Did Glen Campbell really like Ovation guitars?

[SoPhx]

I worked on a couple of his guitars back in the late 80s---a Strat and an Ovation solidbody (I don't remember which one). I used to hangout with Al Casey and he said Glen was one of the best pickers he ever heard.

 

[Mincer]

I use an Adamas, so I am biased. I think if a company is willing to build you anything you want, give them to you free, and pay you to play them (and give commission), you take the deal.

 

[Lewguitar]

I use an Adamas, so I am biased. I think if a company is willing to build you anything you want, give them to you free, and pay you to play them (and give commission), you take the deal.

Fender had the chance to have Glen as an endorsee but they passed. So Glen went with Mosrite and then Ovation.

Forrest White says in his book, "Fender, The Inside Story", that around the summer of 1963 Glen expressed an interest to Forrest in being a "demonstrator" of Fender guitars. Don Randall shot it down saying "No, do not. These guys are a dime a dozen."

Forrest says that Glen went on to become a "demonstrator" of guitars for Fender's competitors, and did quite well! :laugh2:

 

[Lewguitar]

This is a video of the first time I saw Glen Campbell. It was on the Mike Douglas Show in 1965. I had just started playing the guitar a year or two before and I'd watch any guitar picker I could find. I'll never forget this performance.

 

[Ascension]

The Ovation Addamas was Campbells babyI remember sitting around several times with former C Bruno rep Mike Amos and Neil Zaza when Neil was demoing Hamers. Glen came up several times as one of the C Bruno family everybody respected. Also talked about how involved Campbell was with the development of the Ovation Addamas series.

 

[Lewguitar]

The Ovation Addamas was Campbells babyI remember sitting around several times with former C Bruno rep Mike Amos and Neil Zaza when Neil was demoing Hamers. Glen came up several times as one of the C Bruno family everybody respected. Also talked about how involved Campbell was with the development of the Ovation Addamas series.

Would love to have an Adamas. Are they consistant? Graphite top and plastic back right? Do they all sound different despite this?

 

[devastone]

in the glen campbell movie that came out a few years ago, there was a scene where he was on stage and following along on the teleprompter and it said "glen solo" or something like that. his disease was very advanced by this point and he read it out loud like it was part of the lyrics, then realized what it really meant and he tore into a fine solo. his facility on the guitar when his mental condition was so poor hints at how great he was and how deeply music was rooted in him. its not an easy movie to watch at points but very much worth watching

It was on Netflix, right? I remember watching that, pretty much brought me to tears. He was such an amazing talent, and growing up in the 70s he was all over TV on variety shows, etc... Also grew up listening to lots of Roy Clark thanks to my dad, great stuff.

 

[solspirit]

in the glen campbell movie that came out a few years ago, there was a scene where he was on stage and following along on the teleprompter and it said "glen solo" or something like that. his disease was very advanced by this point and he read it out loud like it was part of the lyrics, then realized what it really meant and he tore into a fine solo. his facility on the guitar when his mental condition was so poor hints at how great he was and how deeply music was rooted in him. its not an easy movie to watch at points but very much worth watching

That was painful

 

[Mincer]

Would love to have an Adamas. Are they consistant? Graphite top and plastic back right? Do they all sound different despite this?

Mine is carbon fiber top, fiberglass back, and the neck is mahogany, maple and ebony. Just a very powerful, beautiful sound. You hear every individual note in dense chords. It isn't the wall of sound a Martin has...it is very different.

 

[beaubrummels]

in the glen campbell movie that came out a few years ago, there was a scene where he was on stage and following along on the teleprompter and it said "glen solo" or something like that. his disease was very advanced by this point and he read it out loud like it was part of the lyrics, then realized what it really meant and he tore into a fine solo. his facility on the guitar when his mental condition was so poor hints at how great he was and how deeply music was rooted in him. its not an easy movie to watch at points but very much worth watching

Music is managed by a different part of the brain than most other cognitive function. So as long as your affliction does not block motor ability, you can still pull off music, even if you cannot recognize your own mother.

Same reason autistic kids can be virtuosos on an instrument but cannot function as typical for someone their age.

 

[Lewguitar]

Mine is carbon fiber top, fiberglass back, and the neck is mahogany, maple and ebony. Just a very powerful, beautiful sound. You hear every individual note in dense chords. It isn't the wall of sound a Martin has...it is very different.

I had an Ovation Custom Balladeer that I wrote a million songs on and gigged with in the 70's and 80's. It was a great sounding guitar. A little of that plastic sound but very loud and resonant. I literally wore it out and eventually gave it to a friend. Couldn't afford an Adamas but my brother Bobby gigs with one.

 

[Mincer]

I had my Adamas on layaway for 2 years before I brought it home. It is one before the contour bowl, so it is a little harder to sit with. I do find that a 1lb ankle weight around the strap keeps it steady.
If you can find them, any 80s USA-based Ovations are still great buys. I don't know what is going on with the company right now, as they seem to just be reissuing older models. I don't know how big their USA operation is these days.