1861 BALLADEER Acoustic Electric Guitar Black Black

Product Features

• Top: A Grade Spruce
• Scale Length: 25 1/4"
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Pickup: Thinline Under-Sadle
• Machines: Chrome Ovation

Product Details

• ASIN: B0002GN28O
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,699 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

All Ovations are designed for three senses: touch, sight, and sound. Listen to the astounding tone and projection. Feel the resonance and the action. Set your eyes on a beautifully designed, world-class instrument that combines the age-old science of acoustics combined with computer design and composite materials.

No other guitar is so steeped in Ovation history. Over the course of three decades we've fine tuned the Balladeer, component by component. The result? An Instrument of unmatched value. Solid spruce top. Mahogany neck. Hand rubbed finish. Not to mention a preamp that's the envy of every guitarmaker in its class. Find out why the Balladeer is the biggest selling USA-made Ovation.

Balladeer's New A-Braced Top
Ovation continues its more than 30 years of relentless improvement of the Balladeer. The A-shaped bracing, perfected over the last few years through a computer modeling process, was once only available in more expensive instruments. Now this super-lightweight design is employed on the Balladeer to let its Sitka spruce top sing as never before.

The Bridge To Better Sound
What's the secret to a sound that can only be described as rolling thunder? Turning string vibration energy into sound energy. The pinless walnut bridge transmits more torque to the soundboard than other designs. Plus each bridge is selected or rejected according to a pre-calibrated density. Underneath the saddle, lurks the Thinline pickup, specifically designed to turn our thundering acoustic sound into electric lightning.

The Effortless Neck
Two pieces of select mahogany are set with their grain directions opposed. The result is a naturally stable and warp-resistant neck. The vintage soft "V" shape makes for nearly effortless runs up and down the rosewood fingerboard.

Rich, bright and super quiet, the OP30 raises the bar in its class. Three bands of eq plus the ability to shift the mid band to either a 450Hz or 970Hz gives you complete control over your sound. There's also a Pre-Shape circuit that not only lifts the bass and treble, but also reduces "rumble" from frequencies below 40Hz. And of course there's an on-board chromatic tuner.

The smooth, hard composite Lyrachord GS body improves projection and reflects top vibrations better than traditional material and is now even stronger and lighter. The LX features a scalloped bracing pattern that evenly supports the top to provide the ultimate in acoustic output. The exotic wood leaf-shaped "epaulets" are now inlaid into the top with laser precision.

Model 1861 Specifications:

• 6-String Acoustic/Electric
• Body Type: S/Shallow Cutaway
• Top: A Grade Spruce
• Bracing: A Brace
• Scale Length: 25 1/4"
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Fret Inlay: Pearl Dots
• Bridge: Walnut
• Rosette: Hand Inlaid
• Pickup: Thinline Under-Sadle
• Nutwidth: 1-11/16"
• Machines: Chrome Ovation
• Pre-Amp: OP-30
• Case: 8117-0

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding guitar!, August 26, 2004

By 

Tube Amps Rule "LaneyAmpUser" (Peekskill, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 1861 BALLADEER Acoustic Electric Guitar Black Black

I have been a guitarist for over 24 years now, and I have owned this model guitar for nearly 6 years now, and it always amazes me that an acoustic guitar can keep playing this well after constant use.

First let me say that the neck is hard as a rock! I have NEVER needed a truss-rod adjustment yet! The fretboard is similar to a fast neck that you might find on a top notch electric guitar...It's very fast, very thin, and super easy to play on. Great for the lead/solo player, as well as any other style of music you're after. Also features an onboard pre-amp & EQ, and when plugged-in, this baby produces some wonderful tone. Stunning!

About the only drawback to Ovations, is the fact that they feature the rounded plastic back. The fact that it's a composite material is NOT the problem...The problem is that the guitar sometimes has a tendency to slip off your leg, if you're not paying attention. It's just one of those "little annoyances" that come with Ovation ownership. :)

The only other drawback, (and it's a very MINOR one) is that this model is a shallow-back. Meaning it's not very deep, and it doesn't throw the sound too far. It really needs to be plugged in to an amp to show it's true potential. Again, even if played unplugged, it's still a fine guitar, and it's definetely plenty loud enough for home use without an amp. Anyway, even with those 2 minor annoyances, I'm keeping mine until hell freezes over, and I'm buying another Ovation soon (12-String).......That's how much I love these beauties!

Bottom Line:
If you want a fine American made acoustic guitar (that you can actually afford), that sounds, plays & looks gorgeous, this one's for you!