NGD: Applause AA-14

[davenumber2]

I picked this up dirt cheap last week. I was looking for a guitar that would be basically indestructible and wouldn't have to worry about humidity, etc to take on trips and camping. This one fits the bill.

It's a funky, quirky little thing. If you don't know about these, they have a hard foam casted neck with aluminum fretboard and frets. The board and frets are all one casting so re-fret is out. The frets on this one are in great shape so no worries, plus I'm pretty easy on frets. Laminated top, deep bowl Lyrachord (plastic) back. Bolt on neck. The extension isn't even glued down. Made in Moussup, Connecticut. Late 70's. The only real wood on it is the walnut bridge and it's a top loader. EDIT: Almost forgot, no truss rod either.

It has a really nice tone for what it is. Kind of a thunkier sort of Gibson-like tone. I like it and it plays really nicely after a setup. Maybe I'll make a video demo when I have a chance. There really aren't any good ones on Youtube.

The look just screams 70's to me.

 

[GGJaguar]

How does Applause differ from Ovation?

 

[davenumber2]

How does Applause differ from Ovation?

Applause is their cheaper sub-brand, now manufactured in Asia but originally made in USA for a few years. From what I've read, this was Ovation's attempt to copy themselves in a lower price bracket before anyone else did. This was back when Ovations were pretty popular.

 

[davenumber2]

Here are a couple short sound samples.

 

[Default]

I knew someone who had one. He ran into needing a refret and found out you needed a new neck for the reasons you mentioned.

 

[davenumber2]

I knew someone who had one. He ran into needing a refret and found out you needed a new neck for the reasons you mentioned.

For the prices these go for, I'd just buy another one or find one trashed with a serviceable neck and swap it. There seem to be lots of these out there too. I read somewhere they produced around 100,000 or so in the time they were made in CT.