Ovation 1773

This is really a 1773 LX - but since the first review left it off I'll stick with just 1773.

The Lyrachord (heliccptor propeller material) body has a AAA grade solid cedar top for that authentic "Spanish" tone. The mahogany neck has an ebony fingerboard, Ovation design headstock (read ugly), and die cast tuners. Additional features include ebony bridge and Ovation patented pickup (read - very good, after all they invented the acc/elect). For amplified situations, this guitar is equipped with an OP-Pro preamp

The New LX line sports 7 significant areas of improvement or innovation - which are:


1. Lighter back and new bracing - lightened by the injection of tiny glass bubbles called microspheres - more acoustically vibrant and weighs 33% less
With the introduction of micro spheres, the new Lyrachord GS bowl weighs one half pound less than the original Lyrachord bowl.

2. bracing pattern developed with a laser vibrometer - plots the vibration of specific spots on the top to seek out dead zones
Using CNC technology, braces blanks are scalloped to exacting tolerances

3. bracing is minutely radiused to provide a very slight arch in the top (ala huss & dalton)

4. aluminum block integrated into the heel add support

5. Neck - 2 /8"-wide, flat graphite bars are set on edge into parallel narrow grooves that extend on either side of the truss rod from beneath the seventh fret into the body of the guitar

6. five-piece neck construction (ala Olson, Lowden, other high end luthiers), this prevents twisting and reportedly improve intonation, strenth, reliability and overall better for a travel/gig guitar.

7. fretboards of the LX series guitars do not come into glued/direct contact with the soundboards - ala McPherson (although less obvious in how it's done)

Unplugged, a very delicate, soulful guitar. What it lacks in sheer volume in make up in tone. On the other hand, plugged in, forget about it - you can't get better than the OP 40/Ovation combo. The complaint I hear is - "it's not wood so it won't mature/improve with age" Well, maybe, but it already sounds great and maybe - only maybe your wood guitar will improve, an who knows how much. This ovation is a sure thing, you get great tone and you get it now. One word of caution, I have personally found all ovations to sound much better in the audiance than how they sound to the player. So if you wanna try one one, take a friend to play it for you.

Matches my Adamas, better than my 'expensive' martin and gibson. equal to my taylor and larrivee. really very good, no complaints here at all. The woods that do get used are all top notch, gorgous wood. Very impressive. Keep in mind that Martin is quietly and slowly moving away from Mahogany, this one has very choice looking Mahogany/maple/mahogany/maple/Mahogany - Oslon quality in my humble opinion.

Are you kidding me, use it as a boat paddle on the weekend and play a gig Monday night. Strap buttons are more than adaquate. Tuners are solid and stay in tune. Only stronger guitar would be one of the 100% graphite, tried quite a few but Ovation had a more natural sound. (they were not bad, just different)

They need a 15 in this category for this guitar - these could be GI combat issue.

Don't know, hopefully never will. I hear it's big corporate like - prob not good but I really don't know.

this ovation 1773 classic was just made(custom built in usa, 2005). it has 12 frets to the body joint. solid cedar top of a quite high quality. has the op-40 electonic package which is quite nice. electronics are active. finish is gloss on top and satin on neck. of course, the body is ovation bowl with 5 1/2" depth (mid-depth). it has a cutaway. the neck is about standard in width for classical.hard case must be ovation for reason of body shape(and was included in price).

this ovation has terrific sound plugged and unplugged. this quality of sound is surprising from an instrument in this price range. no noise of any kind from this preamp, and i've yet to have it feedback. the sound is both rich and full, yet bright on the high end. this setup also allows harmonic tones to come through loud and clear which is a bit unusual for a classic . i have not encountered anything about this instrument that i would change, if i could redesign it.

right out of the case this one left very little to be desired. they really did it right! no flaws at all.

ovations are well known for their durability- i expect this one to be the same. tuners are high quality and very consistant. finish top rate. all hardware is solid. i would depend on this guitar. i don't think a backup would be needed at a gig.

ovation can be a little frustrating to talk to. they have a lot of phone numbers, and it's hard to talk to a human without a call-back. once you get them they are very knowlegable and helpful. i believe the warranty is lifetime, and i feel strongly that it won't be needed. this instrument must be custom built, but they were cooperatve, and ahead of schedule on delivery. ovation does not sell direct, hence massmusic.net., which is very good. they beat all others on price too.

i've only been playing a few years now, but i've test driven many instruments. i would buy another exactly the same. i also have a carvin CL-450 which i still love, but the ovation definately sounds better, and not just a little bit. the ovation is a bit more difficult to play compared to the carvin, but this is due to the carvin neck being faster. my favorite feature is the terrific sound, which after all, is the reason we live. i'd like to highly recommend massmusic.org(no,i don't work for them).