Ovation offers unique acoustic guitars for today’s players. This best Ovation acoustic guitars guide will help you find an amazing Ovation guitar to meet your needs. They have guitars for all playing levels.
I remember seeing my first Ovation guitar in a music shop I worked at. I thought they looked kind of strange back then, but I have come to love the tone and playability of these guitars.
Quick Answer: Best Ovation Acoustic Guitars
- 1. Best Ovation Acoustic Guitars Overall: Adamas GT
- 2. Best Intermediate Ovation Acoustic Guitars: CE-44
- 3. Best Signature/Celebrity Ovation Acoustic Guitars: CE44P-FKOA
- 4. Best Ovation Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000: Balladeer Deep
- 5. Best Mod TX Ovation Acoustic Guitars: MD TX Mid
- 6. Best Cheap Ovation Acoustic Guitars: CS24 Celebrity Standard
- 7. Best Beginner Ovation Acoustic Guitars: Celebrity Elite Plus
- 8. Best Timeless Ovation Acoustic Guitars: Adamas MD80
- 9. Best Ovation Acoustic Guitars Under $500: Applause AE-44 7s
- 10. Best Beginner Ovation Acoustic Guitars: Applause AB24-4S
Ovation guitars feature unique body shapes and soundhole designs. In addition, most come with electronic systems ready for the stage or your recording studio. This guide will help you find a great Ovation guitar.
About Ovation Acoustic Guitars
Ovation has produced guitars since 1965. They are known for their unique round-back shape and soundhole design. These guitars use carbon fiber for the body, which gives the instrument a great tone.
Most models ship with pickup and preamp systems which enhance their playability and appear for a wide range of musical situations. They have guitars available for all playing levels and budgets.
Things To Consider When Choosing Ovation Acoustic Guitars
Here’s a few things that you need to keep in mind before you purchase an Ovation acoustic guitar. These guitars are unique, so keep these points in mind before you buy.
Size
Ovation guitars are full-sized instruments. They are primarily designed for adult players. They feature a round-back which can take some getting used to. Keep this in mind before ordering.
The Overall Tone & Sound
Ovation guitars have great tone and playability. Many have pickup systems, so they are ideal for stage and studios. They feature deep cutaways, making them ideal for soloists compared to standard dreadnoughts.
Price
Ovation guitars come in a wide price range, but many models are under $1,000, which makes them ideal for those with limited budgets. Here’s what to expect in terms of price.
- Beginner – $450-$600
- Intermediate – $700-$900
- Advanced – $900+
Types of Ovation Acoustic Guitars
There’s several different Ovation models with multiple guitars available within each group. Below are the main types of Ovation guitars that you can buy and about each one.
MainStreet/Timeless Ovation Acoustic Guitars
These guitars look great and ideal for live sessions or recording as they have superb pickup systems. In addition, they have 22 frets and deep cutaways for easy higher fret access, making them ideal for soloists.
Ovation Applause Acoustic Guitars
These are lower-end Ovation guitars, but they still have that great tone. They are affordable and a perfect choice for beginner guitar students.
Mod TX Ovation Acoustic Guitars
These guitars are high-performance and have the feel of an electric guitar. They have a hard maple neck for fast chording or solos up and down the fretboard. These also have deep cutaways and good electronic systems.
Signature/Celebrity Ovation Acoustic Guitars
These are premium Ovation acoustic guitars. They are easy to play, have amazing visual appeal, and are set for soloing with deep cutaways and electronic systems.
10 Best Ovation Acoustic Guitars
Here’s a list of the ten best Ovation guitars. I have picked guitars for beginners, intermediate players, and advanced skills. All these models would make excellent choices for today’s guitar player.
1. Ovation Adamas GT
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar, case
- Pickups: OP-Pro
- Material & Finish: Carbon fiber, composite, walnut, gloss finish
- Best For: Professional players
The Ovation Adamas GT is a premium guitar for today’s player. The deep cutaway allows for easy access to the higher frets and sounds great, thanks to the OP-Pro pickup system when plugged in.
