me an old ovation he bought at Guitar Center back in the 90s, Celebrity though, but still the envy of my guitarist boyfriend. It still sounds great, although I want something better one day. it's a great guitar with a great sound, and I love the fact that one of my rock gods, Brian May from Queen uses one!
I purchased my very first Ovation guitar back in 1979, it was a very beautiful Balladeer. I've owned many several Ovation guitars, my most favorite is the custom Legend Plus KOA Burst; utterly fantastic in beauty & playability. I've tried other top brand guitars but have always, always, always come back to Ovation. I've learned through spending literally thousands of dollars over the last 51 years that I've been playing that OVATION Guitars will never be beat regardless of how good the other wanna-be brands get to be; End Of Story!!! Thanks, Jeff.
Great tour. It really gives you a insight as to how much work goes into putting one of these awesome instruments together. People been there for 40+ years! That's experience you don't find in too many places, nowadays. These family based businesses take a lot of pride in their product, unlike large corporations who center their products around the bottom line. Also, Ovation acoustics are the BEST all-around acoustic guitars IMO. Their versatility is second to none.
I've got a koa top ovation. Very interesting video. I worked in fiberglass(surfboards) for 30 yrs and am a woodworker. I'll never think of my Ovation in quite the same way.
I have an Ovation, it has stood up to gigging, rehearsal and just jamming. If my reading is correct, the Kaman engineers thoroughly vetted the instrument for construction, sound and playability. It has passed all tests with flying colors, and despite some manufacturing faux pas, has endured in the music playing world. One must check out the standards that Kaman had to adhere to truly understand the care and engineering that went into the construction of the instrument.
The problem with Ovation is that just about everyone who says they don't sound good only have heard the applause and celebrity models. It's like playing a squire and saying Fenders suck. Huge difference in quality and sound on overseas models vs the American ones. My main guitar is a '73 Custom Balladeer and I would put it up against any other acoustic under $2k. I wouldn't own 11 Ovations if they weren't great guitars. They are not the best guitars but definitely the best bang for your buck as you can find great 30-40 year old Ovations for under $500.
Anyone saying Ovations don't sound good is just showing their bias because in blind tests they win out most everytime over wooden boxes! Heck you can find that here on youtube. I've owned three Ovation guitars, one of each bowl depth. The first was the deep bowl from the 80's. Great sunburst color on that one. My son has it and my second purchase a 90s Elite with a solid spruce top which was a shallow bowl. The first one had a feedback issue. The thinner bodied one didn't and being a hired gun for many gigs over and over and over as well as practices and more my Ovations stood up to the test of time and travel. No cracks, no separations, no worries. My son now uses two of them actively and they are as they were when I gave them to him. These are very durable guitars and hold up and are built well as the video above attests to. My current one is a Sweetwater purchase of their China made C44P elite with a solid maple top and the mid depth bowl which I love more than the others. This new guitar does not roll on your lap. That argument is null and void anyway tho, as most that use these to perform do so standing up. My new one crafted in China was just over $600 bucks and it's been going strong for a year and a month now. I can't say anything bad about it but I can say that all my Ovations have great sound including this new one with an amp or without! In fact they have a more balanced bass, mid and high than anything else I own and I do own Martins, Seagull, and still others both USA made and Korea. These Ovations hold up better to temp change in my experence, they do better on the road, on the beach, in the sun, and they are certainly many times easier to change out a broken string on than my others by a long shot! If one is truly all about the sound as many profess to be, then you can't ignore the great sound of an Ovation, not unless you don't have a good ear or you lie to yourself.
wuuoooo they`re fantastict guitars!! Im planing to get one of those OVATION and as more I know about these guitars i love them more. I want to congratulate to all of you guys the factory workers and the reporter. thanks for the information.
I might add that although I make my living as a doctor and surgeon, my avocation is that of a luthier. I've found that every, single Ovation--regardless of price or origin--has no relief in the neck and 3 shims under the saddle in the bridge. I don't know why the shims aren't simply in the case and left out of the saddle, as it artificially raises the action at the bridge and, in concert with the lack of relief in the neck, usually produces an instrument which is unplayable at the 7th fret on up. The very first thing I do when I receive a guitar that needs work is place a guitar straightedge on the neck and see if there is any relief (and there never is on Ovations, but many guitars are shipped this way and you really shouldn’t ship a guitar with relief in the neck) and take out the saddle/pickup (sometimes they are the same thing, often times the saddle sits on top of a separate piezoelectric pickup) and take out the damn shims. I’ve never encountered a situation where those shims are needed and can’t understand why they are there. Once the shims are out and the saddle or saddle/pickup is back in the bridge, I adjust the truss bar in the neck to put negative relief (limited to ½ turn per session, as the neck needs to adjust to this and turning it too much can damage the guitar, including separation of the fretboard from the neck). If the ½ turn is not enough negative relief, I either hold on to the guitar for an additional week to allow the guitar to adjust to the changes and then do another ½ turn (or ¼ turn) of relief and see how it goes from there. I’ve written to the Ovation people several times to let them know how often I’m at a music store, in the guitar room and see people pick up an Ovation or Celebrity, see how crappy the action is and put it back on the wall and move on. I’ve never heard back from them on why they intentionally kill potential sales by shipping their guitars with such lousy action in them. The only upside is that almost all of the Ovations or Ovation Celebrities on sale on Ebay are being sold because they are unplayable as is and simply need the attention of a luthier (or someone else handy with an Allen wrench and some self-restraint) to take out the lousy shims and put some relief in the neck. I’ve gotten some almost give-away deals from people who never had their Ovation set up by anyone and became frustrated at the action of the guitar. Same goes for Martins, Taylors and the like that were also never set up correctly. So….if you bought your Ovation new, at the next string change, take them off, carefully pull out the saddle/pickup, turn the guitar over, give it a couple of light smacks on the lyrachord back, count what falls out of the bridge slot (should be 3 in total) and save them if you want, throw them out if you don’t. Put the saddle back in and restring the guitar and notice how much better the action is. If you REALLY want to make the guitar playable, adjust the neck with some negative relief until it frets out, back it off a ¼ turn, let the guitar settle in and see how much better these things could be if Ovation wanted them to be!
David Secord Outstanding contribution, Doctor. Your post may ripple like a stone in a pond with incalculably beneficial results, perhaps on future recordings.. I'm guessing that your setup is too costly for widget production, particularly since the choice of string gauges is personal for "sensitive artistes". And, I'd be willing to bet that a majority of guitarists (who are marginally gifted, despite their purchases of fairly high end instruments) are confined to the neck up to the fifth fret, and rarely beyond.
How does Charles hurt these interview? He knows what he's talking about, since he's done quite a few already. He asks questions that they can answer. They normally go out of their way a bit for these and Charles doesn't get in their way. If it's his slow speech that bothers you grow up man, he's relaxed.
back in the 90's i played a ovation double neck guitar and DANG i wanted one so bad but yeah right a wish would never happen. so about 10 years later i ran across one on ebay w/case and i won it for 464.00 free shipping. finally my wish. i got it in and really thought at that price would be damaged but not a scratch on it. you know that commercial for maxell tapes when he gets blown off the couch listening to music? that was me when i plugged it in. OMG you DO NOT need effects with this at all. it is amazing. so....... i bought one just like it but 6 string. and same thing. oh and got it for 200.00. wow what guitars incredible. i can not say anything bad about them. celebrity model cant be beat. the back is not to bad on the bowl it is shallow so does not move around on you to bad. A++ i am so glad i got them the sound is unreal. plug direct to amp sound is like no other. my friend has a martin and he was amazed i could just plug it in and get the sound i have. ovation you got it going on great.
I'm in the process of replacing - yes, replacing - the top on an old Applause (budget Ovation line from the 70s) acousic. This video helped me understanding the original construction, and gave me some ideas how I could potentially replicate some of the same techniques on my project.
