Pricing and availability

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Reverb
5.0 (4)
$119.00 9 available Used
Thomann
4.8 (6)
$959.00 $949.00 $10.00 · All time low

Average Price: $534

Standard/Professional

$200

$1001+

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Standard

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Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Ovation Balladeer". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 7, 2026.

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Description

The Ovation Balladeer is more than just an acoustic guitar—it's a well-crafted masterpiece that caters to both aspiring and seasoned musicians. With over three decades of meticulous enhancement, the Balladeer stands as a testament to Ovation's commitment to exceptional sound and playability. This steel-string acoustic guitar features a super-shallow cutaway bowl, giving you easy access to higher frets while maximizing comfort. Its solid spruce top delivers a full-bodied, balanced tone, making it a go-to choice for versatile music styles.

The guitar's scalloped LX-bracing finely tunes its acoustic response, providing rich sustain and clarity. Complementing its sound, the bound rosewood fretboard and rosewood bridge not only contribute to its tonal excellence but also add a touch of elegance. A unique oak leaf rosette design gives this guitar a distinctive look that stands out on any stage.

At the heart of the Balladeer is the OP-Pro preamp system, co-designed with renowned artists Al DiMeola and Melissa Etheridge. It delivers stellar audio quality and intuitive controls, ensuring that your performance is always top-notch. Ideal for gigs, studio recordings, or casual jam sessions, this guitar blends tradition with modern innovation, making it a staple in any guitarist's collection.

Key Features:

  • Super-shallow cutaway bowl design
  • Solid spruce top for balanced tone
  • Scalloped LX-bracing for enhanced sound
  • Bound rosewood fretboard and bridge
  • Unique oak leaf rosette design
  • OP-Pro preamp system for superior audio quality

Product specs

Brand Ovation
Model 1111 Balladeer
Finish Black, Natural, Sunburst
Year 1971 - 1986
Active Preamp No
Back Material Composite
Body Shape Dreadnought
Color Family Black, Brown, Natural
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Fretboard Radius 10"
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 14
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.6875"
Pickup None
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Sides Material Composite
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce

FAQs

What materials are used in the construction of the Ovation Balladeer?

The Ovation Balladeer features a solid spruce top, composite back and sides, and an ebony fretboard. This combination offers a unique blend of durability and tonal quality.

How does the composite back affect the sound of the Ovation Balladeer?

The composite back provides enhanced projection and clarity, resulting in a balanced tone with a strong midrange presence, which is distinct from traditional wood-backed guitars.

Is the Ovation Balladeer suitable for live performances?

While the Ovation Balladeer does not have a built-in preamp or pickup, its robust acoustic projection makes it suitable for mic'd live performances. For amplified sound, external pickups can be added.

What is the neck profile of the Ovation Balladeer like?

The Ovation Balladeer features a mahogany neck with a comfortable 10" fretboard radius, making it easy to play for both strumming and fingerstyle techniques.

What string type is recommended for the Ovation Balladeer?

The Ovation Balladeer is designed for steel-string use, which complements its dreadnought body shape and enhances its bright, resonant sound.

Bottleship Captain

Bottleship Captain

The Ovation Balladeer: How an aerospace engineer created one of the best acoustic guitars ever made.

Video thumbnail for The Ovation Balladeer: How an aerospace engineer created one of the best acoustic guitars ever made. by Bottleship Captain

The Ovation Balladeer: How an aerospace engineer created one of the best acoustic guitars ever made.

Bottleship Captain

Bottleship Captain

Video thumbnail for 1974 Ovation Balladeer by Bizarre Guitar

1974 Ovation Balladeer

Bizarre Guitar

Bizarre Guitar

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ovation Balladeer.

Build quality

  • Owners report that Ovation's composite back and wood top can separate in differing climates due to mismatched expansion rates.

    Source
  • Some newer models include a textured grip on the back to prevent slipping, addressing a common complaint about playability.

    Source

User experience

  • Many players note difficulty playing seated due to the round back, especially for those with larger midsections.

    Source
  • It's noted that Ovation necks vary significantly, with some preferring the slimmer necks for faster playability despite initial discomfort.