The carbon fiber top and composite body produce amazing tones with exceptional note clarity no matter what you’re playing. This guitar is a top choice for any professional that wants a premium guitar and top-notch sound.
✅ Big sound
✅ Unique look
✅ Greta electronics
✅ Fast neck
❌ Expensive
❌ EQ may confuse some
Why I Recommend It
This guitar costs a lot, but you’ll love the tones. The neck and fingerboard are made with walnut, and this sounds great whether playing chords or soloing across the fretboard. The Schaller tuners keep you in tune at all times.
The thin carbon fiber top is a standout as this provides excellent note clarity and sound projection. If you’re a professional and want to record or play live, this guitar won’t let you down.
2. Ovation CE-44 Acoustic/Electric Guitar
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar
- Pickups: OP-4BT
- Material & Finish: Spruce, Lyrachord, rosewood, gloss
- Best For: Intermediate guitar players
The Ovation CE-44 guitar features the famous Ovation soundhole design with multiple holes for a great overall acoustic tone. It’s got a pickup and preamp system for superior amplified tones when you want them.
The cutaway neck offers deep access to the higher frets for soloing and advanced guitar work. The Spruce top gives you the sound projection that you want. This is a top intermediate Ovation guitar for any player.
✅ Great electronics
✅Good price
✅ Fast neck
✅ Deep cutaway
❌ No case
❌Some may not like shape
Why I Recommend It
I like this guitar because it’s affordable yet provides solid acoustic and electric tones. The neck is smooth and fast at all positions, so it suits the soloist who needs access to the higher frets.
I like the easy access battery compartment on the side of the guitar, and this is where you’ll find the controls for the pickup system. The guitar has a great tone for its price and is a clear winner for intermediate guitar players.
3. Ovation CE44P-FKOA Acoustic/Electric Guitar
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar
- Pickups: OP-4BT
- Material & Finish: Koa, Lyrachord, rosewood, nato, gloss
- Best For: Intermediate/advanced players
Ovation CE44P-FKOA guitar has a fast neck with deep access to the higher frets. The multi-soundhole design is what makes an Ovation guitar sound great. The Koa wood adds to the amazing tone of the guitar and looks great.
The side-mounted EQ gives you easy access to the controls and battery compartment for simple battery replacement. The scalloped X bracing improves tone and gives this instrument extra stability.
✅Great look
✅Fast neck
✅ Solid electronics
✅ Good tone
❌ No case
❌ Eq buttons are a bit small
Why I Recommend It
This guitar has a mid-depth body which makes it easier to hold while on stage or recording. This body balances the tone, so you sound better. I’m also a fan of the side-mounted electronics, so you don’t have to fiddle as you play.
The Koa wood top is a highlight of the guitar as it gives it a striking look and adds to the overall sounds you experience playing it. This is a top guitar for intermediate or even advanced players.
4. Ovation Balladeer Deep Contour Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar
- Pickups: OCP-1K
- Material & Finish: Spruce, Lyrachord, rosewood, gloss
- Best For: Professional players or songwriters
The Ovation Balladeer has a traditional soundhole and a solid tone, thanks to the spruce top. The back and sides are made with Lyrachord, the standard Ovation material. This gives the guitar a nice overall tone.
The OCP-1K pickup and preamp system provided excellent tones when plugged into an amplifier. The deep cutaway gives the player easy access to the higher frets for soloing and other intricate guitar work.
✅ Good tone
✅ Nice electronics
✅ Deep cutaway
✅ Traditional soundhole
❌ Expensive
❌No Case
Why I Recommend It
The Balladeer feels great, with a slim body, and it’s got a side-mounted Eq system for easy access to all of the controls. It’s got a traditional look with a regular sound hole instead of the regular Ovation design, which some may prefer.
