Ovation 1111

Features would be a non-item for a basic acoustic guitar, I would think.

Rich full sound. Does well for any acoustic application. I use it for classic rock, country, folk, adult contemporary, jazz, and anything else I encounter. Good volume.

Setup from factory was fine. Good action. Have never had anything done to it. It is the best acoustic I have ever seen. You can leave it in the case for months and it comes out in tune(maybe not A440, but in tune with itself...always) I hate to sound like a guy who just applauds one type of guitar over all others, but this has been a great guitar all around.

This guitar is amazing. It has been played in all climates and on both coasts. There is a chop in the headstock from a ceiling fan at the Mascot shrimper bar in Key West, FL from a time where I was standing with one foot on a cooler and one on the counter and hit a 7th at the end of a song and raised the guitar up into the air right in the path of a ceiling fan(missed the tuning keys though)...instrument NOT affected. There is a crunched place on the rounded edge of the back from Husongs Cantina in Mexico and the instrument was NOT affected. There are buckled placed on the front from playing outside in the winter in NYC and the instrument was NOT affected. I could not imagine a more dependable guitar.

Never had to deal with the company, but I assume if a company makes a product this solid, they would not mind standing behind it. Surely support is a minor expenditure for them.

Been playing for 40yrs. I have had a Silvertone spanish acoustic, Conrad slimneck 12 string, Yamaha 12str, Takamine 12str, Gianinni 12str(nice guitar), Palmer flying V(electric...lame), Fender strat, Gibson SG3, and maybe others I have forgotten. I wish I had gotten a better case, but I was poor.

Finish is starting to wrinkle up

I bought this guitar for $5.00 in 1974. It was broken and the seller had glued and put in about 25 screws to hold the head to the neck. I played it like that for almost 10 years and then one day it just came apart. The sound even with the screws was incredible for folk type music

Like I said it was broken when I bought it and even with the mess that the person made out of it, it sounded great

It's approximately 34 years old and the finish is beginning to wrinkle up a little. But then I never treated this very well. Never affected the sound or the feel of the instrument. With all the abuse, it really stood up over the years. I one time killed a huge cockroach with it.

Had the head replaced. What a beautiful job this guy did. He's out of business now. In 1985 he replaced it for about $200 and about 8 weeks later I got it back. No problems since and it looks as if it belongs to the original instrument

I've been playing now for almost 50 years. I own two classical guitars, cheap, a Strat and an Ibanez electric acoustic. I always go back to the ovation when I want to sing.

Bought in 1971 when I was a freshman in college. I'd been playing about 8 years at the time and this was my first acoustic, after 3 electrics (one an Ovation Tornado - great guitar). This guitar came with no electronics. Bridge piezo added in about 1985. In 44 years of moderate play, this guitar has never had an adjustment of any kind, neck, frets, finish all have held up. This guitar has done about everything, from rock gigs, jazz gigs, solo stuff, sing alongs, church retreats with kids banging on it.... literally EVERYTHING.

The guitar was made before Ovation put electronics in their acoustics. When rating features, there are few other than guitar basics. But those basics are great.

The guitar has a beautiful clean sound, as do most Ovations. The guitar lacks some bottom, but this can be compensated with a heavier silk and steel. Over the years, people constantly have remarked how clear and full this guitar sounds.

Guitar came set up perfectly for me. Like I said, no adjustments needed. Fits me like a glove. But, after 44 year, it should. The finish is clear and natural, only with one small blemish where I banged it into a mic stand years ago. I have a custom hardshell case and that's where it stays when not on the gig being played or in the bedroom.

The neck is a little slimmer and quicker than other acoustics. For years, my two main guitars were both Ovations, so the feel was consistent.

My only problem is that the rubber backing that keeps it from sliding came off years ago. I had a strap pin installed and that works better, even when sitting.

I've only got two things to day about this.... 44 Years

Never dealt with them. Never needed to.

If you could buy ANYTHING with a guarantee that 44 years later it'd be as good or better than they day you bought it, you'd do it. That's what this guitar has been for me.

I've moved along with other guitars over the years, American Strats, Gibson ES-175 and ES-135, Takamine 12-string, Guild Acoustic, Ibanez, Alvarez Classical, Roland Guitar Synths, Epiphone Del Ray. Still have most of them.

