http://www.usatoday.com/s...plant-closing/8073439/

i never cared for ovations, not the way they felt, not the way they sounded, tho i thought they looked real cool...
 
but a hero of mine, glen campbell, played his so well, and sounded so good on it, i always figured i was missing something.
 
sad to see it go, many pros have used those guitars thru the years...
i did not know fender (parent company) owned it

They always slid right off my leg whenever I played one. They always seemed to play well enough but I never use a strap on an acoustic and the rounded back just did not work for me. Another acoustic guitar I always hated was the Gibson Hummingbird. I never played one I liked, the way it played. They sounded OK from what I remember but were hard for me to play. For that matter I once got to play George Jones' stage guitars in a session, recording some songs I wrote. I wound up playing my Takamine, his Martins played well but the tone was too dark for my taste. It is likely that I had bad taste at the time and was just used to something brighter. I now wish I had used one of the Martins if only for the sake of having the recording... oh well.
 
RIP Ovation.
 
J

Yep. Another sad announcement.
 
I have an Ovation 12-string, and I think the characteristic Ovation sound works well on a 12.
 
But the key is it's got to be plugged in. If you do that, add maybe a little chorus and reverb, and get a nice balance between the acoustic and electric sound it can be wonderful. But just acoustically something is kind of missing.
 
It's a little bit funny in a way - an acoustic guitar that's better off plugged in.

Agree with Bats, I always wanted to like them, but just didn't like the sound.
 

batsbrew
 
glen campbell, played his so well, and sounded so good on it, i always figured i was missing something.
 

Likewise Gordon Giltrap.

Only "real" acoustic I ever owned (I usually just use my custom with Variax guts).  I think these were really meant to be used live, 'cause plugged in they worked well (as mentioned above).  Hard to just sit and play because they do slide - as also already mentioned.

This.
 

jbow
They always slid right off my leg whenever I played one.

I actually had an ovation (6 string) and traded it in for a Takamine classical acoustic.........I wish I had known about the non-slip pads.
 

 
Maybe it's a good time to buy a 12 string.....

Also, this makes me feel really old. I remember when Ovation was born.. and now I have seen them die. I should buy a used one as a gesture to futility.
 
I am glad someone here warned me off the 70s Yamaha FG acoustic guitars. They were really good in their day. The best one I ever had was an FG 300 "red label". It was between 1970 and 1976.. those years all run together into one long year. I didn't have it too long before I had to pawn it... I think I had a 160 too for a short while, but the 300s were GREAT guitars. I don't remember what the problem is with them but I remember someone telling me to beware. I'll have to search to remember. Virtual memory... (search function and Google) lol. I think it is something to do with the neck.
 
I'd really like a 000 body Martin, Taylor, or something comparable... that style just seems to fit me. I have a Takamine dreadnaught but I almost always play a Taylor "Big Baby". Not the best guitar but it is comfy to play.
 
@ Criag... I would really LOVE a JT Variax. I wonder (maybe you know) is the USA model worth the price over the Asian model? I assume that the electronics are the same. I think a JTV would be inspiring, particularly when stuck playing the same old thing every time I pick up a guitar.
 
I was watching videos this AM of Jimi playing acoustic. There are a couple of him with a 12 string and one with a small 6 string acoustic doing a cover or Hound Dog... it is good. Then I decided to look to see and there is a video of SRV playing acoustic blues... he is much more precise, Jimi is way more fluid and relaxed. They are on YT and easy to find... as long as we are talking about acoustics.
 
J
 
 

I sold mine to help fund the Larrivee purchase.  I never liked the tone I got out of the Ovation, as Bat said, I wanted to like it.