Ovation Magnum

$1,200.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (1)

1 Critic Review

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Ovation Magnum II

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Page last updated Jun 21, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 21, 2026.

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5.0 (3)

$1,200.00 9 available Used

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Average Price: $1,200

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Ovation Magnum is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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The Ovation Magnum is a distinguished entry in the world of electric basses, seamlessly blending innovation with traditional craftsmanship. Known for its unique semi-hollow body design, this bass offers a distinctive tonal character that stands out in any musical ensemble. The Magnum is equipped with a powerful pickup system that ensures a broad tonal range, making it versatile enough for anything from rock to jazz.

Featuring a fast-action neck with a comfortable profile, the Ovation Magnum is designed for both seasoned players and those just beginning their bass journey. The craftsmanship is evident in its premium materials, ensuring durability and a long-lasting performance. Its ergonomic body shape provides a comfortable playing experience, whether you're on stage or in the studio.

The Magnum's electronics include a sophisticated preamp system, allowing for precise control over your sound. This bass is not just about looks; it's engineered for players who require both reliability and superior sound quality. The combination of its superior preamp system and high-quality components makes it a favorite among bassists who demand excellence in their gear.

Key Features:

Unique semi-hollow body design for enhanced tonal characteristics
Powerful pickup system for a wide range of sounds
Fast-action neck with comfortable profile for easy playability
High-quality preamp system for precise sound control
Ergonomic body shape for comfortable playing experience
Premium materials for durability and long-lasting performance

Product specs

Brand	Ovation
Model	Magnum I
Finish	Black, Natural, Red, Sunburst
Year	1978 - 1980
Made In	United States
Categories	4-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups	Passive Pickups
Active Preamp	No Preamp
Body Material	Mahogany
Body Shape	Double Cutaway
Color Family	Black, Brown, Natural, Red
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Neck Material	Mahogany
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	4-String
Offset Body	Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	SH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Ovation Magnum I bass use?: The Ovation Magnum I features a single humbucker (SH) pickup configuration with passive pickups, offering a rich and full sound suitable for various music styles.
Is the Ovation Magnum I bass suitable for beginners?: While the Ovation Magnum I is a vintage instrument with unique tonal qualities, its playability and features make it more suitable for intermediate to advanced players familiar with bass guitar nuances.
What is the body material of the Ovation Magnum I bass?: The body of the Ovation Magnum I bass is made from mahogany, contributing to its warm tone and solid resonance.
How many frets does the Ovation Magnum I bass have?: The Ovation Magnum I bass features 20 frets, providing a standard range for most bass playing styles.
Does the Ovation Magnum I bass have an active preamp?: No, the Ovation Magnum I bass is equipped with passive pickups and does not include an active preamp.

Videos

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Jeff's Big Guitars

1978 Ovation Magnum Bass Demo After Refret

Jeff's Big Guitars

Reviews

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PROS

Unique bridge design allows for adjustable string break angle
Capable of producing a distinct "scooped but full" sound
Overbuilt design with massive cast metal bridge and graphite skunk stripe
Equipped with high-fidelity neck pickup with adjustable pole volume pots
Capable of dynamic volume swells during string bends
Fat neck akin to vintage P-bass, less fatiguing than a jazz bass
Features both stereo and mono inputs, similar to Ric-o-sound
Loud and clear tone, surpasses many Fender basses in volume
Historically used by famous musicians, adding to its legacy
Unique, eye-catching design that mixes aesthetics with functionality

CONS

Requires neck shimming for optimal setup
Fat neck may not be suitable for all players

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

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An adjustment on the rear of the bass controls the bridge angle, which is crucial for managing the mute system.
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The bass includes a stereo and a mono output jack, with the stereo jack often used for splitting pickup outputs, similar to configurations seen in Rickenbacker basses.
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The Ovation Magnum II features a unique 3-band graphic equalizer and an extremely adjustable bridge, which were pioneering in the 1970s.
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The neck includes two strips of reinforcing graphite, a novel feature for bass guitars at the time.
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Use cases and applications

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The Ovation Magnum is noted for producing a "round, almost rubbery tone," making it suitable for genres and artists like Public Image Ltd and Jah Wobble's solo work.
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The Ovation Magnum is noted for its unique aesthetic, appealing to those who appreciate unconventional designs that merge architectural elements with musical instruments.
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Levered mute functionality can be temporarily replicated with felt for studio use, despite the original rubber pad often wearing out.
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User experience

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Some users experience issues with the bridge pickup not producing sound, suggesting the need for careful handling of the complex electronics, especially in Magnum II models with graphic EQs.
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Many players are drawn to its tone despite the weight, suggesting the sound quality justifies the heavier build.
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The Magnum II requires two batteries for its active electronics, which can be inconvenient for infrequent players.
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Setup and maintenance

