Joined:
October 2025
Posts: 1
| Hello everyone!
I am new to the forum, just made an account 2 minutes ago! I have been playing my father's ovation more and more recently and now I have to find out more information about it.
Here is what i know so far:
- It is from '97-'98, it was one of the first purchases my father made when he moved to the US.
- It is a Standard Balladeer Model 1861
- All parts are original except for the nut, which he replaced some time ago.
- It features the OP24+ preamp, perhaps one of you may be able to tell what year that places this model exactly? When looking the model up I saw a few that had the Ovation branded three band preamp and some the OP24 and OP24+ models.
- It has the White logo on the inside of the bowl, and says Kaman product.
-It was made in the US, New Hartford CT.
What I am looking to find out are two things:
- What kind of pickup is the preamp? Is it a piezo or a microphone?
- How difficult would it be to find a replacement bridge and nut for this model? My dad put some kind of paper on the nut and bridge to raise the height? He mentioned there was a buzzing to the low E string after he replaced the nut and that was the very professional solution!  I would love to swap out the touchpoints for this guitar and have a non-dulled bass note from time to time.
Included in the nut conversation, would anyone happen to know the original factory string gauges equipped to the guitar? My dad has always been a ultra light gauge player so he kinda ruined me with that, but im looking to see if i could theoretically play a heavier gauge. I also mainly play 40-95 bass strings and hybrid 9s on electric if that will give you an indication of the feel I look for.
I am so excited to be a part of the community, the more I play this guitar the more I absolutely love it! Definitely the top of the "Save from a Fire" list. |
Searching For Specs on '98 STD Balladeer!