My only disappointment is that there’s no case. A guitar at its price should ship with at least a good gig bag, Other than that. This is a solid buy. This is a top-quality professional guitar.
5. Ovation MD TX Mid Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar
- Pickups: OP-1K
- Material & Finish: Sitka spruce, rosewood, maple Lyrachord, gloss finish
- Best For: Intermediate/professional guitar players
The Ovation TX Mid is a striking acoustic guitar with a solid electronics system for superb amplified tones. The Sitka spruce top provides an even and clear tone for each note. It’s got a deep cutaway, so it’s perfect for solos.
The neck is solid maple, and it’s got a smooth Pau Ferro fretboard. This neck is comfortable to play at all positions. This is the ideal choice for any intermediate or advanced guitar player looking for an easy to play modern guitar.
✅ Great electronics
✅ Deep cutaway
✅ Solid Sitka top
✅ Scalloped bracing
❌ All black shows scratches
❌ A bit expensive
Why I Recommend It
I like the Ovation Mod TX as it’s a great-sounding guitar for many different musical applications. There’s not much that the guitar can’t do in terms of tone. The preamp and pickup system provides solid plugged-in tones.
The guitar has a nice contour which makes it comfortable to hold while on stage or in a recording session. All the controls are easy to access on the side of the guitar, so there’s no fighting to get a good tone.
6. Ovation CS24 Celebrity Standard
- Type: Cutaway Dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar
- Pickups: OP-4BT
- Material & Finish: Spruce, Lyrachord, rosewood, walnut
- Best For: Beginner guitar players
The Ovation CS24 Celebrity Standard is a nice introductory guitar. It’s got a traditional soundhole along with side-mounted electronics, which are ready for any acoustic amplifier. As a result, you get great tones out of this guitar.
The neck is solid, and the deep cutaway gives the player easy access to the higher frets. It’s the ideal guitar to write your first song on. The scalloped X-bracing further enhances the tone of this amazing guitar.
✅ Solid tone
✅ Low price
✅ Great electronics
✅ Fast neck
❌ No case
❌ May need some setup
Why I Recommend It
Many beginner guitars struggle to play, but the Ovation CS24 Celebrity standard is a great first guitar. You get solid plugged in and acoustic tones out of the instrument. The contour body makes it easy to hold.
At under $500, this is a solid bargain because you get an easy-to-play guitar with a fast neck. The Sitka spruce top further enhances the tone you get out of this guitar. This is one of the best cheap Ovation guitars you can buy.
7. Ovation Celebrity Elite Plus
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar
- Pickups: OP-4CT
- Material & Finish: Lyrachord, maple, ovangkol, mahogany, gloss finish
- Best For: Beginners/intermediate players
The Ovation Celebrity Plus features the famous Ovation multi-hole design for great sound projections when you play. The solid spruce top further enhances the tone of this great guitar. It’s perfect for many guitar styles.
Solo in freedom with the deep cutaway, and plug into your acoustic amplifier to use the pickup and preamp system, which sounds amazing. This guitar is ready for any beginner or intermediate player.
✅ Great look
✅ Solid tone
✅ Electronics
✅ Deep cutaway
❌ No case
❌ Eq buttons could be bigger
Why I Recommend It
I like this guitar as it has a solid maple top which gives it an excellent tone in this price range. The mahogany neck is easy to pay for, and the ovangkol fretboard feels like rosewood, so it’s smooth and responsive for chords.
The three-band EQ includes a tuner, so you’ll always be ready to play in tune. This is a cheap guitar with great sound for a beginner or intermediate player and of the best Ovation guitars for this reason.
8. Ovation Adamas MD80 Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar, case
- Pickups: OP-Pro
- Material & Finish: Lyrachord, carbon fiber, walnut, ebony, satin finish
- Best For: Professional guitar players
The Ovation Adamas MD80 is a unique instrument with a carbon fiber top. This top provides better note clarity and resonance. In addition, the body is contoured for a better feel whether sitting or standing up.
