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Ovation CS257 Celebrity Deluxe Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Spruce top. Nato neck.

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
           9 out of 10
Features:
           9 out of 10
Quality:
           9 out of 10
Value:
           9 out of 10
I Want It:
           10 out of 10
Sound:
           9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
           8 out of 10
Support:
           9 out of 10
 
 

"I earn my living with this guitar."

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          9 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          9 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
User: a customer from charter.net
Submitted: 5/28/2003
Style of Music: Acoustic Alternative
Location: Sutton, MA USA

 

 
Feature:
I find the (Mid-notch whatchamacallit) to be a great feature. Ovation has jumped out in front of the compitition in terms of electronics and pre-amp performance. Mine has the OP24+

Quality:
The products are made well. My shallow case came kinda messed up. It doesn't line up right. My guitar was the transparent blue which i'm told was a mistake. Sort of like a factory second. But I'm not complaining. It has earned me nearly 100 times what i payed for it since i bought it last year.

Value:
Try and find a better sounding instrument in this price range.

Desirability:
I refer to my earlier comments about the two musicians who saw me playing it and purchased their own. Chicks like the sound hole design.

Sound:
I play professionally four nights per week. Last year I bought the CS257 because it was the best sounding guitar i tried in my price range. I also plays great. Another reason i bought this guitar was that I wanted a great sounding instrument but I didn't want to spend a thousand dollars only to have the wear and tear of playing it out every night, not to mention the weather elements, destroy my investment. The feedback (no the guitar never feedsback) that i got from other musicians and the crowds has been shocking. Two other professional players went out and bought the same exact guitar after hearing it. Why am i here telling this story? I'm shopping for another one. In a nutshell the sound has been described to me as having balls but with a lot of warmth. Buy one.

Overall:
I would like to have two of these at all times to maintain the continuity of sound. I would love it if there was a 12 string model as well.

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"Chances are, the action is faster than you, and there's no doubt it's prettier....LOL"

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          9 out of 10
Quality:
          9 out of 10
Value:
          9 out of 10
I Want It:
          9 out of 10
Sound:
          7 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          8 out of 10
Support:
          9 out of 10
User: a customer from netscape.com
Submitted: 3/14/2007
Style of Music: Rock and Christian Worship
Musical Experience: been playing for 20+ years
Location: Cheyenne, Wy

 

 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
These guitars stay in tune period...Even when your hammering it on stage, I never retune between songs...I like the pre amp, although I go through batteries fast..

Quality:
For the price, seems good to me...No problems at all...I've never even broke a string in a preformance

Value:
Good value

Desirability:
I really like the Koa top...I plan on getting one in the near future...I have one in vintage flame and one in honey burst flame..I'm not sure they make these any more, but most ovations get plenty of "oooo's and ahhh's " from the crowd..

Sound:
I own two, both flame tops, and it's funny how different they sound unplugged...One is set up specifically for slide, and to be honest, the plugged in sound is a bit bright, even with the OP-24+ pre amp, I can't get the exact plugged in tone I want...Don't get me wrong, the sound is crystal clear and good, I just want something with a little more bass...

Ease of Use:
These guitars are almost as fast as an electric...The action is so easy to adjust too...

Support:
Haven't dealt with them, but their website is very useful..

Overall:
I will definitely buy another ovation if these were stolen or something, if I wear out the frets, I'll give it to my kids...Ha Ha

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"Ovatioh Celebrity 257 Deluxe Acoustic Electric Guitar"

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          9 out of 10
Quality:
          9 out of 10
Value:
          9 out of 10
I Want It:
          9 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          9 out of 10
Support:
          9 out of 10
User: a customer from aol.com
Submitted: 5/24/2006

 

 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
Nice Preamp. Attractice gold colored Ovation tuners. Epulets are nice if you like that multi-hole (15) design concept. It has quintad bracing and I believe a dual truss rod to keep the neck straight. I've read some excellent reviews on this guitar's features.

Quality:
Good quality. Cosmetics are good for a mass-produced guitar.

Value:
Good value for the money.

