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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | One of the topics we did not get into on the tour was artist relations (i.e. Ovation endorsees). I came away from the tour energized that there are so many great Ovation USA offerings and so many great artists out there, but frustrated at why we don't see Ovation guitars in more visible hands. It seems like Martin seeks out every two-bit performer (as well as some very notable ones), and shoves a Martin guitar up their arse and tells them to get out on stage and play. The result is that to the viewing public, Martin (or at least a Martian looking guitar) has become the defacto standard. It sickened me to see Paul McCartney play a Martin on his last tour, and for Paul Simon to be playing a Martin at the Grammy's. I'd like to hear others opinions on the perceived return on investment for having these kinds of performers playing Ovation guitars. Would increase sales and pay for itself? Or would it simply give warm fuzzies to those of us who already know how great these guitars are? Dave |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 398
Location: So. Cal. | Didn't Paul Simon play a black Custom Legend in "Concert in Central Park"? Paul McCartney also played one as shown in the Ovation history book. What happened since then?
Paul Simon has an OM-42PS made by Martin in his name, what about a Custom Legend-CP (Central Park!).
Just me and my Adamas!
P.S. StandingOvation, how's your trip to NY? |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Lets face it, promotion usually equals sales, and artist endorsement is promotion. There are many many aspects to this, but I don't think anyone really has the magical answer as to why some Ovation playing artists of the past are no longer there. Everything from no one asking them, to them getting paid more by other companies, and every possible scenario in between would be my guess.
I think the focus should be on CURRENT artists and getting the TOP OF THE LINE instruments into their hands. When we saw Nancy playing an Adamas, we didn't aspire to own a Balladeer, we got the Balladeer until we could afford the Adamas. More artists like Kaki King, DJ Ashba are needed along with some mainstream faces. The mainstream faces sell the instruments.
I just checked Billboard TOP 20 in several categories. In Country, most of the top 20 are guitar player artists and in fact many of the Billboard 200 artists are also guitar oriented artists. I did not see ANY that I recognised as Ovation players... I could be wrong, but I didn't see ANY. In my opinion, there should always be at least ONE that is recognized as a guitar player in the top 100 artists. Top-of-the-line Ovations used to be everywhere. On TV shows, at concerts, and in stores. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | To be effective here you need the endorsees. You need company people who have ongoing relationships with LOTS of players. How many others did Glen Campbell bring in? Jerrry Reed, lots of others that were on the show. How many Hamer players are there because of Nielson? Then you need the budget. Then you need management support and an "intune" team of artist relations people and of course the product that these guys WANT to be seen with. Lets face the ugly truth, many of these guys listen with their eyes and their "image" is what's important.
How does the company today stack up to the task? We need someone there to answer this. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | Miles I still think you need a balance of new artists and established artists.
I think that getting the guitar to sound better is a good start. Now you need to put it in the hands of those that are out there performing.
The viper is really a misunderstood model IMHO. if you shoot the WOOD body with a clearcoat and hand it to artists that have the wood bias, I bet they will take another look at that guitar. It amazes me that you have a roundback guitar made out of wood and yet you paint the back with bowlpaint to simulate the "plastic".
Companies go through different stages of acceptance and I think it is the time for Ovation to come back around. Get those Taylors out of their hands and put Ovations in them. |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Hey PlayAdamas - great to finally meet you. Yes, the trip to the city was good. Manny's and Sam Ash both had a good assortment of high end Ovation and Adamas on display. Too bad you pay something like 9.75% sales tax. Dave |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Al good and true points on all counts. At this stage I think they have nominal coverage artist wise except in the mainstream, which is where they used to be and need to be again. I guess what we are all saying is they need another Glen. It wasn't that Glen just played the instrument. But because of him, Ovation guitars appeared on TV every week on not only his shows, but on every appearance he made on other shows. Ovation instruments lying around the Carson Daly set, or Kilborn set would do wonders. Ovation got a lot of free press off of Glen because he was everywhere. They need someone like that, or something to create that visability again.
I made a list in one of the posts about things I learned... I forgot about the Viper. Ovation makes an all WOOD guitar. DUH!!!!! I knew it was chambered wood, but never thought any further that it was just paint on the back and really a wood guitar. I agree, just clear-coat the thing.
The time is right for Ovation to rise up again. The "green" folks are screaming that trees are being killed, kids are growing up without the "wood" or that matter "foreign" stigmas...
Unfortunatly, I'm not sure that the bean counters understand the concept of establishing/maintaining brand integrity. They sell so many import guitars, does it really matter to them if they sell a few more USA models or even if they sell more imports. Afterall, if they have more of a presence, than Ovation will have to make more guitars, and expansion costs money too.
At least we know the folks in New Hartford feel the same as we do, and we feel the same as they do. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 389
Location: RI. That small State out East | IMHO- I think you need a hit list... Who do we want to be playing an Ovation? Is the story true of the way Paul Simon got the guitar in his hand before the "central park" concert? SOMEONE had him on a hit list, had the balls, and a plan on how to get an Ovation in his hands.
The little involvement I've had with trying to get an indorsement... They want to much... The world has changed and you pay for an autograph.
Who would be the "perfect"... Or who would be damn good... Does Ovation have a "hit" list?
Woz |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | It would have been cool to have David Vincent there. I have had many conversations with him concerning artist relations. I know he works really hard to get guitars in the hands of the players. I think what happens is if they do not want Ovation they go for takamine and that is considered ok since they are both under the Kaman umbrella. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | I graduated high school in 1976 and spent the summer bumming around and going to as many concerts as I could. My photo scrapbook from that summer contains the following: Greg Lake (ELP), Michael Dunford (Renaissance), David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Dave Mason, and Kenny Loggins. All playing Ovations. Heck, even throw in Dean Friedman. Dave |
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Artist Relations - OFC Tour
