!8: Ovation Guitars Applause Save: November 2011

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Applause AE127-VY Acoustic Electric Guitar

!±8± Applause AE127-VY Acoustic Electric Guitar

Brand : Ovation | Rate :

| Price : $239.99
Post Date : Nov 30, 2011 03:56:28 | Usually ships in 1-2 business days

A Sam Ash Exclusive! The Applause AE127-VY Acoustic Electric Guitar combines the style and features of popular solid body electric guitars with cutting edge acoustic guitar technology. A flamed sycamore top is finished in a striking cherry sunburst inspired by a famous solid body electric. Matched lightweight bracing deliver a clear amplified tone with plenty of headroom before feedback on stage. The guitars offers a slim neck has an electric-style profile, 20 hand-finished nickel-silver frets, and low factory-set action. A cutaway insures easy access to the entire fretboard. Featuring an easy-to-use onboard OP-4B preamp, the Applause AE127-VY is great for recording. Preferred by many stage performers and acoustic guitarists who rely on amplification, the AE127s mid-depth composite body retains all the benefits and acoustic properties of Ovation's proven roundback design. Case not included.The Applause AE127-VY Acoustic Electric Guitar is a perfect choice for players who are looking for a versatile, beautiful instrument at a price that is easily within reach. Order yours from Sam Ash Direct today with the security of our 45/60 day return/price protection policy.

A Sam Ash Exclusive!
Flamed Sycamore Top
Mid Depth Body
OP-4B preamp with Active 3 Band EQ
Case not included

Price Dremel Grout Remover

Saturday, November 12, 2011

The Ovation Guitar - The Origin of the Revolutionary Ovation Guitar

!±8± The Ovation Guitar - The Origin of the Revolutionary Ovation Guitar

The Ovation guitar was a revolution in the history of guitar making. Its innovations include the use of synthetic materials in guitar construction, the mathematically designed "bowl back", the use of onboard preamps and piezoelectric pickups, and the offset soundholes of the Adamas series. This article provides a glimpse into the origins of this American original, and its lower priced cousin the Applause guitar.

Charles Kaman, an aeronautical engineer and amateur guitar player, was born in 1917. He played the guitar from an early age, and studied aeronautical engineering in college. After college he worked in helicopter design. At some point, Charlie entered a national guitar competition and made it to the finals. As a result, he got the opportunity to play guitar with the Tommy Dorsey orchestra. Dorsey offered him a job in the band, but Kaman was committed to aeronautics and turned it down.

In 1945, Charlie founded his own helicopter design company, Kaman Aircraft. The company was quite successful and grew steadily until the early 1960s, when the commercial flight division failed. As a result, Kaman was looking to diversify outside of the aircraft and defense related business.

At around this time, Charlie took his warped Martin guitar to the Martin factory for repair. He toured the plant, and was shocked that Martin was building guitars by hand with hammers, animal glue, and clothespins. He offered to buy the company and modernize their manufacturing, but C.F. Martin refused, wanting to keep Martin a family business.

Kaman decided to start his own guitar manufacturing business. He assembled a team of aeronautics engineers to design the ideal acoustic guitar. The result was the Ovation "bowlback", a rounded back made of a fiberglass composite similar to materials used in aircraft construction. The unique shape of the back as designed to focus the soundwaves inside the guitar to maximize the sound transmission.

The first Ovation guitar, the Balladeer, was introduced in 1967. In 1971, Ovation pioneered the acoustic-electric guitar, adding piezo-electric pickups, onboard preamps, and equalizers to some of their guitars. By the 1980s, Ovations had caught on with professional guitar players and were used onstage extensively. Guitarists using Ovations onstage included Glen Campbell, Al DiMeola, Jimmy Page, and many others.

If Charlie Kaman hadn't played the guitar, or hadn't studied aeronautics, or if his Martin hadn't needed a repair at the same time that Kaman Industries needed to diversify, we wouldn't have the Ovation guitar or the Applause guitar today.