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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 35
Location: Reading, PA | We just got back from the factory tour. It was fantastic. We didn't stay for the evening activities, but after spending the day in New Hartford I have a profound respect for the work and the people at New Hartford in the Ovation and Hamer shops. Thanks to all who build the instruments and thanks to those who made the tour possible. It was great to meet fellow OFC members.
Jim |
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Joined:
March 2003
Posts: 4
Location: Simsbury, CT | This was my first experience with OFC (I registered as soon as I got home last evening).
The tours were fantastic, the people are true artisans and there is a feeling at both Hamer and Ovation operations that people truely care about what they do, the quality of their work and the satisfaction of the end user. Also, it was good to see a top quality manufacturer in the US.
The reason for my tagging on here is to also say that every one that I met from the OFC is real cool, and I am proud to now be affiliated with the group.
Thanks to all,
Joe |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Welcome to the club Joe, and nice meeting you too. |
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Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 19
Location: new jersey | As my son and I were driving home from the full days events of the Ovation/Hamer tour and Jam session.
We both said what a perfect day. We enjoyed every
part of the day. We had seen very talented people
doing what they love to do and it was so interesting to watch the people building the guitar's and finally all the talented people using the instruments.
We both would like to thank everyone for their
hard work in making this perfect day possible. |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 39
Location: Bethel, Me | Great job by Al & Miles for setting up the trip and thanks to the guys at the factory. Ovation and Hamer provided excellent commentary throughout the tours. I have over a hundred photos and nearly an hour of video to share with the group. Already looking forward to the next one. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | What a DAY!!!!!!
To ALL of those who came/participated:
THANK YOU!, THANK YOU!!, THANK YOU!!!!
To those who were unable to make it
(and I'm not saying this in an attempt to "rub salt into the wound", but): "Ya' shoulda' BEEN there!!". What a GREAT time!!!
ps: a big THANKS to all those who made Jeanette feel so welcome! She's STILL talking about the whole thing with great enthusiasm. She also now understands why I am the way I am, and that I'm not alone.
I've got tons of pictures, stories, anecdotes and such, but it'll have to follow later as I'm still going through "withdrawl". You guys're the BEST!!
Later, |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Cliff
next time stay home and just send jeanette! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | i love you too, al |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | The Ovation fan Club day at the factory was a great success. I want to thank all of you that came on the tour and stayed for the Jam you made it a great success and without you this would not happen.
I want to thank Rick Hall who coordinated and planned the events with me. My goal was to make this day special and Rick certainly managed to meet and surpass my expectations.
Frank Untermyer who handles the factory operations made sure the OFC day was handled in a professional and classy manner. I know that production slips and there is much prep work that goes into these types of events at the factory and I thank Frank for all his efforts.
Jol Dantzig gave the tours of the Hamer facilites and if you could take Jol's tour and bottle it EVERY player who wanted an electric guitar would play a Hamer. Rarely is such sincerity and passion displayed about a product line and if I heard one person say that they were amazed at the Hamer production facilities I heard a hundred say it. Thanks Jol.
Thanks to John and Kim in service who helped welcome our fan club members to the service department and check our instruments etc. Extra thanks to Kim for supplying his PA at the jam.
Thanks to Willie for his talk on the development of the mandolin, we got sidetracked into a general discussion so he never talked about the Q development so I guess we will have something left for next year!!!!!
I also want to thank all the men and women who work in the factory and allowing us to visit your "house". I know that some of you read the message boards and I did manage to meet some of you. It was a pleasure. This forum would not be here without the fruits of your labors. I welcome you all to participate. We all can benefit from your first hand knowledge.
If I missed anyone, please forgive me, it was not intentional.
Last but not least to all of our members that attended a great big thanks. without you this day would not have happened. It was a pleasure to meet as many of you as I could and without you there this day would not have been nearly as much fun. As those that attended can tell you Ovation does listen to their comsumers. I had numerous conversations with people that repeated posts to me almost verbatim concerning issues with guitar that were THEIR concern also. All I can say is that in the future you will be knocked out by some of the impovements of Ovation guitars. Remember this is not a simple process and takes time but we do have a voice and it is being heard and there are guitars being developed now that are in direct response to your concerns and demands.
Thanks also to Miles who does all the tech stuff to make this site happen. I have no clue how he does some of it but he gets it together. We don't always agree, but his collection was one of the factors that sparked this site.
Thanks everyone, as soon as Miles gives us the high sign we will post some pics and go over the details of the day. |
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Joined:
March 2003
Posts: 2
Location: W.Redding, CT | Well Guy's it sounds like everyone had a great time at the Factory Tour. I had registered to attend and all I could think about was Friday's event and meeting other OFC members. I was on my second to last job of the day ( I'm an MC Tech) , and during a test ride, I was cut off by an elderly person who didn't see me. Trying to avoid a collision I hit sand and went down. I lucked out and escaped with a sprained ankle, so I guess it's next year for me. Damn, all I could think about all weekend was the fun I'm sure I missed... |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I was sitting here trying to write a post of thanks and appreciation to and of all involved. As I can not say it any better than Al did in his post above... I will just say, in the loudest voice I can muster...
THANKS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED!!!!!!!
What moved me the most was the level of pride and craftsmanship of each and every person at the factory, and their willingness to share that with whomever was interested. Connecticut Yankee Ingenuity is still very much alive and well in New Hartford Connecticut.
Once again, thanks to Rick, Jol, Frank, John, Kim, Willie and the others who assisted them in setting this up. I have been on several factory and production tours of all kinds, and this event truly surpassed them all and sets the bar. A little extra nod to Kim for bringing out the PA to the Jam and Matt Smith for setting the mood at the Jam.
I don't remember all of the names of the artisans we met on the factory floors, but a special thanks to them for letting us invade their space, and taking time to teach us and share some of their craft.
It was very nice to meet the other members who did come, and thanks for really making this event and this club so special.
For those that were unable to attend, and for the memories of those who did, I will be posting the photos and videos under FUN STUFF as soon as I can. For those that couldn't make it.... all I can say YA'SHOULDA BEEN THERE!!!
There was one member who showed up at the last minute and didn't have a name tag. He seemed to have a lot of knowledge of the instruments, people and history. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so for those who did not attend, and until the rest of the photos and video are posted.... once again...YA'SHOULDA BEEN THERE!!! enjoy.
That's Al on the left, Kim on the right, I'm standing next to Kim and then there's this other guy who everyone seemed to know. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | "Yushudah Bin Dhair!!" |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 1196
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana | DANG! Sure sounds like I missed out on alot of fun. I hope to attend next year with a bunch of questions for the Ovation guys.....Paul Hebert |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Sounds like all who attended had a great time. I am definitely going to try to make the pilgrimage next year!
Wayne |
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Factory tour
