Ovation 1861 Standard Balladeer Semi-Shallow Bowl Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Feature:
The features are still fabulous with this guitar. When I got mine, the bowl body and laminated neck were bold and innovative. Now they are widely revered. The neck is great. The bowl is effective in design and projects a balanced sound very well. I am alway amazed at how durable the finish is. No pick guard. The rosette and finish are up to the task. The bowl can sometimes be difficult when sitting down with the guitar, but the grippy rubber thing on the bottom works pretty well most of the time.

Quality:
My guitar was made very well. The detail is good. The durability of the guitar leads some into situations it should never be. Like any guitar, cold and dryness can destroy it. While stories persist about Ovations being dropped and bouncing up unharmed, more stories abound about a shattered bowl. However, overall the Ovation will endure what no guitar should. It is a great road axe, as long as normal precautions are taken when flying and in cold weather. Try not to let the guitar go into the deep freeze of a cargo section of a long flight. Cold kills all guitars.

Value:
Compared to high end Gibsons (which also mike well and project) and other USA made solid top guitars (Martin, Taylor, et al) Ovation offers a functional value and a distinctive image. Nothing combines accoustic ability and electric amplification better. Nothing fills a room better. I have travelled to poor churches all over New England and Mid Atlantic states playing and singing. Often with only one mike, and yet the place is filled with the sound and folks are amazed and blessed. It is at it's best working hard.

Desirability:
The distinctive look of the OVATION guitars have aesthetic impact. Some think it is very attractive, others scoff. The scoffers shut up when the music starts. The look is good. The guitar position when playing standing up is good and flexible.

Sound:
The sound projects exceedingly well. I have used it for almost 27 years and it works well in big rooms, even unmiked. It mikes well if you don't amp it. It has a distinctive sound, but balanced and rich. Strums and picks well. Records well. Use light gauge phos. bronze strings. As with any guitar, watch out for humidity problems. Don't let it dry out (it might seem indestructible, but it isn't. It is just more durable than most guitars).

Support:
The service people at Kaman and specifically Ovation are top notch. Twice I have returned my guitar for service. Twice they have been polite and professional. They have backed their word about a lifetime warranty and I have incurred cost only for my fret jobs. Connecticut nice and very helpful. Lifetime warranty doesn't mean much in most contexts, but not so with Ovation. Fabulous.

Overall:
I have been an Ovation fan since I purchased it 27 years ago. How about that? I have other very valuable guitars, but I prefer to travel and work with this Ovation. I would definitely get another one if I had to replace it. I like the sound the best. I like the tuning machines the least. I replaced them with good German ones after about 7 years and they still work well.

Feature:
I'm very satisfied with the pre-amp that comes with this guitar(OP-30)- everyone ooo's and ahh's over it and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Great features. Again, very satisfied!!

Quality:
Great quality. Very sturdy. I don't feel like I need to worry that anything will break or fall off. Nothing seems to be defective, so I give it a 10.

Value:
A little pricey, but well worth the money. You're not going to get it for the price of a Celebrity, or even a Tangent, but again, the money is worth it!

Desirability:
I think it's a beautiful guitar! I would recommend it to anyone and wouldn't give their satisfaction a second thought! They'd love it-no doubt.

Sound:
I purchased a super shallow and expected sound, but nothing particularly special-Boy, was I surprised! The amount of clear sound that comes out of this guitar acoustically stuns me every time that I play! Over the amp-it's great, clear, loud, resonant. Extremely satisfied! The Best!!!

Support:
N/A

Overall:
I don't expect to be looking for another guitar for a good 5 - 10 years- I know that it will last. Overall a great product. Very satisfied! If my Ovation Balladeer were ever lost or stolen, I would replace it immediately with the same exact thing!