I'm with Spaw. I've owned two Ovations (still have one), with the newer one a 1983 model. I still play it a lot (the convenience of the acoustic-electric has a lot to do with it), but when I know I'm going to be in a strictly acoustic, unamplified setting, it's time to whip out the jumbo-body Yamaha instead. When it's freshly strung, it's got a big fat sound that could peel paint off the walls. My Ovation (admittedly, a shallow bowl model) can't compete.

That said, I still like my Ovation (a Legend model) and what it can give me. I'm not so much of a purist as to sneer at it because it's got a synthetic body (hey, so do some of my favorite actresses!). In 20 years, I've never put a belt-buckle scratch on the back. And the electronics (at least on my older model) are potent enough for any amplified setting. Works for me. Happy shopping.

Poobs