The teardrop soundhole further enhances the tone and sound projection of the guitar, whether played acoustically or using the pickup system. This is one of the best professional Ovation guitars you can buy.
✅ Unique soundhole
✅ Big tone
✅ Carbon top
✅ Deep cutaway
❌ Some may not like design
❌ Expensive
Why I Recommend It
I like this guitar as it’s unique. The soundhole design is different for Ovation and gives this instrument a unique sound. The OP-Pro pickup system is perfect for a home studio or live sessions and sounds amazing.
I’m not a big fan of the overall color design, but the guitar has the tone that you’re looking for if you can get past that. There’s a nice tone enhancement circuit on the preamp, battery light, and tuner.
9. Ovation Applause AE-44 7s Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar
- Pickups: CE304T
- Material & Finish: Spruce, fiberglass, nato, mahogany, ovangkol, gloss finish
- Best For: First-time Beginners
The Ovation Applause AE44-7s is a great introductory guitar. The player will find playing chords easy on the deep cutaway neck. This guitar sounds great, thanks to the solid spruce top and fiberglass body.
The pickup system is ready to go with an amplifier for exceptional plugged-in tones. This is one of the best cheap Ovation guitars for beginners.
✅ Good tone
✅ Cutaway
✅ Electronics
✅ Solid construction
❌ No case
❌ May need setup
Why I Recommend It
The Ovation Applause AE-44 &s is a nice guitar for beginners under $400, so it’s a great bargain. I love the fast neck and the fact that it’s got a pickup. Many guitars in this range don’t have electronics.
I like the EQ system as it’s not as complex as some other Ovation guitars, which makes it easier for beginners to figure out. There’s a built-in tuner which is also a nice feature.
10. Ovation Applause AB24-4S Acoustic Guitar
- Type: Cutaway dreadnought
- What’s Included: Guitar
- Pickups: CE304T
- Material & Finish: Spruce, fiberglass, mahogany, ovangkol, gloss finish
- Best For: Beginner guitar players
The Ovation Applause AB24-4S is the right guitar for any beginner. You get a big Ovation tone at a lower entry-level price. The neck is smooth and comfortable to play those first chords on.
This guitar has a pickup system so that the new payer can experiment with amplified tones. The EQ system is easy to access via the side panel, and there’s a built-in tuner along with a handy battery level light.
✅ Great tone
✅ Pickup system
✅ Cutaway
✅Fast neck
❌ No case
❌ May need some setup
Why I Recommend It
The Ovation Applause AB24-$S feels like an expensive Ovation, except you pay way less. The contoured body makes it comfortable for the new player to hole both sitting down and standing up.
This guitar has a traditional soundhole for great tones. You get a lot of guitar for this price, and it’s far better than many beginner guitar models, which are frustrating to play. Spend a bit more and get this solid guitar.
Ovation Acoustic Guitars Aesthetics & Build
Ovation guitars are unique instruments that use different materials compared to traditional guitars. Here’s what you need to know before you buy.
Material
Ovation uses wood, but also fiberglass and a material called Lyrachord in the construction of their guitars. Here’s what to expect when you buy.
- Lyrachord – This uses resin and glass filament to create a durable material used in the backs of Ovation guitars. it’s a type of fiberglass and has acoustic properties for great tone
- Spruce – used in some guitars tops for Ovation guitars which has a great acoustic tone
- Carbon Fiber – A hard and durable material with good acoustic properties used in higher-end Ovation guitars
- Mahogany – A typical acoustic guitar wood with great resonance and tone
- Walnut – This wood is similar in tone to mahogany
- Rosewood – A smooth wood used in guitar fingerboards
- Ovangkol/nato – These woods are used for guitar fingerboards in some guitars
Finish
There’s several different finishes applied to acoustic guitars. Here’s the basics of these finishes that you need to know.
