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Ovation Magnum..... Who designed it?
- Thread starter Muziekschuur
- Start date
The only famous bassist I ever saw play an Ovation Magnum was Kelly Groucutt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo4SblJ_SnU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo4SblJ_SnU
It's funny you mention the T40 and the Magnum together. I've always thought they were "blood brothers" in a sense... I guess maybe because Ross Valory played them both in Journey. Strange association, but, it's how I think of them.
Both basses were ahead of a time that never came.
I always assumed that ELO used a lady to sing the part of the opera singer who liked to sing rock and roll ("Rockaria") until I saw Kelly sing the part live. I would not have believed it if I hadn't seen/heard it for myself!
Ross Valory played Invalid Link Removed on an Ovation Magnum.
And yes, I will admit to liking this tune, even though it makes many other bassists cringe.
Whoa! I think the bass tone in Don't Stop Believing is great. I always thought that he got that tone from a Steinberger.
Those early body/hardware designs for 1 and 2 are fab. 
It got homely and dummy downed later with 3 & 4.
Heavy is a problem, spoils the experience with a few vintage bass'.
It got homely and dummy downed later with 3 & 4.
Heavy is a problem, spoils the experience with a few vintage bass'.
That was my impression as well because he was using the Steinberger at that time and That tone is easily attainable on their Graphite models.
Those early body/hardware designs for 1 and 2 are fab.
It got homely and dummy downed later with 3 & 4.
Heavy is a problem, spoils the experience with a few vintage bass'.
Well, I'd agree the I and II were much more elegant and interesting-looking than the blander III and IV. Ovation probably thought they'd strayed too far from the commercial norm and tried to "make amends". As to weight, neither of the two Magnums I've owned has been particularly heavy at all. I think people make mistaken assumptions seeing the large bezel and bridge, which are aluminum.
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Actually, Ross Valory used an Ovation Magnum for the entire Escape album. Don't Stop Believin' is memorable, to be sure, but "that tone" is even more impressive on other tracks -- "Stone in Love" in particular. Tone that was 15 years ahead of its time, IMHO ... about the time I got interested in bass after a decade of six-string shredding.
In an interview (which Valory hardly ever gives; I was fortunate to talk with him a number of years ago), he also said that his Magnum was a bitch to play. Part of the reason he adopted Steinbergers afterward was because they were easier to perform with and more versatile tonally live.
In an interview (which Valory hardly ever gives; I was fortunate to talk with him a number of years ago), he also said that his Magnum was a bitch to play. Part of the reason he adopted Steinbergers afterward was because they were easier to perform with and more versatile tonally live.
Besides Valory using one in Journey some other Magnumplayers were Roger Glover in Rainbow, Paul d'Amour in Tool and Jah Wobble in PIL.
I bought my Magnum II in 1980 and still own it. Mine weighs 4.9 kilogram.
Here is a link to the manual were you can read about this magnificent beast: Ovation Magnum Bass Owner's Manual
I bought my Magnum II in 1980 and still own it. Mine weighs 4.9 kilogram.
Here is a link to the manual were you can read about this magnificent beast: Ovation Magnum Bass Owner's Manual
I still own a Magnum but lost my T40 in a fire that I barely escaped. When you can't see the ceiling anymore you don't worry about grabbing gear on the way out!
And when people say the Magnum looks or is heavy I just assume they never played a T40, or most Stingrays.