But bury me with the Ovation.

I bought this one new in the late seventies. It is a twenty fret, ebony fretboard. No electronics, while I have condsidered putting aftermarket tranducers, I use a Lawerance sound hole pick up that works well.

I love the voice of this guitar, very sharp and distict with a great range, especially if played hard.

Great action, even after 30+ years without service on the neck. The bridge has been shimmed once to prevent a rattle. No problems with frets, or any other issues with this guitar.

This gutiar has travelled well and has held up to years of use.

This guitar was sat on....crushed to front. Factory repaired for a reasonable amount and restored to original. This was when it was about 3 years old.

Been playing now for close to 40 years. This is my favorite instrument. Someday....Larrivee.....But till then I will stick with my ovation.

This Balladeer was manufactured and purchased in 1972, alng with the ovation hard-body case.( an additonal $50)it has the usual Spruce top, composite round-back, , I believe ebony fret-board. It came with no electronics but I added a Martin Barcus-Berry pick-up in theearly eighties for stage work. The composite back and wood front combination can be hazardous in extremely cold weather and Ovaton guitars have been known to shatter in minus 40 temperatures: not a concern to most owners. The rounded back necessitates the use of a strap at nearly all times. Easy to play, easy to listen to.

The sound is excellent, not as bassy as a Martin but clear and full. I play folk and accoustic blues, with a slight Jazz flavour and get wonderful results using light Martin strings.
The guitar was designed to project its sound forward to a mike or audience and does it so well that the player does not always get the full benefit. As most of you do, I try out other guitars in music shop sound rooms and always come back to the ovation. I would like to own a Martin and a Larivee (or Laskin : bothe crystaline sounding) just to have guitars on each side of the tonal qualities of the 1111 but would never replace it.
The Pick-up works fine in any I have played that came with one. The asdd on I use should have a pre-amp for best performance.
the best stage sound is with a mike, but that is awkward unless sitting. I once used a lapel mike in the sound hole in a theatre and had excellent results.

The guitar came perfectly set-up from the factory and always had an easy action. no complaints.

I have played on stage , busked in the hot sun and the spray from Niagara Falls, and travelled it across Canada. I had it re-fretted in 1983 ot there-a-bouts after much steady use ( I was gigging usually five to six nights a week back then) but the job was botched so I had it re-done in 1987. It almost never goes out of tune.
The face is showing some signs of "pilling " after 32 years,probably a relult of change of climate and humidity from east to west and back, but is in excellent shape still with only one ever neck adjustment and bridge replacement. I replaced the Machine heads in '88 with factory replacements as the plastic tabs that hold them to the neck were breaking. The newer ones look the same but seem to be sturdier. They were lower priced than some replacement parts.

This is my main instrument, of several. I take its 12 string mate on stage, not as a back-up but to play for specific songs.( it too needs machine heads and is only slightly newer).

All in all the guitar is in nearly new looking condition after all thes years and countless gigs.

I could not order machine heads from the company but had an instant and correct response as to which dealers would deliver them to me.
It is under lifetime warranty, but I have not needed it.

I hav ebeen playing for 38 years. I own a 12 string ovation Balladeer(ts mate);an acoustic Fender "beater";a 1936 Dobro (probably a National -Dobro); my first ever guitar, a Giannini classical; some banjos, an autoharp, and a tiny amount of ampli9fication gear.
I would look or the same year and model of guitar if lost this one.
I love its familiarity, and its sound, of course. I love the compliments I get on its sound . I don't like the fact that I do not hear it as well as my audience.
I wanted a Martin when I bought the Ovation but could not afford one. I checked out a few other guitars, but was instantly satisfied with the Ovation 1111 and pleased with its relatively low price. I was influenced by its use at a live CBC radio broadcast featuring Gene MacLellan. I was in the studio audience and was both impressed and curious.

