NGD Ovation

[SFCRetired]

I know Ovations are a love hate sort of thing. I personally don't have the issue of holding it on my leg, standing up is an entirely different matter. It's like playing a Dobro trying to hand chord it.

Back in the early eighties when I first got serious about learning guitar I always wanted an Ovation. I guess because they were the rage in the seventies and into the early eighties and I saw so many professionals playing one. My ex FIL had one as his only acoustic as he played his Chet Atkins Country Gentleman mostly, and I fell in love with his Ovation. I always wanted a barnburst. My first choice was always a Balladeer or Legend but man, folks who have those still want a premium price for them.

So I spent a lot of hours on Reverb and Ebay looking around at Ovations and then I came across this a couple weeks back. It's a Celebrity MIK, but that's fine, it's just a porch or grab and go guitar anyway. I haven't played an Ovation in a long time and the one thing I noticed after playing it is how huge the fret boards seemed to be on my other guitars after playing the Ovation. It definitely takes some getting used to for sure.

It is a 1988 model and the thing is in excellent condition without a lot of playing time. These pictures are from the seller

[Wardo]

Removed for inappropriate content.

[SFCRetired]

Yeah I personally never knew it was an issue either until I read it on the web. But I have never had the belly bulge problem either. Personally I think they sit comfortably and I'm 57 now. I just wrap myself around it.

I was playing Amie the other night, as I just about have the song licked, and I flew around the fret board with ease.

[8TrackJoe]

Congrats, I really like the color. Your right about the fretboard, they feel more like an electric guitar. I have two and enjoy both of them.

[JustKim]

Congrats! I love Ovations too
The only time I ever had a problem with the bowl back was when I was pregnant. It was like trying to balance two eggs on top of each other. LOL

[SFCRetired]

Originally Posted by JustKim

Congrats! I love Ovations too
The only time I ever had a problem with the bowl back was when I was pregnant. It was like trying to balance two eggs on top of each other. LOL

Okay, that's funny,

[Jim Owen]

Nice looking burst there. Congrats!

[DanR]

Congrats on the NGD! Ovations are certainly unique guitars and I feel that someday, I may have to get one.

Enjoy!

Nice looking instrument! I had a Celebrity about a decade ago that had great sound. There was a weird quirk in the electronics that made it impractical for stage use, but on the front porch or on the couch she was Queen Guitar bay-bah. Congratulations!

[patchmcg]

I started out on a Celebrity back in the 80's. It was a fine guitar that I played for many years and is now owned by my nephew. But be very careful! That guitar was the top of a very slippery and steep slope! (See my signature line for clarification. )

[SFCRetired]

I took that guitar to show my nephew in KC this past weekend, as he has no experience with Ovations.

He had ask me to bring my G series Tak because he was somewhat interested in it. He played the Tak for a few minutes and then I said hey, I want to show this to you.

He picked it up and didn't put it down for the rest of night. Then he started looking for Ovations for sale. I came home with my Tak.

There is one little ding on it, other than that it looks like it did in 1988. It's been played very little. I got a bargain with this guitar. As I said, I would prefer a Legend or Balladeer, and I will get one at some point, but I do really like this guitar.

I don't have any issue with the round back or the small fret board, but I will say, the neck on my other guitars seem huge after playing the Ovation. Playing lead parts on the Ovation is a breeze because all the strings are right there and there isn't any guess work to it.

[marty bradbury]

Great looking guitar!! Always have liked Ovations!!

[vintageom]

Congratulations on your new baby.

I have nostalgia for Ovations from the days back in the early-mid 70's when MANY famous players and performers used them, and I could not afford hardly anything. So I drooled over them hanging on the wall at the music store.

I finally bought a Legend in the early 80's. Had it for many years and gave it to my daughter.

I still enjoy playing it when I visit her. Super easy and fun (and unique tone) to play.

Enjoy

[Kip Carter]

I likes it... if one came my way like that at the right price you'd be I would snag it... Deep bowls are all about it.

[Davis Webb]

Originally Posted by SFCRetired

I flew around the fret board with ease.

There you have it. And the balance of the tone. It is my go-to axe.

Grats on the purchase. You may find it becomes far more than a porch guitar. It complements the vocal register for baritones very well.