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1989 Balladeer 4861 - Good and bad

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Auriemma
Posted 2012-06-28 9:09 PM (#455951)
Subject: 1989 Balladeer 4861 - Good and bad



Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639

Location: NW of Philadelphia		Just bought a 1989 Balladeer 4861 w/OHSC off CL for $125. It was listed as excellent, and looked it. When I checked it out, the strings were slack. Everything looked good. But when I got her home and tuned her up, I noticed the bridge lifted. I loosened the strings, left a message for the buyer, then called my repair guy. He said it should be an easy fix. He said bring it in with strings, he will do what needs to be done to glue the bridge down permanently and set it up for the price of a setup, as long as nothing else is wrong. The buyer is willing to take it back or work with me. Is it worth fixing and keeping?







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aaronharmon
Posted 2012-06-28 9:25 PM (#455953 - in reply to #455951)
Subject: Re: 1989 Balladeer 4861 - Good and bad


Joined:
October 2009
Posts: 133

Location: Ohio		Easy fix, keep it.
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Designzilla
Posted 2012-06-28 9:28 PM (#455954 - in reply to #455951)
Subject: Re: 1989 Balladeer 4861 - Good and bad


Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150

Location: Orlando, FL		if it really is that easy a fix, I'd say it's a keeper!
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Old Man Arthur
Posted 2012-06-28 10:00 PM (#455957 - in reply to #455951)
Subject: Re: 1989 Balladeer 4861 - Good and bad



Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR		Some good glue, and there are two bolts under those white things.

My first Ovation was a 4861 with an OP-24+... I shoulda kept it.
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Auriemma
Posted 2012-06-28 10:21 PM (#455961 - in reply to #455951)
Subject: Re: 1989 Balladeer 4861 - Good and bad



Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639

Location: NW of Philadelphia		A few other notes...

The top is flat, ding free... and nice
The FET-3 works well and static free.
The the one piece mahogany neck looks straight, no dings on the back
The frets are clean and divot free.
The Schaller tuners work and only need cleaning.

Oh... and it feels heavier than my 1995 1861.

Edited by Auriemma 2012-06-28 10:23 PM
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muzza
Posted 2012-06-28 11:19 PM (#455962 - in reply to #455951)
Subject: Re: 1989 Balladeer 4861 - Good and bad



Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 3736

Location: Sunshine State, Australia		Keep it.
And get the seller to pay for the repair. (as of it wasn't cheap enough already.)

Edited by muzza 2012-06-28 11:24 PM
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martinez
Posted 2012-06-29 2:21 PM (#455991 - in reply to #455951)
Subject: Re: 1989 Balladeer 4861 - Good and bad


Joined:
September 2011
Posts: 260

Location: Spain		It's absolutely lovely, keep it.
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Auriemma
Posted 2012-07-09 9:03 PM (#456405 - in reply to #455951)
Subject: Re: 1989 Balladeer 4861 - Good and bad



Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639

Location: NW of Philadelphia		Well... the 4861 was fixed previously... and poorly at that. So it cost an extra $40 to clean the Gorilla Glue off the bridge and top, then prep the top (remove the finish under the bridge), glue, clamp, then a full setup. So $100 total.

I am picking it up tomorrow after work... looking forward to it.
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TAFKAR
Posted 2012-07-10 8:38 PM (#456464 - in reply to #455951)
Subject: Re: 1989 Balladeer 4861 - Good and bad



Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985

Location: Sydney, Australia		So $225 ... still a bargain.
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Auriemma
Posted 2012-07-11 7:09 AM (#456474 - in reply to #455951)
Subject: Re: 1989 Balladeer 4861 - Good and bad



Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639

Location: NW of Philadelphia		Just got an email from the seller. He is kicking back $25 to help cover the extra cost. So it will be $200.

I got them (including the Old Kraftsman) home last night. The 4861 sounds and feels very different from the 1861. The 4861 feels heavier, has a thicker neck, and has a more mellow sound. The sound may be due to the stings (Ernie Ball Earthwoods). It plays great, nice low action. The FET-3 preamp works well.

On a side note, Jack (my repair guy) even got my late 50s Old Kraftsman back in playing shape. He reshaped what was left of the glued in bone saddle, repaired a split and loose brace, leveled the frets and adjusted the neck. For a antique cheapo guitar, I am amazed how it sounds and plays.
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