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January 2014
Posts: 402
Location: Taxed To Death State | Today is the day when Ovation USA officially closes it's doors for good. I read in the local paper that the building owner has applied for permits to possibly convert the factory into a large apartment building. It's a concept I can't get my head wrapped around. I never thought I would see the day that Ovation would close and it would always be there and I could drop my guitars off for repair or buy a new one from the service department. Thank you to the Kamans; everyone who ever worked there and the work you did making the guitars we all love so much. I know all of us at OFC will keep the name and brand alive and keep spreading the word about how great these guitars are. To all my friends who are looking for new jobs because of the shutdown,you guys and girls are the best and I hope you find a new job that is as fulfilling as the ones you just lost. The work everyone has done down there will long out live all of us, and everyone who ever worked there should be proud to have been part of something really special. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Still can't believe it so much music history was made there. I am really bummed. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Damn... and I was having a good day.
You reminded me to be bummed out.
.
It would make a very interesting and unique apartment complex.
I'd rather see it be something.... anything..... before I see it be neglected. |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4221
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I drove over this morning to shake some hands. John will be there a bit longer yet, but Kim walked off the floor for good about three hours go. Kim suggested the idea for my very first reclamation project; my mandocello. Now you all know the truth. Kim started it! It's his fault that I have handed over thousands of dollars for one hair-brained idea after another.....And I'm very grateful to him for that. Thanks again John and Kim for you patience and expertise. Thanks Mike for doing such an incredible job on these guitars! It was a longer drive home than I thought it would be. The end of an era indeed....
Yeah.....I'm sad too. |
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Joined:
January 2014
Posts: 402
Location: Taxed To Death State | Didn't mean to bum you guys out sorry. The good news is the factory is privately owned by a local man and it won't ever get torn down. The history can never be taken away from that place.... ever! |
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January 2006
Posts: 2120
Location: Chicago | Profound gratitude to the men and women of the Mothership. Memory Eternal for Ovation! |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 782
Location: Waurika OK | ERA
Excellence
Relegated to
Antiquity |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 782
Location: Waurika OK | ERA
Excellence
Relegated to
Antiquity |
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Joined:
November 2011
Posts: 205
Location: seattle, wa | I read somewhere that Fender hired a couple of old Irish musicians to help with the marketing of their obsolete junk...didn't think U2 needed the money |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | I gave some business to a former NH employee today. I work with his wife. Asked him to work over an MWoody custom-made that I bought a few years back. His rates were excellent, and his work is superb. Keepin' it in the 'family!' Let me know if you want his contact information. |
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January 2014
Posts: 402
Location: Taxed To Death State | Bono has been involved with some great humanitarian organizations, maybe Fender thinks he can save them too. |
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October 2012
Posts: 1018
Location: Yokohama, Japan | aminer2000 - 2014-05-31 10:47 AM
Let me know if you want his contact information.
@AlanM - I know I'm new here and all, and I hope asking for the contact info is not inappropriate. I was hoping to have the MS repair a 1117-4 just as "the ERA" was coming to an end. My son has the guitar in Virginia Beach and we'll pay for the repairs as well as the shipping there and back. I can send detailed pictures for a quote as well. Could you let me know? Thanks... |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | I think the last person out turned off the lights at the MS. One would think (hope) that some of those craftsmen would open an O repair shop. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . It's All Gone
for th'LastTime, it seems
an' it's a Shame
All th'Feelings were lost in Our Schemes
th'Things we had were Fine
Did we have to have them All th'Time?
Someday We'll find
We should have Relied on Time . . . ."
- Gregg Allman |
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Joined:
October 2002
Posts: 73
Location: out there | Nice Cliff
FlayTheFecalFuckners |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | The Ovation website seems to be ignoring the elephant in the room.
Which for them, might be wise thing to do.
However.... this cannot stand.
Let me suggest that we move some of our regrets over there.
Nothing mean spirited.... be classy.
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My post did not appear right away.
Perhaps it will be screened out.
If that happens... that's when "classy" goes away.
.
www.facebook.com/OvationGuitars
Edited by Slipkid 2014-06-03 9:11 AM
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Nice idea, Brad.
I posted a "fond Farewell" and a photo of the Factory.
It immediately disappeared... So I don't know.
I am sure that others have posted similar... But they do not appear.
Go figger... 
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | The rules are: Fender must be praised as the best guitar company a minimum of 3 times in each posted entry |
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October 2012
Posts: 1018
Location: Yokohama, Japan | OMA, Your "fond Farewell" message is showing on FB right now (at least over here in Japan, it is...). Glad they didn't just obliterate it... |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Yes, I have seen it. And so have many others.
Either it takes a minute to show up, or I don't know how to use Facebook.
Probably the latter... I don't really hang at FB.  
That photo was taken from a blog by Time Traveler on his visit to the MotherShip 7/27/11. HERE Just give credit where credit is due.
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | darkbarguitar - 2014-06-03 2:16 PM
The rules are: Fender must be praised as the best guitar company a minimum of 3 times in each posted entry
FTFF |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7210
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I just went to OvationGuitars.com our of curiosity and what I think annoyed me the most was the new Ovation logo at the top of the page. One logo (basically unchanged) for 30+ years I guess, and what's left when the turn out the lights for the world to see has only been around for a year or so. It just doesn't seem right. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 846
Location: Canada | And the factory tour is still prominently featured on the front of the site too. I guess it will get a major revision soon taking out the tour, US models, archive, history, innovation etc ... anything that could remind potential buyers that only relatively inferior product is offered. |
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Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1453
Location: Texas | I hope they put the new logo on all the guitars from now on…
…it'll make it easier to spot the ones I don't want. |
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Joined:
September 2011
Posts: 402
Location: New Hartford CT | You can still tour...Industrial Riggers is on site hauling away the mighty outdoor dust collectors and clearing out the detail building. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | Yup... 
Edited by MWoody 2014-06-04 11:35 AM
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | The difference is the tour is now part of the "Haunted Buildings of New England" tour... |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | John Budny told me he is trying to set up a small shop to continue customer service, and that is a tribute to John's commitment. So sorry to hear of Kim leaving, as he helped me out dozens of times with things. Ovation has joined Guild (Weatherly).
Does this mean discontinuation of USA model guitars?
The new logo DOES suck! |
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Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1453
Location: Texas | Yes and Yes… |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4817
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Sad times for those of us who live in the past.
But that's where are the best memories hang out......
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 138
Location: Birmingham, AL | Along with Guild another American icon ruined by FMIC. The quest for the bottom line once again sends us on a journey to the bottom. I'm glad that I got the ones were the best for me. I'll never buy a new one....ever. |
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Today the ERA ends...... :-(