Know Your Gear Podcast: Episode Summary Title: Why Fender Bought And Sold Ovation Guitars
Host: Phillip McKnight
Release Date: January 5, 2025

Introduction

In the final episode of 2024, Phillip McKnight delves into a variety of guitar-related topics, addressing listener questions while sharing personal insights and experiences. The episode culminates in an in-depth discussion on Fender's acquisition and eventual sale of Ovation Guitars, exploring the strategic decisions and industry impacts of this move.

Amplifier Preferences and Comparisons

Question from MyLogify: "What do you think of the Iron Ball SE you had before? Did you keep it?"

Phillip shares his experiences with the Iron Ball SE and Steve Morris amplifiers:

• Iron Ball SE vs. Steve Morris:
  "My critique of the Iron Ball SE was that the clean channel was a little too bright, making pedals sound tinny. In contrast, the Steve Morris amp offers a warmer clean tone and less muddy distortion, aligning better with my preferences." (04:25)

• Engel Amplifiers Appreciation:
  "Engel is one of the most underrated amp companies, especially prevalent in studio settings. Artists like Paul Gilbert utilize Engel Fireballs for their high-gain tones." (07:15)

Guitar Models and Modifications

Question from Tyler: "Did you see The Squire Paranormal 12 String Jazz Master? Any thoughts on the Electric 12 Strings?"

Phillip discusses Squier's innovative models and shares his preference for his own 12-string Dane Electro, emphasizing:

• Preference for Unique Features:
  "I appreciate when brands like Squier experiment with designs that Fender doesn't, even though sometimes it's disappointing when Fender doesn't back these unique models." (10:40)

Question from Music: "What is the difference between 8515 pickups made by GNB in my 2017 S2 and the plain black ones with just a sticker?"

Phillip explores PRS pickups, noting:

• Lack of Transparency in Specifications:
  "PRS keeps their pickup specifications close, making it challenging to determine differences without insider information or extensive research." (15:30)

Pedals, Noise Issues, and Signal Chain

Question from Bill: "My Boss IR2 introduces much noise on some amps. Any ideas?"

Phillip addresses common pedal-related noise issues:

• Cause of Noise:
  "Buffered pedals can send excessive signal, causing amps like Mesa Boogies to react with hissing noises. Using pedal loops or simplifying your pedal board might help." (22:10)

Question from J Smorry Music: "Have you found distortion pedals that sound okay on their own but come alive when stacked with another pedal?"

Phillip emphasizes the benefits of stacking pedals:

• Enhancing Tone through Stacking:
  "Stacking overdrive or distortion pedals can create a more dynamic and energetic sound, adding complexity and depth to your tone." (25:45)

Guitar Trades and Appraisal Insights

Question from Alex: "How do local shops appraise my used guitars to determine what they offer me in a trade?"

Phillip shares his experience as a guitar store owner, explaining:

• Factors Influencing Trade Value:
  "Shops assess the demand for specific brands and models. For instance, high demand for Harley Benton guitars can lead to higher trade-in values, while oversaturated models like certain Epiphones may fetch lower offers." (30:20)

• Real-World Examples:
  "One of my best trade deals involved trading a Parker guitar for a Gibson Les Paul because the store manager personally wanted that specific Les Paul." (35:10)

Educational Content and Promotions

Inquiry about Tim Pierce Course:
Phillip announces upcoming promotions for the Tim Pierce Masterclass, highlighting the positive impact of the course on his playing:

• Course Impact:
  "Since taking Tim Pierce's course, I've received more compliments on my playing than ever before. The philosophical insights were invaluable." (40:00)

Performance Enhancements and Equipment Setup

Question from Amanda Ford: "I decided to create my own guitar brand. Any advice for beginning companies trying to keep things local and small?"

Phillip offers strategic advice:

• Challenges of Starting a Guitar Brand:
  "Keeping operations local and small requires dedication and passion. Avoid scaling too quickly and focus on quality and community engagement." (45:30)

Main Topic: Fender’s Acquisition and Sale of Ovation Guitars

In the latter part of the episode, Phillip delves into the history and implications of Fender’s involvement with Ovation Guitars.

• Historical Context:
  "In the early 2000s, Fender acquired several brands including Guild and Ovation through the purchase of Command, a company originally founded for helicopter parts manufacturing." (50:00)

• Impact on Guild:
  "Fender's acquisition led to production shifts, with high-quality Guild guitars being produced in Connecticut. However, the focus on costing fewer Tacomas resulted in diminished availability and support for Guild's traditional models." (52:45)

• Transition of Ovation Ownership:
  "Fender eventually sold Ovation to a German company, Gewa GmbH, in 2022. This shift moved Ovation production primarily overseas, impacting the brand’s reputation for quality and USA-made instruments." (55:30)

• Personal Experiences with Brand Changes:
  "As a dealer, witnessing the decline of Tacoma and the shift of Ovation production was frustrating. The market response varied, with imported Ovations flooding sales due to their affordability, overshadowing the premium USA models." (58:15)

• Corporate Decisions vs. Passion:
  "These changes weren't driven purely by corporate greed but often stemmed from strategic missteps and a lack of passion for maintaining the legacy and quality of the acquired brands." (1:00:50)

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Phillip wraps up the episode by:

• Reflecting on 2024:
  "2024 was a whirlwind year, and I'm excited for the diverse gear topics we'll explore in 2025." (1:05:30)

• Upcoming Changes for 2025:
  "We're planning to diversify our gear reviews further, introducing more brands and balancing our content across different price points and origins." (1:07:40)

• Community Engagement:
  "I'm considering a live stream event for New Year's Eve where I'll build a pedal board live, interact with listeners, and answer questions in real-time. Let me know your thoughts!" (1:10:00)

• Acknowledgments:
  Phillip thanks his Patreon members, second channel subscribers, and listeners for their unwavering support, celebrating milestones like the second channel hitting 20,000 subscribers and averaging 300,000 monthly views.
  "Thank you for making this community so amazing. Your support fuels everything we do here." (1:12:15)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Engel is one of the most underrated amp companies, especially prevalent in studio settings." — Phillip McKnight (07:15)

• "Shops assess the demand for specific brands and models. For instance, high demand for Harley Benton guitars can lead to higher trade-in values." — Phillip McKnight (30:20)

• "Keeping operations local and small requires dedication and passion." — Phillip McKnight (45:30)

• "Fender eventually sold Ovation to a German company, Gewa GmbH, in 2022." — Phillip McKnight (55:30)

• "These changes weren't driven purely by corporate greed but often stemmed from strategic missteps and a lack of passion for maintaining the legacy and quality of the acquired brands." — Phillip McKnight (1:00:50)

Final Thoughts

Phillip McKnight successfully navigates through a myriad of guitar-related inquiries, offering expert advice and seasoned perspectives. The episode’s highlight, the examination of Fender's strategic maneuvers with Ovation Guitars, provides valuable insights into the complexities of brand acquisitions and their ramifications within the musical instrument industry. As the podcast gears up for 2025, listeners can anticipate an enriched lineup of content, continuing to bridge the gap between gear enthusiasts and their passion for music.

Note: Timestamps are approximate and based on the transcript provided.