Ovation Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Right, Textured Black, 4 String Bass (B778TX-5)

Things have changes over the past decade for Ovation's production a lot. Majority of items are produced offshore in Korea nowadays.Back 25 years ago a Korean made Ovation (Celebrity or Applause, that is) meant a significant quality compromise such as poor acoustic and electric sound, durability issues (bridge would start to come off after several years, for example ).But this one is really really good!Despite the fact that it is 'crafted in Korea', when you hold it in your hands, look at it, play it plugged or unplugged, you feel that this is a worthy artifact made very very well.It has an amazing preamp and pickup, producing a very solid and rich sound when plugged.Mid depth body sounds unexpectedly good as well.It came already with pretty good action (I like low action), I'll probably still try to make it lower but it already is pretty good, no buzzing whatsoever.This I'd say this one definitely worth every penny spent.Will see how this is going in a few years, hopefully will provide an update then.

The reason for purchasing a guitar such as this D-Scale is for those of us who play in the baritone ranges. In other words, lower tunings than E standard. For instance Drop C (CGCFAD) or in my case, Drop Bb (BbFBbEbGC) and this is aka Drop A#. The issue with most acoustic guitars especially is tuning down the strings as they tend to buzz (loose strings) and they also easily fall out of tune (lack of tension on the strings). I've never owned an ovation before but decided to give this a go due to the scale length which the claim was that this allowed low tunings without the constant buzzing and re-tuning common with most guitars.Well, I have had this for a about a month and it gets me what I need out of it. No issues with Drop Bb. If I start chugging hard on it, I can get some buzzing but I do have to work at it. The main thing is it stays in tune for me reasonably.Negatives. The one thing I will say about rounded backs is that when seated, it likes to slide a little on the lap and this is even with the slightly different graded material used for that section. But everything else is good to better. The sound is solid. The neck feel and action is good. So, all in all, no real complaints.

If you're familiar with Ovation, this is an exceptional acoustic guitar and two+ cuts above the others I've played by them. Neck finish feels like there is no finish (none of the sticky, glossy varnish); action and playability right out of the box is perfect. Absolutely worth every penny. Sound is vibrant and loud, perfect tracking when played through an amplifier. Onboard EQ does a great job by itself; excellent audio quality. And it looks great in black. Purchase with confidence.

Amazon.com had 2 of these in stock, which I just blew through due to poor quality control.The first bass had a high 6th fret on the E-string, which could be easily remedied in itself, but the entire fretboard on the G-string side had a HUGE ramp and dip where the neck joined the body. As set up from the factory, the truss rod was too tight and the neck was bent backwards upon delivery. After more than 1 turn out, with a lot of force (as aluminum channel truss rods often require) I got the bass playable for the most part, except the 5th fret A note on the E-string, and ALL the notes above the 12th fret on the G-string continued to buzz. I could file one fret down easily, but fixing that kind of hump in a fretboard is more than this guitar is worth. I set up a return and waited for the new one to arrive.The second bass arrived, and was also set up bent back with so much bow I couldn't play ANY notes to tune it because the strings were completely laid back across the entire fretboard, even when not fretted. I couldn't imagine any climate or condition anywhere where this setup would have been playable so far off, so I kind of think they are not actually setting the basses up and just passing them through quality control. Both quality control tags had the exact same height and action measurements marked on them... So back to neck adjustment again, usually no big deal. However, the hole that is drilled to access the truss rod nut is partially blocking the nut, so the allen key won't fit in properly. Also to note, the instructions indicate that the instrument comes with the proper truss rod key, which was not included with either bass I received; I have plenty of tools but still... After about 2 full turns out, the neck was still so tight and bent back the bass would play, but only lightly to avoid buzzing. The access to the hole was so bad and tight, and the nut so tight, that eventually the nut stripped out and no more adjustment could be done, despite extreme care on my part. I guess I could have carved out the hole for better access, but didn't want to hack on a new instrument that I might have to return again. I have never had this happen in about 15 years I have been playing, adjusting, and caring for guitars. This was really too bad, because the frets, fretboard, and neck on this bass were perfectly beautiful and straight.Both of these instruments looked good on the outside, despite some painting and wood splinters in the holes on the first copy, and sounded great as well, with lots of volume for an acoustic bass. When the access hole is opened up, however, you can really see where the attention to detail has been dropped, such as where the hole for the truss rod access was incorrectly drilled and blocking its access, wayward splinters, all of the stickers inside falling off before arrival, and just a generally sloppy looking inside. They look really cool too, with a young girl coming up to me one night and exclaiming "that's the coolest guitar I have ever seen!" I really wanted this to work, as I have been looking forward to a bass I could play with other acoustic instruments, and without an amp. There is definitely a lack of any quality acoustic bass on the market that I can find, for many years now; I wish Yamaha would step up, as their instruments have always been at least very well made with great attention to detail, at a good price too.I have owned many guitars, even an Ovation 6-string that was super, and I am adept at setting up neck bow/warp with truss rod and nut adjustment. I have seen other Ovation guitars with problems, but not this extreme. I don't think I am going to bother with this model again, especially for $700, but since there are not many other options, I may try one more time when/if a new batch arrives.

I bought this 12 string because I've always loved the feel and action of Ovation guitars... I also bought it because I don't like the cheesy decorative leaf trim on the ports and they finally dumped it with this TX series... The overall build is good...but had to buff out some black paint finger prints on the neck... Five stars for being a beautiful playing, nice feeling, great sounding, awesome looking guitar...but minus a star for being sold without being inspected and making me do some work on it...

I got the shallow body.. First of all, big shout out to ABR music in Wisconsin, just outside Chicago.. they didn’t have the inventory on accident so they had ovation send me a new one direct. Good folks up there..The guitar right out of the package was wildly inspiring to play. It is a very percussive friendly guitar. The neck on it plays like a dream. Found my new signature (chefs kiss)

Needed fret work for multiple buzz points. Expected better from this price point. Lesson learned, spend more, get a better product