The Ovation CE-44-4-G Celebrity Elite convinces not only with its extremely pleasant handling, but also with a powerful and warm sound and comprehensive functionality. At the same time, the characteristic headstock and the multi-soundhole with multi-hardwood epaulette provide the individual appearance that has been popular with musicians around the world for decades. In addition, the instrument is extremely easy to play, which is due not least to the flat neck and the generous cutaway. The extensive pickup system also enables a professional performance on stage and conveniently includes an integrated tuner. The instrument is rounded off by a noble high-gloss finish.
Thanks to its solid spruce top, both the mid and treble frequencies are reproduced with great clarity and definition. Meanwhile, the Lyrachord body with mid-deepth arching fills the sound with pleasant and wide-ranging basses. Meanwhile, the Nato neck guarantees an easy grip on all 20 frets, which are set into an Ovangkol fingerboard.
To ensure that the guitar intonates cleanly over the entire scale length of 643 mm, the 42.8 mm wide nut and saddle are matched to each other with millimetre precision. Oil encapsulated tuners guarantee a precise tuning of the 6 steel strings, which are fixed in an Ovangkol bridge. The top is bordered by a multi-ply binding, which harmonizes very tastefully with the wooden leaf ornaments and the dot inlays in the fretboard.
I have wanted an Ovation for many years and decided to buy this 12-string. The build quality looks great; at one time I would have been skeptical about a guitar being manufactured in China but now they seem to be able to produce excellent products. I was a bit worried that the volume would be weak but it sounds great played acoustically. A gig bag would have been nice but I can see this is a price sensitive market. In fact I am so impressed I have just ordered a 6-string Celebrity Elite :-)