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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | I was in a local Guitar shop and found two Ovations at what I would think are decent prices.
The 1st is a 1117-4 Legend, serial number 16775.
$500 with original brown case, no electronics.
The serial number link doesn't show 1973 on it but this serial number falls after the 1972 numbers and the 1974 numbers, can anybody shed some light on it, is it a 1973?
Has sales receipt from Leggett Music Company in West Palm Beach, FL dated 2-1-1974 so I'm saying this is a 1973.
Price shown as 275.00 and $18.00 for the case so I don't know if it was brand new when it was sold to the guy named on the receipt.
Very good shape, no cracks, one small check mark in binding that I can't get to show up well in the picture.
The rosette has one small crack that doesn't show up in pics and is only slightly yellowed.
Gold tuners are very good, buttons are showing a little pitting, the Ovation signature on face of head is faded, neck is very smooth with one little check mark not through finish.
The top is very pretty, beautiful wood color.
Hardly any fret wear, bridge is perfect.
All in all, a beautiful guitar, plays and sounds really nice.
The little rubber leg no slide thing isn't there but someone put something close to it on it. It needs to come off and the glue residue taken off, easy stuff.
Bowl has only little scratches on it.
Brown case is beat, it closes fine and holds the guitar in place but it's beat and splitting down the seam under the metal "Band", inside is pretty good.
If I hadn't just bought the 1718, I'd buy this one right now, just don't have the dough, if my Mom will front me the money till next month, I am buying it tomorrow, if not....
The second guitar is a 1987 Collector's Series, number 48, that needs a neck reset, $600 with case, no C.O.A.
It had a reset at some time but it isn't the greatest.
The neck is solid but is raised above the top some as it joins the body, and the little black butt cap on the neck has a few dings in it, nothing major.
Inlays are perfect, one small, small ding in the top, you can barely feel it as you run a fingernail across it.
Carved bridge is perfect.
Neck has a small wear spot at curve where it meets the body, pretty much no fret wear, but otherwise, it is perfect also.
Tuners are perfect, buttons are good, one probably could use replacing, just not as "new looking" as the others.
A few small pick scratch marks, and some marks near the neck made by whomever did the other neck reset.
OP-24 works just fine, bowl is perfect, good case with black velvet.
I am down here for my Grandmother's funeral but I can be reached on my Wife's cell phone at 865-573-7486 if you want to ask me about the guitars.
I will try to upload some picture tonight. |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | Oh yeah, I'm out running errands so if you want to call, call me after 7pm EST. |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | The Collectors sounds like a good investment. The neck reset will probably be the best and cost less at the factory, and while it's there they would probably buff out the scratches for next to nothing. Even after doing those things I think you would still have a great deal on a nice coveted collector's. The Legend is probably a fine guitar also, but they made a LOT more of them than those 87 Collector's. That'd be MY choice... although I would try to get them to come down to 500 because of the neck issue (: |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | I'm leaning towards the Legend due to it's age and it being is such great shape for being 37 years old.
The top and the neck are beautiful!
I like the 87 too, I'm gonna call ovation and see about getting a quote for a reset on it.
Damn, I hate being Po :) |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | ... and then there's VISA. (: |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| The 87C is one of THE best guitars to come out of CT. Given the choice I'd get the 87C and have it repaired. I had a 1617 about that age - no longer have it because my 87C is simply a better sounding and playing guitar. |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | The pics of both will be up on my ning page shortly.
Unfortunately you really can't see much of the difference in height between the top and the neck, I don't have the best camera in the world.
O says $200 for a neck reset.
If my Mom cab swing it, I'll get the 87 and have it fixed later, we'll see.
They are both beautiful though. |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | Photos of both guitars are on my ning page now |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Bellevue, Washington | Originally posted by G8r:
The 87C is one of THE best guitars to come out of CT. Given the choice I'd get the 87C and have it repaired. I had a 1617 about that age - no longer have it because my 87C is simply a better sounding and playing guitar. I have to agree with this. Out of everything I've played nothing even comes close to the 87c that I've got, and mine's got a fair deal more issues than the one that you've described. It just really is a great guitar and like G8r I'd be more tempted to pick that one up and send it off to the factory for some spa time. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Michael R. Winters:
If my Mom cab swing it, I'll get the 87 and have it fixed later, we'll see.
Are you saying that your mom drives a cab and you're forcing her to come up with money for your guitar fixes? Sad..... |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Really, if you want an old Legend look around for a better price. And honestly, the Legends that came out in the late 70's seem (to me anyway) to be a much better sounding guitar with the A-bracing.
I wish I still have my old A-braced Legend pre-Kbar. I loved the neck on that thing.
Really though, this one's a no-brainer. The 87C is the one to get. |
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Joined:
August 2009
Posts: 602
Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | Woah, I just tried to add the pics of the 1987 here, but they are way too big :D So I guess it's smarter to just go over to Michael's Ning to see them. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | He probably doesn't have an offering plate...lol |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | After seeing the pictures I'd DEFINITELY snag that 87C. A much better investment. The factory would make that thing come alive again. If you DON'T get it, someone here may be interested in you getting it for them. |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Good luck with the decision making, Michael. I'm afraid I can't help you there, but I did want to say I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | Thanks Alan, just part of life you know?
As far as the gits are concerned, if it's meant to be, it'll happen.
Worst case the guy sends the 87 to his luthier, e does a decent job and somebody locally here will get a pretty guitar.
We'll see how it works out :) |
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Ovations in Florida