Applause Traditional AB24-4S Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

Ovation has been crafting high-quality acoustic-electric guitars since the 1960s. The company pioneered the use of synthetic bowl-shaped back and sides, which help project the sound outward and create Ovation's signature bright and balanced acoustic tone.

The Applause line offers affordable versions of Ovation's iconic rounded-back models. The Applause AB24-4S is an acoustic-electric guitar with Ovation's signature mid-depth Lyrachord body and built-in preamp and tuner. It delivers classic Ovation tone and playability at a budget-friendly price point, making it an appealing choice for gigging musicians and developing players.

Appearance

The Applause Traditional AB24-4S has a striking appearance that sets it apart. It features a Sapele top with laminate bubinga back and sides, giving it an eye-catching two-tone look.

The single-cutaway body shape is described as mid-depth, not too thin but not overly deep. It has smooth contours and comfortable curves for easy playing. Available color options include a bold Burnt Apple finish with dark reddish-brown hue, as well as more subtle Vintage Sunburst and Natural finishes.

The gloss finish gives the AB24-4S a smooth, polished look. The binding along the top helps accentuate the two-tone aesthetic between the Sapele and bubinga woods. Overall it has stylish looks perfect for performances while still maintaining a classic and minimalist elegance.

In comparison to the Applause AB24-4S, the Ibanez GA3 acoustic-electric guitar has a more modern and minimalist aesthetic. It features a spruce top with mahogany back and sides for a consistent light brown tone across the body. The GA3 has a thinner, single-cutaway dreadnought body shape with simpler appointments like dot inlays instead of more ornate binding.

This pared-down design gives the Ibanez GA3 an understated look, focusing more on playability and function over visual flair. The matte finish contributes to its working musician vibe rather than flashy appearance. While the AB24-4S leans into a vintage charm, the GA3 has a contemporary style tailored more for gigging guitarists. The Ibanez offers an alternative aesthetic for players seeking a reliable, fuss-free acoustic-electric guitar.

In terms of colors, the Ibanez GA3 is a bit more limited than the AB24-4S. It mainly comes in variants of a brown sunburst finish. Some models have a tobacco sunburst pattern, while others feature a darker brown gradient. This unified look complements the pared-down design of the GA3 body shape. While not as eye-catching as the AB24-4S, the Ibanez focuses more on tone and ergonomics than aesthetics.

Overall the visual presentation of the Applause AB24-4S differs notably from the Ibanez GA3. The AB24-4S has ornate appointments like binding and a glossy two-tone look. In contrast, the GA3 simplifies the acoustic form for more modern styling. For guitarists wanting a bold vintage appearance, the Applause delivers visual flair. Players focused on utility may prefer the straightforward aesthetic of the Ibanez.

Body & Neck

The Applause Traditional AB24-4S features an all-laminate body and neck constructed from quality tonewoods. The body consists of laminated spruce on the top and mahogany on the back and sides, providing a balanced tone that is clear, focused, and resonant.

The neck is made from laminated mahogany for stability and rigidity. It has a slim taper "C"-shaped profile, making it comfortable and easy to play. The fretboard is constructed from walnut and has a 25.3" scale length with 19 frets and a nut width of 1 11/16". The fretboard contains pearloid dot inlays along the side, providing clear visual fret markers while playing.

Overall the body and neck are well-crafted from quality materials expected for this price range, offering good playability, comfort, and balanced acoustic tone. The all-laminate construction makes the guitar lightweight yet durable for consistent tone over time.

Another acoustic-electric guitar worth considering in this price range is the Donner HUSH-X. This model features a laminated spruce top with mahogany back and sides, similar to the Applause model. However, it has a slimmer dreadnought body shape with a cutaway for easier upper fret access. The neck is also slim with a "C" profile that is comfortable to play.

The Donner HUSH-X utilizes a piezo pickup and preamp system to amplify the acoustic tone when plugged in. It has built-in EQ controls and a tuner for dialing in amplified tones. This makes it versatile for both acoustic playing and plugging into an amplifier or PA system. It comes with light gauge phosphor bronze strings installed from the factory.

In terms of construction, the HUSH-X appears comparable to the Applause model with its laminate woods and slim neck profile. It does offer the addition of the cutaway and onboard electronics for amplification. This may appeal to players looking for a slimmer acoustic-electric in this price range. The electronics allow for flexibility when performing live or recording. Overall it presents another quality option around this budget.

Electronics & Hardware

The Applause AB24-4S features quality electronics and hardware to augment its acoustic sound.

Pickups

It has an undersaddle piezo pickup which accurately captures the guitar's natural acoustic tone. The pickup reproduces the warmth and resonance of the spruce top and mahogany back & sides.

Preamp

The preamp is Ovation's OP-4BT, which provides basic tone shaping capabilities with treble, bass, and mid controls. While rudimentary, it gives you the ability to tweak your amplified tone.

Tuners

Applause has outfitted the AB24-4S with sealed chrome tuners to keep it in tune. They hold tension well and make re-stringing an easy process.

Bridge

The guitar has a synthetic bone nut and saddle. These synthetic materials help transfer string vibrations efficiently. The compensated saddle evens out the string spacing to improve intonation.

