Overview
Brand name:
Product:
- acoustic guitars
Series name:
Dates of manufacture:
1983 to 1991
OVATION produced the ULTRA ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC (model numbers 1511, 1512 and 1517) between 1983 and 1991. The Ultra series were made in Ovation's Korean factory and had laminated sitka spruce tops (with K5 bracing pattern), deep bowl bodies and were fitted with Ovation's piezoelectric and FET preamp system. The 1512 was not available in the USA - but was identical to the 1517 model, except it did not have a tone control. These originally had urelite necks (a dense urethane foam) but these were changed to wooden necks from 1985 onwards.
Specifications (20)
General
Dimensions | 1035 × 400 × 148 mm |
Finish colors | gray finish, natural finish |
Finish effects | sunburst finish |
Made in | Korea |
Binding | ivory body-binding |
Number of strings | 6 strings |
Scale length | 25.4 inches scale-length |
Body
Body back material | composite body back |
Body style | deep bowl body |
Body top material | laminated spruce body top |
Neck
Body fret | Neck joins body at 14th fret |
Neck material | polyurethane neck |
Neck width | 1.69 inches wide at nut |
Number of frets | 20 fret |
Tuner layout | three-each-side |
Hardware
Bridge | walnut bridge |
Hardware color | nickel hardware |
Tuners | Ping tuners |
Fretboard
Fingerboard material | rosewood fingerboard |
Fingerboard position markers | diamond fingerboard position markers |
Prices (25)
Date | Price | Condition | Name | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | $900 | excellent | Mike Moller | Great sounding Guitar , the owner did not want to part with it . great condition almost new . |
1987 | $300 | new | ||
1984 | $419 | new | Jimbeeza | |
1976 | $400 | new | ||
2015 | $200 | good | Great tone, action, perfect for contemporary gospel. | |
1994 | €1400 | good | ||
1989 | $250 | excellent | ||
1984 | $450 | new | ||
1997 | $150 | good | G. Morris | Has a few cosmetic cracks common on these because of the top finish used on them, but structurally fine: Looks & sounds great. Pea Green Sunburst, Model# 1528. Serial#193634 Made: '86-'90 Not sure how to find out the exact year made, because their date guide only works for USA made serial numbers... |
2015 | £230 | good | was told it was 1979 | |
1991 | $400.00 | new | With hard shell case | |
1989 | £450 | new | ||
1990 | $800 | excellent | ||
2017 | R$3000 | good | Enzo | |
1997 | $1500 | new | Ovation Ultra Deluxe Model 1517d. Good condition with minimal wear and tear. New Strings. | |
2017 | kr2500 | excellent | Hellberg | |
1991 | R1500 | new | Alan | |
2018 | £250 | good | ||
2010 | $300 | good | ||
1986 | $500 | excellent | ||
1998 | 250 | excellent | ||
1986 | $300 | excellent | James | This is a 1986 Ovation Ultra Deluxe cutaway model |
1993 | $500 | excellent | Scott | |
1986 | 1200 DEM | excellent | Bernd | |
1989 | $300 | new |
Reviews (2)
OVATION ULTRA ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC reviewed by ReciprocalHokie
ReciprocalHokie
I bought this guitar brand new as a recent college grad in 1989 for $400(?) with the case included and played it for 27 years, never thinking to "fix what ain't broke". In 2016, I decided to buy a Martin D-18 dreadnought because I had the money, I thought it would shake up my repertoire, and I DESERVED a $2,500 guitar. Then something remarkable happened.
I played the Martin exclusively for 6 months, but after that I found more and more I'd put it down for my old Ovation on certain songs just because I thought the Ovation sounded better on that arrangement, or my hand would become fatigued, or I was simply better able to pull off technical parts more proficiently. Then after about a year owning and playing the Martin I finally put it in its crib and never pulled it out again until the day I sold it 5 months later.
Was the Martin a better made guitar? Of course, it was gorgeous. Did it have a more resonant sound? You bet, but not as much as one might expect. Was it a more impressive instrument than the Ovation? I guess. Sure. Certainly. But that's not the point, eh? My wife has a Steinway baby grand in her studio (she wins).
I'm not arguing this intermediate-level guitar is better than a high-end Martin, it's clearly not. I'm arguing it's better for *ME*. It sounds perfectly fine on stage, holds its tune like a rock, and even with damaged soundboard finish (always carry-on your guitar when flying) no luthier has ever advised I have it repaired/refinished.
What I am arguing is that once you become a proficient player and buy your first "forever guitar", spend as much $$$ as you're practically able to, and play every guitar in that price range you can find before you purchase. Then keep that guitar forever and play it always. It is after all, a marriage. Cases in point, Willie Nelson and Trigger, B.B. King and Lucille, ReciprocalHokie and Grey.
OVATION ULTRA ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC reviewed by Caster
Caster
I bought this guitar from a friend 20 years ago and play it at least a couple hours a week. It holds its tune well sounds great and looks good. It is the best guitar for the money. I highly recommend this guitar. (1517).