My 1111-4 is a 1977 model I bought in an auction in 1978. No case, but it's such a good knock around guitar it would always be out of the case anyway. It's the typical 1111 with a solid spruce gloss top that has aged to a nice golden color and of course the black round fiberglass back. No electronics. This model has a very dark fingerboard and I can't tell if it's ebony or a very dark rosewood. It's very fast and the neck is much like an electric guitar. I don't give it a 10 as I've never been nuts about the round back. The guitar sounds great, but it slides off my knee. It's had to just sit with, without a strap to keep it in place. The sound has improved with it's age though. The tuners has never given me any trouble. As A matter of fact, I've had to do nothing with this guitar except change strings. I only recently adjusted the neck.

The sound is mids and highs which suits me fine. Not much bass when using 10's. I tried 12's once and I thought it sounded bassier. I've recorded this guitar and it cuts through and EQ's well. I bought a Martin a few years ago and I recently sold it. I can't seem to get rid of this guitar though. Every few years I think about replacing it but now it's become an old friend. It's a reliable workhorse that's always there for me.

The set-up was fine for me from the start and the action has always been at a medium/low height. The top was nothing special, just a piece of wood. No figures or flame. No finish flaws have ever been noticed.

Very reliable. After 25 years I've noticed some cracking or spliting starting in some spots on the fingerboard. Nothing serious, and if I had cased this guitar or taken better care of it they might not have happened. The board may have dried out a bit. The top is getting that old canoe look and although there are no cracks, you see those small lines in the wood. One of the strap buttons has loosened up and there is not much to do to tighten it up except drill a new hole or maybe use a larger screw. All this aside, for 25 years this guitar has been out and bounced around and dropped and nicked and it never gives up.

Never had a problem and I never contacted the company.

I've been playing 39 years. Currently I have 5 electrics and 4 basses. Since selling my Martin this is my only acoustic, but I'm currently shopping for something new. I'll still keep this one of course. If this were stolen I doubt I would replace it as can afford to spend more now so I'd get something nicer and without a round back. My favorite feature is the aged top. I cannot compare Ovations to any other guitars. They are very different. Don't be afraid to buy a used one, it'll probably be fine. There's not much to go wrong with them.

I got this one from my mom, who got it when she was in highschool. (she no longer plays)I dont know where or when it was purchased, or how much it cost.
standard 1111, black composite body, sunburst laminate top... looks very atractive from straight on (Im not a fan of the look of the black composite body). I love the neck... shape... finish... etc.
came with hard case.

I (personally) love the sound. full and rich. Very clean sounding. It dosent have that "woody" sound some guitars I have played have, but has an amazingly distinct and powerful presence. I can see how some might not like the sound, but when I play with my friend, (standard woodback washburn) my sound sings out with greater clarity, richness, and great frequenccey responce, without ever sounding "thin". (I play mostly flatpick bluegrass, and folk/rock.)

I couldnt tell you what the guitar was like when it was new, but now, the neck is somooth and quick, and well-shaped. Now the guitar feels like it needs to have the truss rod tightened, but my mom claims it had great action when she put it into storage. (10 years before I began playing it)Im giving it an 8 just because of the truss rod looseness.

This guitar is built like a tank. My mom played it for 5 years in church groups, and a year in college, before it was stored for ten (or more) years, and tuned up, and played great. Since I began using it, I have put it through unbeliveable abuse, including camping trips, (winter, and summer) daily play, and general kickaround duty.
The finish seemed brand new when I got it, but I used an ultra hard pick on it for a while, and it has started to develop scratches, and what will probly become a "willie nelson" hole someday if I continue playing it daily. I now use soft picks, and they have done far less damage. tuners havent gone south yet, but guitar still needs to be tuned once a month or so. (depending on ammount of play)

NA

I rate this guitar highly, because of how it has withstood abuse. It takes a lickin' and keeps on kickin'. I would definateley replace this guitar with a similar one if it was stolen. The guitar has a great "solo" sound, and when I play with my group, the sound stands out great when I want it to, but it can also blend in, and play nice harmony lines. I am sure it would be much better if it had a truss rod adjustment, but it still plays great. A pickguard would help for times when hard picks rear thier ugly heads. (NOTE: I believe this guitar was used by Pure Prarie League, and Kansas, among other well known groups)

This Ovation is a 1111,serial#269162 and in Connecticut was made.The guitar has 17 frets which is plenty and a beautiful natural aged (I believe)Spruce solid top with fibre glas-plastic-composite-given from the Roswell little people(you know who I mean)big butt round back(so thats how they like their women).NO electronafied equipment on this ship I mean guitar.

