Charlie Kaman, a pioneer in helicopter technology, unexpectedly revolutionized the music world in the 1960s with the Ovation guitar. Leveraging his aerospace expertise, Kaman and his Ovation Guitar Company introduced groundbreaking designs and materials, most notably the distinctive roundback body and innovative pickup systems, forever changing the landscape of acoustic guitars and captivating musicians worldwide. This is the story of how helicopter innovation took flight in the realm of music, creating a lasting legacy for the Ovation Guitar Company.
The Midnight Special Moment: Nancy Wilson and the Allure of Ovation
For many, the introduction to the unique appeal of Ovation guitars came through iconic performances. Imagine a chilly evening in 1977, tuning into “The Midnight Special,” a prominent music TV show of the era. For many young music enthusiasts, this was a prime opportunity to witness live band performances beyond radio airwaves and record sleeves. It was on this show that many first saw Heart, and more specifically, Nancy Wilson, wielding a striking blue guitar during the acoustic opening of “Crazy on You.” This wasn’t just any guitar; it was an Ovation Adamas, a prototype crafted especially for Wilson, showcasing the brand’s bold departure from traditional guitar designs.
This moment of Nancy Wilson on “The Midnight Special” with her distinctive Ovation guitar wasn’t just a performance; it was an introduction for many to a new kind of acoustic instrument. The Ovation guitar, with its unique design elements like the bowl-shaped fiberglass back, layered carbon-fiber top, and innovative pickup system, stood out from the traditional guitars of the time. Wilson, alongside a host of other prominent artists, became synonymous with the Ovation brand, bringing its innovative spirit to the forefront of popular music and solidifying the Ovation Guitar Company’s place in music history.
From Rotor Blades to Roundbacks: The Helicopter Heritage of Ovation
The story of the Ovation Guitar Company is inextricably linked to the world of aviation, specifically helicopters, and the vision of one man: Charles “Charlie” Kaman. Unlike many guitar company founders who were luthiers or musicians first, Kaman’s background was firmly rooted in aerospace engineering. He wasn’t initially driven by a desire to build a better guitar, but rather a better helicopter. This unconventional starting point is what makes the Ovation story so unique.
Kaman’s passion for helicopters began early, fueled by experiences like his first flight in a Westland Whirlwind as an Air Cadet. He was captivated by the unique capabilities of helicopters – vertical takeoff, hovering, and exceptional maneuverability – recognizing their immense potential in various sectors, from military operations to rescue missions. This fascination led him to dedicate his career to advancing helicopter technology, focusing on enhancing reliability, safety, and operability through innovative design and materials.
The Genesis of Innovation: Kaman Aircraft and Helicopter Advancements
In 1945, Charles Kaman established the Kaman Aircraft Company with a modest investment, driven by his innovative ideas for helicopter rotor designs. His key invention was a revolutionary servo-controlled rotor flap system, which significantly improved helicopter stability and safety. This innovation, initially rejected by his former employer, Hamilton/United, became the cornerstone of his own company’s success.
Kaman’s contributions to helicopter technology extended beyond rotor design. He pioneered intermeshing rotors, eliminating the need for a tail rotor, introduced gas turbine engines to helicopters, and developed the first remotely controlled helicopter, a precursor to modern drones. His relentless pursuit of innovation and safety cemented Kaman Aircraft Company’s reputation as a leader in the aviation industry. These advancements in aerospace, particularly in composite materials and vibration management, would later become surprisingly relevant to the birth of the Ovation Guitar Company.
From Aircraft to Acoustics: Bridging Aerospace and Guitars
Charles Kaman’s journey took an unexpected turn in the 1960s. A skilled guitar player himself, who once considered a career in music, Kaman recognized a unique opportunity to apply his aerospace expertise to guitar design. He observed the traditional methods of guitar making and believed that the advanced materials and engineering principles from helicopter development could revolutionize the instrument.
Kaman famously stated, “In helicopters, the engineers spend all their time trying to figure out how to remove vibration. And to build a guitar you spend your time trying to figure out how to put vibration in. But vibration is vibration. And we had materials coming out of aircraft development that made a vastly better guitar.” This insightful connection between managing vibration in helicopters and harnessing it in guitars became the driving force behind the Ovation Guitar Company.
In 1965, Kaman founded Ovation Instruments, assembling a team of aerospace engineers and experienced luthiers. Their mission was to explore unconventional materials and designs to create a superior guitar. They experimented with fiberglass, a material commonly used in helicopter construction, for the guitar’s back and sides. This led to the development of “Lyrachord,” a proprietary composite material that became a hallmark of Ovation guitars.
