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6 acoustic basses under £500
Garrison AG/AB build and features
Garrison AG/AB sounds, pros and cons
Dean Performer Dao build and features
Dean Performer Dao sounds, pros and cons
Vintage VCB 430 build and features
Vintage VCB 430 sounds, pros and cons
Takamine EG512C build and features
Takamine EG512C sounds, pros and cons
Tanglewood TW15 Baby Bass CE build and features
Tanglewood TW15 Baby Bass CE sounds, pros and cons
Ovation Celebrity CC074 build and features
Ovation Celebrity CC074 sounds, pros and consClosing thoughts
£449; Electro-acoustic hollowbody bass; Spruce top, Lyrachord GS bowl; 864mm (34-inches) scale; Ovation OP20 Preamp – threeband EQ, volume, EQ in/out, pre-shape, battery indicator, tuner; made in Korea
The Ovation has a tightly focused natural voice and this continues when plugging in. It has good sound qualities from the EQ but we were particularly impressed with the solid projection when engaging the pre-shape. This is an unusual feature on an electro-acoustic bass, yet it proves extremely effective.
Two strap buttons are provided but this is the only instrument here not to make use of an endpin jack socket, instead the socket is located on the lower curve of the bowl.
Pros: Slim neck; two strap buttons; crisp tonality.
Cons: Bowlback won’t be to everyone’s taste.
3 Stars
Like Takamine, Ovation has its history steeped in the electro-acoustic realm. This is a solid performer and comes gig-ready with onboard tuner.