I ordered an Adamas 6 string on 1/12024 to have with my Adamas 12 string I've had over 30 years. I wondered why it was taking so long, didn't know Adams guitars are now hand made to order. Watching this video has made me even more excited about getting it. Plus taught me to be patient.
I have a 1969 Ovation Balladeer, the Glen Campbell signature model. I purchased it new, and it sounds better with every passing year. I’ve owned Gibsons, Martins and Taylors ( all fine guitars), but my old Ovation is my all-time favorite. We’ve traveled many miles through space-time together.
I'm a long-time user of Ovation acoustics. To my ear, nothing can match the sound, and the fretboard and neck are perfect dimensions for my hand. Only two problem I had with the Ovations. The first is that they absolutely would not sit on my leg when seated; the curve of the body was the perfect angle to slip off toward the knee. Either had to use a tight neck strap or a rubber dish drainer pad on the leg. The second was that the top would crack and de-laminate after a few years. I'm thinking Ovation has fixed both problems in the later models.
I bought a new Ovation Celebrity model (made in Korea) 7 yrs ago from the Guitar Center and it has not cracked. I just bought a used Elite L718 (made in the USA). it's 18 yrs old. No cracks!
What an awesome video! I have two old school 1970's Ovations a 12 string and a 1776-1976 Patriot and love them both. I wondered if Ovation can install electrics into the Patriot? Fascinating video and saved it to watch again and again. My thanks to all the Ovation employees who made this possible!
I recently bought a 1778T black Ovation when my other of 19 years was stolen. I've come to love this guitar, but since I've had it 2 things have happened that my old smoke black ovation never had a issue with. First after I bought it from this guy, it looked perfect. He'd had it reset up and cleans up before selling it. I had it for 3 weeks. Played about 15 90 minute sets over that period. One day out the sun was hitting it pretty good, but was not a extreme heat. I put the guitar to bed in its case. The next day I pulled it out to play, and there was a crack from the end of the guitar face to the bridge. I was crestfallen. I had an American made Ovation and in 3 weeks this happened with me doing nothing to the guitar. My other Ovation a Celebrity I believe over 19 years in the same area never had a problem handling the same conditions. The 2nd issue was the paint of the face below my stings about a half inch down has now chipped away. Again I found this odd, because in 19 years of playing my other Ovation, that area was not scratched at all. The body was a bit thinner, so maybe that's somehow effected my strumming and picking, but I don't feel like that's so. So this guitar, which like my other, I treat like my baby, some how has developed these defects. I'm frankly distraught about it. I got this at a good price because the owner needed money, but I still find it hard to comprehend how this has happened. To me, this should not be happening to a guitar of this supposed quality. I'd like to get it brought back to spec paint wise after the crack is repaired. But from what I understand it's a specialty paint made by some motorcycle painter. I was told it's not worth it, but I just can't see leaving the guitar how it is. What can you tell me.
I have a 1863 classical, a Custom Elite 6-string and a special edition 1986 12-string, all of which I love. I just read that they are closing this factory and all these people you just saw are losing their jobs. Very sad. The Ovations I own are special, rare, all made in the U.S.A. and their like will never be seen again. To quote Al Di Meola: "If I couldn't play Ovation....I wouldn't play".
I just got one Ovation cc157 which I believe is from 1995/96 but not sure, the guys from the store didn't really know the year it was made. Do you guys know where I can check exactly what year it is? The serial number is visible and I would like to know if it's possible to track where it came from and details? Would be great to know! I just grabbed it and bought it! Sounds awesome! The person who owned it really took care of this piece! Thank you in advance!
All Gibson and most Ovation guitar info can be found via the serial number on the back of the headstock here: Serial Number Decoding Information was obtained from: www.guitardaterproject.org/
+Michael Malik I have an Ovation 1155 Custom Balladeer 12 string manufactured in the early 80's that have not played in a year. Just pulled it out of the case. Perfectly in tune. Love it!!!
~ well-done PG! Charles was an excellent interviewer (he let them talk and asked solid questions - he's a better interviewer than the attractive rig-rundown chick, altho maybe she's just distracting). No one seems to lack an opinion about Ovation, but I am even more sold on their instruments after watching this tour. When I see artists like Steve Lukather that have 100s of vintage instruments, and they're still using Ovation models to record and perform with - that's convincing enough to me.
I've been playing 49 years and ignored Ovation for 43 of them. Meanwhile I collected all sorts of vintage and boutique acoustics, but after stumbling on an old Balladeer, I was impressed. Maybe it doesn't have the dry overtones some of the others do, but it is very responsive, with a tremendously strong and accurate fundamental tone - and volume that forces you to take control. I think that's what makes it so much fun to play. It was great to see how they are made and pleased to read that they re-opened their factory in New Hartford after closing it for a year.
I bought a slightly-used Ovation Pacemaker (a.k.a. "twelve-string Balladeer") back in 1975. Around 1981, after a few years of gigging, I sent it back to the factory for refretting. They also adjusted the action. As it was under warranty, it didn't cost me anything. A few years later, around 1990 or so, the binding began to come loose. I took it to a local luthier for repairs. They only charged me about $40 for that. They also polished it, put on new strings, and reset the action. They only charged for the strings (LaBella silk & steel). About ten years ago, the son of a friend of mine--who is a luthier with Taylor Guitars--reset the neck, installed some new frets, and redressed them along with all the rest. The guitar--which is now 44 years old--still looks and plays like brand new. No, since Tim reset the neck, it plays BETTER THAN brand new. Ovation never set the neck properly--Taylor fixed that little boo-boo. Now it plays as smooth as butter. I originally paid a guy whom I met through an ad on a university billboard (the actual kind--not the virtual variety) $385 for the guitar and a matching hardshell case. The case has long since bitten the figurative dust; the guitar may be immortal.
But what happened to Joe's finger? Got bit by aerospace technology I reckon.... amazing guitars, got one on order to New Zealand..... been waiting along time.
I have a vintage ovation and the neck is really special. The unique body really projects great acoustic sound. Great example of quality american craftsmanship with ovation.
amazing legacy , from reverb and Sweetwater listings it's difficult to know if any USA guitars are still being built or what's going on with Ovation or who owns Ovation
My wife bought me an Ovation celebrity with the Koa top for an anniversary gift. It’s sounds as good as it looks, there really isn’t anything that sounds quite like an Ovation.
I love my old magnum4 (I think that’s what it is), only bass out there built like a tank with a built in three band EQ. Heavy as a horse but I love her all day long.
This guy who works for Ovation is a dork. And for the record, an Autoclave isn't just singular to the "high tech aerospace" construction, but used in all sorts of procedures, mainly for sterilazation in dentistry and the medical fields, as well as other industries which need such machinery.
I first saw the 22-hole Adamas Ovation 1681 guitar in 1982 when a guy named Reggie Vinson (wrote music for KISS and Alice Cooper) played his customized Powdered Blue 1681 in our church in Louisiana soon after he became a Born Again Christian (He is still travelling the world as a musical Evangelist). I HAD to have one. He said he paid $3,000 for it in 1981. As luck would have it , within a short time I saw a used one with a natural finish for $600 at a music store in hock. I went and got a loan and I have been playing my 1681 with Stereo pickups, walnut knobs, 5-ply neck, gold-plated keys and solid walnut inlaid fret markers aver since.. I LOVE MY OVATION 1681 !!! I also bought the 12-string electric/acoustic cutaway. I LOVE IT TOO....
+Scott Neely yup they make 3 guitar brands there, Fender Ovation and Guild and you can see 3 separate videos for each guitar with same workers in all 3 of them
I sold my old Ovation because the bowl kept slipping into a horizontal position (watch old Glen Campbell videos to see the problem). Now they've fixed the problem with a new bowl profile I'm going to buy a new Ovation. Unbeatable guitars.
I've been waiting on a back order for a a 44c Classic Ovation from Guitar Center for three months..can I buy direct from Premier..Does Premier have a catalog.
