Ovation 1866 Custom Legend 12-String

Purchased new in 2003. 12-string. Composite back, natural spruce top. Gold hardware.

I needed a good rhythm guitar. My dreadnought just wasn't working well for me at the worship services. After I got the Ovation 1866, a local music store person made the comment (and I think he's right) that the 1866 is just about the perfect instrument for worship services. I enjoy its shallow body; I don't think I would have been so thrilled with it, had it a deeper body. It's very easy to hold (with a strap), and I love how the rounded back/sides allow me to easily tilt it toward me slightly, so I can better see the fretboard when necessary. I couldn't do that with my flatback dreadnought, while standing; as it always wants to lean away from my body.

I really, really like that the strings feed through the bridge. No saddle pins to mess with or lose! I'm spoiled in that regard, now. That's a feature I'll always look for, with other acoustic guitars.

The gold tuning machines are high quality, smooth and reliable. The built-in tuner is a wonderful feature, though it could be more readable. Lots of non-Ovation guitarists I play with are envious of the built-in tuner. I sometimes find it annoying that I can't manually turn the tuner off (since it disables the output from the preamp). I have to wait it to time out (about a minute, total).

This guitar is TOUGH. I haven't been in any fights with it, but I have banged it against hard furniture or doorways on a number of occassions. Even the spruce top, not just the composite back. So far, there's not a mark on it! I wish I could say that about my other instruments.

I always install strap locks on my guitars, so I was impressed that it came with strap locks already mounted.

I was thrilled to find that it had an ebony neck, and diamond fret markers. It has just the right amount of high-class features, to raise its appearance beyond the run-of-the-mill instruments, without having the excessive (to me) embellishments that turn some guitars gaudy. Tasteful, not overdone.

Even though it's not perfect, I'm still so pleased with it, that it deserves a "10".

I play this as a rhythm guitar, mostly in contemporary worship services. When I have the urge to pick, I usually (but not always) reach for another instrument. For strumming, it's outstanding. I am able to regularly play barre chords on it, thanks to its low action. It has a bright tone, probably due to its shallow body. But I like that tone, when playing acoustically, or by myself. Plugged-in, you can reduce the treble, and enhance the middle and bass tones, thanks to the EQ on the built-in preamp, and make it blend better with the other instruments (piano, bass, drums).

I normally play it through an L.R. Baggs Paracoustic DI box, into a mic jack that leads to the church sanctuary's house mixer/PA. I sometimes add a volume pedal, so I can micro-adjust volume while playing. Ovation guitars are famous for their electronics. When I get the EQ right, it's wonderful. Our church's sound guys are not much help, though they kind of try.

Acoustically, it sounds great. Rich and full, in all registers, even if it tends to be bright. While moderately loud, it's not nearly as loud as some other acoustics I've heard played. But, on the other hand, it is louder than some others.

The action was terrific, out of the box. Still have not needed to adjust it. I'm using the same type of strings that came on it. I figure I don't want to risk messing with a good thing. The gold hardware is shiny and attractive. The hard gloss spruce top shines up nicely. One of my favorite things is that I don't have to worry about buckle of button rash, because of the composite back. The finish was perfect (and still is, over a year later).

There are two minor problems, that I'll get fixed someday. They just don't bother me enough to cause me much annoyance. (1) The intonation is not perfect. I think the bridge needs moved slightly lower. It's not noticeable, unless I play around or above the 12th fret. Then the tuning sometimes seems slightly out of whack (sharp). (2) There is occassionally a buzz inside the body when playing the high B and e strings. This should be simple to fix by an experienced repair person.

It does withstand live playing, but not subjected to the rigors of professional performing. I play it almost every week at worship service, and occassionally during special occassions, for extended musical services. It has not given any reason to think it would ever let me down.

As I mentioned previously, it's taken a number of solid knocks and has picked up no marks. Even a whack on the mahogany headstock left no mark. No buckle or button rash, thanks to the composite back. Extremely durable.

Are the strap buttons solid? You bet. I use a good quality leather strap, and put matching Dunlop Strap Lock ends on it. Rock solid.

Since I'm not playing it professionally, certainly I'd use it without a backup. Of course, if I were playing professionally, or extensively, I'd take a backup.

Have not attempted to use customer support. There is a factory certified repair person locally. I expect to be discussing the buzzing problem with him, and maybe the intonation, someday.

The limited warranty sounds good, but I have not tried to take advantage of it yet. It was a positive factor in my decision to buy an Ovation, however. For that reason, I'll optimistically rate it high.

I own variety of styles of guitars. Every one does something different. This one was a step up in quality from what I'd previously purchased. $1000 range, rather than a few hundred. I was also desiring to buy a USA instrument. It has not disappointed me. I find I'm more comfortable with this guitar than many of the others. It's a very good fit for me.

