Ovation 1124 Country Artist

USA made in 1975; I bought it about a year ago. Solid sitka spruce top w/ gloss finish, nylon string model, 1 7/8" at the nut, 25 1/4" scale length, nice C shape gloss 5 piece (mahogany w/ 2 maple strips) neck, ebony fingerboard, walnut bridge, typical nylon style slot headstock and tuners. 14 frets to the body, which is nice for the high stuff, but sometimes I forget and overshoot! Non-cutaway, hallow bowl body(about 1/4" to 1/2" more shallow than my mid-depth 1777, so this is not like the newer super-shallow O's).

This is the non-electric model (the electric Country Artist is a 1624, I believe). Got it with the original hardshell case with lots of cigarette smoke in it (and in the guitar!).

In it's day (the year I was a senior in high school!), most O's still weren't sold with electronics in them, so it was typical for the day...I'll give it about a 7 for features because I like the nut width, but I think the scale length is too short for a good nylon string sound (more on that next), and it would be more useful with a pickup in it...I'm still debating about retrofitting one.

The sound isn't great, and it's not very loud...as I already mentioned, I think a flaw of this model is the shorter scale length (most classical guitars are between 25.5" and 26").

I've tried a variety of different strings, mostly hard tension, to try to get more volume, punch and snap from it; I'm still experimenting in this department. I enjoy sitting around the house playing it because of the nut width, and it is very easy to play, and the sound is fine for that...just not nearly as deep or "present" as a Pimentel Classical I have (but that's also a standard, and much more expensive, classical guitar). I think it's voiced well for a pickup, that might increase my rating in this category...for now it's a 6.

(Ovation does make a nylon string with a longer scale, but it also has a 2" nut; I think that's a mistake for most people who will buy an O nylon string...)

Since I bought this used, I have no idea about factory set up. Unlike most Ovations, this didn't have any shims under the traditional classical style saddle, and that's fine with me! I converted it to left-handed, which simply involved cutting a new (bone) nut and turning the saddle around. No side dots now, but I get along! I've also adjusted the neck to lower the action a little, but with nylon strings that's always a compromise; the action is much better than my Pimentel at the moment, so this one's more fun to play.

What amazed me about this guitar is it's excellent condition after 30 years of life!!! I'm convinced this thing spent a few years in someone's closet/under the bed, because the top is in great shape; it has less dings on it than my (soft cedar top) Pimentel, which is only 10 years old! No cracks, just a couple finish hairlines by the bridge, which is typical for these. Body is in great shape, as is the neck, and I really appreciate the truss rod. Neither of the headstock 'horns' or 'wings' is broken, or even scratched much. There is one fret that needs to be replaced (the 16th, so it's not much of a problem since it's on the low E string side for me playing lefty); it has a slight buzz at that fret from being too low...that's it on this old 'vintage' guitar! The D tuner turns a little harder than the others, but it works.

It's pretty solid; 30 years old and looks about 10. I've banged the back of it into lots of stuff, and am learning the value of that practical roundback! Still has the original strap buttons on it; I won't even change them; work fine with a standard strap. You could gig this thing without a backup (unless you were nervous about the electronics which might be installed someday).

I've contacted Ovation a number of times about this guitar and one that I ordered this year, they always reply quickly to e-mails, and answer my questions. I had to send my other guitar (a 2004 lefty 1777 Legend) back because it developed a crack in the fretboard; it was fixed quickly; we'll see how the fix holds up over time. Ovation's customer service is excellent for a large, American guitar company (we won't mention any others...).

I've been playing since @ 1971...owned a number of acoustics over the years, currently own two very nice Larrivees, the Pimentel, and a slew of electrics, several of which I built myself from Warmoth parts. If this guitar was lost or stolen, I probably wouldn't replace it, but I'd miss the scale length and playability and durability of this design; I'd probably look for something similar, either from Ovation or from another maker. If I install electronics in it someday, that would raise it up to a 9 in terms of being a good gigging instrument for fingerstyle or accompaniment on some stuff (I currently help lead worship at our church).