Ovation

[Justpickin]

I just picked up an Ovation Legend on Ebay, it's a 1988, it's one of those ones you see where you bid on it, bid low thinking that "well, if I get it at that price, I'll take it". Next thing you know I won the auction. Anyways, I got it for $250, the book on it is about $650. It came with a plush Ovation hardcase as well. Anyways it shows up today, I opened it...it looks like it's been stored for years, the guitar is filthy, the strings oxidized terribly, but overall, there is not a mark on it. Over the weekend I'll clean it up, check out the electronics, but I strummed a few tunes on it, and crap, in the shape it is in it sounded fantastic. I never owned one or wanted to, but at this infancy stage of having it, I'm impressed. It's a deep bowl, AA sitka spruce top, gold grovers, beautiful raised rosette, nice pearl inlays, mahogany neck with rosewood, compensated saddle, ....not sure if I'll keep it or sell it, but would make a nice ax for acoustic sets with the band...one thing I've always liked about Ovations is the electronics, and their playability. We'll see..anyone else have one, had one, opinions??? (waiting for NBTB or Tex to slap this thing down like a pesky mosquito) ..picture below is the guitar. Its a model 1767, which is the same as a 1777 but with a deep bowl vs medium. They were discontinued.

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/legend.1.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)

[buckkillr8]

just beutiful man!! :thumbsup:

[Bytor1975]

I have a buddy that has one that looks identical to it, and my wife's girlfriend plays an Ovation (but not that model.) I think they sound pretty good, unique, and the ones that I have played 'played' wonderfully.

However, that being said, I can't stand to play one sitting down and I have a hard time with it straped and standing as well. The sucker always rolls out from under my and it bugs the crap out of me. I always felt like I had to fight it to play it.

But for $250? I would have bought it too! HA HA!

[X-Sample]

Looks nice, sounds like you got a great dealhttp://fenderpick.com/images/smilies/smoke.gif.

My uncle has an Ovation. I've got no idea what model unfortunately, but I like it. It has a beautiful sound. And yes, the electronics are excellent. Its too bad he never really had it set up right, lacked that "right on" playability that you get when everything is right on. But otherwise I loved it. If you don't want yours, Give me a pm and I probly won't be able to do anything because I have no money http://fenderpick.com/images/smilies/lol.gif.

[Cat]

Ive always thought Ovations sounded a bit thin when plugged in. Then again I am no expert and for $250 wow!

Cat

[nothin but the blues]

Great deal!

I've never cared for Ovations sound unplugged, but they sound nice amplified. I agree with Bytor though, I can't get those damn things to stay on my lap :lol: .

Most of the ones I've played were all set up pretty nice from the factory, kind of an Electric Guitar kinda of feel on an Acoustic.

Another great thing, is in live situations you can beat the living hell out of them. They stand up to torture VERY well.

Enjoy her :thumbsup:

[Jossy]

Lovely guitar, congratulations! I love Ovations. I like the neck and its rounded back shapes does not bother me at all...if decide to sell her, let me know... :thumbsup:

Saludos.

[Dave Attix]

I've had Ovations for years, and had no problem with the round back. The only thing I don't like is electronic: the the 1st and 2nd strings are noticeably louder than the rest.

Anybody else have that problem?

[Slowhand]

A buddy of mine has an Ovation (not electric) for over 25 years and it still sounds sweet. Good luck with it Jim. Let us know how she sounds plugged in. Beautiful looking guitar..

:guitar:

[Old Tele man]

...ever since I saw Glen Campbell playing one on his "Goodtime Hour" TV-show I'd wanted one. Found a used sunburst, "big-round back," model 1117-1 Legend/BALLADEER in excellent shape in 1990; then, ordered a new model AE68 VIPER (below) in 2004:

http://home.comcast.net/~elmccaul/GTRS/EA68-5_.JPG

[Justpickin]

Well I spent the weekend at the camp (even took a vacation day today), took the Ovation down with me, cleaned it up, changed strings, got a bunch of playing in...still haven't plugged it in though, will do that today. It sounds just fantastic, I have played O's in the stored before, and unplugged they seemed to be lacking. This one with the deep bowl resonates nicely. Playability is like an electric....fun to play! As for the plastic...it does want to squirt away from your lap....but wearing shorts it does fine on the bare leg. It doesn't like material that it can slide on. Overall I like it, even before plugging it in. (Man was this thing dirty....the strings were ancient...when putting new ones on I was watching the bridge for pulling with each tightening turn i took...phew...no pulling........ :smoke:

[Jossy]

Man was this thing dirty....the strings were ancient...when putting new ones on I was watching the bridge for pulling with each tightening turn i took...phew...no pulling........ :smoke:

I don't understand how people let instruments to fall so low....they need caring too...glad this one got to you, Just... :thumbsup:

Saludos.

