Ovation 1617 legend

It's a basic American made (1978) Ovation acoustic guitar, AAA spruce top, deep bowl, with a volume knob, tone knob, nice solid tuners, and your basic older Ovation type pickup. Everything works after 31 years. Very attractive and nice feeling neck, beautiful amber time-tinted finish.

I fell in love with this model watching Nancy Wilson of Heart play it (or a very similar model) on several concert videos from the late 70's.

I've had it about 6 months now.

I'm still learning (1 1/2 years), don't know if I have much of a style but I own several guitars (acoustic and electric) and this is the one I play every single day. So far I have never plugged it in much, and I don't gig yet, but this guitar just feels and sounds right to me unplugged.

I think acoustic guitars are in some ways like percussion instruments and this one (with the deep rounded bowl) just rings and projects so fine. It don't sound bassy, like my quilted ash dreadnought, or zingy like some other sprucetop guitars I've played. The big round plastic back just makes a real nice full sound and projects like the dickens.

I go to Guitar Center and try out various guitars for fun now and then, but have yet to find one that I like the sound of quite as much as my vintage Ovation.

I got it with relatively high action off Ebay (there was a reason, see below).

A nice thing about these older Ovations is it's so damn easy to remove the little plastic shims under the bridge, and I removed one and the action was just right. But the upper and lower strings fretted out about halfway up the neck. Turned out it has a 14th fret hump, right where the neck meets the body. I fixed it by placing hard plastic shims with notches under the two outermost strings at the bridge, and it works like a charm as far as I'm concerned.

It also has the one (common to old Ovations) top split from tail to bridge, but just on the surface. No biggey, part of the charm.

One more thing, this guitar has a curve to the back that fits perfect against my hip standing up, either slightly tilted upwards towards me, or facing totally outward away from me, AND (unlike many shallow bowl Ovations) never slides off my lap when playing seated, unless I try to play it semi-reclined on a couch.

I think it has proved it's mettle as the guitar was made the year I graduated high-school (and I'm no spring chicken), seems to have had some use, is now used daily, and is still going strong.

Tried to contact them about fixing the neck hump, reply was lame.

Like I said above, I haven't used it plugged in much yet, so I'm not sure about the electronics, but for an acoustic instrument (especially an inexpensive one) it suits me just fine.

I don't think I'll ever get rid of this guitar and will likely keep playing it almost daily for the rest of my life.

I just love this guitar, and the little flaws make me love it more. It also feels more "real" (read quality) than several of the other inexpensive foreign made guitars I've owned so far.

Quite a bargain for $350 in my book.

Deep bowl acoustic, gold tuners, onboard pickup, ebony fingerboard, AAA solid spruce top, tobacco sunburst. Very solid case. This is a 1975 model from the serial.

The thing with Ovation is they sound crap up close, you have to get back a bit. The curved bowl back throws the sound way out. They never sound that great to the player and most engineers can't mike them cause they insist on putting the mikes too close, to cut out unwanted noise. Don't do that. Use a very directional mike further back. These are not like other guitars. Having said that, this is a beast. It sounds really good when you're out in the audience, just rips through. I know cause I got another player to use it while I was out listening, because everybody said how good it sounded, but to me, I couldn't really hear it. Well, out in front all that changed and I heard what they meant. Brilliant highs and loads of mid with impressive bass growl. Very good. It's L O U D. So next time the sound guy complains about Ovations, get him to stand back.

I play both fingerstyle and chord stuff and this copes very well with both.

As for the electric sound, it's great too, but different. You have to accept that the piezo sound is a sound of its own, and within that each brand has its own take. I think the Ovation sound is great. There's no tone control on the guitar, so an amp with good eq is helpful, but frankly after a lot of faffing about I either DI it to the board and let the sound guy do his thing or plug it into a tube amp and accept it will growl. It's a really sexy growl, see?

Listen, this thing is 28 years old! From what I can see it's a knockout. I have a couple of other old Ovations and they seem to have a really thick lacquer that is prone to cracking, but this appears to be very thin and you can see the grain effect through it against the light. But it's tough--looks like new today. Everything else is damn good--Ovation make a serious performer's guitar, not a boutique toy. It's built to last.

This has probably the best tuners I ever came across-- I think they're Schallers, they're Ovation branded anyway. When at home it will hold its tune forever and in performance, once it's at ambient, it never slips out of tune, even when you're playing hard. It's just great not to have to worry about that stuff.

The action is more like an electric than most acoustics, even though it's not quite Les Paul. But still low enough for fast solos. I will admit I'm not really a shred freak, more early Santana, Peter Green, Laurindo Almeida, and many of my fave soloists are actually sax players (please don't beat me) but I never had any trouble keeping up with this thing.

