Customer Reviews

Applause by Ovation AE13-4 Acoustic Electric Guitar

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This is a neat little guitar. It sounds pretty good for reduced size. The scale turns out to be 24.75(my favorite) instead of the 23.625 in the specs. It sounds great plugged into a PA or Stereo. Much easier to carry around or travel with than a standard acoustic. Quality is pretty good. My first one was cracked, but they sent me a new one. The second one had some loose hardware I had to tighten. Other than that, no major issues. I think their quality control could be a bit better, but this is the budget line. If you want a little better quality and hardware, spend about 60%(min.) more to step up to the Ovation line.

For the average price I see this now sold at, this is a nice, sturdy, entry level 12-string for someone wishing to delve into 12-string playing or just own a 12-string for certain songs or certain recordings. Its biggest con in that after the 5 or 6th fret, the action becomes very high. This is especially problematic with a 12 string, when you already have the issue of pressing down on double the amount of strings that you normally would.
It has a nice, full resonating sound. It sounds best with light gauge or medium light gauge strings. It really does have a nice balanced/well-rounded sound - not too toney or tinny but not to low or bassy.
I owned an older year model of this same guitar (it was the Applause AE-13, just the original issue) approximately 14-16 years ago, and enjoyed this guitar while I owned it. The only reason I got rid of it was because it was no longer practical for me to own it on top of the other guitars I had at the time, although somedays I regret it still!
As I said, for the average price, this is a great guitar to own and have handy. I wouldn't at all call this a low-end 12-string, but rather somewhere slightly above a budget/student or entry level 12 string.