In 2020, GEWA music GmbH controlled the Ovation name. Its 2 lines on record were built at New Hartford CT (Kaman/Ovation plant) and Asian contract plants for Ovation (Korea/China/Indonesia; builders unverified) (USA, South Korea, China and Indonesia).[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
A Ovation guitar from 2020 belongs to whichever era was running on its product line that year. An era is a stretch when the company that controlled the name and the plant that built the line both stayed the same. If you know the line, the table below tells you which version of Ovation you have. The name dates from 1965[S163], 55 years before.
Ovation USA (New Hartford): a new era begins under GEWA music GmbH, built at New Hartford CT (Kaman/Ovation plant)[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10]
Ovation imports (Celebrity, Applause, Elite import): a new era begins under GEWA music GmbH, built at Asian contract plants for Ovation (Korea/China/Indonesia; builders unverified)[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
Ovation USA (New Hartford): the 2015–2020 era ends (Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW), New Hartford CT (Kaman/Ovation plant))[12, 13, 14, 15, 2, 16, 17, 18, 9, 10]
Ovation imports (Celebrity, Applause, Elite import): the 2015–2020 era ends (Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW), Asian contract plants for Ovation (Korea/China/Indonesia; builders unverified))[12, 13, 14, 15, 2, 16, 17, 18, 7, 8]
Where Ovation was built in 2020
Asian contract plants for Ovation (Korea/China/Indonesia; builders unverified) and New Hartford CT (Kaman/Ovation plant). See every brand each plant built for, and every plant in the same country:
Every numbered marker on this page points here: the document, its grade and the passages relied on. An era is computed, so it cites the facts it was derived from. A fact marked “no source” has no claim attached yet.
GEWA music has recently announced the acquisition of the Ovation guitar brand from longtime partner, Drum Workshop, Inc.Ovation in 2020: owners and plants
In 2015 DW became owner of the legendary guitar maker as part of a multi-brand acquisition from Fender/KMC.Era ends: Ovation USA (New Hartford), 2020
Adamas and Applause – two brands associated with Ovation – are also part of the deal, which was finalized in September 2020.Ovation in 2020: owners and plants
Ovation Guitars and exclusive U.S. distribution rights for Sabian Cymbals are also included in the transaction.Era ends: Ovation USA (New Hartford), 2020