I sent my early ovation to them for some neck work, it had an original embossed ovation label in the sound hole, when they sent it back it was replaced by a paper label. Never will forgive them for that. Thrives!
I'm an Ovation fan. have 3 ovation celebrity deluxe in good condition... i want to have adamas USA ovation. where is the difference between Ovation Adamas and Ovation korea? is the latest ovation model also produced in korea? Are there any Ovation adamas dealers in Indonesia? thank you
I have an Applause Uke and a Shallow Body 6-string. I’d love a US model, but I certainly don’t regret purchasing my Applause instruments. They are all about durability. Both were less than $125.
I have a double neck ovation with nasty bridge belly. JLD BRIDGE DOCTOR to the rescue. I have to buy 2 of them to straighten out the bridges. But it is a show stopper. Peeps love it.
I love the sound of my Ovation Guitar, But mine keeps sliding off my leg when I sit down to play it. My guitar has been kept in the case since new and looks and sounds great. The only reason I don't play it more is because it slides off my leg when playing.
Friend was given an old Ovation by his dad that had been in the garage forever. I fixed it up and it played great when I was finished. Very similar to the Glen Campbell model in year and design. Again, it played and sounded wonderfully. Right now, I need to find how to fix a broken neck on an Ovation. Will it hold if I simply reset this neck?
Thanks for your response. The owner of the guitar decided just to trash it. It breaks my heart since Ovation is now gone. I know many people hate them, but I fell in love with them right from the start.
A set neck can be replaced if you have the equipment, the guitar is worth the investment of time and money and you--and your luthier--know what to do. The neck comes out of the set once the glue is melted. Stewart-McDonald makes a tool to do this through a drill hole placed in the fret board, down into the set area. The removal is not the problem. The cleaning up of the glue from the set area isn't the problem. Getting a new neck, making sure the measurement from the nut to 12 and 12 to the bridge is perfect, getting the right radius and thickness of neck to match the previous neck and--once glued in place--set up for intonation and action is the problem. If you get a quote from a luthier, replacing a set neck (including labor and a new neck--assuming you'll use the same machine heads off the old neck) and the luthier may have to fret the fingerboard.....you'll likely be looking at $500 on the low end and $700 on the high end. All of my Ovations cost me in the $2500 to $3000 range and would be worth it. Otherwise, I couldn't see putting in more money to fix a guitar than you paid for it. Hope this helped.
I used to work at a music store years ago and my memories of Ovations was that they had and probably continue to have a soundboard cracking problem. This is due to the difference of the plastic Bowl and the soundboard rate of expansion and contraction. Something to think about. They sound great, but they need extra looking after with temperature changes.
All guitars have problems with humidity. While it is true that the expansion rates are that far apart in the Ovation materials used, this is not an Ovation-only issue. Why do you think there are humidifiers - for ALL guitars? every guitar owner needs to address the needs of their guitars; this is nature (the opposite is NEGLECT - for which ANY guitar would suffer). Incidentally, have you played an Adamas?
Have not played an Adamas, no. I played a Deep Bowl Ovation from around 1983. It belonged to a friend of mine and I loved the sound. Later when I worked in the music store, these guitars more than any others would be prone to soundboard cracks and I definitely believe it is due to the construction variables of using two seperate materials for backing and soundboard. I don't believe I ever saw a Martin come in damaged as I had with Ovations........
***** When I read your last comment, it only opens more questions, for I, too, worked in a music story (for Audiotechniques and Manny's Music in New York City, in Times Square, on Broadway and along the famous "Guitar Alley" on 48th St), in the 90's. I've seen and heard TONS: So, what exactly do you mean by, "I don't believe I ever saw a Martin come in damaged as I had with Ovations..."? First, you are probably aware that, if any guitar, Ovation included, comes in "damaged in/during shipping", that the shipper must take full financial responsibility to return the damaged goods and replace it free to the satisfaction of all; yes? So, if this is about a NEW SHIPMENT.... *WHERE was the music store you worked in (what kind of temperatures, pressures, altitudes are we talking about)? If you are in Montana or the Dakotas, or a rainforest, you can bet that the difference in the [differing] materials in ANY guitar can become an issue - ANY GUITAR. Remember that no two woods are exactly the same either (think Spruce top, Mahogony sides &/or back, for instance) , and will also expand and contract at different rates, due to temperature, etc, etc. Generally, I would hope that Ovation ships it's NEW guitars to stores in a case, with string tension set down. If only Martin (et al) sends their merchandise in cases, I think we found the real issue. ANY guitar needs to be prepared correctly for transit. We can agree on that. This is not to say that Ovations do not react to temperature fluxuations; so do wood guitars - and one needs to be careful to be 'up-to-speed' on the 'care-and-feeding' of any guitar. It is there that we might find "the rest of the story" in issues being brought back into the store after purchase {I'm saying, "Do not blame the instrument on the ignorance of or neglect by the instruments owner"}. Each wood, each model, each brand, each geographic area has individual demands and every person that buys a guitar [much like car owners or pet owners, in a real sense], has to realize the responsiblity of ownership doesnot end with learning a multitude of chords or shreads, etc - It involves knowing how to care for it. It won't do it itself! It requires education and some measure of discipline. Ovation owners and Martin owners, and Yamaha owners, etc, have to realize this responsibility is serious, and NOT a "one size fits all" approach. So, in the final analysis, it sounds like we agree in a great degree. As for Adamas guitars, the Ovation folks made a lot of improvements from the standard Spruce/Maple/Koa top - "Lyrachord" guitars and were the first to introduce Carbon Graphite as a top material (and there were a few years of growing-pains in that endeavour too, I can admit from experience). Very nice, but understandably expensive guitar; but quite impressive. Take care & Stay In Tune.
Mi nombre es Albeiro lopez. Estoy interesado en conseguir una caja de resonancia para guitarra Ovation pero que sea de profundidad media. donde la puedo comprar.
Good tour, nicely done. It's a complicated process, very advanced workmanship at the factory, including computer driven mechanisms and machinery to create one of the most innovative musical instruments on the planet. If you can, take the tour in-person. Call them, set it up, go. Facinating.
Awesome video! I have always wanted to do the factory tour, but I was always either deployed(USMC), or dealing with the family. I DREAM about having a custom Adamas made. Until that dream becomes a reality(I’d have to win the lottery), I’ll just enjoy my Adamas I and my 1537, both great guitars in themselves.
anyone wondering an autoclave is basically a pressure cooker, i think this guy may be confused usually aircraft parts are made under intense vacuum not pressure
Great tour and great explanations. My only bad feelings I had after watching the video were the fact that there were no workers from the 70's around and the fact that their arrogance to obtain a patent for the shape of the guitar. If Ovation can get a patent on the shape of a guitar, they ought to be able to get a patent on the shape of a water glass. Shame on the USPO for issuing a patent on an intrument that was clearly not their invention.
Do you still feel this way, 7 years later? They only patented the part of the instrument they spent all their own time and money researching and developing the shape+materials+manufacturing, so obviously to stay in business, they sought security by patenting. Any sane person/company should patent their original and working designs. I will also add that patents just make "copying their homework" illegal. Anyone can produce something distinct from this yet similar enough to achieve the desired tone.
I have to figure the Applause & Celebrity guitars that are made in China, Korea & Indonesia have the same tooling & process for each phase of the build ? Ovation has to be the only guitar that is that consistent model to model ? A super shallow bowl is a super shallow bowl, maybe ? As is a mid-depth and deep. Might be some difference in the bowl materials, but by and large they should have the same acoustic sound wave signature withing dreadnought or single cut ?
That would be the lower end models made in China. Only a few of the high end models are made in the USA. They use lasers for their inlays, rosettes and the epi thingys though.
