Modern Saint
Starve your Fear, Feed your Dream!
THIS SO SUCKS!!!
American made Ovations will be no more - FUCK FENDER!!!
American made Ovations will be no more - FUCK FENDER!!!
Ovation guitar factory in Connecticut closing
- Thread starter Modern Saint
- Start date
Modern Saint
Starve your Fear, Feed your Dream!
"FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION TO CLOSE NEW HARTFORD, CONN. FACILITY;
OVATION® TO CEASE U.S. PRODUCTION
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is proud of the products that are built in our New Hartford, Conn. manufacturing facility and appreciates the talented group of people that hand craft them. However, due to current market conditions and insufficient volume levels, the company has made the decision to cease production there within June 2014.
This decision represents a consolidation of production capabilities for FMIC U.S.-made acoustic instruments. “We are committed to providing the same high quality musical instruments our artists, consumers and customers expect and demand, and will continue to support the brands that are currently being produced in New Hartford,” said Richard McDonald, senior vice president of Fender®.
U.S. production of Fender acoustic and Guild® instruments will transition to other facilities at a later date, while domestic production of U.S.-made Ovation musical instruments will cease.
Forty-six New Hartford-based FMIC employees will be affected by this decision over the next several months. These impacted employees served the company well and will be treated fairly and with respect; they will be provided comprehensive assistance, including severance packages, outplacement services and other related assistance."
OVATION® TO CEASE U.S. PRODUCTION
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is proud of the products that are built in our New Hartford, Conn. manufacturing facility and appreciates the talented group of people that hand craft them. However, due to current market conditions and insufficient volume levels, the company has made the decision to cease production there within June 2014.
This decision represents a consolidation of production capabilities for FMIC U.S.-made acoustic instruments. “We are committed to providing the same high quality musical instruments our artists, consumers and customers expect and demand, and will continue to support the brands that are currently being produced in New Hartford,” said Richard McDonald, senior vice president of Fender®.
U.S. production of Fender acoustic and Guild® instruments will transition to other facilities at a later date, while domestic production of U.S.-made Ovation musical instruments will cease.
Forty-six New Hartford-based FMIC employees will be affected by this decision over the next several months. These impacted employees served the company well and will be treated fairly and with respect; they will be provided comprehensive assistance, including severance packages, outplacement services and other related assistance."
Gary Blanchard
beloved, local musician
As much as I appreciate Ovations, I am surprised they have lasted this long. They were a novelty when they first came out, and have had a staying power I did not expect. Now there are so many different, affordable guitars that I think Ovation has difficulty competing, especially in the higher-priced American made market. It is sad and regrettable, but not surprising.
tiger roach
Urban Bovine Knievel
Yeah kinda sad. My opinion of Ovations kind of went up and down over the years, but they were a big part of my life both as a player and a listener.
CBHScott
How did I get here?
Yes, while it sucks, I would imagine they just aren't selling like they used to. Is that Fender's fault? Maybe a little, but IMO the demand simply isn't there like it was in the past.
What DOES irk me somewhat is how Fender has squashed other brands they have bought, specifically Guild and Tacoma. Seeing that Fender acoustics have never been a huge seller, they could have used those brands to build up a nice acoustic division.
At least they didn't kill Gretsch, and I suppose they won't since that brand does well.
What DOES irk me somewhat is how Fender has squashed other brands they have bought, specifically Guild and Tacoma. Seeing that Fender acoustics have never been a huge seller, they could have used those brands to build up a nice acoustic division.
At least they didn't kill Gretsch, and I suppose they won't since that brand does well.
Modern Saint
Starve your Fear, Feed your Dream!
While I really shouldn't complain since 3 out of 4 of Ovations were bought used, it does urk me that Fender Acoustics (most likely all made abroad) are still in the store fronts. Needless to say that overseas Ovation production will continue but the sought after Ovations are MIA's (2 of 4 I own).
I would say support would be one of the biggest factors that is a major fail.
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reverend1
Kick Henry Jackassowski
I know you are a big Ovation fan, but I don't know too many who are. They are very unpopular around these parts.
Gary Blanchard
beloved, local musician
Ovations have always been something you loved or hated. Most people seem to fall in the hate category.
I think this design is what kept them going for all this time. It was different enough to give them an edge. Since they were not getting the purist market, why not go different?
I think this design is what kept them going for all this time. It was different enough to give them an edge. Since they were not getting the purist market, why not go different?
Thats because they don't actually own Gretsch, just distribute them as far as I understand. Otherwise they would have sodomized them with a rusty pineapple just like they eventually do all the rest of the brands that they own.
speakerjones
my hat is all
That sucks. I hate to see jobs lost here in CT, and I've met a bunch of those guys over the years. Hamer used to be housed in the same factory until Fender squashed that brand. As a relatively close-by dealer, we used to go up there from time to time to tour the facility and meet with them to discuss the brands. There's a lot of talented, passionate guys up there. I'd love to see them start their own boutique brand. Maybe team up with Jol Dantzig, the old head of Hamer.
Flamencology
You don't deserve koa.
I fall into the Ovation-hater category, but that doesn't really matter here. It does suck.
Help!I'maRock!
Mediocringly Derivative
Fender bought Kaman Music for its distribution channels, not it's brands. And at the end of the day, they're just product. Our emotional attachment is relatively worthless when it comes to dollars.
Gary Blanchard
beloved, local musician
The music business is first and foremost business. The bottom line will trump any other consideration, especially in cases of huge corporations.
Power to the people!
Modern Saint
Starve your Fear, Feed your Dream!
I like Taylors as well but personally I have found the Ovations to play well for me. The biggest complaints people have with Ovations are the roundbacks. Three of mine a shallow bowls and my KOA is a medium bowl. The deep bowl is the most difficult for me to play and is the closest to a Jumbo Acoustic.
Ovations have always been something you loved or hated. Most people seem to fall in the hate category.
I think this design is what kept them going for all this time. It was different enough to give them an edge. Since they were not getting the purist market, why not go different?
I love this design. Almost bought a used Melissa Etheridge model a few years back.
I was lucky to find a 12-String Elite with the same design.
And my Celebrity KOA with the half leaflet. Bummer that it is a medium bowl but that is the only way they are done.
GergS
Butt
Many stores around here have had the same Ovations hanging on the walls for months if not years. I don't even remember the last time I've seen a local musician playing one...maybe late 90's. It sucks for the diehard fans of Ovation as well as the employees but I think that well has run dry.