Howdy All,

Long time ukulele player that finally crossed over to the larger cousin and got HOOKED on Ovation when I tried my guitar teachers Adamas - it was the first guitar to set in my hands like it felt it should be there. Being a newbie to guitar, and making sure it was gonna stick, I bought a AE 44-5... and well yeah... then got a 1998 CC11 that had been set up with Buzz Feiten Tuning System 18 years ago - and it still sounds insanely great and is my daily player.

Then I found this website.

Now that I am hooked on Ovation -  I would like to add a solid top to my humble stable. I still would like something older - mostly because well 1. I dont have a lot of cash on hand (selling of a couple of ukes on ebay!) 2. want something not to precious I can take to work and play on lunch break and after hours.  Of course I would rather have an old USA model - but I am open to suggestions.  I do prefer mid or deep bowls, like star bursts or color, vs natural...altho asthetics are way less important that the feel and the sound.

I know each model is an individual prefrence but...

If you were me what would you look for?

@ Dan what do you think about this model 

 Ovation Deluxe Balladeer 2029 Acoustic Guitar - Vintage W/ Hard Case - $450

- its a little rough but perhaps if they came down on the price... its a pawn shop and they like to haggle!

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/msd/5119400653.html

Drummer is heading in the right direction!

"IMHO an older 80'sish legend 1617/1717 a braced is probably the best value for the money"

Several on the board feel that the "A" braced Ovations were very consistent in producing the best acoustic resonance. I don't believe the 1617's (legends) were "A" braced, but the 1619's were, as well as the Legend LTD, etc. Paul Moody has harped on this forever and, for once, the cat is right. There is a difference, acoustically, between the legend, balladeers, and the "A" braced Ovations. I have had a 81 CL, a 40th CL and a 1651 and all of them, acoustically (to me) were more balanced and resonant than other Ovations I have owned (except for the shinys).  If you are going to plug in, then you don't have to be quite as picky.  Good luck with your journey.

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Tennessee,

That should be a 68 Deluxe Balladeer Shiny bowl (although it doesn’t look shiny), with the serial of 2029 or 2429... It appears to need a bath, but the biggest concern is if the neck is falling into the hole. There are not very many people around that can correct that malady, which requires a bowl bend.The remaining concerns would have to be on inspection.

Those shiny's had "it". Mr Kaman hit it out of the park with the first ones. As much as the company evolved, I personally dont think they ever exceeded the acoustic tonal qualities of the first ones to leave the factory.  All handmade, btw.

Thanks Damon...I was totally unaware that the Legend transitioned into the A bracing.  Sorry for the misinformation. 

Ok I feel like a comlete idiot for having earched for a few hours online researching bowl depths when all the info was here in FAQ in an easy to read spreadsheet.

Realizing that years from now I will look back at my first few threads and cringe...

Ah the internet - it records it all - good and bad - for... ever.

YMMV on this. While I've had some really good buys, I've had quite a few that were completely misrepresented, not to mention some of the packing jobs they've done when shipping. To list everything would be a pretty long post, but I've had guitars show up that were damaged (obviously before shipment), shipped without their case (and hardly any wrap, just flopping around in the box), one showed up with a home done scalloped fretboard without disclosure.

When dealing with GC, I always ask very detailed and complete questions and ask the sales guy to do what he can to be sure they pack it properly.

They do have a 30 day return policy. It's the only reason I'll still deal with them on used stuff.

Additionally, I have found that asking the rep to send you some up close pics is beneficial, as GC's website pictures are useless. Most of them have cell phones and will text or email them to you rather quickly.

UPDATE:  So now a few days have passed since I got my new/old friend. I am definitely pleased with my purchase - however I think $300 was about the right price - hopefully not too much.

I affectionately call it Mr Tobacco Burst, not just cause he has an amazing brown burst on him…but also because the former owner must been a chain smoker - I didn’t notice when I picked him up because the musician lived above an old bar and his place already smelled like a chimney. The case smells just fine interestingly, but when I strum him an odor that is reminesant of my "grandpappy the pipe smoker" wafts from his belly. I have Mr Tobacco Burst hanging up in my office at work now and I am hoping that might help over time to dissipate the stink. I am also contemplating sticking an odor eater in his bowl when he is not being played!

Other observations - the top also has a bit of a bow in it between the bridge and the neck - and the saddle is definately at its last lowest adjustment. Still with the new strings the action is still pretty perfect and there is no fret buzz - so I at least have some miles left on him before shipping him to the mothership - assuming it would be worth the cost.

After removing the old strings I discovered the fret board looked like it hadn’t been cleaned since…well maybe 1976. Some nice OOOO steel wool and some F-ONE Oil and now it does look and feel pretty perfect. He plays and sounds fantastic. I still really love how he feels in my hands and lap. I LOVE his sound.  Was he as advertised... “rarely played - kept in case its whole life, no scratches or dents” no - of course not - he has surface scratches, four distinct small dings in his top, and has clearly been played enough to crud up the fretboard... but then again he was born 40 or so years ago! So IMHO he is great shape for his age…wish I could say the same!