Questions on Ovation glues and finishes: Does anyone have a notion why older Ovations almost always show vertical finish cracks in the face? Can't recall seeing a mature Ovie without these, I was told by Stewmac techs that (at least older) Ovies were finished in "hand rubbed polyester" which is a catalyzed plastic finish and cannot be stripped like a traditional lacquer for refinishing- right?. Does anyone know how to strip and refinish an Ovation face? Were epoxy glues used to attach the older rosettes and bridges as well as the modern ones? Thanks for responding.
My brother has one in which the truss rod is difficult to access and is so tight, an ordinary allen key cant shift it. the strings buzz at the top end but not at the body end I think it needs an allen key which has a decent hand grip so we could adjust the truss rod.and stop the strings buzzing. cheers...
Very different than what I would have expected, but cool. I have a humble GC24, assembled in China, that plays and sounds better than my Taylor dreadnought or Takamine 12-string.
I own a 1969 fatboy that has been mostly heard with likes of jim croce and other folk singers. It has a beautiful chunky bottom for good blues but can tickle the light top end to make joan baez cry. If you use diadario custom lights you cant go wrong with the guitar string combo
I was brought here after a conversation with a friend when he told me ovation guitars are made out of the country now. I buy and sell a lot of second hand guitars. I find them at estate sales, pawn shops, and individuals. I have never liked ovation guitars, because it is so difficult to find one that hasn't been damaged in some way. Here are a few things you will almost always find on a second hand ovation. Separation of top and body, Chipped or broken head-stock (almost always), warped neck, belly out at bridge, electronics rattling around inside body. I'm not saying you can't find a good one, but this seems to be the norm. One can assume either most all ovation owners are extremely poor at taking care of their guitars, or the quality of ovation guitars are lacking. These are my observations, and not meant to offend ovation owners that love and care for their guitars, in fact I respect the design and can see where the bowl body would make for an excellent sound chamber. I will say though at 7:52 the sight of that bowl body made me thing of a bedpan. =D
+TwistedStrummer I have a vintage Ovation 12 string and a vintage 6, in other words, both are well over 30 years old, completely original, and made in the USA. The 12 of course gets a lot more body stress from the extra string set. Neither of them exhibit the problems you mention. No lifted bridges, no bowed bellies, no separation of the tops, no warped necks. I love my O's and their sound. Great guitars. I have bought four total, two of which I sold. I would buy another in a heartbeat.
You have a valid point Imjustanotherguy. Most all ovations I have seen in pawn shops are made over seas. An American made guitar of any brand will ring my mental bell when found in a pawn shop, and truthfully I can't recall ever seeing an American O in this setting. Honestly, not many people would hock a vintage/American made guitar, but it does happen occasionally. I purchased an American Guild D-50 a couple of years ago for $90 that was in near mint condition. I still believe that the majority of Asian made O's are generally of poor quality, more so than other brands made in Asia. I base that strictly on what I have observed and try to remain unbiased to branding. Should I run across an American O, perhaps I'll make room in my collection. I encourage you to check out several of your local hock shops and see what you find. You never know when you'll find a hidden treasure.
+TwistedStrummer they're still there.. they re-opened Ovation again in same factory a year after they closed it but no one lost any jobs as Fender and Guilds are made there as well
I have four that I bought used in Brazil. None of them have those problems. They all have the straightest necks I have found on any guitar I have ever owned. I have a Model 2778 AX that is superb.
I am seeing this 9 years after filmed and I am glad to see that Ovation is still with us.
The thing I like about this factory unlike say Martin's factory is here each member of the team of builders is doing several procedures creating variety for them.
At Martin it seems as though each procedure is repeated over and over and over, day after day after day. Honestly, if I only ran a body around a router for receiving binding day in day out I'd go bat shit crazy.
I even as a hobby build stringed instruments myself and thankfully when in the shop what comes next is not a repeat unless I am building two simultaneously.
I am a novice player and own three Ovation guitars. They are eye candy to me, sound great and play wonderfully. I love them!!! Enjoyed the tour and hope Ovation will always be with us.
I have three Ovations now and want more. Best acoustics I've ever owned or played, period. Would love to try an electric like a Breadwinner someday. Was very happy to hear of factory re-opening. Congratulations. Welcome back.
I have a deep bowl made there, I live in the tropics, and Ovation is the most stable guitar and look and plays top notch,, unique and solid! authentic tone! God, now I realized seeing this, the more I appreciate the build! Thank You Ovation for creating a beast!
These factory tours are fascinating.
I could never afford an adamas so I settled for a C57 years ago... This thing withstood so much over the years.. I once was on my bycicle wearing it on my back, in the rain..
(with a strap ofcourse) and I was totally wasted.. So I fell into someones front yard, off my bike, ON the Ovation!! (o_O) The only damage done was a slightly bent tuning peg.. everything else was ok!!.. The funny part (to me) was that it was even still in tune!! I'll never separate from that guitar.. I'll love it till the end of my days.. Ovation rocks :)
For guitar lovers, these factory tours are fascinating. Different people have hands with different shapes but for my hands, Ovations work best. It makes it more interesting when they interview the factory workers.
I personally love the Ovation. I am a working professional with my Ovation Guitar.
Acoustically my Ovation projects a beautiful acoustic sound which is full with true tones.
Semi Acoustically I love it's very distinctive sound powered by a 9v preamp 4 band graphic with shapes.
I love Ovation. I have mine for 17 years now.
If Ovation is good enough for one of the world's greatest and gifted musicians Glen Campbell...
its certainly good enough for me.
there great guitars,,killer actions,,,killer prices
An impressive research and study and use of materials and techniques! An immense effort to activate the production lines. Guitars built in an artisanal way to the rule of art with incredible technologies and materials! Unbeatable!
To anyone wondering about buying an ovation , I say go for it! I bought a DJ Ashba chrome bone model 4 years ago, it is easy to play, low action and full sound for an acoustic with no traditional sound-hole in the centre. Don't listen to this fool Tony Stark, he obviously can't afford one so he is slamming them. I got mine for $500 Canadian with a gig bag, I couldn't get any acoustic of this quality from any other company for this price. I can't believe how much quality you get for this low price. My long time friends who play guitar also love this guitar because of its bright crisp sound and easy playability. It also sounds great plugged in, three band eq, volume, and tuner! Love it all, so glad I bought this guitar. I was looking for an electric acoustic that had a more heavy metal rock type look instead of the traditional country guitar. This one caught my eye right away, and to my surprise it sounded even better than it looks.
I've had one for thirty years and have loved it. I play it more than anything else because it doesn't have to be plugged in if I don't want to.
I own an Ovation Celebrity from the 2000's and recently bought a Fender. I believe both were made in this shop. Both guitars display excellent quality, sound and feel.
It is a pleasure to watch such innovation and craftsmanship.
Great tour God bless you all for sharing knowledge and awesome sounding guitar outro.
I have a 1976 Gold Ovation Electric Legend (Sunburst). It took me some years to learn how to get the action down to where I wanted it; it was always somewhat high and stiff until I learned it can be brought down to lay right along the neck and, so, now it is shear heaven. She has always had a one-of-a-kind sound that I have always identified as uniquely mine. A story: I once came by a school activity my son was at where there was some music playing, when I suddenly heard this sound like only a parent can understand, like the unique sound of their own child crying in the midst of large crowd that only a parent's ear can discern through all that clamor. What I heard was somehow identifiable to me like my own child's voice: it was the sound of a guitar that somehow I knew belonged to me. Lo, and behold, in the crowd a see a guitar with its recognizable sunburst top being played by my son. He had apparently borrowed my guitar to bring to school and was playing it when I came in and I just KNEW that it was MY guitar singing in that crowd. The Ovation is marvel and a wonder. Nothing sounds like it and it always sounds clean, balanced and, notably, bold about the crowd; it's the one guitar you can always hear. I have loved my Ovation for nearly 40 years and I will never part with her.
Thank you, Charles Saufley, for this delightful peak into the magic world of Ovation.
Does it age well?
