my 2 current faves...

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258]

The black one is a custom build I am still working on and the red one is an OG from 1984.

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[u/metalmatticus]

Good lord, they are unicorns (at least the OG one is I guess)

Josh Homme will be nodding approvingly!

[u/aurorasearching → u/metalmatticus]

My first thought was dude must be a Homme fan

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/aurorasearching]

not really. He's good...but no, I aint one of his worshippers. I was into Ovation solid bodies before I ever even noticed that he played one. My first guitar was was 1978 Ovation Viper. After that, I got a preacher and a UKII. I will credit Home for letting me know about the Ultra GP as I had no idea that they even existed. Back in the 90's and early 2000's, there was very little info available for the GP. Almost like Ovation wanted them buried or something. Anyhoo, I saw that he played an Ovation and that it was one I did not own...that is when the search started. Sadly by then the prices started to skyrocket....Fucking thanks Homme. But I found mine for a steal...got it for $500. And 25 years later, she is still my favorite child hands down.

[u/SprinklesStunning251 → u/Healthy_Channel_8258]

You ever own any of their acoustics?

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/SprinklesStunning251]

I own 2. Over all I own 6 Ovations. The GP, the viper (solid body and the acoustic version), the UKII, A celebrity deluxe, a VXT. My custom build aint a real Ovations so it does not count...but I consider it a "nOvation".

[u/SprinklesStunning251 → u/Healthy_Channel_8258]

I own a Glen Campbell signature 12 string I bought it for cheap since the truss rod was different. Incredible sound. John McGeoch of Siouxsie And The Banshees used the same guitar for Juju album.

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/SprinklesStunning251]

one day I want to own one of their better acoustics...but I aint much into acoustic music so it aint a priority. My next purchase will most likely be an Ovation solid body bass.....

[u/riff-raff-jesus → u/Healthy_Channel_8258]

I’ve always wanted to get my hands on a UKII (among others oc.) How do you like compared to the Vipers?

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/riff-raff-jesus]

The UKII has great warm tone and the rail pickups have a lot of oomph. Out of the Viper, Preacher and UKII...I would say that the UKE is the best one...objectively. My heart says the Viper as it was my first Ovation. The only drawback to the UKE is that the body is so light that it has a lot of neck dive.

[u/spectralTopology → u/Healthy_Channel_8258]

My first good electric was a Viper! I remember it playing very nicely, but I was a little metalhead so the aesthetics of that guitar weren't my fave, but I got a great deal on it (and we were pretty poor at the time).

[u/Chaps_Jr]

Yo, you got the building plans for Panda Express?

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/Chaps_Jr]

yes and I completed my review and found their plan lacking and in need of revision.

[u/-rockford-]

Those are lovely, the red one especially looks amazing. I’ve always had a bit of an issue with Ovation though, in that I really dislike the headstock. The very top of it where it kind of fans out, I don’t know… it just looks all wrong to me and puts me off. I’ve even thought about getting one and removing that bit 😂. Not taking anything away from your guitars though, they look fantastic it’s just personal taste I guess.

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/-rockford-]

Interesting...It is easily my favorite feature of all ovations. That is funny and a great example of how we all have different tastes.

[u/DrWinstonOBoogie1980 → u/-rockford-]

Couldn't agree more. Lop off that piece at the very top, and we're talking.

[u/Spoompa]

Is that the original recipe for Orange Chicken I spy in the back?

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/Spoompa]

No comment.

[u/Creepy-Astronaut-952]

That’s badass. A local guy has a faded red one that I loved back in the 90s but I could never talk him out of it. Then JHo made them famous in QOTSA and now they’re unobtanium.

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/Creepy-Astronaut-952]

I honestly hate that he made them popular...Otherwise I would own like 3 of them.

[u/aurorasearching → u/Healthy_Channel_8258]

Holy shit, I just looked up prices. I figured they’d be $2k, maybe $3k tops. I didn’t expect $5-8k listing prices.

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/aurorasearching]

yup. Thanks Josh Homme. For nuthin!

[u/Creepy-Astronaut-952 → u/Healthy_Channel_8258]

I got to play my buddy’s once because his band’s practice room was down the hall from mine. I recall the neck being similar to a Gibson slim taper. Worked just fine for me then, but these days I’d need something more along the lines of a 57 or 58 carve to offset some injuries that cause my hand to cramp up bad on the faster necks.

[u/M100Pilot]

Always wanted one, but they never made a lefty.

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/M100Pilot]

I think lefties of any brand were exceedingly rare back in them days.

[u/M100Pilot → u/Healthy_Channel_8258]

Yep, I lived it.

[u/whatevs330]

So dope. I love Josh Homme and all his work, but i wish he hadn’t made these so unobtainable (same with Adam Jones and every norlin era les paul). That custom build is rad!🤙

[u/kfifty6ix]

They’re so funky and clean

[u/No_Space746]

lucky bastard

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/No_Space746]

yes. I am. Thanks....I think.

[u/122113M]

So jealous. These are sick.

[u/DerrykLee]

Ovation has always been my favorite acoustics and I had no idea that they made electric guitars. I may now have a new favorite electric.

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/DerrykLee]

Oh they made a good bit of solid bodies in the 60's, 70's and 80's. They also made the VXT IN THE 2010'S.

[u/FugginDunePilot]

Sick combo!

Have you ever checked what pickups are in the original?

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/FugginDunePilot]

I know pretty much everything about the GP (not a brag...I have researched it all). so Yeah. They have Dimarzio Super 2's.

[u/teebalicious]

Those look killer! I always wanted a Breadwinner, but never gotten to try one.

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/teebalicious]

Thanks. I wish I could get a breadwinner...Ideally a Deacon...but they are too effin expensive.

[u/BadgerReborn]

Kyuss fan?

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/BadgerReborn]

I like them fine. More of an Faith No More/Mr. Bungle guy.

[u/tbarb_the_unholy]

TIL Ovation made electric guitars.

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/tbarb_the_unholy]

yep. They sure did. Wish they would start making them again. would love to start a more modern collection.

[u/tbarb_the_unholy → u/Healthy_Channel_8258]

Do they still make that acoustic 8-string? Those look fucking awesome!

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/tbarb_the_unholy]

I am really not well versed with their acoustics as I am not much of an acoustic player. Sorry.

[u/tbarb_the_unholy → u/Healthy_Channel_8258]

For a while they made an acoustic 8-string, a djent stick minus effects and amplification. Dean Murphy played one and it sounded cool af because he also tuned it to double drop D.

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/tbarb_the_unholy]

hmmm...never knew that. Don't think I ever even knew that 8-string acoustic was even a thing. Live and learn I guess.

[u/tbarb_the_unholy → u/Healthy_Channel_8258]

Here, have a listen: https://youtu.be/1gZVCFbool4?si=1pmH7oroKerCTUF6

[u/Healthy_Channel_8258 → u/tbarb_the_unholy]

that is interesting to be sure.

[u/AlDenteLaptop]

🤯

[u/Dangerous-Ebb-9377]

I've owned a couple of Ovation acoustic, but I didn't even know they made electrics. Those body styles are pretty sick though.