Previously, I'd always made it a point to avoid Ovations. The "plastic" back was too gimicky, or so I thought. Over a year ago, I decided I had to have a guitar with a wider-than-normal neck. My large hands felt somewhat clumsy on a standard neck. A friend suggested I try a 12-string, to get a 1-7/8" neck. A local store had an Ovation 1866 on the wall. I tried it, and it was so, so sweet. I'm now a huge Ovation fan. There will be others joining my collection in the future (one is even now on order). There are a couple of things that are not perfect about this guitar (although they could be fixed, and will be eventually). But I love playing it, regardless.

It has helped me grow as a player, and for some unknown reason, after many months of primarily playing the 12-string, I am now much more comfortable playing standard-width necks. Somehow, it helped me get over the awkwardness I had with them. Go figure. To me, it's almost a perfect guitar. I'm extremely satisfied with it.

Folks seem to either love or hate Ovations. It isn't too hard to understand. This guitar has a cutaway mid body and the 'new' electrics. I bought it new in 2002. I have been playing a 12 most of my life and this guitar just didn't sound as bright as my old one. However, after playing about a dozen 12 string guitars (including Taylor, Takamine, Martin, and Guild), the Ovation had the best balance across the tonal range, being neither too crisp nor boomy on the bottom. It has the AAA spruce 'hand-select' top that they painted black (don't ask, I don't know why). When plugged in to my SWR acoustic amp, nothing else will touch it. I am a finger picker and it works on this guitar. Built in tuner and notch filter to kill feedback. Built in preamp and graphic equalizer with mid shift and pre shaper. I haven't seen any other acoustic / electric with so many features. Sounds pretty good unplugged, too.

As I am a finger picker, the neck could be just a little wider. I play the guitar unplugged, or with an SWR California Blonde amp. The insturment is so well balanced (acoustically) that I just flatline the amp. In short, it's clean.

Factory setup? I take a new guitar home, put new strings on it and set it up the way I want it. I honestly don't know about the factory setup, even though I bought it new. I listen to how a guitar sounds and set it up myself. I was unable to find any cosmetic flaws on the guitar. I give Ovation a big kudo for impressing the serial number into the wood of the headstock. It's on the backside and unobtrusive, but can't reasonably be altered and if it is removed, it will be obvious. I give it a "9" here. Nothing is perfect.

It stays in tune and is virtually unaffected by humidity and temperature changes. These are probably the most durable 'good' guitars on the market. The finish on the top is nearly scratch proof, the neck isn't 'sticky', and the back is composity. Tough. Yes, I play it without a backup. No problem, no worries.

Outstanding. They answer "E" mails promptly with accurate information. I have two Ovations, I play them hard, and I've never needed any repair or warranty work.

I own four guitars and two amps. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this guitar again. No, it's not as pretty as my hand-made 12 (Brazilian rosewood and Englemann spruce), but it works right every time. It does precisely what I expect when I expect it. Consistency is important to me. I only gave an overall rating of 9 because I would like a slightly wider neck / string spacing and being part fiberglass, it isn't quite as estethically pleasing as an 'all wood' guitar. Other than those two issues, I can find no fault with this guitar.

This is a 1995 model I bought with the case from a local pawn shop. Features Pearl peg head tuners, abalone fret board and sound hole inlays, with stock electronics with on board tuner. I have the standard finish top. OHSC is super strong and well built. I was told Samsonite builds it and it is superior to the TKLs I own.

I use the guitar in a church praise band. The sound unplugged is acceptable and rates about an 8. I bought the guitar because of ovations reputation plugged in and I was not dissapointed. A 10 plugged in because it is outstanding and full. I would give it a nine because the unplugged sound is a little less than perfect, but very acceptable. If you want unplugged sound buy a taylor. I play it straight into the PA through a Behringer mixer and I tweak it very little. The sound is very balanced.

The guitar needs a little tweaking on the setup but plays very easily. I plan on taking it to a luthier soon, but I have not had the time. The fit and finish of this guitar takes a back seat to no one. Even a used 1995 model and this guitar still looks brand new. I have to admit I had an Alvarez AJ60 SC-12 and was extremly happy. I bought this guitar because it was absolutely beautiful. The AJ-60 is an outstanding value and sounds better acoustically, but looks plain next to this guitar and the electronics are not as good. Still the AJ60 is about $650 with a case new. The 1866 will set you back about $1300 to $1400.

This guitar is a tank. I can pull it out of the case and generally 9 or 10 strings are in tune. The ovation backs cannot be scratched very easily and are extremely durable.