Better than I!
Finally gave my '76 Custom Balladeer to my daughter for safe keeping. Love them both!
ovation u kick ass and rock. I own three and played them for years and an applause. big fan since Nancy Wilson of Heart rock them. love ya
My dad gave me an old ovation he bought at Guitar Center back in the 90s, Celebrity though, but still the envy of my guitarist boyfriend. It still sounds great, although I want something better one day. it's a great guitar with a great sound, and I love the fact that one of my rock gods, Brian May from Queen uses one!
I purchased my very first Ovation guitar back in 1979, it was a very beautiful Balladeer. I've owned many several Ovation guitars, my most favorite is the custom Legend Plus KOA Burst; utterly fantastic in beauty & playability. I've tried other top brand guitars but have always, always, always come back to Ovation. I've learned through spending literally thousands of dollars over the last 51 years that I've been playing that OVATION Guitars will never be beat regardless of how good the other wanna-be brands get to be; End Of Story!!! Thanks, Jeff.
Many thanks Ovation crew for making my black Ovation elite 1868 -1991 or 1992 it is a feast for the eyes and to play on
Great tour. It really gives you a insight as to how much work goes into putting one of these awesome instruments together. People been there for 40+ years! That's experience you don't find in too many places, nowadays. These family based businesses take a lot of pride in their product, unlike large corporations who center their products around the bottom line. Also, Ovation acoustics are the BEST all-around acoustic guitars IMO. Their versatility is second to none.
I've got a koa top ovation. Very interesting video. I worked in fiberglass(surfboards) for 30 yrs and am a woodworker. I'll never think of my Ovation in quite the same way.
I have an Ovation, it has stood up to gigging, rehearsal and just jamming. If my reading is correct, the Kaman engineers thoroughly vetted the instrument for construction, sound and playability. It has passed all tests with flying colors, and despite some manufacturing faux pas, has endured in the music playing world.
One must check out the standards that Kaman had to adhere to truly understand the care and engineering that went into the construction of the instrument.
The problem with Ovation is that just about everyone who says they don't sound good only have heard the applause and celebrity models. It's like playing a squire and saying Fenders suck. Huge difference in quality and sound on overseas models vs the American ones.
My main guitar is a '73 Custom Balladeer and I would put it up against any other acoustic under $2k. I wouldn't own 11 Ovations if they weren't great guitars. They are not the best guitars but definitely the best bang for your buck as you can find great 30-40 year old Ovations for under $500.
Anyone saying Ovations don't sound good is just showing their bias because in blind tests they win out most everytime over wooden boxes! Heck you can find that here on youtube. I've owned three Ovation guitars, one of each bowl depth. The first was the deep bowl from the 80's. Great sunburst color on that one. My son has it and my second purchase a 90s Elite with a solid spruce top which was a shallow bowl. The first one had a feedback issue. The thinner bodied one didn't and being a hired gun for many gigs over and over and over as well as practices and more my Ovations stood up to the test of time and travel. No cracks, no separations, no worries. My son now uses two of them actively and they are as they were when I gave them to him. These are very durable guitars and hold up and are built well as the video above attests to. My current one is a Sweetwater purchase of their China made C44P elite with a solid maple top and the mid depth bowl which I love more than the others. This new guitar does not roll on your lap. That argument is null and void anyway tho, as most that use these to perform do so standing up. My new one crafted in China was just over $600 bucks and it's been going strong for a year and a month now. I can't say anything bad about it but I can say that all my Ovations have great sound including this new one with an amp or without! In fact they have a more balanced bass, mid and high than anything else I own and I do own Martins, Seagull, and still others both USA made and Korea. These Ovations hold up better to temp change in my experence, they do better on the road, on the beach, in the sun, and they are certainly many times easier to change out a broken string on than my others by a long shot! If one is truly all about the sound as many profess to be, then you can't ignore the great sound of an Ovation, not unless you don't have a good ear or you lie to yourself.
wuuoooo they`re fantastict guitars!! Im planing to get one of those OVATION and as more I know about these guitars i love them more.
I want to congratulate to all of you guys the factory workers and the reporter. thanks for the information.
I might add that although I make my living as a doctor and surgeon, my avocation is that of a luthier. I've found that every, single Ovation--regardless of price or origin--has no relief in the neck and 3 shims under the saddle in the bridge. I don't know why the shims aren't simply in the case and left out of the saddle, as it artificially raises the action at the bridge and, in concert with the lack of relief in the neck, usually produces an instrument which is unplayable at the 7th fret on up.
The very first thing I do when I receive a guitar that needs work is place a guitar straightedge on the neck and see if there is any relief (and there never is on Ovations, but many guitars are shipped this way and you really shouldn’t ship a guitar with relief in the neck) and take out the saddle/pickup (sometimes they are the same thing, often times the saddle sits on top of a separate piezoelectric pickup) and take out the damn shims. I’ve never encountered a situation where those shims are needed and can’t understand why they are there. Once the shims are out and the saddle or saddle/pickup is back in the bridge, I adjust the truss bar in the neck to put negative relief (limited to ½ turn per session, as the neck needs to adjust to this and turning it too much can damage the guitar, including separation of the fretboard from the neck). If the ½ turn is not enough negative relief, I either hold on to the guitar for an additional week to allow the guitar to adjust to the changes and then do another ½ turn (or ¼ turn) of relief and see how it goes from there.
I’ve written to the Ovation people several times to let them know how often I’m at a music store, in the guitar room and see people pick up an Ovation or Celebrity, see how crappy the action is and put it back on the wall and move on. I’ve never heard back from them on why they intentionally kill potential sales by shipping their guitars with such lousy action in them. The only upside is that almost all of the Ovations or Ovation Celebrities on sale on Ebay are being sold because they are unplayable as is and simply need the attention of a luthier (or someone else handy with an Allen wrench and some self-restraint) to take out the lousy shims and put some relief in the neck. I’ve gotten some almost give-away deals from people who never had their Ovation set up by anyone and became frustrated at the action of the guitar. Same goes for Martins, Taylors and the like that were also never set up correctly.
So….if you bought your Ovation new, at the next string change, take them off, carefully pull out the saddle/pickup, turn the guitar over, give it a couple of light smacks on the lyrachord back, count what falls out of the bridge slot (should be 3 in total) and save them if you want, throw them out if you don’t. Put the saddle back in and restring the guitar and notice how much better the action is. If you REALLY want to make the guitar playable, adjust the neck with some negative relief until it frets out, back it off a ¼ turn, let the guitar settle in and see how much better these things could be if Ovation wanted them to be!
David Secord Outstanding contribution, Doctor.
Your post may ripple like a stone in a pond with incalculably beneficial results, perhaps on future recordings..
I'm guessing that your setup is too costly for widget production, particularly since the choice of string gauges is personal for "sensitive artistes". And, I'd be willing to bet that a majority of guitarists (who are marginally gifted, despite their purchases of fairly high end instruments) are confined to the neck up to the fifth fret, and rarely beyond.
Someone suggested putting on heavy guage strings on Ovation acoustic guitar that Ive bought long ago and the action was horrendous
Wow!
Dammit Jim I'm a luthier , not a dr !
No
How does Charles hurt these interview? He knows what he's talking about, since he's done quite a few already. He asks questions that they can answer. They normally go out of their way a bit for these and Charles doesn't get in their way. If it's his slow speech that bothers you grow up man, he's relaxed.
back in the 90's i played a ovation double neck guitar and DANG i wanted one so bad but yeah right a wish would never happen. so about 10 years later i ran across one on ebay w/case and i won it for 464.00 free shipping. finally my wish. i got it in and really thought at that price would be damaged but not a scratch on it. you know that commercial for maxell tapes when he gets blown off the couch listening to music? that was me when i plugged it in. OMG you DO NOT need effects with this at all. it is amazing. so....... i bought one just like it but 6 string. and same thing. oh and got it for 200.00. wow what guitars incredible. i can not say anything bad about them. celebrity model cant be beat. the back is not to bad on the bowl it is shallow so does not move around on you to bad. A++ i am so glad i got them the sound is unreal. plug direct to amp sound is like no other. my friend has a martin and he was amazed i could just plug it in and get the sound i have. ovation you got it going on great.
