Ovation Did Something Different — And It Works
Most acoustic guitars follow the same basic blueprint: spruce top, wood back and sides, single round soundhole in the center. Ovation threw that blueprint out decades ago, and the Pro Series Standard Elite 2778AX-5 is a clear example of why that bet paid off. Between the rounded Lyrachord® composite bowl body, the ring of multi-soundholes around the upper bout, and a solid A-grade Sitka spruce top, this guitar is genuinely unlike anything else on the wall.
The 2778AX-5 is a single-cutaway acoustic-electric with a deep contour body — meaning it's got a pronounced bowl depth that pulls the soundboard away from your body, which Ovation found helps both projection and comfort. If you've never played a roundback Ovation before, it feels a little unconventional at first, especially seated. Players tend to either love it immediately or warm up to it once they plug in and hear what it can do.
This one is finished in gloss Black and comes loaded with the OCP-1K pickup and OP-Pro preamp — so it's equally at home on a stage as it is in the living room. If you've been looking for an acoustic-electric that stands out sonically and visually, the Standard Elite 2778AX-5 is worth a serious look.
This item is a B-Stock guitar sourced directly from the manufacturer. It is new and has never been previously owned. The photos shown are of the exact instrument you will receive. Before shipment, our licensed technician will inspect and professionally set up the guitar to ensure it is playing its best. During our inspection, we noticed some whitening and scratches on the back. (see pictures) Please note, these may not be the only cosmetic imperfections. As a B-Stock instrument, there may be additional minor blemishes that are small in nature and do not affect playability or performance.
Solid Top, Composite Body — The Ovation Formula
The top is where tone starts, and the 2778AX-5 starts with a solid AA-grade Sitka spruce top with scalloped X-bracing. Solid Sitka is a trusted choice in acoustic construction — it's responsive across a wide dynamic range and opens up further with play over time. The scalloped bracing removes material in specific areas to let the top flex and vibrate more freely, which contributes to a livelier acoustic response.
The back and sides are Ovation's proprietary Lyrachord® GS composite — a fiberglass-reinforced material that forms the signature rounded bowl shape. It's not wood, and Ovation doesn't pretend it is. What it offers is consistent resonance, resistance to humidity changes that can trouble wood guitars, and that distinctive Ovation voice: a focused, punchy midrange with clear projection. It's a genuinely different tonal character from an all-wood guitar, which is exactly the point.
The neck is a five-piece mahogany/maple construction — a combination that balances warmth with stability and stiffness. The Pau Ferro fingerboard and bridge offer a smooth playing surface with good note definition, and the 10" fingerboard radius keeps chording comfortable without sacrificing lead playability.
The Multi-Soundhole Design
Instead of a traditional centered soundhole, the 2778AX-5 uses Ovation's multi-soundhole design: a series of smaller openings positioned around the perimeter of the upper bout. The design philosophy is that moving the sound exit points closer to the player's ear improves the playing experience, while keeping the center of the soundboard uninterrupted gives the top more vibrating surface area. The result is a guitar that feels acoustically present and direct when you're playing it.
Inlaid exotic hardwood epaulettes frame those soundholes, adding a signature visual detail that's been part of the Elite look for years. Pearl dot and diamond fretboard inlays, ivory white binding, and multi-ply purfling round out a guitar that's finished with genuine care for the details. The gloss Black finish is clean and sharp — a classic look that never goes out of style.
Electronics: OCP-1K and OP-Pro Preamp
The OCP-1K pickup is an Ovation-designed under-saddle piezo system with extra-large piezo crystals that pick up vibrations from both the strings and the soundboard — not just the strings in isolation. This gives the amplified signal a more complete acoustic character than a simple piezo alone. It's one of the reasons Ovation acoustic-electrics have a reputation for stage-ready tone straight out of the box.
The onboard OP-Pro preamp gives you full control over your amplified sound with a three-band EQ (bass, mid, treble) and a built-in chromatic tuner. Whether you're running into a PA, a stage amp, or a recording interface, you have enough control to dial in your sound without relying entirely on the board. Die-cast Ovation machine heads with anthracite finish handle tuning stability, and the guitar comes strung with light phosphor bronze strings.
Product Features:
- Top: Solid A-grade Sitka spruce with scalloped X-bracing
- Body: Deep Contour Lyrachord® GS composite bowl — Ovation's proprietary roundback design
- Multi-soundhole design with inlaid exotic hardwood epaulettes
- Neck: Five-piece mahogany/maple, rounded C profile, 10" fingerboard radius
- Fingerboard & Bridge: Pau Ferro with pearl dot/diamond inlays
- Scale length: 25.3" (643mm) | Nut width: 1 11/16" (42.8mm) | 20 frets
- Electronics: OCP-1K pickup with OP-Pro preamp (3-band EQ + built-in tuner)
- Tuners: Die-cast Ovation machine heads, anthracite finish
- Binding: Ivory white with multi-ply purfling
- Finish: High gloss Black
Brand: Ovation
Model: Pro Series Standard Elite 2778AX-5
SKU: .OV553.107-2ND|CCV21101786
Condition: B-Stock
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