Ovation guitars are back in my life.

Guitarplayer_PR · #1 05-28-2019, 08:16 PM

After having owned almost a dozen of them, many of them Elites, I just purchased a used Ovation 2178 Ultra. I think those were first made overseas, but assembled in USA. The strings are very old but the action is nice and plugged in. . . well, it's an Ovation, pure acoustic cannon. I can't wait to do a proper setup and cutting heads with it!

JohnW63 · #2 05-28-2019, 08:37 PM

Nice.

I got one of the "Book Elites" from Patch, recently. Might be the loudest Ovation I own. The only Cedar topped one I've ever played.

Ovation1 · #3 05-29-2019, 05:48 AM

Pictures please!

Kerbie · #4 05-29-2019, 05:51 AM

That's great, congratulations! I'd also like to see it. I had an Ovation back in the their heyday... wonderful guitar. One of the sweetest necks I've ever played. Wish I still had it.

Guitarplayer_PR · #5 05-29-2019, 06:03 AM

Guitarplayer_PR · #6 05-29-2019, 06:04 AM

Guitarplayer_PR · #7 05-29-2019, 06:07 AM

Kerbie · #8 05-29-2019, 06:12 AM

Hey, that looks to be in great shape! Very nice... the "leaf" guitars, as I called them. Lol... Love that headstock and neck. I bet it plays like a dream.

Guitarplayer_PR · #9 05-29-2019, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerbie

Hey, that looks to be in great shape! Very nice... the "leaf" guitars, as I called them. Lol... Love that headstock and neck. I bet it plays like a dream.

I've always loved them. I think this has been my fifth "leaf."

Kerbie · #10 05-29-2019, 06:50 AM

Oh yeah, I grew up with a buddy who had one of those. It was a sweet little guitar. Sold it when he got married and has regretted it ever since.

Guitarplayer_PR · #11 05-29-2019, 07:04 AM

BTW, this has to be the greatest purchase, in terms of "street value vs. original cost" I've ever done. For almost 3 times less money than what was its original price, I got an excellent, near mint guitar with its original case, which is a top notch hardshell gigbag.

moosedog · #12 05-29-2019, 11:58 AM

Just watched a recent Melissa Ethridge concert on the tube. She’s still rocking her Ovation 12 string

SpruceTop · #13 06-01-2019, 07:39 AM

I, too, now have an Ovation acoustic-electric back in my life and I'm very happy with it! A few months ago I received my Ovation ExoticWoods Elite Plus Contour Multi-color Bubinga from a major dealer who is blowing out these guitars at $500 off the normal MAP price. Having owned over a dozen high-end Ovation and Adamas models over the years, this is my first offshore-model Ovation. The guitar is equipped with Ovation's current, top-of-the-line Op-Pro/Studio preamp which features an Exciter circuit (Aphex-style?) and a Compression circuit as well as three-band EQ, and onboard tuner. The guitar features the Deep-Bowl Contour body which is very comfortable and helps the guitar stay put, whether sitting or standing, compared to the older roundback bodies. The Korean craftsmanship of this strikingly-pretty, Bubinga veneered, AAA Spruce top Ovation offshore model is flawless, and the setup is almost electric-guitar-like. The $699 price includes Ovation's really decent, molded, hardshell case. Initial impressions from acoustic and plugged-in playing are:

1) Somewhat compressed acoustic tone compared to similar American-model versions, and its acoustic tone would never be mistaken for the tone of my now traded-in 2009 Adamas 2080 NWT with VIP 5 preamp;

2) Balanced acoustic and amplified tone with the Op-Pro/Studio preamp's onboard controls yielding useful settings for amplified tone shaping.

In summary, I feel the Ovation ExoticWoods Elite Plus Contour - Multi-color Bubinga would be a nice live-performance instrument and good guitar for sitting around and noodling on.

waldrgd · #14 06-01-2019, 02:53 PM

So, I own a gibson, martin and a taylor but have always wanted an ovation. But, I am confused on the ranking of them. In other words, what is the best to worst ovation. I'm really not interested in a new one either. Can someone list the good ones and the ones to stay away from? Thanks

Guitarplayer_PR · #15 06-01-2019, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waldrgd

So, I own a gibson, martin and a taylor but have always wanted an ovation. But, I am confused on the ranking of them. In other words, what is the best to worst ovation. I'm really not interested in a new one either. Can someone list the good ones and the ones to stay away from? Thanks

If you're interested in the unplugged sound, deep bowl guitars (contoured and regular) are the way to go, especially if it's from USA. Check any guitar with the letters "LX" or any model from the late 60s and the 80s. Stay away from supershallow guitars, especially the cheap Celebrity models.

If you're interested in the plugged sound, the options expand greatly. Supershallows are awesome for plugged-in settings.