(SLIPKNOT) OVATION Elite T MT37-5 - Mick Thomson Signature


Guitar Part N° 189 
December 2009

An electro-acoustic signature guitar from the Slipknot guitarist, courtesy of Ovation?
It’s a reality with the MT37-5 model, which adheres to the American brand's technical specifications! This guitar embodies Ovation's core design principles. It is built around a contoured Lyrachord body—that renowned composite material known for being relatively lightweight, extremely hard, durable, and highly resonant. Although this model is manufactured in Korea, the body itself comes directly from the American factories—likely a measure to prevent counterfeiting. The body profile features a significant modification compared to the classic Ovation design: the shape has been flattened in certain areas, resulting in a less rounded profile that is more comfortable than the traditional shape, especially when playing seated.

ELECTRICAL PROFILE
The manufacturer chose spruce for the top—featuring a textured, satin-black finish—just as they did for the composite body. Much like Henry Ford’s famous remark about the Model T, "you can have any color, as long as it's black." The X-bracing, constructed with scalloped braces, ensures good overall tonal balance, with relatively little coloration from the composite body.
The X-bracing, constructed with scalloped struts, ensures good overall tonal balance, with relatively little coloration from the composite body. Yet, this very characteristic is part of what made the brand famous. The multi-hole soundhole design draws heavy inspiration from Ovation’s Adamas models—an
interesting aesthetic and acoustic choice. Mick Thomson wanted an ultra-slim neck to ensure a playing experience comparable to his Ibanez MTM1 or MTM2 models. The result is impressive; it truly delivers the feel of an electric guitar neck, thanks to a D-shaped profile and a relatively thick clear coat over the black finish—a sweat-resistant surface that allows the palm to glide smoothly.
This centerpiece combines a maple neck with an ebony fingerboard featuring medium-jumbo frets. It bears Thomson’s signature "Seven" inlay in mother-of-pearl. The position markers along the side of the neck are rectangular rather than the traditional dots. The fingerboard extends asymmetrically to provide twenty-three frets on the G, B, and E strings.

OP Pro
Unlike other models in the Elite T series, Mick Thomson’s signature model features the high-end Ovation OP Pro preamp paired with an under-saddle piezo pickup.
Powered by a 9-volt battery, this preamp includes a rotary volume control and three EQ sliders set to carefully chosen frequencies; this makes it highly versatile across various setups, delivering excellent dynamic range and a very good signal-to-noise ratio. The switchable "Pre-EQ Shape" function boosts the lows and scoops the mids around 500 Hz, adding punch to the guitar's tone and enhancing clarity—particularly in live performance settings. Engaging this switch yields a more realistic, linear sound by eliminating a specific resonant frequency that, while adding warmth in the studio, often causes feedback issues on stage. In fact, it is best to keep this function active at all times.
An LED indicates battery level and changes color when the voltage drops below 6.4 volts. Finally, the built-in tuner performs brilliantly, offering precision down to one-hundredth of a semitone.

A SOLID CHOICE
This Mick Thomson signature model features specifications that set it apart from other models in the Elite T series—such as the neck profile and high-end electronics—delivering enhanced performance that makes it a worthwhile purchase, even if you aren't a Slipknot fan.

At a glance
The custom neck on this signature Ovation model is a real treat for players who, like Mick Thomson, favor fast playing. The tone is excellent, whether played purely acoustically or plugged in.

Type: Electro-acoustic
Body: Lyrachord
Top: Solid spruce
Neck: Set neck, solid maple
Tuners: Ovation sealed-gear
Bridge: Walnut
Scale length: 25.5 inches (647 mm)
Electronics: Piezo pickup and Ovation OP Pro preamp
Left-handed version: No
Origin: Korea
Price: €968
Contact: www.ovationguitars.com.fr

Pros: Playing comfort, 23 frets, sound.
Cons: The signature model constraint—black or nothing. Why is there a "Celebrity" label inside this Elite T series guitar?

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