Build and features

Ovation’s curved bowlback, by design, aids both sound projection and comfort but also lends a unique playing position that can take a while to get used to. However, in this glorious red sunburst finish with a super slim neck, dot and diamond inlays, oak leaf rosette, distinctive headstock and attractive binding, the Celebrity offers a strong visual statement.

Even the walnut bridge neatly absorbs the ball ends of the strings and helps to keep the things simple and clean. The bowlback body makes this feel much less bulky than the majority of basses here but it still possesses a warm and significant voice.

The preamp is a modular design that pops out of the body at the press of a button in order to change the battery. It is endowed with sliders for the three-band EQ and volume, plus switches for EQ in/out and for the pre-shape feature.

There’s also a useful battery indicator to help prevent any awkward live incidents, but what dominates this unit is the sophisticated multi-LED tuner that gives wider options than just the standard tuning.

Next: Ovation Celebrity CC074 sounds, pros and cons