[guitarooman34]

Am I the only one that has an Ovation here?

[The_buffalo]

I bought a used CC65 12 string acoustic-electric. I like it as much as my Yamaha FG512, but not as much as my APX5-12

[-=FreeBird=-]

I have an older one from the 80's, it doesen't have any sort of fancy controls on it, only a single volume knob , but I still prefer it to all other acoustic guitars of any style.

[wannalearn01]

There are two kinds...a cheap line(stay away) and a not so cheap line...those I have yet to play, but they have a good sound...most people just dont like them b.c of the plastic construction...and the round back seems to slide off your lap...but as far as sound goes, plastic is a very bright responsive tone.

Ovation owners either love them or hate them...play a couple b4 buying it.

T^roy

[TheJosh]

i have an ovation 1869 custom legend and i LOVE it. it sounds awesome unplugged and REALLY awesome plugged in. i love my ovation!!!

[shellshoe]

i have a S771 Balladeer Special at home and a celebrity at work... love them! with standard guitars they were very big for me, i felt i was wrapping my arms around a giant redwood, not an instrument.

[guitarooman34]

Yeah, as you can see in my signature I have a CC01. I kinda like the plastic back, it has a different feel to it. Mine has no knobs, just the input hole. But I LOVE IT!!!
It is so awesome.

[kooldood1]

i have a celebrity...dont know exactly what model but it was like 250$....i need an acoustic and it works just fine for me...i can get a great sound plugged in and unplugged it sounds great too....i wont be needing an acoustic for a while...the only thing i dont like is its not a shallow back and slips when im sitting but other than that i love it

[dlh]

I have a Special Edition 1983 (my birth year)

it's an amazing guitar and my baby right now, highly recommended.

the only problem i have with ovations personally is the round back(bowl) isn't as comfortable as a regular acoustic and slips a bit...i have a ultra shallow back and that helps but i've played the large bowl and it's very uncomfortable


overall i think it's a superior design

[guitarooman34]

I guess since i havent played around with any other acoustics, i cant compare.

[joaspet]

I have two 1867 Legend Ovations - one is natural wood color and the other is pewter (supposedly one of the ONLY two pewter Legends made). These guitars are sister guitars.

I've been playing ovation for almost 30 years and I love them.

[guitarooman34]

wow!! you've been playin for a while, and to have a guitar like that...

[joaspet]

Yeah, time flies ....

I used to have an older ovation - without any pickup or electronics.
It was a wide body - I bought it in Germany only to discover that it
was made in CT (where I grew up) - but it sure was sweet.

I traded it for a newer ovation - the bowl was starting to separate from
the face - but since it was so old it was worth it to the tech at Ovation
to take it in trade. I'm sure he planned on repairing it and probably sell
it for lots.

But I'm very happy with my two girls!

[shellshoe]

I traded it for a newer ovation - the bowl was starting to separate from
the face - but since it was so old it was worth it to the tech at Ovation
to take it in trade.  I'm sure he planned on repairing it and probably sell
it for lots.

But I'm very happy with my two girls!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that's something i'm always worried about...the front and back separating, how long did it take for that to start happening to yours? and, do you have any tips to prevent it?

i leave mine out on a stand because i play is so much and it looks cool but i'm also broke and try to keep my heat low. i know that changes in temp aren't good for wood instruments. but, maybe you can tell me that it's not really a big deal??

[grumpy j]

Ovation says that the newer models with the shell backs won't seperate because they changed the bonding agent to one that has moreflexability and will allow the guitar to breathe better and adjust to temperatures. In the older models it may eventually cause problems, depending on the severity of the temperature swing and how quickly the temperature changes.

I have an old Ovation Balladeer electric/acoustic. Surface looks just like yours Guitarooman, but I have the deep bowl with one volume knob near the neck-end of the shell. The surface of my Balladeer was cracked near the bridge when I bought it from the previous owner leaving the guitar out where there were temperature shifts. I think he probably tossed it in his car or left it in a cellar when he wasn't playing...two places where you can get some nasty temperature shifts.

Ovation said that with the old bonding agent there was no flexability, so the wood expanded/contracted at a different rate from the plastic back. I have never had a problem with actual seperation, though, and it still sounds very good. Supposedly this is no longer an issue (for guitars made around 2000 on), but I don't know anyone around here with a newer model Ovation.
BTW I have never had an problem playing with the deep bowl if I was sitting, but I am 6'1" with long arms, so that might be why. If you stand and play it is a little ungainly as it tends to roll a little. The shallow back would defintely be better for standing.

I plan on getting an Ovation Elite this summer so my kids can play on the Balladeer and learn on a half-decent guitar. Has anyone played one with the new composite surface? I was wondering what their take on it was.

[joaspet]

I think grumpy's right - the newer guitars shouldn't be a problem. Actually, I heard that Ovation is one of the better choices of guitar if you live near a beach or spend time out on boats because of its durability to temperature and moisture.

My old guitar saw some abuse in her day - lots of air travel overseas. I'd always wrap it up the best I could but I'm sure it got lots of bumps in the cargo areas - I didn't have an ovation case either - just a plain hard case. So, I think your guitar will be fine out on the stand.

[wilson78jr]

I had this ovation electric back in about 1975 or so. looked like this one, except the neck was white and the body natural, unstained. It was ugly! played ok though. Don't remember what happened to it. probably traded for some gear.....

[Tuning Spork]

I think those Ovation Breadwinners (what Wilson78 posted a picture of) look pretty groovy, especially when somebody's actually playing them. I think I'm the only one, though.

They sound good as well.