Sorry, did I not mention? This thing is 28 years OLD AND IT LOOKS LIKE NEW. No, I am not joking. Get this-- the gold is still on the tuners! All of it! There are no cracks, no warps, no pooching up of the top--nothing! Damn I wish I looked that good since '75. Nobody gigs without backup, but this never needed it.

Never had to deal with them.

If you only want to play at home or in your bedroom there are loads of other guits that will suit better. If you always play sitting down it WILL drive you nuts slipping off your knee, especially if you play on the left knee classical style like I do.

BUT don't let guitar name snobs fool you-- --If you want a guitar that will stand what's going and sound fantastic in performance, never let you down up there in front of the mike, night after night, these are as good as the best. In fact I think they probably are the best.

I bought this a few years ago after I sold my Glen Campbell (dumb move) and while I can't remember the exact sum, what I paid for it wouldn't have bought me a Korean knock-off and that INCLUDES shipping from the States to UK and the ridiculous UK "Customs Duty."

I have been playing since the sixties and I have lost count of the guitars I've had. At the moment I have a Guild F50R and a Yamaha L15 handmade, plus two other Ovations, four Gibson electrics and a few other things. My newest acoustic is 25 this year......I also play fiddle and mandolin.

Good value? It does not come better.

Purchased this guitar in a little shop in Galesburg Illinois. The year was 1974 and I've been the only owner. It's an accoustic/electric with only a volume control. Natural finish, 24k tuners, deep bowl and came with a brown indestructable case. Easy to change the action by adding or removing included shims under the saddle.

I basically play rhythm for my church's worship band. This guitar is perfect for the way I play. It is, however, an entertainers guitar and sounds best 10 feet into the audience. While it sounds good playing, I've always felt a Martin or similar guitar sounds better to the player. That rounded plastic back really does project the sound. That said, I've been told my Ovation is the best sounding accoustic guitar on the stage.

It was perfect out of the box. I have played with the saddle shims, but have not had to change anything in the 30 plus years I've owned it. I have small hands and this particular guitar has a slim and narrow neck. This is a good thing. As to the looks, I've had our "professional" guitar player on our worship team refer to this guitar as the "pretty guitar." I have to agree.

It's as good as it was the day I purchased it. There is no pickguard and even after 30 years you have to really look to see the pick marks on the finish. Like the case, this guitar is built like a tank. I did however only give it an 8 not a 10. (see customer service)

Within the first few years I owned the guitar I had two major issues with it. It's also the reason to purchase a high end guitar with a life time warranty. One: The electronics failed. Two: A brace inside the guitar under the bridge broke allowing the top of guitar to actually cave in from the tension of the strings. In both cases I shipped the guitar to Ovation and it was repaired for free. They actually replaced the wood top of the guitar. That's customer service.

Been playing for 34 years. My first "good" guitar was a 12 string Yamaha, which I still also own. I also purchased a Traynor YGM-3 amp at the same time. Since I started playing at church I've picked up a Korg AX10A accoutic effects box. Early on I felt I should have bought a Martin or some other all wood high end accoustic. I don't feel that way anymore. If this guitar was lost, stolen or broken, it would be a sad day indeed. It was purchased the same summer as my wife and I started dating and for that reason alone it's unreplaceable.

This is just a note for owners of older Ovation's.
Most of them have action (height) adjustments on the bridge.
There is a pin (peg) on each side of the bridge that can be removed by pulling them up with a pair of long nose pliars.
This allows you to lift the saddle.
(nothing is glued).
Under the saddle are plastic shims (plastic strips) that can be removed or added to raise or lower the action.
If you want a more precise adjustment make more shims out of thin plastic or cardboard.
I used a matchbook cover.
One of the great benefits of Ovation guitars.

1982 Ovation Legend 1617 Manufactured in USA.
Solid Top 2way stacked tone and volume knob.
Black finish.
Deep Bowl back.
24k Gold Ovation tuners.
Came with Hard Ovation Case and extra set of strings.
Some road wear...

I would have to rate it's condition as an 8 out of 10.

I love the sound of this instrument. Very resonant and long.
Mids are very prominant compared to some standard wood guitars.
Easily projects good tone even when finger picking.
The lows could be a little richer but everything else is very bright and dignified.
When plugged in, this thing is a monster!!! Great tone up and down the board with shining highs!!!!
Likes to feedback quickly...

