Ovation Acoustic Electrics- Are They Any Good?

[ironman187]

Originally Posted by ewalling

What? Compared to Martin and Taylor discussions? I don't think so! The thing is, Chris, there's little love for Ovations on this forum and you'll probably get a better response on the Ovation Fan Club site. I'm of the same mind, by the way; the higher end Ovations, such as the Adamas, Custom Legend, and Elite, have some fascination for me. I love the design and only recently I played a superb 10 year old super shallow bodied Elite in a store near Liverpool.

Ha, the Ovation fanclub, really? They will tell you Ovations are the ONLY guitar to buy because they are tonally superior to all other guitars (which is not true be any stretch of the imagination) That having been said, if you like the guitar, the way it sounds and feels, go for it. Ovations are not my cup of tea (even the Adamas) but one thing I will say, is that they do sound superb plugged in.

On a side note, Ovation gets quite a bit of love here, Gibson seems to be the poopoo'd brand.

[guitararmy]

I have a VXT which is Ovation's acoustic-electric with emphasis on the electric side. I don't care much for the acoustic sound (with the Fishman Aura on board I expected a better acoustic sound than it has) but the electric side sounds like a nice Gibson 335...

[nosajwp]

Ovations are great guitars...there's a very nice 2005 Collectors in the for sale section!

[BobKat]

I had an Ovation for many years and absolutely loved it plugged in. It was a super-shallow, and of course not the same guitar acosutically, but it was passable. It was also very comfortable whether sitting or standing, and that makes a huge difference on stage. You just can not perform your best onstage if your guitar is not comfortable, and big-bodied-dreads and jumbos just do not do it for me while I am standing.

[BobKat]

I now have a pair of T5s for stage use.

[patchmcg]

If you find one you like, go for it.

I obviously think they are VERY good guitars. But try to stick with the USA-made ones, the build quality is much, MUCH higher.

Ewalling, my shallow bowl Adamas is still available.

[Auriemma]

+1 on what patch said. But as usual, play as many as you can and buy the one that sings to you.

FYI: Elite-Ts are SWEET!

[bvince]

I'm new to this forum, but not new to discussion on guitars ...

The only problem with Ovation guitars is that most shops don't carry the really good USA-made models, so they get a bad rap from players who have picked up nothing but the cheap ones. I have played quite a few of the best Martins, Taylors, and Gibsons at the Lansing Elderly's store, (some in the +$10,000 range) and to tell you the truth, I haven't been any more impressed with them than with a good deep bowl solid-wood-top USA Ovation model. If you really compare apples to apples i.e., the high-end models of each manufacturer, you may be suprised with what you discover. My theory is that a great guitar will be a great guitar, regardless of what name is on it. To make a generally rash statement about the quality of "all ____s" without really knowing what you're talking about is ignorant.

If you are interested in an Ovation, do your research and try out the best ones.

[JohnZ]

Besides Takamine, I don't think anyone produces a better or more reliable acoustic/electric work guitar than Ovation for the price. If you go the used route, the old '70's and 80's preamps don't hold up to today standards but can be replaced with a new factory pre.

[patticake]

stood out for you how? did you play them to get an idea of whether you liked the sound and feel? while i don't care for the neck or unplugged sound of the cheaper ovations, the al dimeola model had a great neck and beautiful sound plugged and unplugged.

Originally Posted by chrisguitar

I have seen many ovations in many diffrent shops, but the ovation acoustic electrics with the fiberglass back and sides really stood out to me. If anyone has any info on this particular type of guitars please write, because I am seriously considering purchasing one.

[john bange]

back in the 70's, the number of artists performing with plugged in Ovations was very high...they really had a good system. As has been said in this thread, the rest of the industry caught and passed them.
as a price point, if you can find a good condition accoustic/electric Ovation, they made a fine guitar on the east coast...don't know about the Asian stuff.
i had one...wish i'd kept it. john

[MisterZeus]

Al Di Meola has played an Ovation as one of his two or three primary instruments for virtually his entire public career, some 35+ years...but what does he know about tone?

;-)

[patticake]

yeah, but there's a HUGE difference between the al dimeola and the $300, $400 and $500 ovations. you sure don't see al playing an applause, celebrity or an iDea

Originally Posted by MisterZeus

Al Di Meola has played an Ovation as one of his two or three primary instruments for virtually his entire public career, some 35+ years...but what does he know about tone?

;-)

[maverick-tx]

I've played a couple that weren't bad but that doesn't mean I liked it or would buy one. A guy at church plays a really high-end one that sounds terrible plugged in. Maybe it sounds better unplugged. I don't care for the look of them either.

[thechordstamper]

Speaking of Ovation, I was poking around ebay looking for a 12 strings and found this ad for one of John Denver's guitars: an Adamas. I've never heard that name before but it looked like an Ovation to me with a fancy headstock and bridge. I've googled a bit and from what my 'lil brain can figure out, that seems to be what it is. It's like Adamas is/was to Ovation the way Lexus is to Toyota.

Check it out while it's still posted. Not everyday you see a starting bid of $36,000 or a buy now price of $42,000. (And no, I'm not the one trying to sell the guitar, just sharing for fun).

http://cgi.ebay.com/John-Denvers-Per...item19b9b2b915