Applause AE-128

I got my AE-128 several months ago. 2003 Model, made in China. 14 frets clear of the body - 20 reachable with the cut away. Laminated top with a super-shallow bowl. Cheaper pick-up, but still Ovation made with a sensor in the bridge. Closed tuners by Ovation on top of a slim satin neck. Very nice and solid, heavier than standard acoustic guitars.

It's a laminate top, which just about says it all, but the projection is far better than you would expect from such a shallow body. Ovations are made to be plugged in, and this ones no different. Plugged in it sounds great, better with thicker strings, but the gain is touchy to adjust.
I replaced the factory strings with Adamas 1919Es and the thicker strings do wonders for improving the depth and volume of the sound. Very good for the price but better could be found for more money.

Right out of the box the action was high - 4/32. To my dismay when I went to lower the action and replace the strings I found that my particular guitar had only one removable shim under the bridge (there should have been about 4). When I removed it and put on heavier strings I only got down to 7/64, still rather high, and not easy to adjust further considering there's a pick-up in the bridge. Neck bow is good, with a medium-low bow that I may have to adjust lower in order to tamper with the action, rather than file the bridge. Wish me luck.
Fit is decent - it's all there and solid but lacks that fine-tune work at the end typical of more expensive models.
The surface clearcoat is very thick and shinny. I wouldn't want that thick of a finish on a solid-top but for a laminate it just adds to the durability and appearance.

This is a very solid guitar that will handle many years of use, and far more abuse than a solid-top or laminate sided guitar. Electric guitar style strap buttons are right in the Lyracord body, also very solid and comfortable.
I would never gig without a back-up - but this is the rock-solid type of guitar I would choose AS my back-up.

Applause website isn't up yet...3 years after my guitar was built, so I would say they focus more on building, which is fine by me. It's your local shop that needs to be good, for minor adjustments make all the difference and no guitar maker warranties abuse, which is virtually the only thing that breaks guitars anyway (limited lifetime really means we'll replace anything you don't break).

I've been playing for several years. Started on a guitar I bought for my wife but ended up using it so much She told me to get my own. I bought this one for back-up when I had more time to play than money to spend. I would replace this guitar with another Ovation but next time I'd be tempted to spend more if I found one with a richer sound, and a lower adjustable action, but you can't beat Ovation durability.

Got this AE-128 last week. The features are just fine except for the gain knob which is simply "plastic" and somehow uneven. The black finish is really really cool. You just have to wipe its entirety after playing. The bridge and saddle are perfect. The bowl is perfect, not that "round". I just have to lower the action.

Im into anything, i.e. funk, rock, blues, silvermusic (something i created). The sound is well...without an amp, its simple...but RICH in tone! Not that bright but works perfectly with thin picks. I was looking for dead spots in the fretboard when I was buying this, didnt hear any..unlike the higher models which i tried...believe me..there are. An accoustic effects pedal is recommended for better sound. Overall, one strum from E to E is like..."daaaamn...thats the guitar!"

The action is pretty high when i bought this. Have to adjust the neck and change strings. Black finish is the best. HOwever, you'll see all the scratches if there be any.

ITS FAR FROM CHEAP GUYS...really tough and sturdy!!! ROCK SOLID!

there are better ones esp from OVATION, TAKAMINE, etc...
BUT......... this one is just right for beginners or even for those who's been playin for more than 15 years (like me).