Overall User Ratings (based on 220 ratings)
Submitted March 14, 2007 by a customer from netscape.com
"Chances are, the action is faster than you, and there's no doubt it's prettier....LOL"
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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
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...
Features
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..
Ease of Use
These guitars are almost as fast as an electric...The action is so easy to adjust too...
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
Manufacturer Support
Haven't dealt with them, but their website is very useful..
The Wow Factor
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..
Musical Background:
been playing for 20+ years
Musical Style:
Rock and Christian Worship
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Submitted May 28, 2003 by a customer from charter.net
"I earn my living with this guitar."
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.
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.
Features
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.
The Wow Factor
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.
Musical Style:
Acoustic Alternative
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Submitted May 24, 2006 by a customer from aol.com
"Ovatioh Celebrity 257 Deluxe Acoustic Electric Guitar"
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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.
Sound
This guitar has an excellent uplugged sound. Very full and warm. Plugged in it is a little on the bright side.
Features
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.
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.
Quality
Good quality. Cosmetics are good for a mass-produced guitar.
Value
Good value for the money.
Manufacturer Support
N/A
The Wow Factor
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
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Submitted November 27, 2005 by a customer from hotmail.com
"beautiful"
Sound
sounds great plugged, unplugged
Features
tuner is sweet
Quality
havent had any problems yet
Value
awesome guitar, good price
Manufacturer Support
no problems
The Wow Factor
beautiful
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
acoustic, emo, alternative
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Submitted December 18, 2006 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Great but need's a little fret work"
no comment
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.
Features
Greate neck, Very nice body, Paint a bit cheap but for the price who cares.Nice preamp too.
Ease of Use
Well It play almost like an electric, very smooth action, sound incredible when plugged in. Not made for unplugged.
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,
Manufacturer Support
Nada
The Wow Factor
Well it doesn't make me have an erection, but it's very nice !!!
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
From Jazz, rock , new wave
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Submitted June 6, 2003 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Great a/e guitar"
Sound
Sounds great plugged in. Sounds good acoustically.
Quality
I refretted it after less than a year. But, I do play a lot.
Musical Style:
Acoustic Rock
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Submitted February 18, 2005 by a customer from hotmail.com
"A good acoustic guitar."
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
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.
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.
Features
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.
Manufacturer Support
I did not have to deal with support.
The Wow Factor
It's beautiful. Very sexy. Go get one !
Musical Background:
Hobbyist
Musical Style:
Christian Music (Rock/Alternative)
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Submitted September 9, 2004
"You cant go wrong"
Sound
For a shallow body acoustic this guitar is amazing. It wont rattle the dishes in the cupboard with bass like a deep bowl would, but it isnt supposed to. I tune mine to A-440 and it is a joy to play.
Features
The 1 1/16 inch neck width is ideal for easy playing and the cutaway allows easy access to the upper frets. This guitar is about as close to an electric as you can get in feel and playing style. The onboard tuner is a great feature and is a breeze to use.
Quality
I'm sure if I treat it well, it will outlast me. With a proper hard case and some common sense this guitar would earn it's keep in any situation.
Value
It's well worth the asking price. They could probably sell it for more and have no complaints.
Manufacturer Support
I havent had a need to contact Ovation as of yet...
Musical Background:
hobbyist
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Submitted January 30, 2004
"great guitar for the money, but hard to hold"
Sound
The sound of this guitar is great for the price range, although it's definitly affected by the rounded back not being wood but is very distinct. But once you plug in this guitar comes alive it adds new life to the sound.
Features
ovation has always held a great reputation for it's electronics, that's why I bought the guitar to play live a freind of mine had one and it sounded great through the p.a.
Quality
the guitar seems to be very durable as far as I can tell( no major incidents) I did however bump on the door at my house and chipped the finish, but it probally would have happened with any of my guitars.
Value
If you want a beautiful, playable guitar that won't break the bank I would recommend it, the only dislike I have is I can't keep it in one place due to the rounded back, I am getting rid of it for this reason and buying a martin dm. It's not as bad when I am sitting down playing.
Manufacturer Support
don't really know never had to deal with it
Musical Style:
Folk, Country, Rock, what ever feels good at the time
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Ovation Celebrity CS257 Customer Review
Quality
i have had this guitar less than a year and the necj has come loose from the body, i have sent several emails to ovation and i have not received one response. the customer service is a joke and the quality is worse than i would expect from a bottom end guitar. when it worked it was nice, but without the customer service to back up the product i would not purchase another ovation ever again
Manufacturer Support
see above worthess non existant customer support
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