A Rare opportunity to purchase an Ovation Magnum 1 bass guitar located in the UK, this 1970s Ovation Magnum 1 electric bass guitar is in good condition and in working order. Unrestored 100% original, this Magnum bass was superbly overbuilt and crafted in New Hartford, Connecticut USA, designed under the highest scrutiny at a time when Ovation was pushing to carve out their own solid body niche. The bass is incredibly sturdy and sonically versatile, with Stereo and Mono outputs, a set of specially designed Ovation pickups, and an oversized “Brannock Device” bridge. With a mahogany / carbon fibre reinforced neck and a solid mahogany body, a thick slab ebony fretboard and currently fitted with a set of flat wound strings set; this bass offers a consummate blend of jazz tones from soft upright double bass tones through to edgy slap. (Round wound strings would change the dynamics and give all the top end sparkle you could wish for, if that is your bag.)
The Magnum pickups are designed for high output, tonal versatility, and a balanced response. The neck pickup has four separate and adjustable coils, one for each string, overwound and wired in a humbucking design. The unique bridge pickup has individual U-shaped pole pieces, with a strong output that channels more of the strings higher overtones with a focused piano string-like quality. Due to the copious metal hardware and solid construction, this bass weighs in at over a hefty 4.9 Kgs. As mentioned before currently set up with flat wound strings for an awesome jazz sound, spot on intonation, and comfortable action.
The carbon fibre reinforced mahogany neck has a comfortable medium C shape with rounded shoulders and lightly rolled fretboard edges, measuring 21mm deep at the first fret and filling out to 26mm at the 12th. The thick slab ebony fretboard features a 240mm radius and the stock flawless fretwire. The scale is a full 34” long and the nut measures 40mm in width. On the headstock, the gold Ovation logo is present along with a set of chrome Ovation-branded tuners that turn smoothly and hold their pitch well.
On the body, the electronics work as they should with individual Volume and Tone controls for each pickup, a three-way pickup selector switch, and Mono and Stereo output jacks. When in Stereo mode, Left and Right outputs are split between the neck and bridge pickup. The pickguard features a quartet of original knobs. Under the hood, the wiring harness is untouched. A large aluminum bezel spaces the pickups and provides a stable thumb and finger rest. The proprietary tailpiece is bolted to the body and features a functional string mute system with original foam still intact. The individual adjustable sliding brass saddles have reference scales on the bridge for easy intonation and adjustment recall, with a very “Brannock Device” aesthetic.
The original Clear gloss finish over mahogany on the bass itself is glossy and clean, with a little wear through the black anodising on the aluminum hardware. There is some minor wear and tear on the body as should be expected on a guitar of this age and some “belt buckle rash” from a previous owner on the back but the neck profile is incredibly clean. Check the photos carefully as they form part of the description. Located in the UK, not a Japanese import. Your chance to own an appreciating classic collectors item. I have enjoyed this guitar for many years but now I’m well into my seventh decade it’s time to let someone else benefit from this iconic instrument. Genuine bass players will appreciate this opportunity. Unfortunately I don’t have the original Ovation case so it comes in a tatty gig bag! I’m not really willing to risk posting this valuable instrument so delivery by collection only.