Ovation Viper Electric Guitar

$850.00 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (9)

1 Critic Review

3 Reviews

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22 wishlisted

36 saved

Page last updated Jun 29, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 29, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (9)

$850.00 15 available Used

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Average Price: $850

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Ovation Viper Electric Guitar is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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High-end

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Description

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Experience the perfect blend of classic design and modern innovation with the Ovation Viper Electric Guitar. This solid body electric guitar is a staple for musicians seeking versatility and precise sound. Crafted by Ovation, a brand renowned for its pioneering approach to instrument design, the Viper stands out with its unique Lyrachord body that enhances resonance and projection, providing a rich tonal palette for both studio sessions and live performances.

The Viper is equipped with high-output pickups that deliver a clear, powerful sound across all frequencies, making it suitable for a variety of music genres. Its comfortable neck and smooth fretboard facilitate effortless playability, allowing both seasoned professionals and aspiring musicians to express their creativity without restraint. The guitar’s sleek body design not only ensures a comfortable playing experience but also makes it a visually striking addition to any musician's collection.

Whether you’re jamming in a garage band, recording in a professional studio, or performing on stage, the Ovation Viper Electric Guitar is engineered to meet the demands of modern musicians who require both reliability and outstanding sound quality.

Key Features:

Solid body construction with a unique Lyrachord body for enhanced resonance
High-output pickups for versatile sound
Smooth, comfortable neck and fretboard
Suitable for a wide range of music genres
Sleek, visually striking design

Product specs

Brand	Ovation
Model	Viper with Ebony Fretboard, Viper with Maple Fretboard
Finish	Black, Charcoal, Natural, Nutmeg, Red, Sunburst, White
Year	1978 - 1983
Made In	United States
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape	Single Cutaway
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Top-Load
Color Family	Black, Brown, Natural, Red, Tan, White
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Fretboard Material	Ebony, Maple
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Number of Frets	24
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed

FAQs

What type of neck profile does the Ovation Viper Electric Guitar have?: The Ovation Viper Electric Guitar features a comfortable C-shaped neck profile, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead playing styles.
How does the pickup configuration affect the sound of the Ovation Viper Electric Guitar?: The Ovation Viper is equipped with a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, providing a rich, full-bodied sound with excellent sustain, making it versatile for rock, blues, and jazz genres.
Is the Ovation Viper Electric Guitar suitable for beginners?: While the Ovation Viper is a high-quality instrument with professional features, its comfortable neck and versatile sound make it accessible for dedicated beginners looking to invest in a long-term instrument.
What are the fretboard options for the Ovation Viper Electric Guitar?: The Ovation Viper Electric Guitar is available with either an ebony or maple fretboard, offering different tonal qualities; ebony provides a bright, snappy response, while maple offers a warm, rounded tone.
Does the Ovation Viper Electric Guitar have a bolt-on neck construction?: Yes, the Ovation Viper Electric Guitar features a bolt-on neck construction, which provides a snappy attack and makes neck adjustments and replacements easier.

Videos

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Steve from Boston

Ovation Viper

Steve from Boston

Ovation Viper Vintage 70's electric guitar

frisell1968_الله أكبر

1975 Ovation Viper

wutzdog001guitars

Ovation Viper

ZIMM'S GUITARS

Ovation viper clean and dirty demo Orange OR50

Noise Machines ATX

Guitar Review (Ovation Viper) READ DESCRIPTION.

Big_Betty2

Reviews

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PROS

Unique combination of Tele and Gibson playability
Distinctive, aggressive tone with P90 vibe pickups
Excellent tuning stability
Simple and intuitive controls
Longer scale ideal for rhythm players
Versatile sound makes it suitable for various music styles
High-quality American craftsmanship
Comfortable neck and solid feel
Eye-catching design attracts attention
Rich, punchy bright tone from neck pickup

CONS

Heavy weight, despite small size
Narrow 1 5/8" nut may not suit everyone
Refretting issues are common
Bridge humbucker sometimes installed at the neck
Volume knob placement could be better

Owner Insights

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

Comparisons

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Described as having a warm Telecaster-like sound, making it appealing for those seeking a Telecaster vibe in a different style guitar.
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Early Vipers share the plastic-and-metal bridge/tailpiece assemblies with the Preacher model, indicating design lineage.
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User experience

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Frequently hailed as underrated, with some players recalling fond memories from the 1980s, indicating a lasting positive reputation among enthusiasts.
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The Viper II model has been specifically mentioned with affection, suggesting it may hold particular appeal within the Viper lineup.
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One owner refinished their Viper in wine red, expressing regret after trading it away due to its excellent playability.
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A user who owned a Viper since the late '70s mentioned it as their first "real" guitar, emphasizing its significance in personal musical journeys.
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Use cases and applications

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Praised for delivering a gorgeous sound through a blackface Deluxe Reverb, highlighting its compatibility with classic amplifiers for rich tones.
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Build quality

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The Viper's laminated pickguard, engraved with the model name, extends to house the controls, showcasing a unique design element.
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The Viper's ebony fingerboard and two-octave range are highlighted as unique features, enhancing playability and tonal versatility.
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Features and functionality

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The single-coil pickups resemble mini-humbuckers in size and have metal sides, black inserts, and flat pole pieces, with winding variations based on position.
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The bridge pickup's poles are slanted diagonally, mimicking the slant found on Stratocaster guitars, offering a distinct tonal characteristic.
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It's noted that the Viper's pickups are unique to Ovation solid bodies, distinguishing it from other brands.
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Value and pricing

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Originally priced around $400 in the early '80s, the Viper was more affordable compared to higher-end models like the Gibson Les Paul.
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An owner purchased two Vipers and an original hard shell case for $200 in the mid-90s, illustrating past affordability and potential for high resale value.
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Critic Reviews