OK when it comes to playing I am finger man so this guitar has to let me be known in the good light.The sound is rich and full working well with me.Picks have their place,Peace

The action on this guitar is great.Since giving to me in 89 NO adjustments needed.The neck very comfortable to the hand,letting you work where you want,pretty much.Finish is holding up good it will make the long hall.

Guitar is durable for the stage but no pick up on board. The only problem I've had is the G tuner some how got stripped,so I've replaced with better grade.All of them.

Never dealt with company.

I've been using da fingers for thirty years,there with me where ever I go.I bought my first guitar in 1975 in Santa Cruz,a Takamine .I have a old Conn classical,Strat,Yari Alvarez Classical,Takamine 12 string.I'll have to keep the Ovation for a few reasons.I just wish they would'nt roll-slide out of my lap.I will never stop seeking the thrill the sound the spirit the voice of a good acoustic guitar,AMEN

deep bowl, non cutaway model in Natural finish with mahogany neck, ebony fretboard. no electronics, just your basic ovation acoustic.

I bought this at a pawn shop at a steal ($80)- it was hanging next to another 1111 that was shiny and set up properly. This one had nylon strings on it(yeah right)and the fretboard was caked with grime, etc...so they marked it at 1/3 the price of the clean one, go figure.
came with the suitcase style hard case which is quite sturdy.

I never thought the sound of an ovation was anything special, but most electric players would agree their necks feel very close to an electric guitar neck.
The bass is not particularly powerful on this instrument.

well done, great finish. neck heel joint is starting to separate, but this is about a 15-20 yr old guitar.

very solid. i have no problem checking this guitar at the airport and knowing it will arrive ok.

for the money, it's terrific. if my funds were unlimited, i'd go with a martin or something with a big bottom and lots of overtones.

Mine is a 1972 Balladeer in tobacco-burst finish. I bought it used in 1974. Deep bowl, 5 piece neck, ebony board, solid spruce top, thin neck etc. This guitar came with one of those cardboard style cases which in fact is still in excellent condition.

Currently, I just use this guitar for noodling around. However, I did install a Dean Markley SST Piezo Saddle pickup a few years ago and used it on ballads with a top 40 type band. It became a bit boomy but I overcame that with a feedback-buster and an EQ. Back in the '70s, I did alot of "folk" music. Then I left it alone for a few years in the late '80s until the "unplugged" thing started and then, when I started playing it again, I noticed that it's sound had mellowed. These guitars age beautifully.

I have no idea about how it was set up at the factory but when I bought it, the action was horrible. It came with 2 shims under the bridge. I removed them both and went with light gauge Martin strings. Now, it feels and plays great. The finish has always looked a little plasticky but I believe these are lacquer finished. The rubber pad that prevents the guitar from slipping off your lap, came off a few years ago but I haven't had a problem with slippage.

These guitars are solid! That's why so many artists use them live. If I have one complaint with this guitar it has to be with the machine heads. The tuners are half plastic and half steel and always seemed very flimsey. I used to have a hard time tuning and keeping the guitar in tune....until last year when I put a set of gold Grover Rotomatics on it. What a difference. It now tunes up easily and stays in tune (and the gold hardware looks great on this guitar.)

Never had to use it

I've been playing for 32 years and have a number of Fender and Gibson guitars and amps. Last year, I was thinking of splurging on a Martin or Taylor but after I put the Grovers on I decided to stick with the Ovation. If it were stolen or lost...then maybe I'd get the Martin or Taylor. My 13 year old son has been playing guitar for 2 years and started using my Ovation about a month ago. Now he wants to go out and buy an Ovation of his own! Like father, like son.

Late 70's balladeer. US made, spruce solid top with the fiberglass "bowl" back. No electronics. Solid bridge without pins.

Came with the ovation hard case. Paid ~ $225 used from a third party.

I am going to rate this a 7 since it is a plain, but solid acoustic guitar.