- Satin – A finish found on some Ovation guitars. This finish is smooth with not a lot of shine but looks great and is long-lasting
- Gloss – A typical shiny finish, with good durability and long life
- Nitrocellulose lacquer – A shiny, hard, and durable finish that resists scratches found on some acoustic guitars
- Polyurethane – This is a common finish for guitars. it’s got good durability, lasting shine, and resists scratches
- Polyester – This is a common guitar finish with a hard coat, good shine, and it lasts a long time
Color
Ovation guitars come in various colors, including natural wood, black, sunburst, red, and blue. You gave quite a few color selections when it comes to Ovation guitars.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here’s some questions that players have about Ovation guitars. Make sure you have a clear idea of what you want in a guitar before you buy it.
How Much Do Ovation Acoustic Guitars Cost?
Many Ovation guitars are affordable. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect in terms of price for an Ovation acoustic guitar.
- Beginner – $450-$600
- Intermediate – $700-$900
- Advanced – $900+
What Are The Best Ovation Acoustic Guitars?
Here’s a list of the top three best ovation acoustic guitars for beginners, intermediate and professional guitar players. Any one of these instruments would make a quality pick.
Ovation Applause AE44-4S – Best for Beginners
The Ovation Applause AE44-4S guitar is cheap yet sounds good and is an ideal choice for a beginner. Not only do you get a great neck, but the instrument has a pickup system and EQ for amplified guitar tones.
Ovation Balladeer Deep Contour – Best for Intermediate Players
The Ovation Balladeer Deep Contour guitar features a fast neck, a traditional soundhole design, and great electronics. The deep cutaway gives the player easy access to all of the higher frets. This is an excellent intermediate guitar under $1,000.
Ovation Adamas GT – Best for Professional Players
The Ovation Adamas GT guitar has added design highlights which make it a standout. The neck is fast, and the deep cutaway allows for quick solos. It’s got an excellent electronics system for stage or recording sessions.
Where Are Ovation Acoustic Guitars Made?
Ovation guitars are made in the USA and overseas in countries such as China.
What is The Best Sounding Ovation Acoustic Guitar?
The Ovation Adamas GT is probably the best Ovation guitar. This instrument costs a lot, but it’s a solid build. It’s got everything that the professional needs to sound great. The thin carbon fiber top gives you wonderful tones.
Where To Buy Ovation Acoustic Guitars?
There’s a few locations where you’ll want to pick up a new Ovation guitar. Here’s the basics of what you need to know before making your purchase.
Amazon
Amazon is one of the better retailers for online musical purchases. They have fast shipping times, a huge product selection, and you can read product reviews before ordering your new guitar.
Online Music Retailers
Guitar Center and Sweetwater are two other locations online where you can pick up an Ovation guitar. Both locations feature a wide product selection, fast shipping, and great customer service to meet your needs.
Your Local Music Store
You may want to consider purchasing your guitar through your local retail store. This gives you a chance to try out a guitar before you buy. Not all stores have every guitar, so you need to pick and choose from the stocked models.
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Table of Contents
- Acoustic Guitar Brands
- About Ovation Acoustic Guitars
- Things To Consider When Choosing Ovation Acoustic Guitars
- Acoustic Guitars
- Types of Ovation Acoustic Guitars
- Acoustic Guitar Reviews
- 10 Best Ovation Acoustic Guitars
- Ovation Acoustic Guitars Aesthetics & Build
- Electric Guitar Accessories
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- In Conclusion
In Conclusion
Thank you for reading our Best Ovation Acoustic Guitars guide. Ovation makes a unique guitar that sounds great, is easy to play, and affordable regardless of your playing level or budget.
Please comment, like, and share this article. What’s your favourite Ovation guitar? We look forward to hearing from you about guitars and other music products. Enjoy your new Ovation guitar.