I'm in the process of replacing - yes, replacing - the top on an old Applause (budget Ovation line from the 70s) acousic. This video helped me understanding the original construction, and gave me some ideas how I could potentially replicate some of the same techniques on my project.
I ordered an Adamas 6 string on 1/12024 to have with my Adamas 12 string I've had over 30 years. I wondered why it was taking so long, didn't know Adams guitars are now hand made to order. Watching this video has made me even more excited about getting it. Plus taught me to be patient.
I have a 1969 Ovation Balladeer, the Glen Campbell signature model. I purchased it new, and it sounds better with every passing year. I’ve owned Gibsons, Martins and Taylors ( all fine guitars), but my old Ovation is my all-time favorite. We’ve traveled many miles through space-time together.
Iv'e Played Guitars most of my Life...I picked up an Ovation and Played it and my Heart Melted
I'm a long-time user of Ovation acoustics. To my ear, nothing can match the sound, and the fretboard and neck are perfect dimensions for my hand. Only two problem I had with the Ovations. The first is that they absolutely would not sit on my leg when seated; the curve of the body was the perfect angle to slip off toward the knee. Either had to use a tight neck strap or a rubber dish drainer pad on the leg. The second was that the top would crack and de-laminate after a few years. I'm thinking Ovation has fixed both problems in the later models.
Totally agree. LOVE the deep bowl as well... TO DIE FOR tone, but totally impractical to play. We suffer for our art. lol.
God dammit, you nailed it. Every Ovation top I've ever seen has cracks. And they always slip off your knee.
I bought a new Ovation Celebrity model (made in Korea) 7 yrs ago from the Guitar Center and it has not cracked. I just bought a used Elite L718 (made in the USA). it's 18 yrs old. No cracks!
@@bark-aholic6534 Mine is a 26 yr. old Balladeer, absolutely no cracks.
What an awesome video! I have two old school 1970's Ovations a 12 string and a 1776-1976 Patriot and love them both. I wondered if Ovation can install electrics into the Patriot? Fascinating video and saved it to watch again and again. My thanks to all the Ovation employees who made this possible!
I saw the Gibson tour and now this. I am utterly fascinated!
Please do more tours, please.
I recently bought a 1778T black Ovation when my other of 19 years was stolen. I've come to love this guitar, but since I've had it 2 things have happened that my old smoke black ovation never had a issue with. First after I bought it from this guy, it looked perfect. He'd had it reset up and cleans up before selling it. I had it for 3 weeks. Played about 15 90 minute sets over that period. One day out the sun was hitting it pretty good, but was not a extreme heat. I put the guitar to bed in its case. The next day I pulled it out to play, and there was a crack from the end of the guitar face to the bridge. I was crestfallen. I had an American made Ovation and in 3 weeks this happened with me doing nothing to the guitar. My other Ovation a Celebrity I believe over 19 years in the same area never had a problem handling the same conditions. The 2nd issue was the paint of the face below my stings about a half inch down has now chipped away. Again I found this odd, because in 19 years of playing my other Ovation, that area was not scratched at all. The body was a bit thinner, so maybe that's somehow effected my strumming and picking, but I don't feel like that's so. So this guitar, which like my other, I treat like my baby, some how has developed these defects. I'm frankly distraught about it. I got this at a good price because the owner needed money, but I still find it hard to comprehend how this has happened. To me, this should not be happening to a guitar of this supposed quality. I'd like to get it brought back to spec paint wise after the crack is repaired. But from what I understand it's a specialty paint made by some motorcycle painter. I was told it's not worth it, but I just can't see leaving the guitar how it is. What can you tell me.
I have a 1863 classical, a Custom Elite 6-string and a special edition 1986 12-string, all of which I love. I just read that they are closing this factory and all these people you just saw are losing their jobs. Very sad. The Ovations I own are special, rare, all made in the U.S.A. and their like will never be seen again. To quote Al Di Meola: "If I couldn't play Ovation....I wouldn't play".
Twas a sad day, but typical of the way things suck here anymore. Chinese guitars now.
I just got one Ovation cc157 which I believe is from 1995/96 but not sure, the guys from the store didn't really know the year it was made. Do you guys know where I can check exactly what year it is? The serial number is visible and I would like to know if it's possible to track where it came from and details? Would be great to know! I just grabbed it and bought it! Sounds awesome! The person who owned it really took care of this piece! Thank you in advance!
All Gibson and most Ovation guitar info can be found via the serial number on the back of the headstock here:
Serial Number Decoding Information was obtained from:
www.guitardaterproject.org/
I have a 1998 Ovation 1751 12-string. Stays in tune for weeks.
+Michael Malik I have an Ovation 1155 Custom Balladeer 12 string manufactured in the early 80's that have not played in a year. Just pulled it out of the case. Perfectly in tune. Love it!!!
~ well-done PG! Charles was an excellent interviewer (he let them talk and asked solid questions - he's a better interviewer than the attractive rig-rundown chick, altho maybe she's just distracting). No one seems to lack an opinion about Ovation, but I am even more sold on their instruments after watching this tour. When I see artists like Steve Lukather that have 100s of vintage instruments, and they're still using Ovation models to record and perform with - that's convincing enough to me.
I've been playing 49 years and ignored Ovation for 43 of them. Meanwhile
I collected all sorts of vintage and boutique acoustics, but after
stumbling on an old Balladeer, I was impressed. Maybe it doesn't have
the dry overtones some of the others do, but it is very responsive, with
a tremendously strong and accurate fundamental tone - and volume that
forces you to take control. I think that's what makes it so much fun to
play.
It was great to see how they are made and pleased to read that they re-opened their factory in New Hartford after closing it for a year.
John 8
I bought a slightly-used Ovation Pacemaker (a.k.a. "twelve-string Balladeer") back in 1975. Around 1981, after a few years of gigging, I sent it back to the factory for refretting. They also adjusted the action. As it was under warranty, it didn't cost me anything. A few years later, around 1990 or so, the binding began to come loose. I took it to a local luthier for repairs. They only charged me about $40 for that. They also polished it, put on new strings, and reset the action. They only charged for the strings (LaBella silk & steel). About ten years ago, the son of a friend of mine--who is a luthier with Taylor Guitars--reset the neck, installed some new frets, and redressed them along with all the rest. The guitar--which is now 44 years old--still looks and plays like brand new. No, since Tim reset the neck, it plays BETTER THAN brand new. Ovation never set the neck properly--Taylor fixed that little boo-boo. Now it plays as smooth as butter. I originally paid a guy whom I met through an ad on a university billboard (the actual kind--not the virtual variety) $385 for the guitar and a matching hardshell case. The case has long since bitten the figurative dust; the guitar may be immortal.
But what happened to Joe's finger? Got bit by aerospace technology I reckon.... amazing guitars, got one on order to New Zealand..... been waiting along time.
hope you got your guitar, love mine h
Good Lord, that was impressive 😮 Thank you so much for doing this video 🙏
My live Electro Acoustic Weapons of choice for the last 40 years.... Just Plug in and Play :)
I have a vintage ovation and the neck is really special. The unique body really projects great acoustic sound. Great example of quality american craftsmanship with ovation.
great guitars !!!
Super cool video. Thanks
amazing legacy , from reverb and Sweetwater listings it's difficult to know if any USA guitars are still being built or what's going on with Ovation or who owns Ovation
My wife bought me an Ovation celebrity with the Koa top for an anniversary gift.
It’s sounds as good as it looks, there really isn’t anything that sounds quite like an Ovation.