Desirability:
Practical addition to my instruments. I do like the fact that Ovation has set it's own design and engineering standard that has been copied by a lot of guitar manufacturers. But I'd be just as happy with a guitar with the traditional sound hole design. I do get lots of compliments on the guitars attractiveness

Sound:
This guitar has an excellent uplugged sound. Very full and warm. Plugged in it is a little on the bright side.

Ease of Use:
I find the neck is a little chunky for me, but very playable. I've had the bridge saddle lowered and may have the nut shaved down or replaced.

Support:
N/A

Overall:
If lost I'd replace it, but with a different finish. I have the ruby red burst finish (only one in the store). I think'd I'd prefer the natural finish or the koa top.

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"excellent gutiar"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from nhccs.com
Submitted: 4/16/2002
Style of Music: Praise and Worship
Location: North Dakota

 

 
I have owned several guitars, and still do. They include Squire, Fender stratocastor, Peavey wolfgang,Ibenez 6 string, Applause 12 string and now the celebrity by ovation.
This is the best sounding guitar I have in my arsinal. Not only does it sound excellent it is smooth on the action and handles like a dream. The only draw back is if you are trying to play sitting down, it will tend to slide on you. Either prop up your leg or get a cheap second strap. Shorten it up and us it when sitting. Though the slim back design of this is a lot better that the full round back of the 12 string applause. For the money there is no better guitar. I paid close to $2000.00 for the Wolfgang and I would give it up for another Ovation without question.
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"Great but need's a little fret work"

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          8 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          8 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          9 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from hotmail.com
Submitted: 12/18/2006
Style of Music: From Jazz, rock , new wave
Musical Experience: active musician
Location: Montyreal

 

 
Feature:
Greate neck, Very nice body, Paint a bit cheap but for the price who cares.Nice preamp too.

Quality:
Well once you buy it send it right away to a luthier, That what i did. Everything is well assemble on this guitar beside the fretboard, The fret are uneven when new(korean frets!!!), The luthier made a nice ajustment on it and now it's great.

Value:
Yes for sure,

Desirability:
Well it doesn't make me have an erection, but it's very nice !!!

Sound:
Very good sound, Wide range of possibility, only thing could be de lower response of the piezo while playing up the neck(seems the higher you play the lower is the output!) I guess it the piezo pick-up.

Ease of Use:
Well It play almost like an electric, very smooth action, sound incredible when plugged in. Not made for unplugged.

Support:
Nada

Overall:
no comment

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"Excellent Choice"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from mail.blount.state.tn.us
Submitted: 5/15/2002
Style of Music: Disorganized Noise
Location: Maryville, TN

 

 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Great guitar value. Plays better than most guitars I've played, and certainly better than anything I can afford. A narrow neck more like an electric, so not perfect for fat-fingered people. I would buy it again, and may buy another ovation soon. This guitar, when set-up is right, is an excellent playing experience. Buy it or you could end up playing with your sock. (A sock is an accoustic instrument, right?)
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"A lovely playable guitar which sounds terrific amplified."

Overall:
          8 out of 10
Features:
          8 out of 10
Quality:
          8 out of 10
Value:
          8 out of 10
I Want It:
          8 out of 10
User: a customer from infonline.net
Submitted: 3/4/2002
Style of Music: post-modern cabaret; folk; blues; rock; c & w.
Location: Western PA

 

 
I have the 268 model which has the deep rounded back. The guitar sounds fine unamplified and terrific amplified. The neck is excellent and I find it highly playable. As with any instrument, it needed to be set up--neck adjusted, action lowered, some frets filed. I enjoy playing this guitar and am glad that I have it in my stable. This is my everday guitar and the guitar that I use for gigs.

I find the Ovation Celebrity Deluxe a bit awkward with its deep, rounded back. One always has to play with a strap and standing up and playing can lead to the guitar almost being played horizontally. The back takes getting used to. But I knew this when I got it.

The neck is thin, narrow, and nice to play. It's sort of in between an electric and an acoustic. A nice compromise. I don't like the 12 string version as I find the strings a bit too close together (the neck is the same width in both 6 and 12 string version). I think that this is because I'm used to the wider neck of most conventional 12 string acoustic guitars. Many like the narrow neck on the 12 string.

