Ovation 1778TX-5 Review - THE Acoustic for Metal?!

[@supervincemus]

You did a killer job at demonstrating this guitar. I’ve watch a few other videos and the host failed at showing the true ability of the instrument. Thanks man.

[@5TRATH3]

Super informative. You answered every question I had and demonstrated it first hand. Thank you! Sold

[@dougascoli310]

Very impressive review - covered all the key points. I bought one of these in the 70's, sold it in the late 80's, and now am ready to buy one again. The sound is a bit unique for an acoustic...but that's why I'm liking it.

[@newt7263]

Thank you! I had already been drooling over this particular Ovation for quite a while. (years) Your video convinced me even more. Ordered it and received it last week. :)

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+newt538 Asch Awesome, hope you are enjoying it as much as I have!

[@fcfe86]

Very helpful review. Helped me with my decision to get one and I bought a shallow depth bowl version in near mint condition. Never regretted that purchase ever since. I've come from electric guitars, mostly Ibanez and LTDs and always looked for something as easy to play. After several disappointments with other Brands, including my Favorite E brand Ibanez, my 1868 TX feels like the acoustic I've wanted for all my life before even knowing it existed. The sound, the ergonomics and the craftsmanship amaze me again and again

[@ww8wv1]

My local shop has one of these and I’m very interested in it. I watched other reviews and they left me kind of on the fence about this instrument BUT I think your review sold me on it. Thanks.

[@arnaudbrossard6738]

Great job dude. Thanks for doing a more Metal review of this guitar, that's what I was looking for to have a better idea on how it would fit in the style I play. Cheers! \m/

[@ambrooks5]

Great in depth review man. I’ve heard ALOT of great things about this guitar. It’s definitely on my list now.

[@3591ray]

I just got mine the end of July, and it is an awesome guitar, very demanding, and that is good. After three weeks one night the guitar talked to me, letting me know it not only can go wherever I want to go, it has some places to show me. I have been spoiled by the Ovation neck for three years already with a Pinnacle model, but this is, this is it.Ovations can be fragile, so watch it. Any separation with top and bottom will cost you as much as a new guitar. The tuner built in is so handy. Strum one chord and count to 10 or 12 to the time it resonates. Not for a beginner, but i disagree it is best suited for any type. This guitar will play anything you want to play.Also almost every demonstration I see no one ever really gets to strumming. When you really strum you will find a problem, the scraping noise from the pick going across the rough texture. It has made me adjust a little, but also incorporate the sound into some of my songs.

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

I've had no trouble playing any genre on mine as well, I think some people have a problem with the aesthetics of the guitar for some types of music, hence the warning. Not something I care about, but some do. And you're correct about the pick scraping. Not a big adjustment for me as I primarily play electric, but its definitely less forgiving than my other acoustics.

[@DerNorrisChuck]

Hi, I really hope, you still reading this in 2024? I ordered the Deep Contour Body-Version of ths Model today after your Video!!! It will be played in my Church in a Modern Praise and Worship Band, in Germany... Thanks for this wonderfull Presentation (without showing off any Scale-Noodledoodledidledadledoodle-Singlenote-BS on an Acoustic Guitar!) of the Pre EQ Settings, it was the Part that made me buy it! Altough we may not share the same Taste in Musicstyles, I reeeeally enjoyed this Clip and liked the Melodies A LOT! Be blessed and keep being a blessing to others, my Friend!

[@grandpabobbydean]

Hey man welcome to the club! I've had mine for several years and am just now getting around to seeing what other people think about theirs. Great video. Not to be a dick but I think that, while the body is made from that lyrichord or whatever the stuff is that Ovation uses, I believe the top is solid spruce. I could be wrong but anyway keep on rocking!!!

[@grandpabobbydean]

p.s. Try experimenting with your string gauges. I mixed some heavier gauge strings on the top two strings with lighter gauge on the bottom four. It's kind of expensive because you have to buy two sets whenever you change strings but it sounds really cool.

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Robert Peck You're correct about the body, I meant to say it's carbon polymer. Great guitar so far!

[@jameshamm7911]

I have had my CS257 since 2005 and still use it regularly on stage (I even affixed a GK-3 pickup and it works great with my GR-55 guitar synth)...these are great guitars! Oh, and I loved the excellent nod to Black Sabbath's "Spiral Architect," from one of my favorite albums (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath)...I now know where to look to find how to play it, lol

[@neleig]

Thank you. Great, honest review!