Action is decent, considering the cost point. Sure a Martin or a Taylor is better, but look at how much more it costs.

The sound is typical of Ovations. Good, warm and soft. Not a lot of high overtones. Still makes a good axe. For the price, it is almost impossible to beat. Decent strumming, fair in the leads. A great beginner guitar. Versatile and robust.

Not sure how it came from the factory, but I have owned this axe for almost 20 years, and it has never needed attention beyond periodic re-stringing. Strings seem to go flat pretty quick, and since I am lazy, I don't change them often enough...

While I do not gig, this is a rock. I take it to the beach, camping, even to pool parties, and it has never let me down. The finish still looks great even when beaten, kicked, and dropped.

It is a rock. While others have had good experiences with Kaman, I have never had reason to call them.

I have been playing for 25 years. THis was my first acoustic. Currently own a Charvel electric, a variety of amps, a cheap classical, and an Alvarez Yairi 12 string.

When I watch TV, this is the axe I pick up to noodle with.

IF it got stolen, well, that might prompt me to buy a nice taylor (eyeing a 814 or a 914)

Not much to love or hate. IT just is, and hasn't been replaced in nearly 2 decades. That speaks volumes.

I bought this guitar new about 20 years ago.It's a no frills acoustic with no electronics,no pickguard,it didn't even come with a case.All that said, I can't find anything bad to say about this guitar,Ilove it.

This guitar has that great old Ovation sound.I've tried lots of strings but I personally think the Ellixor strings made by Gore sound much better on Ovations than anything else.I only wish this guitar came with a pickup,but I knew this before I bought it.Besides,it would have cost more than the whopping $150.00 I paid for it new.

This is the best playing acoustic guitar I've ever tried,everyone that has played it agree's.It has the fastest playing neck,real thin,real smoothe.It plays like a Gibson electric.I think the neck is graphite and the fretboard is ebony.I love playing lead on this guitar.This guitar was white when I bought it but time has turned it almost yellow ,still a nice looking guitar.

As I said ,this guitar is 20 years old and it's never been in a case,never been to the shop,and I play it everyday.You can't get any more durable or reliable than that.

Never needed to call them.Bottom line !

Ive been playing for 25 years and been in numerous bands.If this guitar were lost or stolen I would search long and hard for another one.I've tried a lot of newer Ovation models ,but they just don't play the same as my old friend.

I bought a 78 Balladeer new in San Diego. Still have it. Deep bowl. Two piece neck. No electriconics. Standard Sitka Spruce top. Thin neck.

Use it to play American and Irish Folk. I can't imagine using anything else. I'm running a Markley pick-up in the sound hole. Running that through a Peavy head and SP-5's. Great sound.

Action is great through about the seventh fret. It starts getting a little higher above that. The intonation isn't exact, but it's darn close. The neck is thin and narrow. For an acoustic, this is a fast guitar.

For 23 years, this guitar and I have traveled around the world and played everywhere in every kind of climate. It has never let me down. It's been handled by those gorillas in the baggage handling commercials. Rode on the back of a motorcycle across the country. This is one tough guitar.

Kaman is very good. I've had questions about other guitars over the years. The have always found the answer for me.

Been playing since 1968. Started out on a Harmony electric. Bought the Balladeer and never looked back. Since then I picked up two more and I'm looking for a third now. If my Balladeer was stolen, I'd go buy another that day to replace it. I fell in love with the sound. All the other acoustics that fall along the lines of the traditional dreadnaught design all sound about the same with minor differences. The Ovations are absolutely unique. All the sound is all there all the time.

1978 model,purchased jr. year in high school.At first had that ovation acoustic sound, 22 years later its like a fine wine.The top has darkened considerably,leaving this guitar with a robust sound.

no dislikes,installed a fishman matrix p.u.for plugging in........

excellent,great guitar for any venue.....

like a anvil............

N/A.......very well made guitar..in for the long haul......

25 YEARS,3 BANDS,now just local gigs. If your lucky enough to find one that hasnt been abused,you have found a great guitar.....MINE TO ME IS PRICELESS.......!!!!!!!!

