Members bizilly Posted June 8, 2005 Members Share Posted June 8, 2005 Just wondering how ovation guitars hold up thru the years. Since they have the plastic bowl, I thought that maybe the bowl would get brittle over time and crack or shatter. Any thoughts or info appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agentcooper2001 Posted June 8, 2005 Members Share Posted June 8, 2005 i have one that my dad gave me. He bought it new in '76 and it's still in perfect shape. I'm not really crazy about the bowl back on it, but it sounds good, if a bit mellow for my taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members F-holes Posted June 8, 2005 Members Share Posted June 8, 2005 Originally posted by bizilly Just wondering how ovation guitars hold up thru the years. Since they have the plastic bowl, I thought that maybe the bowl would get brittle over time and crack or shatter. Any thoughts or info appreciated. It's not the bowl that is the weakest link. Ovation's are very prone to top cracks, usually running from the bridge to the end of the lower bout. This is attributed to the plastic and the wood not adjusting to temp/humidity changes at the same rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Paul Buerk Posted June 8, 2005 Members Share Posted June 8, 2005 The bowls themselves are as tough as helicopter blades. The problems are with everything else that attaches to them, mostly from the effects of time and tension. The little rubber leg gripper piece that is on the lower waist wears out pretty easily, but it's simple to replace it. If you're looking for a stage acoustic that you can plug in and play, then toss it in the van, an Ovation is an OK way to go. Beat the crud out of it for a couple years then replace it. For the longer term, I'd suggest a solid body stage acoustic, which again is fairly cheap and sturdy. If you're looking for something to play around the house or with a microphone, I'd suggest passing on the Ovation anyway. The ones I've played lately all sound like wooden barrels, dull and lifeless, but sound OK when plugged in. This is coming from a guy who's first acoustic was an Ovation classical, too - I'm not a rabid Ov-hater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tlniec Posted June 8, 2005 Members Share Posted June 8, 2005 I've noticed that with newer Ovations, too. Older ones seem fine -- my father-in-law has had his Ovation for probably close to 15 years, and it sounds great (even unplugged). But I played a couple of new ones at a local music store a few months ago, and they sounded totally lifeless... basically "like a wooden barrel." Hopefully all the new ones aren't like that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mikeSF Posted June 8, 2005 Members Share Posted June 8, 2005 my beater guitar is a '73 standard balladeer and that thing gets major abuse and is very tough.no cracks or separations anywhere. my kids beat up on it and it hasnt been in its case in years.best $50 i ever spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rock4gzus Posted June 8, 2005 Members Share Posted June 8, 2005 While not my favorite sounding guitar, I have consistently experienced Ovations to be very durable and, on the one occassion that I needed it, their company support was excellent when the electronic tuner quit on my Custom Legend. Top cracking is a mystery that is frequently seen but I never experienced it and had one Ovation 12 string that had no cracks after 22 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chopz Posted August 13, 2005 Members Share Posted August 13, 2005 I have a 30+ year old deep bowl Ovation that is near mint, no cracks. It sounds great and is tough as nails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ajames Posted August 14, 2005 Members Share Posted August 14, 2005 there's a reason that guitarists who's living is made on tapping, such as Kaki King, are seen playing ovations and beating on the tops of them ... the things can take a beating. but yes, i've seen 2 friend's ovations which tops have cracked ... the wood/plastic thing doesn't stand up too well to changes in temp and time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members F-holes Posted August 14, 2005 Members Share Posted August 14, 2005 Originally posted by ajames there's a reason that guitarists who's living is made on tapping, such as Kaki King, are seen playing ovations and beating on the tops of them ... the things can take a beating. Kaki King and Preston Reed are both heavy handed players. However, they both use Adamas guitars with Carbon Graphite soundbaords. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GN-Nick Posted August 14, 2005 Members Share Posted August 14, 2005 okay, it isn't plastic, it's a composite called lyrachord. And yes they are durable as hell. I have a '68 Balladeer that's in pristine condition. I think the reason you see more with cracked tops is that they are way more durable than a standard wood guitar. An Ovation can take abuse that would make a standard guitar a pile of toothpicks. I like the old ones and the new ones with the contour glass beaded bowl. Try one out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ajames Posted August 14, 2005 Members Share Posted August 14, 2005 Originally posted by F-holes Kaki King and Preston Reed are both heavy handed players. However, they both use Adamas guitars with Carbon Graphite soundbaords. my bad. good friends of mine saw her in concert and said she used numerous different guitars, one of which was an "ovation". i suppose now, it wasn't. oh well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members F-holes Posted August 14, 2005 Members Share Posted August 14, 2005 Originally posted by ajames my bad. good friends of mine saw her in concert and said she used numerous different guitars, one of which was an "ovation". i suppose now, it wasn't. oh well. It is, though. Sort of. They are both products of Kaman Corp. Adamas is advertised as Ovation's premium line, differing from the Ovation specifically in the use of carbon-graphite for the top. http://www.adamasguitars.com/?fa=technology http://www.adamasguitars.com/?fa=tech_top Preston Reed Kaki King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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