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Location: Michigan | Have one en route. Picked up off ebay. Per the Ovation price guide - these were retailed for $1299 and I suspect sold for around a grand. Any thoughts on this shallow body Ovation. |
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Location: Jet City | I have an 1868 and 1858 in the pearl white. 2 of my favorites to play, very comfortable. I've become especially fond of the 12. |
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Used to have one just like it, bought it in '91 as nos (it was a '89) and I think I paid $1080 for it.
I first saw it on a trip down that way and wasn't playing in a band and though if I were gigging again, that would be the perfect guitar for that. The following year I was playing again and called them to see if they still had it... sure enough they did, so I had them send it on up. |
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Location: Michigan | damon67 - 2014-12-07 10:10 PM
I have an 1868 and 1858 in the pearl white. 2 of my favorites to play, very comfortable. I've become especially fond of the 12.
Thanks - should be here tomorrow. I'll let you know. |
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Posts: 59
Location: Michigan | My used guitar arrived. Packaging was in good shape. No tears or visible damage to the box. Removed the case and...the seller mentioned that the case had some cracks with duct tape on them. What arrived was a nearly trashed case with sever damage, holes, end caps nearly gone, etc. Open the case and found what appears to be a used (but in fair condition) 1868 Elite. One missing string (e) which I was notified of before shipment. Obvious body wear from an arm/sleeve on the rear top bowl (finish scratches etc but color still retained), rust on the screw heads of the Op24 plate corner. The neck has no visible signs of gouges or dings or nicks, the body top (other than the finish wear) appears to be free of cracks or damage. The headstock appears to be used but no real evidence of abuse and the grape leaf detail appears to be intact with no sign of abuse per se. Overall, I am looking forward to putting a fresh set of d'Addario's on it tomorrow and giving it a run. No idea how the case could be in such poor shape. The interior (blue) has plenty of wear, string rust on the underside top and a hole from the exterior visible clear through the top side. The tuners will get a good look tomorrow.
Plans are to give it a good cleaning, fresh strings, fresh battery, check frets, tune and play. Will be looking for another case. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | "No idea how the case could be in such poor shape."
I have been know to send my worst case with a guitar that I have sold. When I do that on eBay, I will not include the case in the listing or description. That way the case is just for protection during shipping... so I don't have to deal with complaints.
Meanwhile... We All Want To See Photos! 
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Posts: 59
Location: Michigan | As I spend more time with this guitar - I am becoming disappointed. This guitar was heavily played with divots in the fret board clearly to the 8th fret. Frets have significant wear as they should with this much wear on the fret board. I was too naive in this purchase and this will be a lesson for me. I will get up pics as soon as I figure out how to post them. I would most appreciate opinions on what is the value for this as I am sure I overpaid. Also, re-fretting and a new fret board costs as well as who does it?
Unless this was some famous persons guitar which I highly doubt - looks like I got the job (and the cost) of bringing this one back to life.
Edited by Flash1717Legend 2014-12-11 2:57 PM
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Posts: 59
Location: Michigan | First I would like to include the text from the sale site describing this guitar by the seller.
"Up for bid is another awesome USA Ovation from my personal collection ! 1989 Model 1868 Elite Shallow Bowl . Rare color code 6P Pearl White . Excellent condition with very little fret wear ! OP-24 preamp sounds AWSOME plugged in .
Comes with original hard shell molded case . Case is a little rough on the outside ( cracks with duck tape on them ) but still functions and protects the guitar as it should ."
I wanted to post this so others can evaluate for themselves whether I have misrepresented my delivery.
The battery compartment does not secure properly meaning it is loose and won't tighten securely. There are bubble bulges on the case and the feet/cleat areas are broken, allowing these to depress into the foam.
I own 6 other guitars and have never treated any of my gear this way. When someone describes an item as "excellent with very little fret wear" and from "my personal collection" and a case as "a little rough on the outside" I didn't expect holes, missing pieces of exterior, rust on every bolt, frets needing replacement, etc etc etc. Please share with me your thoughts on this. This seller has 100% positive feedback and I am frankly pretty disappointed. - and the neck is bowed backwards per my straight edge...
