60 Years of Ovation: The Viper Is Back
Sixty years ago, an aerospace engineer reinvented the guitar. Now Ovation is opening the next chapter. For its anniversary, the brand brings back the Viper, the distinctive solid body from the seventies, reimagined for a new generation of guitarists. It comes in two versions, each limited to 60 pieces worldwide. One for every year of Ovation.
A Brand That Breaks the Rules
In 1966, Charles Kaman brought his helicopter engineering expertise into the guitar workshop. The result was the roundback body, which changed the acoustic guitar forever. But Ovation never thought in acoustic terms alone. In 1972 came the Breadwinner, a solid body shaped like a battle axe and one of the first production electric guitars with active electronics. Ace Frehley recorded much of the first KISS album on it. The Viper followed in the mid seventies: sleek, independent, uncompromising. One instrument once owned by Neil Diamond is now part of the collection of the National Music Museum in the USA.
Not a Copy. An Evolution.
The new Viper captures the spirit of the original and brings it into the present. A lightweight, ergonomic body meets modern components and a tonal range that goes from crystal clear to raw power. Stage, studio or rehearsal room: the Viper is at home everywhere.
Built for Direct Contact
At its heart is the Babicz Full Contact Bridge. It couples the strings directly to the body. Every note rings longer, fuller and cuts through with more authority. Add Lace Sensor Hot Gold Dually pickups, made in USA. With the push-pull coil split, the Viper offers two characters in one guitar: articulate single-coil clarity and rich humbucker punch.
Bridge and pickups come from American specialists.
Two Versions, One Attitude
The Viper IV-DTD-G features a basswood body with maple veneer and a Babicz Fixed 6 Hardtail bridge. Made for guitarists who put a premium on precision and tuning stability.
The Viper IV-1-G features an alder body and a Babicz FCH-2 Point Full Contact Tremolo. Made for guitarists who want to express their individual sound.
Both models share the same foundation: 25.5” scale, bolt-on maple neck, Java rosewood fingerboard with 24 frets, Black Tusq nut and oil-sealed Ovation tuners. An Ovation Viper gig bag is included. MSRP is EUR 1,194 for each model.
The Viper Is Only the Beginning
Breadwinner, Deacon, Preacher, UK II: the Ovation archive is full of shapes that were ahead of their time. Some of them will return in limited editions. Which one comes next? Ovation will reveal that in due course.
“Ovation has always been at its strongest when we dared to be different. For our 60th birthday, we are bringing that courage back to the stage. The Viper is just the beginning.”
Thomas Neuhierl, Product Manager, Ovation Guitars
Availability
The Viper will be available from authorised dealers starting October 24, 2026. There are only 60 pieces per model worldwide. If you want one, don’t wait too long.
About Ovation
Ovation was founded in 1966 in Connecticut by aviation pioneer Charles Kaman. With its roundback body, the brand revolutionised the acoustic guitar and shaped the sound of the world’s great stages for decades. Ovation is part of the GEWA music GmbH portfolio.
The post 60 Years of Ovation: The Viper Is Back appeared first on Music Instrument News.
Source: musicinstrumentnews.co.uk