[@xkoamane]

Nice grooves!!! I love Ovation this is the model I’m considering next!

[@SidewinderINC]

Best review of this guitar I've seen - made up my mind on buying it, thank you!

[@HellaSooner]

GIFD! Sounds great! It's on my list! Great job!

[@IRIDEHARLEYS]

The Ovation guitar backs (bowl) are composite material. They are not Carbon Fiber in any way. You erroneously said they are "made of 100% Carbon fiber on the body itself." The price would be at least double of what you paid if they were in fact carbon fiber. Charles Kaman designed these composite bowl back guitars in the 1960's. The bowl back Applause, Ovation, and higher end Adamas guitars have the same composite as most helicopter main rotor blades designed by Charles Kaman who was an aerodynamacist/engineer. Charles Kaman was also an avid guitarist and felt the need for a more durable guitar body and wanted to achieve what he believed would be a better overall sound. His company KMC Music Corp. later became Ovation Guitar. Now owned by Drum Workshop. Otherwise I feel you gave a decent review of the Ovation 1778TX-5!

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+IRIDEHARLEYS You're 100% correct, I misspoke throughout the whole video. I had meant to say carbon composite (and didn't clarify 100% as ina100% not wood like some of their models) because it was my understanding there was fiberous material running through the structure in addition to the plastic, and it wasn't just an injected molded/centrifugally molded body. I must be confused with another luthier.

[@ZabDevin]

Correct. The material is called Lyrachord. Also, the soundboard is made of AA Solid Spruce.

[@jimcamp2423]

Some history on Ovation. Originally, the helicopter blades were Sitka Spruce. Most of he higher end acoustics use Sitka Spruce soundboards, so Kaman made his own brand of guitars. reverb.com/news/the-great-american-roundback-a-tribute-to-ovation en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovation_Guitar_Company

[@judynpeterjones3307]

Wonderful guitar! I play ukulele and own an Ovation Applause tenor ukulele which I love to play, I think the ukulele world would love to see an Ovation full carbon body! Please.........???

[@AndrewAviles]

This is by far the most helpful review on this guitar/series. Thanks! I picked one up used recently, really love the neck, feels a lot like an electric, also the bowl shape isn't as annoying as I remember Ovation being in the past, seems a bit more contoured for lap playing. Any idea what the difference between 1778TX and 1778TX-5?

[@mystic-_-7319]

there were some made in USA awhile back...got mine in 2008. i think it was "t" and not tx . very similar except the fretboard was black. anyway, I like the guitar, definitely. great review.

[@faresoros07]

Great review. I always wanted an ovation when I was back in high school. Maybe I should get this one. I love the black satin color.

[@dioncozamanis160]

thank you so much !! i just bought .. you did fantastic reveiw !!!

[@TMoody]

@9:29 "Don't remember where I was I realized life was a game The more seriously I took things The harder the rules became I had no idea what it'd cost My life passed before my eyes I found out how little I accomplished All my plans denied"

[@dornemoulton2938]

Excellent review and demo. Thanks

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Dorne Moulton Glad you liked it!

[@dornemoulton2938]

Plague Scythe Studios BTW I'm eyeing a used model that says it's a USA made inside sands on the neck. Do you know if it's very different from the Korean model?

[@mrchris84]

Anathema were the first band I saw with these and was instantly hooked by the sound.

[@Xenovid]

Thanks for the great review. Just wondering now though, do you still have this guitar? If so, how do you feel about it 2-plus years later? Still liking it? I enjoyed your meticulous review and was thinking about picking one up. Would like to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

[@keithrushmore9809]

Awesome playing bro!

[@depriety4625]

"When your camera's FOV is worse than console games..." Damn, I fucking died xDD So, I just found your channel and... i have to say, your production-quality is amazing. Also, huge thanks for the 2 videos on guitar- and bass tone, I'm sure those will help me a lot with my mixes. So... yeah, subbed ^-^

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

Ichigo For President Thank you for the kind words and sub, and I'm glad you're finding the tutorials useful! I honestly think my production quality is kind of laughable because of the limited equipment I have right now. I'm at least trying to keep up with a quality production process and video layout though, so I'm happy to hear it doesnt detract from the content.

[@johnbarabasch5884]

Frkn wow!! That sounds so great!

[@OddTimeMan]

Ovation developed those unique sound holes to eliminate feedback at higher volumes.

