Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $1,046

High-end/Boutique

$200

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Discover the perfect blend of tradition and innovation with the Ovation Elite Standard 6868, an acoustic-electric guitar that caters to the modern musician's needs. This guitar stands out with its unique multi-soundhole design, ensuring balanced tonal projection and superior sound quality. Its Lyrachord composite body is not only durable but also contributes to the guitar's rich, resonant sound, making it an excellent choice for both stage performances and studio sessions.

The Elite Standard 6868 features a solid spruce top, providing a bright and articulate voice that pairs harmoniously with the guitar's deep, resonant lows. Its mid-depth cutaway body allows for easy access to higher frets, making soloing and intricate fingerwork a breeze. This model is equipped with the OP-4BT preamp system, which includes a built-in tuner and a 3-band EQ for precise tonal sculpting, ensuring your sound is always just right.

Designed with comfort in mind, the Elite Standard 6868 boasts a fast-playing neck and a smooth fretboard, offering an effortless playing experience. Whether you're strumming chords or picking melodies, this guitar delivers a consistently satisfying performance.

Key Features:

  • Unique multi-soundhole design for balanced sound projection
  • Lyrachord composite body for durability and enhanced resonance
  • Solid spruce top for bright and articulate tone
  • Mid-depth cutaway for easy access to higher frets
  • OP-4BT preamp system with built-in tuner and 3-band EQ
  • Fast-playing neck and smooth fretboard for comfortable playability

Product specs

Brand Ovation
Model 6868 Standard Elite
Finish Autumn Burst, Black, Black Cherry Burst, Blue, Natural, Sunburst, White
Year 1993 - 1999
Categories Acoustic-Electric Guitars
Active Preamp Yes
Back Material Composite
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Natural, Orange, Red, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Undersaddle Piezo Pickup
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Sides Material Composite
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce

FAQs

What type of preamp does the Ovation Elite Standard 6868 use?

The Ovation Elite Standard 6868 features an active preamp, which enhances the guitar's acoustic sound when amplified, providing a clear and balanced tone suitable for live performances.

What materials are used for the body of the Ovation Elite Standard 6868?

The Ovation Elite Standard 6868 has a composite back and sides with a spruce top, offering durability and a unique tonal quality that combines warmth with clarity.

How does the Ovation Elite Standard 6868 perform acoustically compared to other guitars?

The Ovation Elite Standard 6868 delivers a bright and articulate acoustic sound, thanks to its spruce top and unique bowl-shaped composite back, making it stand out in both unplugged and amplified settings.

Are there different color options available for the Ovation Elite Standard 6868?

Yes, the Ovation Elite Standard 6868 is available in a variety of finishes, including Autumn Burst, Black, Black Cherry Burst, Blue, Natural, Sunburst, and White, allowing players to choose according to their aesthetic preferences.

What type of pickup is installed in the Ovation Elite Standard 6868?

The Ovation Elite Standard 6868 is equipped with an undersaddle piezo pickup, which captures the guitar's natural acoustic sound and is ideal for live amplification.

ZIMM'S GUITARS

ZIMM'S GUITARS

Ovation Standard Elite

Video thumbnail for Ovation Standard Elite by ZIMM'S GUITARS

Ovation Standard Elite

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ZIMM'S GUITARS

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ovation Elite Standard 6868.

Setup and maintenance

  • The truss rod on the Ovation Elite Standard 6868 can become stuck; applying 3-in-1 oil on the threads may help alleviate this issue.

    Source
  • Owners recommend using a soldering gun for gentle heat application to assist with loosening a seized truss rod, while ensuring string tension is fully removed.

    Source
  • A bridge popping issue can raise action height, and due to design constraints, fixing a lifted bridge is nearly impossible without specialized tools.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Ovation Elite Standard 6868's bowl back design can lead to the guitar being slippery, especially when seated, requiring a strap for stability.

    Source
  • Owners have reported potential cracking issues between the bridge and body due to differing material expansion rates in varying temperatures.

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Comparisons

  • The shallow bowl models are considered inferior in acoustic sound compared to deep bowl models, which offer better resonance and tone.

    Source

User experience

  • It's noted that Ovations, including the Elite Standard 6868, might sound tinny and treble-heavy, particularly when unplugged, leading to divided opinions among players.

    Source
  • Some users compare the playability of Ovations to electric guitars due to their neck design, which is reportedly comfortable and fast-playing.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • It's advised against paying $1000 for a shallow bowl Ovation, suggesting a price closer to $750 would be more reasonable given its limitations.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star
dbfalken

Great sound

Great sound, the action is stellar. The aesthetics of this guitar is amazing, great looking guita.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Yngwie Malmsteen uses Ovation Elite Standard 6868

Yngwie Malmsteen

Guitarist, Bassist

The G3 Jam

...
Verified via YouTube

Throughout this video, Yngwie Malmsteen is using an Ovation Acoustic/Electric guitar for a classical piece. He plays Tocata with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. The only thing I could not figure out is the Ovation has a classical acoustic headstock, as opposed to the sharp, circular headstocks most ovation currently have. This may be due to the earlier model Yngwie uses

Genre Usage

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

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