Aerospace engineer Charles Kaman applied composite know-how to the Ovation Balladeer in 1966, yielding a rounded Lyrachord back that resisted feedback. The 1861 carried that legacy into the 1990s with OP24+ preamps, giving plugged-in folk and pop acts a reliable acoustic tone.
- Introduced: 1966 original; 1861 variant in the mid-1990s
- Signature traits: Lyrachord bowl, spruce top, onboard preamp with EQ
- Notable players: Glen Campbell, Melissa Etheridge, Kaki King
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