I love my old magnum4 (I think that’s what it is), only bass out there built like a tank with a built in three band EQ. Heavy as a horse but I love her all day long.
Hi-tech guitars made by real people. Awesome.
I can't afford an Ovation, but I love my Applause.
The best interviewer they have,and one of the most knowledgeable on equipment in my opinion.He should replace that weenie Shaun Hambone.
Super! As a banjo maker I really enjoyed the tour! I always wanted to make a weissenborn lap guitar out of Koa but where could I get the wood?
This guy who works for Ovation is a dork. And for the record, an Autoclave isn't just singular to the "high tech aerospace" construction, but used in all sorts of procedures, mainly for sterilazation in dentistry and the medical fields, as well as other industries which need such machinery.
And you're and idiot lol..Whats your point? At least the dork has a cooler job than you have.
Fender bought Ovation. Closed this all down.
That's where I quit the video. When the BS starts with the factory floor, it follows the whole process. Buh bye.
I have owned a 1111 Balladeer that was made in 1969 since 1987. It is a part of my life much like a family heirloom.
Guilds and Ovation's are made at the old Ovation factory who's parent company is Fender.
I first saw the 22-hole Adamas Ovation 1681 guitar in 1982 when a guy named Reggie Vinson (wrote music for KISS and Alice Cooper) played his customized Powdered Blue 1681 in our church in Louisiana soon after he became a Born Again Christian (He is still travelling the world as a musical Evangelist). I HAD to have one. He said he paid $3,000 for it in 1981. As luck would have it , within a short time I saw a used one with a natural finish for $600 at a music store in hock. I went and got a loan and I have been playing my 1681 with Stereo pickups, walnut knobs, 5-ply neck, gold-plated keys and solid walnut inlaid fret markers aver since.. I LOVE MY OVATION 1681 !!! I also bought the 12-string electric/acoustic cutaway. I LOVE IT TOO....
Hey the guy working with the bandage on his hand was also working at the fender shop in another video......
+Scott Neely yup they make 3 guitar brands there, Fender Ovation and Guild and you can see 3 separate videos for each guitar with same workers in all 3 of them
+Niagara Tim Wow I wonder why they don't use there own individual factories?
+Scott Neely the rent to damn high
I sold my old Ovation because the bowl kept slipping into a horizontal position (watch old Glen Campbell videos to see the problem). Now they've fixed the problem with a new bowl profile I'm going to buy a new Ovation. Unbeatable guitars.
Interesting. I would’ve loved to have seen how they glued the top down and what glue?
Great video. I own a $2k Martin and a $400 1657 vintage Ovation...there isn't a huge difference in sound, surprisingly.
I've been waiting on a back order for a a 44c Classic Ovation from Guitar Center for three months..can I buy direct from Premier..Does Premier have a catalog.
I have always wondered about how they do those carbon fibre top. Thank you.👍👏🏼👌
I sent my early ovation to them for some neck work, it had an original embossed ovation label in the sound hole, when they sent it back it was replaced by a paper label. Never will forgive them for that. Thrives!
Very hands on..not so much for quantity but quality. Very nice.
Did Ovation ever make guitar amps in the 70’s? Any pictures?
Did you have a few tokes along the way?
Same factory as Guild? In the background at 22.07 are the guitars on the picture for the "Guild factory tour", also by Premier Guitar
+Ole Petter Høeg Bøe yup Fender Ovation and Guild are all made there
I'm an Ovation fan.
have 3 ovation celebrity deluxe in good condition...
i want to have adamas USA ovation.
where is the difference between Ovation Adamas and Ovation korea?
is the latest ovation model also produced in korea?
Are there any Ovation adamas dealers in Indonesia?
thank you
I have an Applause Uke and a Shallow Body 6-string. I’d love a US model, but I certainly don’t regret purchasing my Applause instruments. They are all about durability. Both were less than $125.
That was awesome!
Sweet tour. I owned the USA 1779 legend but sold it a few years back as I was afraid of scratching the beautiful paint job.
I have a double neck ovation with nasty bridge belly. JLD BRIDGE DOCTOR to the rescue. I have to buy 2 of them to straighten out the bridges. But it is a show stopper. Peeps love it.
I love the sound of my Ovation Guitar, But mine keeps sliding off my leg when I sit down to play it. My guitar has been kept in the case since new and looks and sounds great. The only reason I don't play it more is because it slides off my leg when playing.
I know exactly how to fix the issue - always stand up! Had the same trouble and then found out you’re supposed to be standing.
@@timothyjones2143 so it's a standing ovation? 😁
So,,,they glue the saddle bridge over the clear coat? I was always told not to do this
Friend was given an old Ovation by his dad that had been in the garage forever. I fixed it up and it played great when I was finished. Very similar to the Glen Campbell model in year and design. Again, it played and sounded wonderfully. Right now, I need to find how to fix a broken neck on an Ovation. Will it hold if I simply reset this neck?
Thanks for your response. The owner of the guitar decided just to trash it. It breaks my heart since Ovation is now gone. I know many people hate them, but I fell in love with them right from the start.
Oh man I love Seagull's. Best guitar for the money imho.
A set neck can be replaced if you have the equipment, the guitar is worth the investment of time and money and you--and your luthier--know what to do. The neck comes out of the set once the glue is melted. Stewart-McDonald makes a tool to do this through a drill hole placed in the fret board, down into the set area. The removal is not the problem. The cleaning up of the glue from the set area isn't the problem. Getting a new neck, making sure the measurement from the nut to 12 and 12 to the bridge is perfect, getting the right radius and thickness of neck to match the previous neck and--once glued in place--set up for intonation and action is the problem. If you get a quote from a luthier, replacing a set neck (including labor and a new neck--assuming you'll use the same machine heads off the old neck) and the luthier may have to fret the fingerboard.....you'll likely be looking at $500 on the low end and $700 on the high end. All of my Ovations cost me in the $2500 to $3000 range and would be worth it. Otherwise, I couldn't see putting in more money to fix a guitar than you paid for it. Hope this helped.
I own the L717 lefty serial number 521235 can you tell me all the spec's on her please ?
I used to work at a music store years ago and my memories of Ovations was that they had and probably continue to have a soundboard cracking problem. This is due to the difference of the plastic Bowl and the soundboard rate of expansion and contraction. Something to think about. They sound great, but they need extra looking after with temperature changes.
All guitars have problems with humidity. While it is true that the expansion rates are that far apart in the Ovation materials used, this is not an Ovation-only issue.
Why do you think there are humidifiers - for ALL guitars? every guitar owner needs to address the needs of their guitars; this is nature (the opposite is NEGLECT - for which ANY guitar would suffer).
Incidentally, have you played an Adamas?
Have not played an Adamas, no. I played a Deep Bowl Ovation from around 1983. It belonged to a friend of mine and I loved the sound. Later when I worked in the music store, these guitars more than any others would be prone to soundboard cracks and I definitely believe it is due to the construction variables of using two seperate materials for backing and soundboard. I don't believe I ever saw a Martin come in damaged as I had with Ovations........
***** When I read your last comment, it only opens more questions, for I, too, worked in a music story (for Audiotechniques and Manny's Music in New York City, in Times Square, on Broadway and along the famous "Guitar Alley" on 48th St), in the 90's. I've seen and heard TONS:
So, what exactly do you mean by, "I don't believe I ever saw a Martin come in damaged as I had with Ovations..."?
First, you are probably aware that, if any guitar, Ovation included, comes in "damaged in/during shipping", that the shipper must take full financial responsibility to return the damaged goods and replace it free to the satisfaction of all; yes?
So, if this is about a NEW SHIPMENT....
*WHERE was the music store you worked in (what kind of temperatures, pressures, altitudes are we talking about)?
If you are in Montana or the Dakotas, or a rainforest, you can bet that the difference in the [differing] materials in ANY guitar can become an issue - ANY GUITAR. Remember that no two woods are exactly the same either (think Spruce top, Mahogony sides &/or back, for instance) , and will also expand and contract at different rates, due to temperature, etc, etc.