How much would YOU have paid for this - seeing the condition?
Thank you. Flash1717Legend
Edited by Flash1717Legend 2014-12-11 4:56 PM
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Coming from someone's "personal collection" means nothing to me as far as value. If anything it's puffery that would make me suspicious, but the excellent condition with very little fretwear is a definite misrepresentation. I had a local guy crown some frets and sand down a fretboard for about $100 a few years ago and the result was incredible, but yours looks like it's worn a lot more, both on the frets and the fretboard. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | If you bought this on eBay file a SNAD (significantly not as described) claim immediately.
HERE
They may not call it a SNAD any longer, just Buyer Protection... but that is a POS.
eBay buyer protection generally sides with the buyer.
And don't make any deals with the Seller, eBay will likely make the Seller pay return shipping.
If you bought it somewhere else with PayPal... file a claim through them.
If you paid with a credit card, file a claim through them.
BTW-- For those interested... THIS is the Listing. Not many photos and No close-ups.
Edited by Old Man Arthur 2014-12-11 6:25 PM
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Location: Michigan | Thanks Arthur. You have the correct listing. |
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Location: closely held secret | He has 100% feedback as a seller so he probably doesn't do this as a rule and he's not going to want his rep sullied.
Definitely file a SNAD, and as Arthur said, don't make any deals with him and don't communicate with him outside of ebay. Let them sort it out. If he wants to give you any kind of refund for you to keep it, make sure it's documented through the ebay system. |
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Posts: 1249
Location: Texas | "that is a POS" OMA...always being able to read everyones mind...and sharing it verbatim Total misrepresentation of condition, you should have no problem getting your money back. Be sure to clearly document what is not in "excellent condition" on the guitar and provide the best pictures you can. Leave no doubt. Forget about the case. No need to lose focus on that. You want to point out each and every aspect, about the guitar, that "does not match the seller's description.The only part of the guitar that he claims is not in "excellent condition" are the frets, and that isn't accurate either. Good luck...
Edited by jay 2014-12-11 7:20 PM
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Do not be deceived by 100% Feedback... That is only within the last 12 months.
This ain't his First Offense... TOOLHAUS
But his history doesn't really matter. Only his dealing with you.
Yeah... Now he's got a bunch of people angry. 
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Location: closely held secret | Oookay, he had 2 negs over a year ago. I give over-the-top excellent customer service on ebay (same day shipping!) and I still get jerks who hit me with negs without bothering to contact me first so I can make it right. Hardly deceptive. |
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Location: Michigan | Before I posted pics here, I had sent the seller a message stating the "difference" between what I got and what was described. Requested information on how long he had owned it, any knowledge on how the case got so abused, any repair work on the guitar etc? No reply yet. Seller currently has no other items for sale. Started a SNAP. Really was disappointed in the condition of the frets and board as they were not visible with the strings on.
The case - just surprised me on the condition. This must have been gigged HEAVILY and just thrown in the gear trailer with amps and who knows what piled on top of it. Someone played the daylights out of this guitar - I just can't imagine treating an instrument that way. The loose battery box and rust on the preamp screws is just more indication of the apparent treatment of this instrument. Too bad. Cleaned up - it is a real beauty.
Edited by Flash1717Legend 2014-12-11 10:47 PM
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Location: New Hartford CT | Those screws on the preamp aren't simply rusty...they seem to be dissolving. It's the poster child for 'ridden hard and put away wet' Send it back asap
Sorry you have to go through this. |
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Posts: 59
Location: Michigan | Many thanks for the advice and counsel. The seller has contacted me through ebay, we have had several exchanges through ebay, and upon receipt of a partial refund, I will deem the matter resolved. I got a bit more history on this guitar that helps me understand it (important to me), plus a fairer price for the condition.