[@anthonytindell7617]

thanx for the info, ive ben down a guitar rabbit hole for bout 4 days now 'ovation rabbit hole i should say'',, i bought one last week that looked pretty rough it had 2 strings and the neck had what looked like had zero were on it'' '''an aluminum neck'''' well anywho ive tinkerd ,tuned and shimmed till i got it playin,, just would like ta here your opinion on the aluminum neck thing if possible'' and thats the easy'ist ta understand indepth detailed video on a guitar ive seen so far''''' you now have a new subscriber,, keep up the good work, thanx

[@beasheerhan4482]

I do like the dark grey (graphite colour of the body) though, something else with it, like some gold binding, or goldish marquetry around the upper bout soundholes, really would have set it off. One thing Modern Gothic folks often overlook is how colourful the Dark Ages were, and we can know this from their incredible patterns they carved, but, as well, from their phenomenal jewelry. Being Gothic is definitely not the busy ornate style of a Gibson Dove or Hummingbird, but, it is not plain, either. I like this guitar in your hands. Your spirit is strong, and this guitar has a cold wintry edge that likes you. There was something just a little bit better about your Spiral Architect prelude than in all the others I have heard, and, believe you me, I have been listening to this since it came out:) LOL!

[@robertreed8526]

Thanks! This is looking like a nice sounding guitar. (I have mine ordered ;)

[@jamestilby2223]

BEAUTIFUL SOUND ALWAYS WAS ALWAYS WILL BE 👍

[@GarthThomson]

Beautiful guitars but because of the bowl shape (which I love aesthetically) they always feel like they are slipping off my leg and I’m chasing the dang thing 🥺

[@renandias7926]

Really great review, I have an 2078TX deep bowl and I like it, pretty unique. How can I get the "stereo enhancement" when playing live? I think it made the onboard pickup sound way better when you applied it.

[@hcolivares]

Great review, great video! Only at first I wasn´t sure if I had to continue watching or start praying to Jesus!

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Hugo Cesar Olivares Can confirm I hold no deific status, so you're clear.

[@wacthesman6144]

The sound very powerful

[@jimcamp2423]

When you first bought it, it probably had the Adamas Phosphur Bronze OV1818E strings ? Did you stay with those or go with Elixir, D'Addario or whatever other strings you have a preference for ? I figure Ovation could really string whatever they wanted on the guitar. If it's anything like the R&D that went into the Lyrichord body/bowl shape, they probably analyzed what brand, gauge for strings sounded the best to them for the guitars. I spent some effort to research it, but they use the same Adamas Phosphur Bronze OV1818E strings on everything except the Applause & Celebrity product lines and with those they use D'Addario EXP11's (80/20's). I didn't see anything about coating for extended string life with the OV1818E's, but the D'Addario EXP11's are their equivalent to Elixir nanowebs for extended string life. Which do you find to be your go to string set of choice ? A preference for what you found to be the best feel, sound useful life or even price point for your Ovation ? We all have a weighting system. With the strings I'm going to try on my Applause AE128, price really wasn't a factor, I mean one set was a free inheritance of Elixir from a recent electric guitar purchase, the D'Addario's were $ 9.99 regardless of product number/type of string. I bought a pre-owned Applause AE128, I have no idea what the strings are on the guitar beyond them being color coded ball ends, so that's going to be D'Addario ? I inherited a set of Elixir 80/20 Bronze Nanowebs and then also found a sale on EXP11's (80/20's) & EXP16's (Phosphur Bronze). So I will sample each and see which I prefer. Will post back on that sometime down the road & share my thoughts.

[@ArnoldwilliamDow]

Waiting for this to arrive as I just bought it:) I'm going to have it airbrushed- Galaxy scene.

[@darrinnorris2690]

Where did you find the guitar for 600.00??? Send me a link please

[@uniquehandlewithnumbers1]

I reccomend to get professional Gel Nails! that will give you dramatically more picking flexibility!

[@adriandegroot834]

Great demo! Have you tried the DS version?

[@ScottiStudios]

What song are you playing at 10:25? Sounds great 👍 would like to learn it

[@TheAtheistworld]

So these tx series fukkas are all lyracord bodies? Thnxx brother ❤

[@soolo9503]

Good day Sir, I've played one of these and love it but there wasn't any left at the local music stores. I am still looking for one. Can you please tell me where you got yours? Thanks!!!