Purchased used, so unable to comment on set up.
The guitar rests beautifully in your hands. Heavier than other guitars I have played at first, but you adapt quickly.
Had a problem with the saddle when purchased, check below for results...
This guitars action is supperb with the exception of the high e.
It had a problem with anything below the 12th fret. Dead string.
I have to give this guitar a super rating on action!!! It was not the guitars set that caused the dead string, only dead head previous owner.

This thing has already seen some stage play. I would not have any quams about taking it anywhere other than the Mentally handicap home where we play for the clients. (Don't want it damaged)
Hardware and finish is solid. Should last for 20 more years ;)
I would, without a doubt, be able to depend on this guitar for solid performance anywhere and anytime. No problem gigging without a backup here. Even for a 23yr old guitar, everything is still solid!!!

Now to the Saddle issue. I mentioned the dead e anywhere below the 12th fret. I checked to see what the case was. Some idiot had filed the BONE saddle down on the e...!!! I did not even attempt to make any more changes to it.
I jumped on the Ovation Website and found a dealer as close as I could,(180 miles away)and gave them a call.
They gave me a story and then gave me the Ovation Customer Service #.
I called and got the Voice messaging system of 1 of the only 2 Reps that I could find, and left a message.
Within 1/2 of an hour(I was expecting days) I received the phone call from John @ Ovation. I told him my issue with the saddle and before I knew it, he had my address and was shipping me a FREE Saddle!!!!!!!!
Thanks JOHN!!!
With that type of customer service, this quality of an instrument, expecially on a 23 yr old guitar, I doubt I ever switch brands...

I am by heart a bassist. Have played many a gig as a bass player, but getting back to my roots. Been playing for 8 years.
If this were stolen, I know that it could never be replaced, but I would certainly try!!!
I love the sound, touch and feel of this genuine piece of art!!!

I bought this guitar in 1979 From Union Grove Music in Santa Cruz, Ca. No cutaway, deep bowl, blond top with gold tuners (easy to work and fairly smooth). Guitar stays in tune with little adjustment. Volume and tone control built into one knob. It has six individual piezo-electric pickups, one under each string (under the bridge). Gives it that true Ovation sound. 5 piece neck. Came with a brown Ovation hardshell case.

I was part of an acoustic duo in the late 70's into the 80's and this became the perfect workhorse guitar. Our style was a sort of Loggins and Messina deal and this guitar works great for that kind of folk/rock brand of music. I ran it through a Boss Chorus and a front end 6 band eq before going into the system. (kind of takes the Ovation tone down a notch and makes it sound much more like a dreadnought). Only dislike would be the sheer size of the deep bowl itself. Other than that the guitar was extremely dependable.

Came from the shop set up kinda high. I use light guage strings so I lowered it. After the adjustment, the action felt almost as good as my Strat. Ovation makes the adjustment easy to do yourself.

I was able to play 5 nights a week for 8 years straight before ever looking at a second guitar. Never brought a backup. I could always rely on it. Battery lasts a real long time. I beat my guitars pretty hard when strumming and this instrument could take it and still does today. The tone has matured over the years and there are no real noticeable signs of breakdown in the finish, fretboard or electronics.

I've been playing since 1975. Currently I own the guitar I have rated as well as a Martin D-25 and an Ovation Adamas. If this one were stolen or lost I probably wouldn't replace it since I still have the Adamas for live work. One of the best features was the way it could stay in tune. I had an older Ovation acoustic electric that I sold in order to buy a Takamine acoustic electric. Big mistake...That Takamine could stay in tune for 5 minutes. I sold it after 3 months and bought the Ovation Legend and have been happy with it ever since.

Year made approximatly 1981-1982. Made in USA. It was considered to be a triple AAA factory over run. It has 20 frets. Solid Top. Concentric Volume and Tone knob. Under bridge pick ups. Don't know make and model of pick ups. Fret board is mahogany, with a maple neck I believe which has an inlay running down the center of neck. I think it has a rose wood fret board as it is very dark wood. Satin finish top. Not a cut-a-way. Tuners have a picture of an ovation guitar on them, the silouetted picture which is different from the ones on my Adamas tuners. Came with brown hard shell case.

It has been with me for 22 years and served me well. I pick, and strum aggressively. I have always used though a PA system. It is much more bassy than my Adamas, but the Adamas is 3/4 bodied.

It has had some feed back problems with the frequency concerning my A string at time, but fixed by turning my tone knobs and EQ on mixers. etc.

I have always loved this guitar. Its alwasy been reliable and stays in tune like a charm! Indoors or out, humid or not! I have left in case for long periods and still it stayed in tune.