I have cleaned it, waxed it, oiled the fingerboard, new battery and a fresh set of d'Addario .010's on it. The battery box needs fixing and the preamp screws need replacing, so those will be on the short list.
Again - thank you to all who assisted me with insight to this process. I was quite disappointed yesterday upon closer inspection and having experienced Ovation owners share their advice above - was very helpful. Now its time to play Christmas songs.
I will post up pics of the corrected items as they progress.
Edited by Flash1717Legend 2014-12-12 11:30 AM
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Location: Jet City | That thing has been hit pretty hard with a mojo stick. I bet it's played a bunch of music in it's day.
Unfortunately, the owner had nasty, acidic, oily fingers and they totally destroyed the fingerboard. Most the 1868 6p's I've seen, including my own and the 1858 as well, have a lighter highly striped rosewood fingerboard, that one is really dark. The light ones are quite stunning.
I'd post some better pics, but... well... guess you'll have to buy a calendar.
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Location: Utah | It looks way better now.
The fretboard divots can be sanded down if the frets are pulled and replaced. A really good experienced luthier can fill the divots without sanding down the whole fretboard. But that starts getting to be big $.
The upside is that with all the playing it has had, the top should be well opened up. |
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Location: Michigan | damon67 - 2014-12-17 7:43 PM
That thing has been hit pretty hard with a mojo stick. I bet it's played a bunch of music in it's day.
Unfortunately, the owner had nasty, acidic, oily fingers and they totally destroyed the fingerboard. Most the 1868 6p's I've seen, including my own and the 1858 as well, have a lighter highly striped rosewood fingerboard, that one is really dark. The light ones are quite stunning.
I'd post some better pics, but... well... guess you'll have to buy a calendar.
Beautiful. Great to see what mine was...in its day. |
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Location: Michigan | FlySig - 2014-12-17 7:52 PM
It looks way better now.
The fretboard divots can be sanded down if the frets are pulled and replaced. A really good experienced luthier can fill the divots without sanding down the whole fretboard. But that starts getting to be big $.
The upside is that with all the playing it has had, the top should be well opened up.
It does have an acoustic tone that to me, is really nice. Just full and resonant. The lightest notes seem clear and present. Plugged in, I'm not in sync with it yet. But in a quiet room, just me and the guitar, it shines. Different from my Legend 1717, but just clean and clear notes. |
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Posts: 18
Location: Bham,AL | Flash, I just bought an 1868 today. It was in a local shop on consignment. Mine has a crack in the finish on the top and the frets have a bit of wear but it plays very nicely. The screws on the OP24 are also rusted. I got it for $350. The case was in very good shape especially compared to yours. Luckily I was able to see what I was buying. Alot of people will buy off the internet but I'm not one of them. This is my 3rd USA Ovation this year. Picked up a 1979 1624 and a 94 1763. Good luck with yours. |
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Posts: 59
Location: Michigan | bukwheat - 2014-12-26 8:15 PM
Flash, I just bought an 1868 today. It was in a local shop on consignment. Mine has a crack in the finish on the top and the frets have a bit of wear but it plays very nicely. The screws on the OP24 are also rusted. I got it for $350. The case was in very good shape especially compared to yours. Luckily I was able to see what I was buying. Alot of people will buy off the internet but I'm not one of them. This is my 3rd USA Ovation this year. Picked up a 1979 1624 and a 94 1763. Good luck with yours.
Thank you. It is presently at Elderly's in Lansing Mi for a "tune up". Fret work, set up, and battery box. The Luthier was quite knowledgeable and the price fair (imo). Should pick it up in a week or so. Will be dropping off some electrics I have when this one is done.
As another poster mentioned - with all the play - the top has opened nicely and provides very nice resonance. I actually prefer it unplugged. I was really ready to ship it back - but got emotional on it and decided it needed to be "saved". The "discount" paid for the luthier so - a wash for me.
Enjoy the music... |
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