Sound & Tone

The Applause AB24-4S produces a balanced, warm acoustic tone with good projection thanks to its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The spruce top provides crisp highs and articulate bass, while the mahogany body adds mid-range punch and sweetness. Despite being a mid-depth body style, the AB24-4S puts out a surprisingly full voice acoustically.

When amplified, the AB24-4S maintains its balanced tone. The undersaddle piezo pickup combined with the 3-band EQ provides enough tonal shaping control to dial in your ideal amplified sound. The pickup reproduces the guitar's natural acoustic dynamics well. From shimmering highs to tight low-end, the amplified performance matches the unplugged potential. The preamp has plenty of clean headroom and avoids the quackiness you can get from some piezo systems.

Overall, the AB24-4S offers a great all-around voice for playing acoustically or plugging in. The solid spruce and mahogany body produce warm, balanced tones reminiscent of legacy Ovation models costing much more. Between the acoustic projection and amplified versatility, the AB24-4S is an impressive guitar for the price.

Playability

The Applause Traditional AB24-4S features a low action that is very comfortable and playable right out of the box. The slim neck profile and smooth satin finish make it easy to traverse the fretboard and play complex chords and lead lines.

The slightly wider 1.69" nut width provides a nice fretting surface for beginners and those with larger hands. String spacing is optimized for clean fingering without buzzing. There is no fingerboard radius, providing a flat and even surface across the neck.

The guitar's small body size and contoured edges allow easy access to the highest frets, even for smaller players. Overall the AB24-4S offers very high playability and comfort, making it a great choice for new players or those looking for an accessible electro-acoustic.

Versatility

The Applause Traditional Acoustic-Electric is a versatile guitar that can handle a wide range of musical genres and playing styles.

With its acoustic-electric design, the Traditional can go from an unplugged acoustic tone to an amplified sound suitable for live performances. It works well for playing folk, country, blues, rock and even some jazz.

When unplugged, the Traditional has a bright and balanced acoustic voice. It's a great fit for strumming chords and fingerpicking melodies. The slim neck and smooth satin finish make it comfortable for long practice or gigging sessions.

Once plugged in, the guitar has enough volume and articulation to hold its own on stage. The onboard preamp and pickup system boosts the guitar's natural acoustic tone without coloring it too much. It has enough headroom to produce clean tones at higher volumes.

The versatile sound and playability of the Applause Traditional Acoustic-Electric make it a do-it-all guitar. It covers the range from mellow acoustic strumming to amplified rock or blues tones. The Traditional adapts well to many genres and playing techniques.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Classic and traditional acoustic-electric guitar design at an affordable price point
• Laminated spruce top and mahogany back/sides provide balanced tone
• Fishman Sonitone pickup and preamp system offers natural amplified tones
• Mid-depth body provides comfort and playability while seated
• Quality hardware including die-cast tuners and compensated saddle
• Versatile for playing diverse musical styles including rock, pop, folk, country etc.

Cons:

• Laminate wood construction, not solid wood
• Electronics and hardware are basic, no advanced features
• Limited finish and color options
• Not as rich and complex tones as higher-end models
• Playability may not suit more advanced players

Comparable Models

When considering the Applause Traditional AB24-4S, it's useful to compare it to other acoustic-electric guitars in a similar price range. Here are some other models to consider before making a purchase:

Yamaha FGX800C - Yamaha is known for quality acoustic guitars at an affordable price. The FGX800C has a solid spruce top and Nato back and sides. It has a slimmer neck profile than the Applause and comes equipped with a System65 pickup and preamp system. The tone is balanced, with good projection.

Fender FA-125CE - This is Fender's entry in the budget acoustic-electric category. It has a laminate spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a Fishman pickup system. The neck is comfortable and easy to play. The overall sound doesn't have as much depth as the Applause but it's still good for the price.

Epiphone Hummingbird Performer - For those looking for a jumbo acoustic-electric, the Epiphone Hummingbird Performer is a great option. It has a select spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The Shadow ePerformer pickup and preamp deliver amplified tones reminiscent of the famous Gibson Hummingbird.

Seagull Coastline S12 - This Canadian brand is known for great value and impressive craftsmanship. The Coastline S12 has a cedar top with wild cherry back and sides. It has a wider nut width than other models, which some players prefer. The acoustic tone is vibrant and clear.

Takamine GD11MCE - In the same general price range, this Takamine dreadnought has a solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It features a smooth roasted maple neck and Takamine's CT4B preamp system. The craftsmanship and sound quality are superb for the price.

Conclusion

The Ovation Applause AB24-4S is a high quality acoustic-electric guitar that punches above its weight class. With its mid-depth cutaway body and solid spruce top, it produces a bright, balanced tone that projects well when plugged in or unplugged. The slim neck and smooth satin finish make it an extremely playable and comfortable guitar.

The onboard preamp and tuner provide quality amplification and convenience. While it doesn't have premium appointments, it's an excellent value for a gig-ready electro-acoustic. The Applause AB24-4S is recommended for beginner to intermediate players looking for versatility at an affordable price point. Its quality construction and electronics ensure it will grow with you as your playing progresses.

Overall, Ovation has created an outstanding entry-level electro-acoustic that excels at both acoustic and plugged-in tones. For a guitar with professional features that won't break the bank, the Applause AB24-4S is hard to beat. Its comfortable feel and dynamic sound make it a smart choice for developing musicians.