Opinions on Ovation guitars as a starter instrument?

You can’t have too much instrument for a beginner! A bad instrument will hold you back and put you off because you will be fighting with it.

The consensus on Ovation guitars over here is that recently they’ve gone downhill, but as yours is an old one, it should be great! (Would love to see a pic!)

And yes, sounds like a great price :-)

Here’s hoping this works. link

I started with an Ovation and loved it. Good choice.

I’m not a guitarist but I have been in a band and one of the guitarists in it had an Ovation, it was a very nice instrument. Even beginners should get the best they can, and you got a real bargain there.

Acoustic-electrics are a unique hybrid that the Ovation really had it down for both sound and playability. You are blessed with an amazing guitar and do not let that intimidate you….just play, practice and enjoy!

I’ve only played on an ovation a couple times. My uncle has his still from when he was in college (it’s also from the 70’s). Sounds amazing, and I’ve always heard good things about their quality.

As others have said, you can’t have too good of an instrument to start with.

Is this ‘bellying’ anything to worry about, or is it like middle age paunch given the age of the instrument.?

@majorrich Please define “bellying.”

@majorrich The large area of the front of the guitar below the bridge is called the belly. On some guitars it may arch out a little bit from the pull of the strings. This is called “bellying” and is normal as long as it only does it a little bit. This is how the front of the guitar (soundboard) amplifies the string vibrations and makes the guitar sound good; however, if it arches out too much, it could indicate a problem like broken or loose braces. Other causes can be you are using too heavy a gauge of strings, you’re tuning to too high of a pitch, or your guitar was not fitted with strong enough braces to begin with. I looked at the pics on your link and the side angle shot appears OK. If you see this bellying is indeed pronounced you might try lighter gauge strings. Have fun!

I started with an Ovation and loved it. I don’t have big hands and their necks are usually smaller – the action lower – easier to play. I love the sound – and tolerate the shape.

By the way – their service is great. They will go out of their way to satisfy a customer – long after the initial purchase.

Recently I lost the little part that holds the battery in place. As I have an old model, they sent me two different parts – to make sure that I received the correct one. No cost.

Ovation as a guitar, and as a company, rock!

My guitar arrived today! It’s prettier than it looks in pictures! No finish cracks or anything! It is significantly louder than my other acoustic and sounds a less “tinny” if that can be attributed to guitars. The neck is indeed thinner and I can at least barre the first 5 strings. I’ll cheat and use my thumb for the rest! There was a 9 volt battery rattling around inside, but I see where it goes, (have no idea how I am going to get it in there to clip it in, but I don’t intend to worry about it for a while. Thanks for all your affirmations on my choice of instruments!

Remove the plastic case for the battery and then put it back in with it.

Alas, I find no case. There is a screw that I think may make the little clip come loose from it’s moorings. I’m thinking if I hook the battery to the wires, I may be able to kind of worry it into position and then clip it into the thing with a little stick or something. I think this instrument will remain an acoustic until it becomes necessary. lol

Model and Serial Number?

It’s 1612–1 sn 102840 The screw appears to be made of plastic, but could be painted and is just really smooth.

Is this it?

http://www.ovationguitars.com/archive/guitar/custom_balladeer_1612

Contact Ovation and ask them how to do it – or download a manual:

http://www.ovationguitars.com/support/contact