Ovation guitars

[motion]

I'm considering buying an ovation acoustic/electric guitar. I'm interested in hearing the opinions of anyone who has owned or played one.

[OldGuitarPlayer]

I'm considering buying an ovation acoustic/electric guitar. I'm interested in hearing the opinions of anyone who has owned or played one.

Welcome to the forum. I have never owned an Ovation but there are several members here who do. What model of ovation where you considering?
The general consensus here is that Ovations sound great plugged in...unplugged not so great. I think most folks buy them because they are great gigging guitar.

If you check the user Review section of Harmony Central you may find some opinions there too.

Good luck!

[motion]

Hello, thanks for the welcome and the feedback. I plan on using this strictly plugged in. I already have a decent sounding Washburn acoustic without a pick-up.

I'm not sure what model I want to purchase, but I'm not playing with a very big budget. I may even consider an applause.

I will check out the reviews section. Thanks again.

Ryan

[denvertrakker]

Another welcome!

If the search function works properly, you should be able to find more than a few threads discussing Ovations extensively. They don't seem to get a lot of love around here, but I have to admit I kind of like them. The criticisms seem to center on their lack of tone when unplugged, but I've heard several that sounded just fine - and unique. The other chief objection seems to be that they slip off of your lap sitting down, but that's not a problem if you play standing up - and anyway there's a non-slip thingy you can buy if you sit down and play.

One thing to watch out for if you look at used Ovations - they seem to have more than the usual issues with tops warping or separating from the bowl back. Just something to keep in mind.

[OldGuitarPlayer]

Have you looked at the Ovation Celebrity line? They might be within your budget.

http://www.ovationguitars.com/?fa=series&sid=34

[Jake7]

I have my Dads old custom balladeer,it's circa 1980 I think, very well worn in and it rocks for plugged in and recording, the bowl shape seems to get great results mic'd above the soundhole.
It plays like butter.

I still prefer my Yamaha but I don't have the usual predjudice regular flat top players seem to have!

[guitarist21]

If you've played an Ovation and like the plugged-in tone, by all means go for it.

 

I personally think there are many better options today than there were in 1970, when Ovation was the only company making acoustics you could plug in. Folks have their choice of USTs, SBTs, and magnetic pickups in all price ranges. While this would ruin the excitement of getting a new guitar, have you considered installing an after-market pickup in your Washburn? If you really like the acoustic tone of that guitar, you could probably reproduce it more accurately plugged in with a good after-market pickup.

 

The Applause line is generally not very good, IMO. Regardless of my dislike for the tone of these guitars, it has been my experience that the build quality of the Celebrity models OGP pointed you towards is much, much better than the Applause guitars.

 

Ellen

[Samilyn]

Welcome to HCAG. Glad to have you here.

 

Ovations are fine......

 

That is, if you don't mind a git that's harder to hang onto than a wet frog....

 

And sounds worse than one you're squeezing too hard.

 

Just get yourself some sticky jeans and a set of earplugs and you'll be fine.

 

Well, you did ask for opinions. Just my .02

[Hamhand]

I still have my 1985 Collector Edition. It's a gorgeous git, sounds fine plugged in. But right there is the problem. I have a nice Guild, a nice Martin, and even my used 1980 Ibanez that just SMOKE it unplugged. And I haven't played it but one time in six months for just that reason. It is just fine standing with a strap. It is the first guitar I'd use, if I didn't suck, and was in a band. Isn't it always nicer to get a real owners response? HH

[totamus]

Well, I am right there with Sami - not an Ovation fan. If you are playing plugged in, you might want to consider one of the slim archtops from Crafter. I love mine, and it has a great acoustic sound

[Jake7]

If you've played an Ovation and like the plugged-in tone, by all means go for it. I personally think there are many better options today than there were in 1970, when Ovation was the only company making acoustics you could plug in. Folks have their choice of USTs, SBTs, and magnetic pickups in all price ranges. While this would ruin the excitement of getting a new guitar, have you considered installing an after-market pickup in your Washburn? If you really like the acoustic tone of that guitar, you could probably reproduce it more accurately plugged in with a good after-market pickup. Ellen

Wise words....but..........

When it comes to piezos with a less pronounced attack transient, I still think the old wide ovation saddle pickup is the nicest sounding thing this side of LR Baggs Hex pickup, or a schertler.

THe crystals are suspended in silicone and not under pressuer like say a fishman transducer...so less quack and more of the guitars resonance.

Super guitarist ADrian Legg even has his custom made guitars fitted with them....Al Di Meola and Kaki King use the same pickup, and it's holding up well against almost every piezo on the market, even today.

I do agree about aftermarket pups.

[Samilyn]

....... Isn't it always nicer to get a real owners response? HH

 

 

My previous response is from experience, rather than actual ownership, and I'll elaborate just a bit on that:

 

When I was actively gigging in the '70s, Ovation became extremely popular. For the most part, we played 'em plugged in. They simply didn't sound even halfway decent otherwise. If we had to go purely acoustic, out came the Marties, Gibbies and Guilds.

 

Over the years, I have played many Ovations, both 6 and 12 string versions, plugged and unplugged. Sorry to say, not one of those gits ever gave me any desire to own it.

[slodge]

Welcome to the forum. I have never owned an Ovation but there are several members here who do. What model of ovation where you considering? The general consensus here is that Ovations sound great plugged in...unplugged not so great. I think most folks buy them because they are great gigging guitar. If you check the user Review section of Harmony Central you may find some opinions there too. Good luck!

 

I couldn't agree more. I bought a Celebrity about 20 years ago for the express purpose of being a reliable, sturdy, gigging guitar. I've been perfectly happy with it.

[AugTPD]

I'll save my opinion of Ovations but I'll add this. With Fender buying them recently I'd be a little hesitant to buy one right now. If you buy one and it has any problems getting warranty repair done might be a bit of a headache. I know Gibson has been less than eager to honor warranties on brands they have bought. I don't know how Fender was when they purchased Guild or Tacoma, but I would want to know before going out on a limb.

[Tony Burns]

Ive owned two different Ovations - both balladeers -- they were nice for the time they were made ( 70's- 80's ) but their piezo electrics would be dated for now a days and almost any acoustic electric would sound better - have heard the new ones are a bit better . Acousticlly ( non electric ) they never seem to get better with age like most acoustics - but they never get worse either -- so ive enjoyed the two I had ,and i dont want another one .