Ovation AB24CII-CED Classical Guitar: Full Review

Ovation guitars have been manufacturing acoustic electric guitars for over 50 years. The company was founded by Charles Kaman in 1966 and is known for pioneering the roundback design of acoustic guitars. This innovative design incorporated synthetic materials like Lyrachord in the body to increase projection and volume. Over the decades, Ovation has continued to innovate and evolve their acoustic-electric models.

The Ovation Applause line features affordable guitars aimed at beginner and intermediate players. The AB24 model offers Ovation's signature rounded back paired with other classic features like the multi-soundhole design and onboard preamp and tuner. This makes the AB24 an accessible way to get into Ovation's unique style of acoustic-electric guitars.

Overview

The Ovation Applause Balladeer AB24CII-CED is a classical and nylon string guitar from Ovation's Applause series. This model features a unique rounded back design made from Lyrachord, which is a composite material that gives the instrument projection and rich tones while keeping it lightweight.

Specifications of the Ovation Applause Balladeer:

• Body: Lyrachord rounded back
• Neck: Nato
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Bridge: Rosewood
• Nut Width: 2 1/8"
• Scale Length: 25 1/2”
• Strings: Classical strings
• Hardware: Chrome enclosed tuning machines

The AB24CII-CED has a compact body size with a cutaway for easy upper fret access. It comes equipped with an OP-4BT preamp and Ovation electronics for on-board EQ and tuner. Overall, the Balladeer is designed to deliver clear, balanced classical guitar tone and playability at an affordable price point.

The Ovation Applause Balladeer AB24CII-CED classical guitar provides quality construction and sound in an accessible package. The Lyrachord rounded back gives projection and resonance without adding a lot of weight. The spruce top contributes to the balanced tone, while the slim neck with rosewood fingerboard makes playing very comfortable. Players looking for an affordable nylon-string with Ovation's iconic shape should check out the Applause Balladeer.

Another option for players seeking an inexpensive classical guitar is the Fender 0374010502. This model has a traditional flat back and sides made from laminated mahogany. The top is solid cedar, which produces warm, mellow tones. The mahogany neck has a rosewood fingerboard marked with dot inlays. Chrome tuning machines and a synthetic bone nut and saddle round out the hardware. Overall, the Fender 0374010502 provides traditional classical guitar specs and sound quality at a very accessible price point.

When choosing between the Ovation Applause Balladeer and Fender classical models, players should consider their budget and playing style. The Balladeer's unique Lyrachord back is lighter in weight and provides added projection, while the Fender has a traditional construction with warm, balanced tone. The Ovation's slim neck may suit faster playing, while the Fender provides a comfortable platform for all styles. Either model makes a great first classical guitar for beginners ready to try nylon strings.

Construction

The Ovation Applause Balladeer is constructed using a combination of premium tonewoods and advanced materials that allow it to produce a bold, balanced sound.

The back and sides are made from AAA grade solid ovangkol, an African tonewood known for its tight grain patterns and balanced tonal response. Ovangkol imparts a clear, focused bass and pronounced mid-range that complements the bright treble notes.

The top is crafted from solid hand-selected spruce, the ideal wood for responsive and dynamic tone. Together with the ovangkol back and sides, the spruce top allows the Balladeer to project with excellent clarity and warmth.

At the heart of the guitar is Ovation's innovative Lyrachord mid-depth bowl, which enhances resonance and sustain. The bowl is constructed using a combination of lightweight woods laminated together in multiple thin cross-directional layers. This results in improved structural stability to prevent warping while allowing the top to vibrate freely.

The neck is made from five-piece mahogany and walnut for rigidity and enhanced sustain. It joins the body at the 14th fret using Ovation's comfortable Neck-Heel Contour for easy access to higher frets. The fingerboard is crafted from composite material called Ebonytte, which has a feel and finish similar to real ebony.

Overall, the Balladeer features a finely built construction using quality tonewoods and Ovation's proven techniques. This allows it to produce full, balanced acoustic tone expected from a premium instrument.

The Yamaha CPX600 BL is another excellent choice for a high-quality classical guitar. It features a solid spruce top with beautiful flamed maple back and sides for rich, resonant tone. The neck is made of mahogany for stability and sustain. At the bridge, the CPX600 has a rosewood saddle and bridge for crisp attack and defined bass notes. It also comes equipped with an undersaddle piezo pickup system for amplifying your sound through an PA system or amplifier. The pickup is discreetly hidden for a seamless amplified acoustic experience. With its traditional aesthetics, comfort-contoured body, and hand-finished construction, the Yamaha CPX600 delivers the look, feel, and sound discerning classical guitarists demand. You can learn more about this model here: Yamaha CPX600 BL.

When choosing between the Ovation Applause Balladeer and Yamaha CPX600, consider your playing style and needs. The Balladeer offers Ovation's signature rounded back bowl design for enhanced projection and sustain. Its ovangkol and spruce construction provides a balanced frequency response. The Yamaha CPX600 features a traditional fan-braced spruce top and all-maple back and sides for a rich, resonant voice optimized for classical playing. It also comes equipped with a high-quality pickup system for amplification. Whichever you choose, both Ovation and Yamaha are respected brands that build guitars to exacting standards, so you can be confident in the quality and playability of both models.

Sound

The Ovation Applause Classical guitar produces a bright, balanced tone with good projection and sustain thanks to its Lyrachord cutaway body and solid spruce top.

The lyrachord bowl backing provides a unique sound chamber that enhances the guitar's acoustic properties and allows it to project clearly. The spruce top contributes to a crisp treble and balanced bass response.

