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Average Price: $199

Budget/Beginner

$200

$1001+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Discover the Ovation Legend, an acoustic-electric guitar designed for musicians who demand both performance and style. Known for its unique Lyrachord composite body, this guitar offers exceptional durability and sound projection. The Ovation Legend combines traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, ensuring a remarkable playing experience whether you're on stage or in the studio. Its OP-PRO preamp system, co-developed with Al Di Meola, offers precise tonal control, allowing you to tailor your sound to perfection.

The top of the Legend is crafted from premium solid spruce, providing a balanced tonal range with plenty of clarity and warmth. The neck is constructed from a combination of mahogany and maple, offering smooth playability and a comfortable grip for extended sessions. A rosewood fretboard adds a touch of elegance and supports intricate fingerwork. The guitar’s unique soundhole design enhances resonance and offers a distinct aesthetic that sets it apart from traditional acoustics.

Ovation's attention to detail is evident in the Legend's hardware, which includes die-cast tuners for reliable tuning stability and a pinless bridge system for easy string changes. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or an aspiring artist, the Ovation Legend provides the versatility and quality you need to express your musical vision.

Key Features:

  • Lyrachord composite body for enhanced durability and sound projection
  • OP-PRO preamp system for precise tonal control
  • Premium solid spruce top for balanced tonal range
  • Mahogany and maple neck for smooth playability
  • Rosewood fretboard for intricate fingerwork
  • Unique soundhole design for enhanced resonance
  • Die-cast tuners for reliable tuning stability
  • Pinless bridge system for easy string changes

Product specs

Brand Ovation
Model 1617 Legend
Finish Natural, Sunburst
Year 1972 - 1984
Categories Acoustic-Electric Guitars
Active Preamp Yes
Back Material Composite
Color Family Brown, Natural
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Fretboard Radius 10"
Number of Frets 14
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.6875"
Pickup Undersaddle Piezo Pickup
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Sides Material Composite
String Type Steel
Top Material Spruce

FAQs

What kind of sound can I expect from the Ovation Legend's undersaddle piezo pickup?

The Ovation Legend's undersaddle piezo pickup delivers a clear and balanced sound, capturing the natural tone of the guitar. It is well-suited for live performances where a consistent and feedback-resistant sound is essential.

Is the Ovation Legend suitable for both beginners and advanced players?

The Ovation Legend is suitable for both beginners and advanced players, offering playability and a rich sound that appeals to a wide range of guitarists. Its comfortable neck and quality electronics make it versatile for various playing styles.

How does the composite back of the Ovation Legend affect its sound?

The composite back of the Ovation Legend enhances projection and durability, providing a unique tonal quality that combines warmth and clarity. This design feature contributes to its distinct sound, making it stand out from traditional wooden back guitars.

What is the neck profile of the Ovation Legend like?

The Ovation Legend features a comfortable neck profile that facilitates easy playability, ideal for both strumming and fingerstyle techniques. Its design caters to players looking for smooth transitions across the fretboard.

Can the Ovation Legend be used for live performances?

Yes, the Ovation Legend is equipped with an active preamp and undersaddle piezo pickup, making it well-suited for live performances. Its design ensures reliable sound quality and reduced feedback in amplified settings.

What are the finish options available for the Ovation Legend?

The Ovation Legend is available in Natural and Sunburst finishes, both featuring a gloss style that enhances its visual appeal. These options allow players to choose a look that best suits their personal style.

Reviews

Owner Insights

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

User experience

  • The mid-depth models come with a textured back, reducing sliding issues compared to older models.

    Source
  • Some users prefer the deep contour design for its feel, noting a personal connection to the guitar's shape and comfort during play.

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  • Despite mixed opinions, some users have kept their Ovation guitars for over 30 years, citing their reliability and ease of tuning retention.

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  • Ovation guitars produce a bright, cutting tone, ideal for layering with warmer, woodier guitars.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Adamas guitars are known for their carbon fiber tops, providing a unique tonal quality, though some models like the Adamas 2081WT use wood tops.

    Source
  • Ovation necks feel more like electric guitar necks with a slim nut width of about 1-5/8", making them suitable for electric players.

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  • The round back design makes playability difficult without a strap, especially for players with larger body types.

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Comparisons

  • The Legend is considered mid-level high-end, offering better woods than the Baladeer but not as premium as the Elite, which uses rare woods and custom models.

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  • Owners compare the Ovation's neck favorably to electric guitars, citing ease of play similar to electric models.

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  • For $500, alternatives like a used Martin, Taylor, or Yamaha might offer better sound and playability.

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Build quality

  • Some owners note stress cracks in the top stemming from the bridge, requiring reinforcement.

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  • Ovation guitars have a tendency for the plastic back to separate from the wood top, making it crucial to inspect this area closely.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Factory action is intentionally high, but owners can adjust the action easily by removing shims under the bridge pickup.

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  • Users have added non-slip decals or silicone drawer liners to the back to prevent sliding during seated play.

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  • Ovation necks can pop off easily with minimal impact, highlighting the importance of careful handling.

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Use cases and applications

  • Ovations are praised for their bright sound and durability, especially when used for amplified performances.

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Value and pricing

  • The Legend model, if US-made, is a better deal compared to its South Korean counterparts, which are still considered a good purchase.

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Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
louis_dale

I love this guitar

Just reposting this because ive got a black one instead... Ovation acoustic guitars are a great polarizer—many great artists swear by them, yet there are some guitarists, like myself, who initially couldn't look past the non-wood back. After all, how can a guitar with a composite back ever sound as good as a regular "all-wood" guitar? Then I received an Ovation Custom Legend C2079AX acoustic-electric guitar to review, and for me everything changed. The sound of this guitar is nothing short of amazing, and Ovation's new Custom Legend C2079AX makes the great Ovation sound available to even more guitarists through a significant price reduction.

michael_theroux

Ovation Legend 1777

Outstanding instrument. Works for everything. Highly recommended.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Roland Orzabal uses Ovation Legend

Roland Orzabal

Singer, Guitarist

Tears for Fears

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Sunburst Year: 1980s

Roland Orzabal uses an Ovation Legend model 1617-1 guitar, as well as an Ovation 12-string model 1615, a Folklore model 1614, and a Balladeer model 1612. This is supported by the image found on Equipboard.

See how Cat Stevens uses Ovation Legend

Cat Stevens

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Natural Year: 1970s

Cat Stevens uses an Ovation acoustic-electric guitar, specifically the Legend model 1617. Additionally, he plays an Ovation 12-string model 1615, a Folklore model 1614, and a Custom Legend model 1619. This information is supported by an image available on Equipboard.

See how Tony Rice uses Ovation Legend

Tony Rice

Guitarist

The Bluegrass Album Band

...
Verified

As referenced in this thread with eyewitness accounts and references to Tony Rice's biography "Still Inside," Tony played an Ovation Legend for a period of time in his career.

See how Jesse Welles uses Ovation Legend

Jesse Welles

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Jesse has been seen using this guitar in recent times

See how Maury Muehleisen uses Ovation Legend

Maury Muehleisen

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "Jim Croce - Lovers Cross (Live)" on YouTube, Maury Muehleisen can be clearly seen playing an Ovation Legend 1617 in a natural finish.

D

David Nelson

Guitarist

New Riders of the Purple Sage

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Natural Year: 1970s

David Nelson, the lead guitarist of the New Riders of the Purple Sage, is confirmed to use the Ovation Acoustic Electric Legend 1617, as evidenced by an image on Equipboard.

Genre Usage

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

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