[TexMexMike]

I(waiting for NBTB or Tex to slap this thing down like a pesky mosquito) ..picture below is the guitar. Its a model 1767, which is the same as a 1777 but with a deep bowl vs medium. They were discontinued.

http://images5.theimagehosting.com/legend.1.jpg (http://www.theimagehosting.com)


All I can say is, "Nice guitar!" Ovation makes a great performance guitar, and like you said, they are "very playable." That is a steal! I may have gone for it if I saw it.

Myself, since I rarely plug in, nor do I play at the local coffee house or occasional wedding. So, an Ovation never made sense for me. They shine when plugged! Look at how many pro's play them live!

Great guitar! Enjoy the heck out of it!!!

[romdos]

Very pretty instrument... never been a big fan of Ovation, but lots of folks I know loved them... always found them hard to keep on the lap too.... I do wish you lots of hours of enjoyment from it... sounds like a great buy

[The Heir Of Stevie]

wow that one looks great, i think they have gone downhill, i like the sound of the earlier ones, such as yours, however, i was checking out ovations at my music store and i just didnt like the ones they had, they were all around 250 300 bucks and they played like a 100 dollar beginner guitar

[Justpickin]

Within any brand of guitar, you get what you pay for in that brands lineup....that being said, I think you get more for your money with a Fender than you do with a Gibson, but I digress...we're talking about one brand...Ovation. I agree that the low end Ovations (sometimes called Applause) are pure crap. I agree, when you pick one up in a store, you can't wait to put it back. But the Legend is higher end, this one I got is really sweet, I'm liking it...brought it back to life and it responds nicely. I've plugged it in, just a fantastic sound, very full and stands out, great for band use. Well worn in, it's one of those old ones that begs to be played. Glad I found it.

[TexMexMike]

I will admit. Many of a time, I did ponder purchasing an Ovation! It seemed like every lounge player had one! And BTW, they really sounded good to me. Not 2 hours and 6 drinks later, but while in-line on my way in.

I have only personally played a few. Most were vintage 80's. And were new then. When I was in the "club" scene. Always what struck me was the "playability." They seem to be set-up at the factory on the "LOW" side. And still very strum-able. Not an easy feat! Also, I felt that they were a breeze, while playing, to change both the intonation and tone to match the sound desired while doing both finger style and strumming patterns.

No! Unplugged, there is not an Ovation made, that I know of, that would be the KING of guitars. They were never made or intended to do that. Yes, they do sound rather good unplugged. Well, the deep bodied ones, like Just has do. But they were made to perfect an amplified sound. And handle the riggers of the road that a traveling musician endures. And yes, they do "EXACTLY THAT" better than most!

As far as the "slide off the lap" thing. I agree. Much easier played standing. A strap may be a necessity, even while seated.

Dang. Now I am getting GAS for an Ovation! :D

[WireNWood]

Great buy! I love to play eBay lowball roulette. That's how I got ... several things ...including my Vox AD60VT.

Sliding off your lap: many of them came with a small sheet of rubber glude to the bowl in the waist area, bottom side to help with this. It was about the size & shape of the elbow pads you see on some wool sport coats. It provided friction to help hold the guitar in place. It was helpful to varying degrees depending upon the fabric of your pants. Of course, as the rubber aged it would dry out and be less effective. By the age of this one, it is useless - if it is still there at all.


Uneven string response: I'v enever had that problem with an Ovation, but I did once with a very cheap Acu/elec. The piezo pickup under the saddle relies on solid contact with both the saddle and the bottom of the slot. Usually if one or more strings are weak it is because the slot is rough or uneven. IT seems to me that workmanship on most the (genuine Ovation branded) Ovations I've ever seen has been pretty good.

The deep bowls do have a full, distinct sound. It's kind of a moped thing for me - I'm slightly embarassed to admit that I like the sound, and hte feel is great if they'e setup carefully.

I use an Ovation Viper, but that is a different animal. It has the Adamas-style leaves and soundholes, but it is a chambered solid mahogany body. I am quite fond of it, and I get positive comments frequently.