Despite the small concert-style body, the Applause Classical can fill a room with its bold sound. Notes ring out with a sustained bloom rather than quickly decaying. The tone remains consistent across the fretboard, ideal for classical guitar repertoire.

The lightweight build may raise concerns about thin or quiet sound. However, the sculpted lyrachord bowl delivers impressive volume and resonance given the guitar's size. While it doesn't produce the deepest bass, the Applause Classical offers very resonant and balanced midrange tones perfect for fingerstyle playing.

Overall, the Applause Classical punches above its weight class sonically. The clever lyrachord design allows a compact concert guitar to sing with the projection and sustain of a full-size instrument. The spruce and nato tonewoods provide a bright, balanced character perfect for nylon strings.

Playability

The Ovation Applause AB24CII-CED has excellent playability thanks to its comfortable neck shape, low action, and quality fretwork.

The neck has an easy-to-play, slim taper C shape that feels fast and smooth. It is designed for comfort, avoiding any sharp edges that can dig into your hand during long practice sessions. Even for a beginner's classical guitar, the neck is quite playable.

The action on this model is set nice and low, making it very easy to press down the nylon strings. You don't need as much finger pressure or strength to produce clear notes up and down the neck. This allows you to play complex chord shapes and quick scale runs with ease.

The frets are finished well, with no sharp ends to irritate your fingers. The ends are rounded over smoothly. The frets are also carefully leveled so that you don't encounter any buzzing notes when pressing down. Overall the fretwork facilitates comfortable and buzz-free playing.

Between the comfortable neck profile, low action, and quality fret finishing, the Ovation Applause AB24CII-CED provides excellent playability right out of the box. Even novice players will find it easy to start learning and playing on this classically-styled guitar.

Hardware

The Ovation AB24CII-CED classical guitar features quality hardware that allows for stable tuning and comfortable playability.

Tuning Machines

The guitar has sealed die-cast tuning machines with classy pearl buttons. The machines keep the guitar in tune well and make re-stringing an easy process. They have a smooth turning action.

Nut

The nut on this Ovation is made of compensated ABS, which provides proper string spacing for classical guitar technique. It is cut for optimal intonation up the neck. The nut material promotes tuning stability.

Bridge

The AB24CII-CED has a rosewood bridge for transferring string vibrations and anchoring the strings firmly to the body. It has a traditional classical guitar slotted design that complements the soundboard. The slots are pre-cut for fast and easy re-stringing.

Electronics

The Ovation Applause Balladeer features Ovation's unique piezo pickup system with Classic Electronica preamp. The piezo pickups allow the guitar to produce a balanced acoustic tone with good projection and volume without feedback. The guitar has a 3-band EQ with bass, mid, and treble controls, allowing you to shape the tone to your preferences. It also features an OP-Pro preamp with onboard chromatic tuner for quick and accurate tuning. The guitar outputs through a standard 1/4" jack, so it's ready to plug into an amp or PA system. The electronics deliver clear, amplified sound while retaining the rich acoustic tone of the guitar. The controls are easy to access on the upper side of the guitar body. Overall, the electronics offer versatility for amplifying your sound in different environments.

Pros

The Ovation AB24CII-CED offers several appealing qualities that make it a great choice for classical and nylon string players.

Excellent projection and volume: The AB24CII-CED produces a loud, bright sound thanks to its unique parabolic bowls and built-in pickup/preamp system. It projects exceptionally well, making it a good choice for performing.

Comfortable thin neck profile: The nylon neck has a fast, slim profile that makes it easy to play complex chords and scale patterns. The low action facilitates quick runs and expressive vibrato.

Lightweight build: Weighing under 3.5 pounds, this Ovation model is lighter than many other nylon string guitars. The reduced weight makes it comfortable for extended practice or gigging sessions.

Quality electronics: The OP-Preamp electronics faithfully amplify the guitar's acoustic tone. Players can plug into an amp or PA system for amplified performances.

Eye-catching aesthetics: With its striking bowls and finishes like the deep blue Midnight version, the AB24CII-CED makes a bold visual statement on stage.

Cons

The Ovation AB24CII-CED has a few limitations that some players may find problematic.

• The wider neck may feel uncomfortable for those with smaller hands who are used to traditional classical guitar necks. It requires more finger stretching to fret notes.

• The onboard electronics and preamp add some extra weight compared to an all-wood instrument. While still lightweight for a classical guitar, it may tire some players during longer practice or performance sessions.

• The lack of savarez strings and use of an ovangkol fingerboard instead of ebony may marginally impact tone for more advanced classical players used to professional concert-level instruments. However, they still provide very good sound that casual players may not notice.

• Finally, the plastic bowl-shaped back is a controversial aesthetic choice among classical guitarists. While Ovation touts the design for improving projection, some find it detracts from the traditional visual elegance of an all-wood classical guitar body.

Conclusion

The Ovation Applause AB24CII-CED is an excellent value for those looking for an affordable classical or nylon-string acoustic-electric guitar. Its modern appointments, like the cutaway and onboard electronics, make it a versatile instrument suitable for various playing styles.

While it may lack some of the rich, complex tones of more expensive classical guitars, the AB24CII-CED still delivers pleasant sound across the frequency range. The slim neck and smooth satin finish also ensure comfortable, fast playability.

For a guitar under $500, the AB24CII-CED packs a lot of quality into an attractive package. The onboard preamp and tuner provide plug-and-play convenience for amplified performances or recordings. With its appealing looks, enjoyable playability, and good amplified tones, this Ovation presents a compelling value for amateur and gigging nylon-string players alike.