OK kids, this is the granddaddy of 1111 Balladeers. Made and purchased in 1972, cost all of $199, which in today's guitar-dollars would be about $600, probably $750. Features: bigg-butt honking old-stule old-material Kaman aeroplane composite deep-dish bowl. Thin neck. Sunburst. It looks rediculous. I brought this monster to an adult guitar course (Harrison School of Music, Los Angeles) a few years ago and the other guys in the class laughed out loud! A horsey looking, thin-sounding relic from the early '70s.

It sounded like sh** when I bought it 27 years ago, but it took me a decade to figure it out. By 1985 or so, I realized it sounded terrible and played hard to play. Bright to the point of brash. Think and toneless. It sounds like it was made on a machine used to create aircraft parts.

Action etc. is, surprisingly, quite good. I recently brought it in for a set-up at a cool store (FretHouse, Covina CA) and the manager said it was fine, not to bother. That was 27 years after the factory set up, plus my own dithering with it. Of course, maybe the Frethouse guy didn;t want to touch it! It looks loud and ugly, like a wide-lapel plaid sports jacket from 1972.

27 years after the fact, this guitar is still in fine shape, save for several hairline cracks that occurred when I was a college student in frostbitten Western New York, dragging the instrument for three-mile midnight walks to and from beery jam sessions. the sub-zero cold, plus a cheap-ass $10 case, caused the cracks.

Who knows?

See above. This is a horse from my past. I currently own a Taylor 510, a Lone Star Strat and a '69 Telecaster Thinline Reissue. They are all fine guitars (the Lone Star is a little light on character, but plays well, very pro). However, I admit dropping $120 a few years ago for a practice guitar for my daughter: a nylone Kaman 3/4 roundback. Some people never learn.

This is a 20 fret 1983 deep bowl Ovation. The fret board is ebony, the top spruce the neck is mahogany ( two peices set in opposite directions ). The 1111 model is a pure acoustic with no electronics. The saddle is pinless and I thinks it's walnut.
The finish is so very beautiful. Its a sun-burst but not bright but more of a rust finish. The burst finish runs along the neck and also on the head. The finish is as rugged as it is beautiful. I give it an 8, it would have got a 9 if the guitar was a cut-away.

The tone is quite balanced. Before I got an ovation I did not understand what people mean by the "ovation sound".
This sound has "quality" , testafied to by players and listeners alike, however it is not the rich-woody you know. Don't get me wrong my guitar has TONE by it's the deep round back Ovation Tone - rich in its own way.
I play in church (strum) and my only which is that I could have the Ovation tone with the Jumbo volume. This is work for R&D.
I try my hand at finger picking and the transition from a classical wasn't hard. The strings, though closer spaced than the classical guitar, were resonable distant for clean picking.

I bought this from second hand from Elderly Instruments in Michigan over the internet - I live in the Caribbean. I , therefore, was unable to play it before I bought it. Elderly Instruments rated the guitar EC, that is excellent condition. However upon arrival the frets from the 9 to 20 had to be replaced and this had NOTHING to do with shipping.
The action itself was low, which is good but this meant there is a buzzing when I strum really hard but this is slight.
The finish was flawless to my mortal eyes. Its an ovation so the finish is beautiful. I still stare at it in its case before and after playing. The tone and finish is inspiring.
The tuning pegs are solid. I DO NOT GO OUT OF KEY, Ican strum to the cow build a home and this beauty stays in tune.
It gets a 7 because of the condition I got it , remember the fret replacement !!

I can leave this guitar with the young fellows at church secure that, unless the do a JIMI HENDRIX "thrash and burn", it will be OK. The top finish seems to be scratch proof there is no pick guard, the guitar is 16 years old and still the finish is unscratched.
This is an Ovation the fibreglass/plastic bowl and reinforced neck make it the best designed guitar for reliabilty and durability that I have come across.
Did I mention it does not go out of tune. It can last another 16 years the only thing that would need to be replaced is the saddle but thats expected.

Not applicable.

I have been playing for three years. I started on playing classical. Bought I cheap steel string and sold it. Then went "electric". Then bought the Ovation .
I wish it had a pick up. The Ovation is the best guitar I have ever played but I have never played a Martin or Taylor. They may sound better but are surely not as sturdy.