Ovation guitars , - Page 2

Pdubs76 · #16 03-06-2021, 03:59 AM

I’ve never played one, which is ironic considering that the factory is just up the road from me.

ruger9 · #17 03-06-2021, 07:14 AM

re: the sliding off the lap thing...

Newer Ovations have the bottom of the bowl "roughed up" (like sandpaper) to help with that. Some people also sell very thin rubber patches (think bicycle inner tube) that can be glued to the bottom (spray adhesive) to accomplish the same thing. My 91 Custom Legend is old enough it doesn't have the "roughed up" thing, so I bought and affixed a piece of the plastic. Works well.

https://www.amazon.com/Oasis-Inc-Gui.../dp/B005IZB1EQ

patchmcg · #18 03-06-2021, 08:33 AM

As my signature line indicates, I obviously can't stand'em!

I had a great relationship with several of the people who worked at New Hartford until most of them were let go by Fender. During that time, they helped me build some truly wonderful, world-class instruments.

I love wooden guitars as well, having owned Taylors, Martins, and even a Collings. But somehow, all of them wandered away while about 20 Ovations remained. I would love to get some more wood boxes, but my Ovations will never be completely be replaced by them.

Honestly, the guitars that came out of New Hartford are fantastic instruments!

CMP · #19 03-07-2021, 03:19 PM

Lots of love here for the Ovations! I'm sort of a newbie to the Ovation party but I've scored a few over the last 7/8 months. I love them! Play fantastic.... sound great and they have such a VIBE!! Especially the Adamas.... they are a whole other level. Wonderful in every way. I'm actually selling my Breedlove Ed Gerhard (which I thought would NEVER happen) since it's not getting any use anymore. Good luck in your search....

rule18 · #20 03-07-2021, 03:33 PM

I gig'd with an Ovation in the late 80's, I think it was a Celebrity model. It was ok, but I recall wishing it would stop sounding like it had a plastic back. Oh wait...

It was good enough plugged in, which is what I needed at the time.

I thought I heard that Fender had pulled the plug (couldn't resist) on Ovation in the US, but I'm sure there are plenty of used ones around.

Guitarplayer_PR · #21 03-07-2021, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveyo

Thinking of getting one
I love the look
Any love for Ovation here?

I've owned about a dozen of Ovation guitars and currently own 2 (I recently sold the 2178), both from USA, both 6 stringers, both from the 80s, both deep bowl (like almost all the ones I've owned), but one is a 14-fret whitey (the Ovation Legend 1717) and the other one is a 12-fret sunburst (Ovation Folklore 1614). I love them both, especially the Folklore which, IMO, is my favorite Ovation model ever (think Cat Stevens and the Majikat Concert). It's like if you mix a steel string guitar, a nylon string guitar and an electric guitar and you have the Folklore.

s2y · #22 03-08-2021, 03:17 AM

My first acoustic in the 90's was an Ovation and I traded up for an Adamas. Ended up selling mine because I switched to bass for about a decade.

If I had the space, I'd get a USA Ovation or Adamas for nostalgia sake.

Guitarfish · #23 03-08-2021, 09:29 PM

I still have my 1985 Collector's. I waver back and forth on selling it but haven't yet. Bought it brand new.

ssynhorst · #24 03-08-2021, 11:06 PM

Out of curiosity I bought one of the cheaper Ovation models locally from Craig's list, for cheap. It is heavy, very heavy, and figuring out how to hold it was a problem, you need to raise your leg to rest it there; or just use a strap set to raise it to your chest - then no problem, nice and intimate. The set up was perfect with very low action, the best of any guitar I own. Very comfortable and easy to play, including finger-picking which is what I do.

It is not weather sensitive so it is often within arm's reach when my solid body wooden guitars are in their cases. Having the cheaper laminated top it benefits from brighter strings so I use 80/20 uncoated bronze. The sound is very balanced across the strings, an admired feature of all Ovations, and has clear sound separation among them. It is not loud, as the solid top ones are, but for a practice guitar in a shared household that may be a virtue. The sound is sweet and clear.

The basic models are perhaps best as an acoustic practice guitar for an electric player or as a fine training guitar for a student. There are higher grade ones available to suit most any other purpose. Back in the 1970s Glenn Campbell used his to sell more records one year than the Beatles did. The radiused, trim neck is so comfortable to play. Watch the ads and pick one up; a person has got to know. - Stevo

SpruceTop · #25 03-09-2021, 04:33 AM

My current Ovations: Adamas I 2087GT-8 Reverse Blue Burst and Ovation ExoticWoods Elite Plus Contour - Multi-color Bubinga

Guitarplayer_PR · #26 03-09-2021, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perttime

I believe Ovations were designed to be used amplified, standing up on stage. They work wonderfully for that, for most. If you want to use it for something else, trying some in person is adviced.

Actually, they weren't.

It wasn't until Glen Campbell, Ovation's most notorious player, asked for Ovation to create a guitar which could be plugged in due to the dynamic of his playing, especially during his TV shows. Before that, none of the Ovation guitars had any electronics.

As with every other guitar brand, not every Ovation sounds the same, good or bad. I've had the pleasure of playing and owning a lot of them, ranging from mediocre to excellent; but I can say that about every other brand, too.

beachbum205 · #27 03-09-2021, 07:32 AM

My good buddy has a couple of them, and he loves them. I think they sound phenomenal plugged in. Unplugged they sound a little anemic to me. Fun to play- almost like playing an electric guitar.

Guitarplayer_PR · #28 03-09-2021, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachbum205

My good buddy has a couple of them, and he loves them. I think they sound phenomenal plugged in. Unplugged they sound a little anemic to me. Fun to play- almost like playing an electric guitar.

Are they shallow bowled?

euraquilo · #29 03-09-2021, 07:40 AM

My only guitar for some 30 years was an Ovation Balladeer. It wasn't until it started to fall apart that I got rid of it and discovered the wonder of various wood-backed guitars. But back when it was my only guitar I would sometimes stop into a music store to try out more expensive instruments and felt for what I had available to spend (which wasn't much) it wasn't worth upgrading.

waterlooz · #30 03-09-2021, 01:35 PM

When I played out regularly, I played an Elite and a Legend model. They were bullet proof on stages and I never worried about them at all during breaks etc. After I chose to work during the day and gig less, I found myself GASing for all wood guitars. Whenever I played one, I was envious of the sound and feel. I ended up selling my Ovations and going on an extensive journey buying and selling all wood guitars.

I think Ovations are great although I do prefer all wood guitars. It's all what you prefer ; )