The Roundback Revolution: A Bowl-Shaped Body and Acoustic Innovation
One of the most significant innovations from the Ovation Guitar Company was the roundback body. Initially, the team aimed to use Lyrachord in a traditional guitar shape, but they encountered challenges with the joint between the back and sides. This led to the radical idea of a one-piece bowl-shaped back. This design not only enhanced the structural integrity of the guitar but also offered unique acoustic advantages.
The parabolic shape of the roundback acted like an “amphitheater,” focusing sound projection towards the soundhole. While unconventional for guitars, this bowl shape had historical precedents in instruments like lutes and mandolins. Combined with a Sitka spruce top (initially sourced from Kaman’s aerospace operations), Ovation guitars delivered a distinctive bright and loud sound, different from traditional flat-top guitars.
Endorsements and Early Success: Josh White and Glenn Campbell
The Ovation Guitar Company quickly gained recognition, in part due to strategic endorsements from influential musicians. Legendary folk and blues artist Josh White played a crucial role in the later stages of Ovation’s guitar development. Ovation built a signature model for him, making it the first signature guitar for an African American artist, a significant event during the Civil Rights Movement. Josh White became the first artist to publicly perform with an Ovation guitar in 1966, lending considerable credibility to the new brand.
Another pivotal figure in Ovation’s rise to prominence was Glen Campbell. His pop hits like “Gentle on My Mind” and “Wichita Lineman,” coupled with frequent TV appearances, brought Ovation guitars into the homes of millions. Campbell’s adoption of Ovation guitars was a game-changer. He not only endorsed the brand but also provided valuable feedback that influenced guitar design, leading to features like the textured roundback for better grip and thinner body options.
The Piezo Pickup Revolution: Amplifying Acoustic Performance
Perhaps Ovation’s most enduring and widespread innovation is the piezo pickup system for acoustic guitars. Prior to this, amplifying acoustic guitars for live performance was challenging, often relying on microphones that limited mobility and were prone to feedback. Ovation pioneered the integration of piezo pickups, allowing acoustic guitars to be amplified directly through amplifiers while retaining their acoustic tonal qualities.
This innovation addressed a critical need for performing acoustic musicians. The piezo pickup system became a standard feature on Ovation guitars and was quickly adopted by other manufacturers, revolutionizing acoustic-electric guitar technology. While Japanese company Takamine followed suit, Kaman Music, Ovation’s parent company, held a partial ownership stake in Takamine, highlighting Ovation’s influence on the industry.
The Adamas Revolution: Carbon Fiber Tops and Unconventional Design
Not content with just the roundback design, Charlie Kaman continued to push boundaries with the Adamas series, introduced in 1976. These guitars featured radical carbon fiber tops, departing even further from traditional guitar construction. Kaman argued that the soundboard (top) was the most crucial element of a guitar’s sound, and relocating the soundhole from the center to the upper shoulders, combined with a carbon fiber sandwich top, would enhance resonance and structural integrity.
The Adamas guitars were visually striking, with distinctive “epaulet” soundholes and a range of colors. The carbon fiber top was significantly thinner than traditional spruce tops, making it more responsive and also impervious to humidity and temperature changes. Adamas guitars are considered the pinnacle of Ovation’s innovation, representing a complete reimagining of the acoustic guitar.
Legacy and Longevity: Ovation Guitars Today
Charles Kaman passed the leadership of Ovation to his son Bill in 1986, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of innovation in both aerospace and music. While the Kaman Corporation continued to thrive in aerospace, Ovation Guitars navigated a changing musical instrument market. Through various ownership transitions, including periods under Fender and Drum Workshop, and now GEWA Music, the Ovation Guitar Company has endured.
Today, Ovation guitars remain in production, with a diverse range of models, from high-end Adamas guitars made in the USA to more affordable models produced in Asia. While perhaps not as ubiquitous as they were in the 1970s, Ovation guitars retain a dedicated following of musicians who appreciate their unique sound, innovative design, and legacy of challenging conventions.
Conclusion: A Standing Ovation for Innovation
The Ovation Guitar Company’s story is a testament to the power of cross-disciplinary innovation. Charles Kaman’s ability to translate aerospace engineering principles into guitar design resulted in instruments that were both sonically unique and visually distinctive. While not every innovation, such as the roundback body, has become universally adopted, Ovation’s piezo pickup system has become an industry standard.
Ovation guitars occupy a unique niche in guitar history. They represent a bold departure from tradition, embracing new materials and designs to enhance performance and sound. For musicians seeking an instrument that stands out from the crowd, both in appearance and tone, the Ovation Guitar Company continues to offer a compelling and innovative choice, deserving of a standing ovation for its lasting contribution to the world of music.