[@Texassignaltech]

I just purchased one online from Sweetwater Music. They are currently out of stock with an expected ETA of October. I had previously checked online thru Amazon and they were also out of stock.

[@keithhider2170]

According to Ovation website, this guitar has a Soundboard of AA Solid Sitka Spruce and the back is made of Ovation's proprietary Lyrachord - this is not carbon fibre as you state.

[@RBEmerson]

Not a touch of carbon fiber in the TX series. Look in the Adamas line for carbon fiber. Ovation calls the bowl material lyracord, a mix of plastic and fiber. Solid spruce top with a ...um... funky finish. The Ovation plugged-in sound is sometimes called "quacky". It's as recognizable Strats' sweet chime sound. Some folks like the quack, some people hate it. Like you said, "polarizing". Very nice clean playing BTW. Bonus points for playing with open tunings!

[@Muckbucket]

Excellent video, bro. Time to tap my back account!

[@anthonytindell7617]

Well come next pay day i will be byeing the exact brand ovation that you have'' askin price yused is $ 519 or best offer' im gonna try $ 500 shipping included and see if they take it, but as shore as da sun rize's and sets' i will have that guitar and they will be a pair of painties flyin around the sealin fan in a few weeks' as i make another kill'' lol '' it does have a few scratches here and there dat aint gonna be nutin ta fix bein i am a half ass guiter tecnition , or repairman '' not a Lutheir by no means,, but i no little bit of shit bout a little bit of shit and thats enough for now''' thanx for the reveiw you been a big help'' keep on rockin till ya droppin''''

[@wacthesman6144]

Is made in Korea?

[@jamesmitchell2804]

How does it sound with standard tuning and not drop D ?

[@manixriostv7398]

What amp are you using sir?

[@Gabrol]

hey, that's Dead As Yesterday :D

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Gabrol Always glad to hear from a fellow Zakk fan! Sorry about the drive issue, I'm away from my PC for the next couple of days but I will look into it when I get home. Is it straight up dead or just not allowing you to play or download the file?

[@calvinmonroe2408]

Plague Scythe Studios thanks for the demo as im on the fence about body thickness and resonances

[@tenhundredkills]

No way this is made of carbon fiber. If it was actually made of carbon fiber, it would be MUCH more than $700. Pretty sure it's a proprietary composite material.

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Steven It is indeed a polymer composite, my description was a misnomer. There were some vintage models that were actually made of carbon fiber so I never updated my vernacular lol

[@LeaterArt]

Hows the action? I heard Ovations tend to have very high action. Thanks for the video!

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+LeaterArt The action is far superior to any other 6 string acoustic I've had. The setup form the factory was great, which I'm sure is helped by the electric guitar-like neck. Being an extended range guy, I do prefer a higher action than many players, but even my country strumming dad was a fan of the Ovation's string height.

[@MikeDvyne]

I have a couple Ovation Guitars and they typically come with shims under the saddle. You can take them out/add them to adjust the action.

[@blacksnow150]

no more than any acoustic which are usually shipped with a higher action to prevent returns because of string buzz and need setup to personal tastes ,,most i have played feel more like playing an electric guitar ,,,the action on my nylon strung Ovation classical is super low for a classical guitar and with the slim neck feels like playing an electric guitar ,,, and sounds pretty good for rock punk metal through a boss gt3 and 100 watt carlsbro amp ,,,, which is kind of weird using nylon strings :) i have always found them to be nice / comfortable / easy to play guitars ,,, in fact if i could go back in time and slap some sense into my much younger 18 year old self to only buy 3 guitars they would be 1/ a fender telecaster 2/ an Ovation classical and 3/ an ibanez destroyer dt 555

[@maraviyoso8473]

Just like Martin. Any way, there's something called SETUP. No matter if the guitar is new or used, I recommend all of you to always set your guitars up right after you purchase them. My Ovation is set pretty low.

[@lizandrorodriguez4329]

Hola si le pone una carcomania se ve mas linda

[@stephenlevendusky1283]

I Z

[@LumiKormel]

OUTPUT JACK brother,it sends signal OUT to the world

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+LumiKormel You're technically correct, but I've grown up accustomed to local guitar techs and parts catalogues wrongfully calling them input Jacks regardless of what they're used for. It's kind of stuck in my vocabulary lol

[@markdavis545]

eaaa It's not a supper shallow....