    Source
  • Many users find Ovation necks closer to electric guitars, with thin profiles and low action, appealing to those transitioning from electrics.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Ovation guitars, particularly older models, are praised for their durability, surviving significant impacts without going out of tune.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The original appeal of Ovation was their reliable acoustic/electric setups, making them popular for live amplified performances.

    Source
  • Ovation guitars excel when amplified, with clear and well-defined sound, making them popular among live performers.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Some users recommend applying anti-slip materials like rug underlay or skateboard grip tape to prevent slipping during seated play.

    Source
  • Applying non-slip materials like silicone drawer liners or bathtub decals can effectively prevent the guitar from sliding during seated play.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Ovations often come with high action from the factory, but owners note that shims under the bridge pickup allow for easy action adjustments.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Older Ovation models are often favored for their durability and consistent sound quality compared to newer imports, which some find less satisfying acoustically.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
dbia
dbia

166

Easy to play. Sounds fantastic.

Over the 43 years (seriously) that I have owned my Ovation Balladeer I have taken no end of s**t about my "plastic guitar." Frankly, I don't care. It's the easiest playing and best recording axe I've ever known. The money they saved by substituting the fiberglass bowl for wooden back and sides went right in to the quality of the spruce top. It's seriously the best spruce I've ever seen...and it rings! It was my first big boy guitar and I'll never let it go.

djcdandtheswerve

Different, cool guitar

My first "higher end" guitar I purchased in High School, has a unique sound and has held up for 15 years and counting. Plugged in sounds better than many guitars 2x it's price. Solid Geet.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Lindsey Buckingham uses Ovation Balladeer

Lindsey Buckingham

Singer, Guitarist

Fleetwood Mac

...
Verified via Photo

Lindsey playing his Ovation Balladeer, i think it's a 1621-4, it was used for Landslide for the White Album Tour 75-76, might even be the same guitar Ray Lindsey (his tech) used for Go Your Own Way, Gypsy, Second Hand News from 79-82

See how Bob Marley uses Ovation Balladeer

Bob Marley

Singer, Guitarist

Bob Marley & The Wailers

...
Verified via Groundguitar

Bob Marley appeared in two photos holding an Ovation Balladeer.

See how Steve Winwood uses Ovation Balladeer

Steve Winwood

Singer, Guitarist

The Spencer Davis Group

...
Verified via YouTube

Steve Winwood can be seen playing an Ovation Balladeer with Traffic's live performance set under the German music television program "Musikladen" in 1973.

See how Rusty Cage uses Ovation Balladeer

Rusty Cage

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video titled "The Quiet Things That No One Ever Knows (Brand New) Cover," Rusty Cage is seen playing an Ovation Balladeer, which he frequently used in his early videos.

See how Roddy Frame uses Ovation Balladeer

Roddy Frame

Singer, Guitarist

Aztec Camera

...
Verified via Killermontstreet

Aztec Camera's Slow Build from Musician, November 1990 by Scott Isler

On Stray's title cut he played an Ovation stereo six-string,

His Ovation Guitars are also mentioned here:

http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/aztec-camera/6408

See how David Gates uses Ovation Balladeer

David Gates

Singer

Bread

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Natural

In a photograph from 1973, David Gates is clearly seen playing an Ovation Balladeer guitar.

See how Alison Shaw uses Ovation Balladeer

Alison Shaw

Singer, Guitarist

Cranes

...
Verified via YouTube

Alison Shaw and Jim Shaw's performance guitar for most of the Cranes' heyday. [1997]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8Z3Rya4uLU#t=19m45s ;

See how Jim Shaw uses Ovation Balladeer

Jim Shaw

Guitarist

Cranes

...
Verified via YouTube

Jim and Alison Shaw's acoustic performance guitar for much of the Cranes' heyday. [1997] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uaqny4p3Eyo#t=37m05s ;

See how Al Stewart uses Ovation Balladeer

Al Stewart

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Nessa apresentação no Solid Gold Classic, em 1982, Al Stewart e visto tocando um Ovation Ballader ao longo de toda a apresentação

See how Bob Saget uses Ovation Balladeer

Bob Saget

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Bob Saget played an Ovation Balladeer acoustic guitar during his performances from the 1980s to the early 1990s, as shown in a user-uploaded photo.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ovation Balladeer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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donald_kuntze

Gear IQ 66

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    Gear IQ 166