Generally, I would hope that Ovation ships it's NEW guitars to stores in a case, with string tension set down. If only Martin (et al) sends their merchandise in cases, I think we found the real issue. ANY guitar needs to be prepared correctly for transit. We can agree on that.
This is not to say that Ovations do not react to temperature fluxuations; so do wood guitars - and one needs to be careful to be 'up-to-speed' on the 'care-and-feeding' of any guitar. It is there that we might find "the rest of the story" in issues being brought back into the store after purchase {I'm saying, "Do not blame the instrument on the ignorance of or neglect by the instruments owner"}. Each wood, each model, each brand, each geographic area has individual demands and every person that buys a guitar [much like car owners or pet owners, in a real sense], has to realize the responsiblity of ownership doesnot end with learning a multitude of chords or shreads, etc - It involves knowing how to care for it. It won't do it itself! It requires education and some measure of discipline. Ovation owners and Martin owners, and Yamaha owners, etc, have to realize this responsibility is serious, and NOT a "one size fits all" approach.
So, in the final analysis, it sounds like we agree in a great degree.
As for Adamas guitars, the Ovation folks made a lot of improvements from the standard Spruce/Maple/Koa top - "Lyrachord" guitars and were the first to introduce Carbon Graphite as a top material (and there were a few years of growing-pains in that endeavour too, I can admit from experience). Very nice, but understandably expensive guitar; but quite impressive.
Take care & Stay In Tune.
I love Ovaition
Nice working and thenlogy!
i like it ,thats ovations guitars,, i love it
I'm surprised this factory stayed in CT after all these years. All other industry moved south or closed.
Mi nombre es Albeiro lopez. Estoy interesado en conseguir una caja de resonancia para guitarra Ovation pero que sea de profundidad media. donde la puedo comprar.
Is this factory is still working?
Good tour, nicely done. It's a complicated process, very advanced workmanship at the factory, including computer driven mechanisms and machinery to create one of the most innovative musical instruments on the planet. If you can, take the tour in-person. Call them, set it up, go. Facinating.
My Yamaha SA-30 is 50 years old, still in good shape, plays nice. Some of the frets worn down though!
Awesome video! I have always wanted to do the factory tour, but I was always either deployed(USMC), or dealing with the family. I DREAM about having a custom Adamas made. Until that dream becomes a reality(I’d have to win the lottery), I’ll just enjoy my Adamas I and my 1537, both great guitars in themselves.
anyone wondering an autoclave is basically a pressure cooker, i think this guy may be confused usually aircraft parts are made under intense vacuum not pressure
Do they make the the same way in China????? I just bought used CE 44-5
"Best looking frets in the business...cause I did it" Classic!!
Great tour and great explanations. My only bad feelings I had after watching the video were the fact that there were no workers from the 70's around and the fact that their arrogance to obtain a patent for the shape of the guitar. If Ovation can get a patent on the shape of a guitar, they ought to be able to get a patent on the shape of a water glass. Shame on the USPO for issuing a patent on an intrument that was clearly not their invention.
Do you still feel this way, 7 years later? They only patented the part of the instrument they spent all their own time and money researching and developing the shape+materials+manufacturing, so obviously to stay in business, they sought security by patenting. Any sane person/company should patent their original and working designs. I will also add that patents just make "copying their homework" illegal. Anyone can produce something distinct from this yet similar enough to achieve the desired tone.
I have to figure the Applause & Celebrity guitars that are made in China, Korea & Indonesia have the same tooling & process for each phase of the build ? Ovation has to be the only guitar that is that consistent model to model ? A super shallow bowl is a super shallow bowl, maybe ? As is a mid-depth and deep. Might be some difference in the bowl materials, but by and large they should have the same acoustic sound wave signature withing dreadnought or single cut ?
I believe Fender bought Ovation through FMICs purchase of Kaman Music (Takamine, Ovation, Hamer, etc.)
This video will make people think Ovations are primarily made in the USA. Ovation also has many many guitars coming out of China and Korea.
That would be the lower end models made in China. Only a few of the high end models are made in the USA. They use lasers for their inlays, rosettes and the epi thingys though.
ok, i just saw some of the same people in the fender factory video, does fender and ovation the same company?
Fender used to own the Ovation brand as well as several others.
The ancestors of the spanish guitar all have round backs: bowl harp, oud, lute.
Gotta look that up. Sounds interesting.
Questions on Ovation glues and finishes:
Does anyone have a notion why older Ovations almost always show vertical finish cracks in the face? Can't recall seeing a mature Ovie without these, I was told by Stewmac techs that (at least older) Ovies were finished in "hand rubbed polyester" which is a catalyzed plastic finish and cannot be stripped like a traditional lacquer for refinishing- right?. Does anyone know how to strip and refinish an Ovation face? Were epoxy glues used to attach the older rosettes and bridges as well as the modern ones?
Thanks for responding.
There is a set of videos abouut repairing that very issue. ruclips.net/video/nU3M3syaSkM/видео.html
My brother has one in which the truss rod is difficult to access and is so tight,
an ordinary allen key cant shift it. the strings buzz at the top end but not at the body end
I think it needs an allen key which has a decent hand grip so we could adjust the
truss rod.and stop the strings buzzing. cheers...
Very different than what I would have expected, but cool. I have a humble GC24, assembled in China, that plays and sounds better than my Taylor dreadnought or Takamine 12-string.
I own a 1969 fatboy that has been mostly heard with likes of jim croce and other folk singers. It has a beautiful chunky bottom for good blues but can tickle the light top end to make joan baez cry. If you use diadario custom lights you cant go wrong with the guitar string combo
I was brought here after a conversation with a friend when he told me ovation guitars are made out of the country now. I buy and sell a lot of second hand guitars. I find them at estate sales, pawn shops, and individuals. I have never liked ovation guitars, because it is so difficult to find one that hasn't been damaged in some way. Here are a few things you will almost always find on a second hand ovation. Separation of top and body, Chipped or broken head-stock (almost always), warped neck, belly out at bridge, electronics rattling around inside body. I'm not saying you can't find a good one, but this seems to be the norm. One can assume either most all ovation owners are extremely poor at taking care of their guitars, or the quality of ovation guitars are lacking. These are my observations, and not meant to offend ovation owners that love and care for their guitars, in fact I respect the design and can see where the bowl body would make for an excellent sound chamber. I will say though at 7:52 the sight of that bowl body made me thing of a bedpan. =D
+TwistedStrummer I have a vintage Ovation 12 string and a vintage 6, in other words, both are well over 30 years old, completely original, and made in the USA. The 12 of course gets a lot more body stress from the extra string set. Neither of them exhibit the problems you mention. No lifted bridges, no bowed bellies, no separation of the tops, no warped necks. I love my O's and their sound. Great guitars. I have bought four total, two of which I sold. I would buy another in a heartbeat.
You have a valid point Imjustanotherguy. Most all ovations I have seen in pawn shops are made over seas. An American made guitar of any brand will ring my mental bell when found in a pawn shop, and truthfully I can't recall ever seeing an American O in this setting. Honestly, not many people would hock a vintage/American made guitar, but it does happen occasionally. I purchased an American Guild D-50 a couple of years ago for $90 that was in near mint condition. I still believe that the majority of Asian made O's are generally of poor quality, more so than other brands made in Asia. I base that strictly on what I have observed and try to remain unbiased to branding. Should I run across an American O, perhaps I'll make room in my collection. I encourage you to check out several of your local hock shops and see what you find. You never know when you'll find a hidden treasure.
+TwistedStrummer they're still there.. they re-opened Ovation again in same factory a year after they closed it but no one lost any jobs as Fender and Guilds are made there as well
I have four that I bought used in Brazil. None of them have those problems. They all have the straightest necks I have found on any guitar I have ever owned. I have a Model 2778 AX that is superb.