I have been playing for two years seriously, but played off and on for 25 years. My main gig guitars are the ovation, a G&L ASAT semi-hollow and a Godin LGX. I also have a 1961 Gretsch Chet Atkins Nashville, a Takamine Custom dreadnought (Koa) a Taylor Baby, a Fender P-Bass, a 1949 Gibson L model, and I have owned a Martin, DC-16RGTE, a Martin Backpacker, and a Yamaha Compass CPX-15. Probably would not replace if lost or stolen because of the price. I found mine used and got a great deal. The only thing I don't like is the Ovation tendency to be hard to hold while playing. The curved back is a control problem for a lot of people so try it first.

It's a 12 string Ovation 1866 Custom Legend, cherry cherryburst with a hand-selected AAA spruce top. My wife bought it for me new for $1350 because she liked the color and the startling abalone work. It has all the Custom Legend features (found on any Ovation website) (incredibly stunning for the eye) but I might add that it's the most expensive wood-top Ovation and well worth it. Mine is a deep body with no cutaway and the sound is there with or without the amplifier. It came with the Ovation case, and has seen seven years of on-the-road gigging; the case has held up well and the guitar actually looks like it just came out of the original packing crate for the first time (knock on wood, very gently).

I play folk rock music blended with Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Dylan, and the Stones and others. It really suits what I do when I gig. I usually plug it straight into my Peavey 680 XRD head, but on occasion plug it into my Peavey Ecoustic 112 amp, and then I sometimes play it at smaller venues with no amplification whatsoever and am surprised at the positive remarks because it is so easy to uncase it, strap it on, and start up right in the middle of a group of people. I usually have access to a Danelectro chorus pedal (the big one) as well as a compressor, but I rarely chorus it, (ever hear a 24 string?) People see it as a flash guitar, which it is, but they also hear it and seem to like the full, clear, rich Ovation sound...sounds as good as it looks. I usually play a no-break 2 1/2 to 3 hour gig and divide the time among it, my Elite 6 string, and my Rickenbacker 360/12. I find that the Custom Legend is the most fatiguing to play, but not very fatiguing really. I've used it without a backup on several occasions and had no problems. . .and it seems to stay in tune from gig to gig.
It really suits me well; I play it, harmonica on a brace, and do the vocals...(one man show). When I first starting gigging, the full sound of this guitar filled the room and gave me great support for my vocals. People are funny . . . there are times when I "put everything" into the "electric" part of my show with the Rickenbacker 360/12, and then relax a little with the Custom Legend 12 and comments come back that, "man, that Ovation sounded so clear...use it more" and the venue will be a rock and roll or heavy metal type club. I never really know what to do to please any crowd, but the Custom Legend 12 seems to work always. It's a marvelous instrument.

In a nutshell, "That's the prettiest guitar I've ever seen," is the regular comment made when I play in smaller venues, coffee houses and such. And it probably is too. I've had the guitar for nearly seven years and I change the strings on a regular basis, leaning toward light strings from Adamas or Martin. That's it. No maintenance has been necessary. It still looks brand new. It really sings.

This guitar has been a gigging mainstay for seven years on an every other weekend basis. I depend on it. I have and will continue to use it without a backup on occasion. If you aren't crazy about the Adamas, (many people prefer wood tops) then this is the one. It gets a 9 in this category only because three straight hours with it can be tiresome. After an hour or so of playing it, my Elite 6 string feels great. I've found that workouts on it (CL1866) really improve my 6 string playing too.

I have written them several inspired letters praising both this Custom Legend 12 and my Elite 6. They have replied each time...usually sent back complimentary strings, a T-shirt, and once they even sent me an Ovation golf shirt for Christmas. Believe it; I was amazed. The warranty is limited lifetime.

I have two other guitars, an Elite 6 and a Rickenbacker 360/12. I also play harmonica on a brace and have two different sound systems (small venues with Peavey Ecoustic 112/bigger things with entire pa system. As a solo performer who tends to be "the evening's entertainment" I play for up to three or four hours with minimal break time and this Custom Legend 12 (1866) adds a lot to the songlist. I am still wild about it; I got a good deal on it (my wife bought it), and I'm not sure that I had to have the best wood top Ovation 12 string made; I would have been satisfied with a less expensive model (take the Balladeer for example...quite worthy)--but man, I'm glad she was taken by this Ovation 1866 Custom Legend. One helpful word that I might add is that the 12 string guitar has been met with comments like, "Well, there's not that much material that uses a 12-string." My attitude is that the use of a 12-string is unlimited; there's no set of rules which governs what should be played on a 12-string and what should be played on a 6. I feel as good about playing the one as I do the other. There is a real joy in playing this guitar. If it were stolen, no, let's not even think about it...but I'd replace it when they released me.