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The neck pickup volume can be adjusted using individual screws facing each string, a feature that some owners find can resolve certain sound issues without deeper repairs.
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Owners report that factory defects often require adjustment, particularly ensuring electronics aren't out of phase and adjusting bridge angle to prevent buzzing from powerful pickups.
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Adjusting the neck pickup requires individual screws for each string, and the bridge angle adjustment affects the mute system functionality.
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Trim pots in the neck pickup can fail and are notably difficult to replace, suggesting potential maintenance challenges.
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Value and pricing

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As a late 70s model, the Ovation Magnum I is priced around £1200, with increasing value expected due to its rarity.
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Build quality

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The Ovation Magnum's design includes a significant amount of metal hardware, contributing to its substantial weight, which some players appreciate for its tone and durability.
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Comparisons

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A new version of the Magnum is being released by Eastwood Guitars, lacking original features like the pickup frame and stereo output, resembling an alternate SG bass shape.
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Critic Reviews

Ovation Magnum (SI Feb 79)

muzines.co.uk

The Ovation Magnum bass guitars impress with their radical design and craftsmanship, notably the comfortable neck reminiscent of vintage Fender Precision models, enhanced with carbon graphite for durability. The innovative bridge tailpiece design offers flexible string length adjustment, though lacks height adjustment, complicating intonation. The electronics on the Magnum 2, featuring a 3-band graphic equalizer, provide a wide tonal range but can sound overly electronic, accompanied by a slight hiss. While the instrument's aesthetics and playability are praised, the hardware's complexity detracts from its overall versatility. The review suggests the Magnum 1 for those seeking classic Rickenbacker tones and the Magnum 2 for adventurous players seeking unique sounds, but expresses reservations about the overly complicated features.

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Kim Gordon

Singer, Guitarist

Sonic Youth

Verified via Photo

On the Sonic Youth website, it states, of Kim Gordon's Ovation Magnum:

Used by Kim: 1983-1987

NOTES:

This was Kim's primary bass during the early-mid 80s. Kim had 2 of these, and I'm not sure when she started using the second one (by '87 for sure). The 2nd one had a sliding pickup and an on-board graphic EQ. The top 3 pictures are of the first one, from 1985, the bottom picture is of the second one, from 1987. The first one is now hanging in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio! Somebody should go take a picture of it... Brown body

2 pick-ups

Rosewood fretboard

4 knobs

3-position switch

Various stickers (first one had a 'Gremlins' sticker, a 'Confusion is Sex' sticker, and some others)

Tony Levin

Bassist

King Crimson

Verified via Steveadelson

"Ovation Magnum ! Don't ask why, but long ago I decided I should have this bass. My thinking was that it would be just right for some Gabriel tracks. Took it on the plane with me to his studio in England. As I entered and put the bass down, the engineer said "What are you doing with Peter's bass?" Turns out Peter, who doesn't even play bass and only has one, had the exact same bass. Didn't use it."

Roger Glover

Bassist

Deep Purple

Verified via YouTube

Playing Ovation Magnum 2 (you can see the EQ bar rather than the knobs to indicate it's a 2 rather than a 1) in the promo video for Can't Happen Here and I surrender: https://youtu.be/LkaJL5pCEbs?t=39

Paul D'Amour

Bassist, Composer

Tool

Verified via YouTube

Former bassist of TOOL and bassist for "Lesser Key", Paul D'Amour, is shown here during a live 1992 performance playing his Ovation Magnum. His particular model is a Magnum 1, 5 string.

Wayne Coyne

Singer, Guitarist

The Flaming Lips

Verified via TinyPic

Coyne can be seen playing an Ovation Magnum Bass in this photo.

Jah Wobble

Bassist

Public Image Ltd

Verified via Photo

In this article with Bass Guitar Magazine, Wobble states that his main bass is an Ovation Magnum.

Barry Adamson

Bassist

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Verified via YouTube

Barry Adamson began using an Ovation Magnum 1 bass starting with the album "The Correct Use of Soap." Its distinctive tone is evident throughout "The Correct Use of Soap," "Play," and "Magic, Murder and The Weather." This performance of "Model Worker" live at the Whiskey A Go Go, available on YouTube, showcases the instrument's unique sound.

Charles Cave

Bassist, Composer

White Lies

Verified via Photo

Charles can be seen using his ovation magnum in this photo

Tony Barber

Bassist, Composer

Buzzcocks

Verified via Getty Images

Tony Barber is confirmed to be playing an Ovation Magnum at the Rise Music Festival against racism in Finsbury Park, London, in 2006. This is evidenced by a photograph provided by Getty Images.