I also own a 6 string Yamaha dreadnought (the 180 model--a nice starter guitar and very tough) and an Alvarez 12 string (a mid-line model in the professional series). I've played electric guitars and several mid-line acoustic models. I've always wanted an Ovation--easy to mike (mine has a built-in pickup and preamp--which is even better), excellent sound--not loud or boomy, but loud enough with excellent projection unamplified. I'd not hesitate to take my Ovation camping (but I'd buy a hard case first and not rely on my gig bag).

If my Celebrity Deluxe vanished, I'd consider buying another one--most likely a model higher up in the line. I have no problem with it being made in Korea or in the US--some claim that the US models are better. I think that many guitars being made in Korea, Japan, or Tiawan are quite decent. In other words, it doesn't have to be made in the USA to be good. Then why move up in the line? Because usually the more one pays the better the instrument (and the better the instrument the easier it plays and the better it sounds). Still, I wonder if one compared a Celebrity Deluxe with a Ballader, would the sound quality and playability change enough to justify the price differential? I suspect that a Celebrity Deluxe is about 90% of a Ballader. If so, is that other 10% really important? Maybe for a pro, but for a novice or intermediate performer? Anyway, I like my Celebrity Deluxe and would encourage one to audition it. In its price range it is a contender.
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"A good acoustic guitar."

Overall:
          8 out of 10
Features:
          9 out of 10
Quality:
          8 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          8 out of 10
Sound:
          8 out of 10
User: a customer from hotmail.com
Submitted: 2/18/2005
Style of Music: Christian Music (Rock/Alternative)
Musical Experience: Hobbyist
Location: Scarborough,ON

 

 
Feature:
The features are pretty good. It comes with a preamp, which can easily be used. The batterly is easily inserted into the preamp with a click of a button. Depending which pre-amp is on the guitar, on this one, it sould be the OP-30. There is a built in tuner, so you tune your strings with the click of a button.

Quality:
The quality is good. It does not have the loud quality like most traditional acoustic guitars because it's not fully wood. But the overall quality of the guitar is good. The tuners, frets, strings (d'addario), and preamp are very good.

Value:
The price is still the same as when I brought it. I think the price is an ideal for this type of guitar.

Desirability:
It's beautiful. Very sexy. Go get one !

Sound:
This guitar sounds nice even though half of its body is plastic. The sound quality is still evident, however, the sound isn't as great as full body wood guitars. When you plug it into a amp, the sound is awesome! This guitar is perfect for performance.

Support:
I did not have to deal with support.

Overall:
This is my first guitar, and it will be my last acoustic guitar. It's simply just an amazing guitar to have and play with. Unless some people, I like the round back of Ovation guitars, i think it sets it apart from other guitars. For me, It is more comfortable playing a round-back than with the traditional flat-back acoustic. Besides, the lute was round back, so I dont' think the Ovation guitar is any different from flat-back guitars.

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"Top sound on stage"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          8 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from yahoo.com
Submitted: 3/7/2002
Style of Music: Folk Rock, Hard Rock
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

 

 
I went back and forth between the old Martin I have and the Takamine until I tried the Ovation. I played the Viper, the Elite, and the Celebrity Deluxe. Since 95% of what I play is on stage and amplified, I was happier with the super shallow bowl as compared to the Elite mid depth and deep dish bowls. Nice and light, it has all the sound and action of the upper end models. The sound rings out deep and true, with reasonably good sustain. The only thing I will NEVER do again is buy it in black. True, the black looks great under the lights, but as soon as you touch it, you'll be polishing off the prints you left.
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"beautiful"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from hotmail.com
Submitted: 11/27/2005
Style of Music: acoustic, emo, alternative
Musical Experience: active musician
Location: ida, mi, USA

 

 
Feature:
tuner is sweet

Quality:
havent had any problems yet

Value:
awesome guitar, good price

Desirability:
beautiful

Sound:
sounds great plugged, unplugged

Support:
no problems

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