Model number

Introduced

Colours

Price

Magnnum 1

1261

1974

Sunburst

Red

$570

Magnum 2

1262

$685

Magnum 3

1263

1978

Charcoal

Mahogany

$570

Magnum 4

1264

$685

“The History of the Ovation Guitar” put the introduction of the Magnum at 1974, however other sources have it as late as 1977.

In simple terms:

• 1 and 3 were the passive electric model with stereo output
• 2 and 4 had active electric.and mono output

Changes from 1 / 2  to 3 / 4

• Revised body shape.
• Removal of  the string damper.
• Removal of the thumb rest frame.
• Colour changes.

Magnum I and III

Magnum II and IV

Pickups

Two high output humbucking pickups.  

Bridge pickup with 19000 winds per coil.

Neck pickup assembly has 13500 winds per large u-shaped coil pickup for each string, with separate adjustable output trim for each string.

Controls

2 volume

2 Tone

1 Master volume

3 band graphic EQ - Bass, Mid and Treble - with volume compensation.

Switching

3-way selector - neck, bridge and both [out-of-phase].

Electronics

Passive

Actiive

Output

Magnum 1 - Stereo

Magnum 2 - Mono

Mono

Body

One-piece Honduran mahogany

Neck

Two-piece Honduran mahogany with three strip graphite truss rod and neck reinforcement.

Fretboard

Ebony

Frets

20 nickle-silver alloy frets.

Inlays

9 MOP dots

Nut width

1 5/8 “

Tuners

Ovation/ Schaller Deluxe chrome

Scale length

34”

Bridge

Aluminium tailpiece and brass saddles.

Adjustable for action and intonation with tri-mount.

Lever action mute on I and II