Ovation

Ovation Guitars are currently made in China. In 2015, the company moved production from New Hartford, Connecticut to China in an effort to reduce production costs and make their guitars more affordable. Despite this move, Ovation still maintains strict quality control standards to ensure their guitars are made to their exact specifications and sound as good as ever. In fact, many guitarists today still swear by the sound and playability of Ovation guitars, no matter where they are made.

Ovation guitars have been played by a wide variety of musicians across different genres of music. Some notable artists who have used Ovation guitars include Freddie Mercury, Paul McCartney, Melissa Etheridge, Al Di Meola, Glen Campbell, and John Lennon. In fact, Paul McCartney was one of the first high-profile musicians to play an Ovation, using it on the 1970 album “McCartney” and later on some tracks for “Ram.”

Melissa Etheridge has also been a longtime user of Ovation guitars and is known for her extensive use of Ovation guitars in her live shows. Al Di Meola, a noted jazz fusion guitarist, has also been a longtime user of Ovation guitars, using them on many of his recordings and live performances. Glen Campbell, a country music legend, also used Ovation guitars extensively during his career.

Ovation Guitars are known for their innovative design, exceptional sound quality, and unparalleled playing comfort. The round-back design produces a rich, full sound that is perfect for live performances, recording, or just playing at home. Ovation Guitars also offer great value for money, as they are built to last and retain their value over time.

Ovation Guitars have a bowl-back design for several reasons. Firstly, the bowl back design provides structural rigidity to the guitar, allowing it to handle greater string tension and produce a louder, more resonant sound. Additionally, the bowl back helps to minimize feedback during live performances, as the design directs sound away from the guitar's pickups and toward the audience.

The bowl-back design also offers greater comfort for the player, as it allows the guitar to rest comfortably against the player's body. The rounded shape of the back also conforms to the natural curve of the player's body, reducing strain and allowing for extended playing sessions without discomfort.

Overall, the bowl-back design is a unique feature of Ovation Guitars that sets them apart from other acoustic guitars. While some players may prefer the more traditional shape of other guitars, the bowl-back design offers many benefits in terms of sound quality, comfort, and feedback reduction.

The best Ovation guitar is subjective and depends on the player’s personal preferences, playing style, and budget. Ovation offers a range of acoustic and acoustic-electric guitars, including the Celebrity, Elite, and Custom Legend series.

The Celebrity series offers an affordable option for beginners and intermediate players, while the Elite and Custom Legend series are high-end options with premium materials and advanced features. Ultimately, the best Ovation guitar is one that suits the player’s needs and feels comfortable to play.

Yes, Ovation guitars can be a good choice for beginners. Ovation offers several models designed for beginners, including the Celebrity series, which offers an affordable price point and a comfortable, easy-to-play neck. Ovation guitars also have a unique sound and construction, which can be inspiring for beginners looking for a fresh take on acoustic guitar playing.

The main difference between the Ovation Celebrity and Elite series is the materials used in their construction. The Celebrity series features a laminated spruce top and a laminated nato neck, while the Elite series features a solid spruce top and a mahogany neck.

The Elite series also offers advanced features like an onboard preamp and tuning system. The Elite series is generally considered a higher-end option, while the Celebrity series offers an affordable entry point into Ovation’s unique sound and construction.

Ovation guitars are made of a combination of materials, including a composite bowl back, a spruce or cedar top, and a variety of neck woods, including mahogany, maple, and nato. The composite bowl back is a signature feature of Ovation guitars, and it is made of a material called Lyrachord.

Lyrachord is a composite material made of layers of fibreglass and resin, which gives
Ovation guitars their distinctive sound and durability. The top of an Ovation guitar is typically made of solid or laminated spruce or cedar, which gives the guitar its resonance and tone. The neck can be made of a variety of woods, depending on the model, including mahogany, maple, and nato.

Ovation Guitars is a company that was founded in 1965 by Charlie Kaman, a helicopter engineer who was also a musician. Kaman wanted to create a guitar with better sound projection and sustain than traditional flat-top acoustics. After many years of research and experimentation, he developed the Lyrachord bowl-back guitar, which is now synonymous with the Ovation brand.

The Lyrachord back was made of a composite material that Kaman developed to be both strong and light. The unique bowl shape of the back was designed to improve the guitar’s projection and sustain, and to eliminate feedback issues that plagued many acoustic guitars in live performance situations. Ovation also pioneered the use of cutaways and onboard electronics in acoustic guitars, which further enhanced the versatility and playability of the instruments.

In the 1970s, Ovation gained popularity with musicians like Glen Campbell, who played an Ovation guitar on his hit TV show. The company also introduced the Adamas series of guitars, which featured a carbon fibre top and back, as well as the Magnum and Preacher electric guitars. Throughout the years, Ovation has continued to innovate and expand its product line, producing a wide range of acoustic and electric guitars, as well as basses and mandolins.

Today, Ovation guitars are still known for their unique bowl-back design and high-quality craftsmanship. The company has a dedicated following of musicians who appreciate the guitars’ distinctive sound and aesthetics. Despite criticism from some quarters, Ovation has remained committed to innovation and pushing the boundaries of guitar design and construction and continues to be a major player in the world of acoustic and electric guitars.