I have always believed in having my guitars set up by my luthier. But it was very close to what I wanted. No flaws that I could ever see. NOw, 20 plus years later there is some slight cracking along the edges along fret board, in the trim work section, they are not feelable when playing and only noticable if one knows where to look.

ALl controls have been reliable. 9 volt battery lasts for ever, unlike my Adamas.

Played inside and out. Always reliable. Hardware fine. Finish great except above noted white lining along fret board. Strap buttons solid. Very dependable guitar. And yes for years used it with no back up guitar.

Never needed any customer support. BUT I do not like their web site. Have found more usable info on this guitar at THIS web site!

Life time warranty.

Been playing 38 years. As far instruments only, 2 Variax guitars (great guitars, newest addition!), 2 stratocasters, one American made, one Squire, both refitted with different pick ups, P90's, EMG's etc. One SoloEtte Classical travel guitar made from Paduke wood, One Collectors Edition 2000 Adamas guitar, and the Legend Mdl 1617 of course. One Dean A style mandolin, one Calcutta Concert type Sitar, one Sears Super Tone 1926 Banjo, and a piano and keyboard!

Don't know what year it was made. I purchased it new in Ballard, Washington in 1981. It's a standard 20 fret with no cutout. The guitar has excellent electronics with integrated volume and tone control. Tuners are standard Ovation quality smooth and reliable.

This is an excellent all around guitar. I play everything from the occasional classical piece to modern acoustic styles. It is however a folk guitar and that is what it does best. Blue grass and Chicago type blues come across a little less convincingly (must use heavy strings and wait for them to dull to get away with this). Freshly stringed it is crisp and sharp. Its greatest asset is projection. I can play this in an open bar un-amplified and get good results in up to 1k square feet, before happy hour.

This guitar came set up like a department store guitar. The bridge and nut were set up high; presumably to accommodate any string type. The pickups are set into the bridge and worked flawlessly from day one. All in all, the guitar was excellent out of the box. I expect to make action adjustments when I buy a guitar.

The only things that have gone wrong with this guitar is the face developed a crack early on in it's life and the tuning hardware is lightly pitting. The crack is in the finish and not in the wood. I have chosen not to repair it but keep it clear of contaminants that my damage the wood. Other than that, the finish has held up through gigs around the world, from Hong Kong, Okinawa, Guam, Saipan, Hawaii, from California to New York City and hundreds of places in between.

I've never delt with customer support so no oppinion.

I've played for 35+ years. I have 9 guitars, 4 acoustic. I can't say this is my favorite because they all have a purpose. I think if it were lost of stolen, I would probably get a different guitar to replace it. Not because this one is bad but because I choose guitars individually. I don't look for brand except to exclude junk. This one was the best thing I found at the time and in the budget I had. It's been an excellent purchase, no regrets.

This Legend is from the late seventies with no cutaway like most that you see today. Tone and volume knobs are all in one. Color have started to darken from its original blonde face. This is a full deep body instrument w/gold hardware (tuners) and hardshell case with guitar. This guitar was bought as a factory second. ?????? I could not fine any flaws on this instrument.

I play Contemporary Christian and it suites my style perfect. The tone is unmistakable Ovation. Can be very bright lively sounding, notes pop out like popcorn! My style is jazzy/fingerstyle. This guitar sounds great acoustic and electric. Old or new strings still sounds great.

Action was very good when I purchased this guitar over twenty years ago and is even better now. I made some shim adjustments under the bridge. The face is blonde with a couple of small dings that you have to look for. This guitar is in excellent shape. If not played for a long time you get a little noise from the volume pot. This can be cleared by just turning the knob several times.

Yes, this guitar can withstand live playing. I dont take it out much due to the fact that I dont play it much live. The finish is holding out very well considering it's age. I wouldnt need a backup unless someone crushed it by mistake or something. Very dependable.

Never had to deal with them.

I've been playing for thirtysix years. Too much misc. equipment to list. I use a Yamaha G-100 with this guitar. If it were stolen I would probably buy one of the cutaway ones with the shallow body because I do get annoying feedback at higher volumes. That is my only dislike. Everything else is great. One of the most comfortable necks I've ever played. And that includes my electrics too. Never could find a problem or flaw being a factory second.

1981 sunburst ,brown deep bowl back full body , not cutaway. intgrated tone and vol. knob on top. slight crck in finish on top.over-all ex. con. gold tuners are pitting but funtion smoothly. sound is unmistakable and elecs. work flawlesly. loks like maple top ,neck is stained ? great player.

great sound rich and full

seems fine

i understand that the back mtls. are of the same type used in costruction of the space shuttle projects , sooooooooo it should hold -up to must stress's .

buoght used for 175.00 back in early 90's