Overall Rating: I own several relatively cheap Stratocaster style electrics and a few cheap dreadnoughts. I can't compare this to a Taylor or something like that, but as a workhorse guitar to add acoustic feel to a band, this is a good axe.
Features: I got the black finish on this guitar. It's very black, with the only visible wood being the epaulets around the sound hole and the veneer on the fretboard. The neck seems to be some kind of plastic and of course the mid-depth bowl is plastic (I think it's fiberglass, actually) So the immediate impression, with its 'made in China' sticker, is TOY!, but it is actually a well made guitar. The guitar is very light, very comfortable to hold and play, either standing or sitting. It has individual piezo pickups for each string, and the electronics have a built in tuner, which is wonderful.
Sound Quality: I had originally purchased an Epiphone EJ-200 electrified, but it gave me a neck ache trying to play it standing. If I gave the Epiphone an 8 for acoustic quality I'd give the Ovation a 5. It's OK, but nobody would call it rich and warm. Where I think the Ovation shines is in a mix, like church, with a few other instruments and people singing. The Ovation is so good at picking up the dynamics of the guitar that the acoustic feel really comes through in a mix. Those same dynamics can sound too bright when played solo, but it really isn't too bright, it just picks up things that other acoustic-electrics (like the EJ-200) don't. So I wouldn't buy this guitar unless you're intending to play plugged in - you could do much better acoustically for the money.
Reliability/Durability: I think this guitar will stand up to the road. The things that make it look/feel cheap, all the plastic, mean this thing is not fragile, and it's more comfortable than a traditional acoustic to hold and play. There is no pick guard, so if you're a hard strumming fool you might scratch up the top.
Customer Support: I haven't dealt with Ovation. The warranty? You think I'll be able to find that card if something breaks?
Purchased From: MusiciansFriend.com
Price: $398.00 USD
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