Catch of the Day: 1973 (or 1975?) Ovation Viper - Fretboard Journal

fretboardjournal.com

The Ovation Viper is a solidly built guitar with well-designed pickups offering a crunchy P-90 vibe. While its 1970s design might not appeal visually, mechanically it excels in intonation and action. As a budget-friendly option, its overlooked status could be a boon for musicians seeking quality without the price tag. However, the uninspiring body shape might deter some. Overall, a reliable, if unspectacular, choice for practical players.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 9 Ratings

5 star

4 star

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gb1138

148

almost 10 years ago

Great guitar for many different styles

I've got an Ovation Viper exactly like the one pictured here...butterscotch with black pickguard and an ebony fretboard. The scale is longer than an average electric guitar, and as I'm mainly a rhythm player, this isn't a big deal for me. I care more about tone, and this is where the guitar delivers in spades. The neck pickup has a beautifully rich, punchy, bright tone that feels aggressive without being overbearing. The middle pickup position (both neck and bridge pickups active) provides a nice honky kind of twang. The bridge pickup is, like the neck, bright and rich, but thin enough to match what you'd want to hear from a bridge pickup.

This is a hearty guitar. It feels good when slung over your shoulder, and the versatility you get from it makes it a must-have. I'm actually quite surprised that more guitarists don't play this regularly, but on the other hand, there's something kind of cool about playing a show and having someone come up and say, "What the hell is THAT? I've never seen one before!"

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Folk, World, & Country Funk / Soul

jimmarchi1

41029

10 years ago almost 10 years ago

there really isn't an average.... anywhere from a scant 24" to 25.5" and at least 2 other stops inbetween that I am aware of... most companies offer at least 3 of those scales in their product line

alexgrocock010

over 10 years ago

overall 9 out of 10

for the age of the guitar i have (1977) the guitar is absolutely stunning finish has held up really well it plays a dream just a generally good axe!

stanley_christiaensen

510

over 6 years ago

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Artist usage

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Josh Homme

Guitarist

Kyuss

Verified via Photo

Josh can be seen playing an Ovation Viper in this photo taken during QOTSA’s first show at the O.K Hotel on November 20, 1997.

Josh has notably used another Ovation solid body - the Ultra GP during Kyuss and early Queens.

Alex Turner

Guitarist

Arctic Monkeys

Verified via Photo

Alex Turner uses an Ovation Viper Electric Guitar built by the Ovation Guitar Company when playing with both Arctic Monkeys and The Last Shadow Puppets, the Viper was seen being played during the “Humbug” tour and the Puppet’s “Everything You’ve Come To Expect” tour. When playing the Viper during the “Humbug” tour, Alex switched between this and one of his Jazzmasters, either his Fender or Custom Warmoth, replacing his Fender Bronco that he used during the bands second tour.

When Alex is playing the guitar with the Puppets, he has the guitar tuned so it's a whole step down in D Tuning, also called One Step Lower, Whole Step Down, Full Step or D Standard. Each string is lowered by a whole tone or two semitones, resulting in D-G-C-F-A-D. For "Aviation” and "Element of Surprise,” the guitar is used open so it’s in D. Turner uses a capo on the 2nd fret for when the band covers The Beatles "I Want You(She’s So Heavy)" so he can play the chords like the guitar is in standard tuning.

The Ovation Viper is an electric guitar made by Ovation Guitar Company from 1977 to the early 1980s. The Viper sports two single coil pickups, a single volume knob, a single tone knob and a three-way selector switch, very much like a Fender Telecaster. Ovation made their own pickups and they designed these to have a higher output than a regular single coil. They were also well-shielded and had very little hum when plugged in.

Pictured is Alex Turner during The Last Shadow Puppets show at T In The Park in 2016 seen playing his vintage Ovation Viper.

Yngwie Malmsteen

Guitarist, Bassist

The G3 Jam

Verified via YouTube

Yngwie Malmsteen also plays an Ovation Viper. "The one I have is based on the Viper, but I have different soundholes," Malmsteen says at (2:50).

Lee Ranaldo

Singer, Guitarist

Sonic Youth

Verified via Photo

On the Sonic Youth website it is said:

Used by Lee/Thurston: 1985-1986 1985 -- F#F#F#F#EB (Death Valley '69, Brave Men Run - LEE) 1986 -- F#F#F#F#EB (Death To Our Friends, Starpower - LEE) (Death To Our Friends, Starpower, Shadow of a Doubt - THURSTON) NOTES:

To quote Lee, Guitar Player August '89: "When you run a slide over the Viper's pickups, it cancels out at one point so you get this weird 'wacka-wacka' sound." Sunburst body 2 single coils Maple fretboard 1 toggle switch 2 knobs Black pickguard

Jeff Buckley

Singer, Guitarist

Jeff Buckley(band)

Verified via Photo

Jeff Buckley played an Ovation Viper Electric Guitar around 1986, as shown in a user-uploaded photo on Photobucket.

Joey Santiago

Guitarist

Pixies

Verified via YouTube

In this Pixies' performance of "I've been tired" Joey can be seen using Ovation Viper. You can tell it's the particular guitar because of the word "Viper" on its pickguard (about 2:05 in the linked video). The guitar is black and it has two large single coil pickups, distinctive for Vipers.

Rick Parfitt

Guitarist

Status Quo

Verified via YouTube

In the music video for Status Quo's cover of John Fogerty's "Rockin' All Over The World," Rick Parfitt can be clearly seen playing an Ovation Viper Electric Guitar. This is evidenced in the AI-enhanced promo video available on YouTube, uploaded by Status Quo and upscaled by L. Hargreaves.