Ovation S771 Special Balladeer Mid-Depth Bowl Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar
6-string mid-depth acoustic-electric. Case not included.
Overall User Ratings (based on 34 ratings)
Submitted April 21, 2007 by a customer from aol.com
"ballader S-771 American made, dont settle for less."
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Solid top, great sound mid depth bowl guitar. Comfortable fitting size to play, action if very ajustable to taste, Ovation has spacers under the bridge you can add or remove to adjust action, along with a easy adjustable truss rod.
Sound
I was amazed with the bass sound that came out of this unpluged the first time i sat in a quiet room and had a chance to really hear the guitar. I was thinking theres no way it could compare to my Taylor 214, that impressed me the same way when I played it for the first time. So i pulled the Taylor out and compared, both sounded similar with the Taylor edgeing out by a nose. The projected volume was acutally won by the Ovation. Pluged in the Ovation really shined sound wise compared to my 2 other A/Es, no notice of the jangley
tinny sound projected from the other A/Es, just a warm tone of a fine
acoustic guitar.
Features
I love the electronics, I have a older model without the tuner, but the newer electronics look a litle tacky to me. The OP-24+ is much cleaner look that blends in with the guitar without sticking out saying HEY IM THE ELECTRONICS. The mid shift really changes the midrange sound adding a crisp tone. I would like to see some dots on the fret board not just on the side.
Ease of Use
No problem after 10 minutes playing with the electronincs to find thaat sweet sound you wanted.
Quality
The top has the Satin finish that I thought would really scratch up easy like a Seagull I had, but its really held up quite good. And i truly beleive the Satin finish allows the great sound unpluged I was surprised to hear.
Value
Great price for an American made Ovation, Ballader. Glad I didnt settle for a lesser Celebrity or Applause, I know the unpluged sound would not compare , solid tops always beat the laminated tops for sound quiality.
Manufacturer Support
Ovation resonded to a email inquire I had about Finish care pretty fast so my experence was good.
The Wow Factor
For the sound pluged in this is a super guitar hard to beat for the price. Ungluged it gave my Taylor a suprising run for the money. The guitar is not fancy, just a well built long lasting decent sounding guitar. The one I have has a great hardshell case that protects better than any other case i own, Tight fit, and durable.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist
Musical Style:
Rock, country, folk
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Submitted November 17, 2006 by a customer from ccwired.org
"Great Guitar.....Great Price.....Strongly Recommended"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I plan on this being my life-time committment guitar. If it were to wear out or be stolen I'd replace it. I might consider purchasing a high end Taylor if I run into an extra three grand. For the price, nothing beats my ovation.
Sound
This guitar sounds great. Nothing sounds like an ovation plugged in. This one even sounds good not plugged in. It has a warm tone that matches some of your more expensive Martin's and Taylors. The pre-amp is worlds better than both of those. For your money, this guitar sounds great.
Features
Came with a great pre-amp. The on board tuner is fantastic. It is functional and very easy to use.
Ease of Use
This guitar is so easy to use. Everything was pretty much self explanatory. The only learning curve is for the three different pre-amp option buttons that determine the tonal quality through your pre-amp. This just take a little time to pick up. Everything else is easy.
Quality
Great American made product. You can really tell the difference when you pick it up. It is a well made instrument.
Value
This item is a great item at a great price. You can't beat it.
Manufacturer Support
Have not needed any support at this point. Ovation is a well known company and does have a good rep for customer service.
The Wow Factor
This question is retarted. Who lusts for inanimate objects. I love the aesthetic of it. I like guitars that are naturally beautiful without all the gaudy crap that ends up ruining the looks of other guitars. This guitar looks great without having to work hard at it. The small details look good.
Musical Background:
Active Musician, Band Director, Worship Leader
Musical Style:
Rock, Alternative, Country, Contemporary Christian
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Submitted February 26, 2023 by a customer from icloud.com
"Great Friend for twenty years"
I purchased this guitar on a whim. I had an old Ovation Celebrity that got stolen a few years earlier and I wanted a new Ovation, so I purchased this after seeing it in a guitar store. The sound is good, but I confess that my Taylor 414 (purchased three years ago) plays and sounds better. I have never plugged any of my guitars into an amplifier after purchasing, so I really can’t comment on the electronics, but it sounded good when I purchased it. I have had it adjusted a couple of times and it plays great. It takes abuse very well which makes it my go-to guitar when I travel. The top is a flat finish which I wasn’t so crazy about at first, but after two decades, I love it. It is very slick just below the sound hole which is kind of neat. There are other areas where the top has been slightly scratched, but with this guitar, those scratches only add character, like a guitar that has been played for a long time and often. I have accidentally hit the body against various pieces of furniture over the years and no issues at all…it is great not having to be that careful with it. Knock on wood, the top is still as strong and strongly attached to the body as the day I purchased it. In 20 years, I’ve had it adjusted and gone over a couple of times.I think the neck is a little narrower than my Taylor which might be why I find the Taylor slightly easer to play. But it is no big deal and it usually the guitar that I practice on. It has been a trusted friend that I’ll never get rid of it.
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Submitted May 6, 2006 by a customer from aol.com
"Love it."
I don't think I could wear this guitar out. If I had to replace it I would buy another Ovation. I haven't tried it plugged yet so I don't know how that sounds. I bought it primarily as an acoustic.
Sound
Nice even tone across the board.
Features
It came with the Ovation hardshell case. Very nice. No frills on the guitar. But what do need that for.
Ease of Use
Very easy to play. Nice action and it stays in tune.
Quality
It was finished very nicely except for a couple spots where the top is joined to the side. The joint is fine just a little scrap hanging off.
Value
Well worth the money
The Wow Factor
Even without the bling bling I think this guitar looks real nice. It's an Ovation. They all look great.
Musical Background:
hobby
Musical Style:
rock
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Submitted February 8, 2005 by a customer from hotmail.com
"For the money, a great all-around guitar"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
One upon a time, I used this guitar frequently, but because of my change in music styles, I don't use it nearly as much. However, I have no intention of replacing it. It's like an old friend. I have several guitars now and will continue to acquire more... all electric. This is the only acoustic I can envision ever owning.
Sound
I wouldn't pay top dollar for an acoustic because I only play electrics. But for the money, this guitar is great. It has very good tone. Not to boomy, not too jangly. The on board OP30 pre-amp does an adequate job of shaping the tone when amplified. It would be nice if Ovation would offer this model with a standard pickup as well as the piezo.
Features
The OP30 preamp is OK - don't use it much. But the on-board tuner is very convenient.
Quality
It is a solid, well made instrument. Never had any problems with the neck, frets, tuners. Even banged it hard a few times when setting up and it was none worse for the wear.
Value
This product is well worth the selling price. It's a good, all arounf guitar that seems like it would last a very long time.
Manufacturer Support
n/a
The Wow Factor
I have evolved from classic rock to roadhouse style blues. As a result, I play almost exclusively electric guitars; this guitar could not even begin to keep up with my Strat, LP, or my ES335... just doesn't have the sound or looks. However, if I was into folk, folk-rock, country, or straight blues, the S771 could definitely hold its own
Musical Background:
hobbyist
Musical Style:
classic rock, roadhouse blues, jazz
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