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Location: Monroe, Ohio (Cincinnati) | I would also like some information and opinions on this discontinued Ovation model.
It appears to be a nice guitar and according to the Ovation website it has a solid top. It also seems to have the OP-24 electronics which some on this site seem to prefer.
Although there are many aspects that go into the creation of a quality guitar, I consider a solid top to be the #1 most important issue pertaining to sound.
I know it is manufactured outside the U.S., but aside from that, what is the "rest of the story"
I seek to learn the "Ways of the Ovation"
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page3724.htm
I am looking for a guitar to use on stage at P&W and since we travel somewhat and sometimes get a little enthusiastic it will probably take more of a beating than it would if I only played it at home or in coffee shops. For this reason I am hesitant to spend a lot for a more expensive guitar, say over $ 500. |
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Location: SoCal | Why do you think it was buiit outside the US? |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Isn't this a US made standard balladeer w/ CP100 pickup? It's got a solid top and looks to be a very nice guitar for the money. I would think this should be a great guitar for touring and performing. I love the quality of Ovations sunburst. Is it just me or has anyone else noticed how shitty a job others (especially Gibson) do with sunburst. Ovations look great. Gotta swap the tuners for gold one, though. |
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Location: Monroe, Ohio (Cincinnati) | Paul,
I believe that on the Ovation Website in the discounted models section it said manufactured by the Ovation Pacific Rim Subsidiary or some such description. I took this to mean outside the U.S.A. I also guessed the price of the guitar would indicate this as well. |
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Location: Monroe, Ohio (Cincinnati) | Paul,
I meant to type discontinued models, not discounted models.
Need more coffee! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I didn't see any reference to being made overseas, but who cares even if it is? It's got a solid top, all the right goodies and the price is right. I'd grab it before someone else does. |
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Location: Monroe, Ohio (Cincinnati) | I looked again and it isn't on the Ovation website in the discontinued section.
I did see the "Pacific Rim Manufacturer" stated somewhere. |
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Location: SoCal | It's got to be an early 90's Balladeer. There are no catalogs (at least that I've ever found) from that time. Every catalog I've got lists the supershallow bowl Balladeer as a 1861. Yet I know that Ovation went to a 4 for the first digit. I don't know why.
It's got the Tru Balance p/u, Dave, not the CP 100. It also has the FET 3 preamp and not external battery door. Those also date it to the early 90's or late 80's. But the model number stumps me. Somebody here will know. I thought that Ovation went to this model number later. Oh well.
If you want this guitar, you should buy it. It looks to be in great condition. I'd swear that it's a US built guitar. Solid top, K-bar neck. Solid, rugged, and should sound great plugged in. |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | You might be right about it not being made in the USA. The label does not specify where it's made. The electonics are FET-3, not OP-24, but I really don't know the difference. I have two Balladeers with the FET-3 electronics and I think that they work fine with plenty of control over the sound. $350 ain't a bad price, but I think you can do better on eBay with a USA made 1861 if you keep looking. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | In this site's reference area under code identification the first numeral "4" denotes Pacific Rim Manaufacture.
Four-Digit Model Numbers
First Digit: FIXED ID (almost always "1" except as listed)
4 Pacific Rim Manufacturer
6 Adamas
S Factory Second (denotes slight imperfection, PARITIAL WARRANTY)
T AAA ("Triple A" denotes extremely minor imperfection, but FULL WARRANTY)
W CVT Adamas (cross-weave carbon fiber top)
Some of my best friends are Pacific Rim manufactured if it's any consolation. |
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Location: SoCal | See? Learn something new all the time. I'd still suggest that if you like it, but the guitar. $350's a good price for a good guitar. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I'm totally confused. The 4861 is listed on the Ovation site.
http://www.ovationguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=1274
Says it has CP-100 pickup and OP-24+ pre-amp. But the photo of the guitar for sale clearly shows a FET-3 pre-amp. Either way, I still say this is a good deal. Somebody who needs a good shallow guitar for travel and performance and loves sunburst will buy this soon. |
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Location: NJ | The label DOES state where it's made, and it KINDA looks like something other than USA, but it's so small that "blowing it up" in PhotoShop makes it indiscernible . . . |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | ... Four-Digit Model Numbers
First Digit: FIXED ID (almost always "1" except as listed)
4 Pacific Rim Manufacturer
6 Adamas
S Factory Second (denotes slight imperfection, PARITIAL WARRANTY)
T AAA ("Triple A" denotes extremely minor imperfection, but FULL WARRANTY)
W CVT Adamas (cross-weave carbon fiber top) ...
This isn't completely correct. What about Balldeers S771, S773, S861 ??? Certainly thse are not seconds. |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | The 4861 in the O website is a very different guitar. This one has the original six element pick-up. It's probably the same as an 1861 but not USA made. I still think that a USA made 1861/1862 is a better deal on eBay. Personally, I would not buy a non-USA ovation. |
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Location: Carle Place, NY | The "S" models that I have seen are USA made but stripped-down versions. No binding, no fret markers, satin finished tops and necks. |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | Tel-tale signs of a USA model...Schaller tuners, ebony fingerboard, what looks like a 2 PC neck, High-output P/U...these items don't come on overseas models, do they? Looks like it's in really great shape, too. I'd snatch it up Quick. John <>{ |
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Location: SoCal | I have a 4861 (black) - great guitar...from what I understand (see SEARCH) the Balladeer was made in Korea for about six months. Appears to be equal to the US Balladeer in construction and quality.
FET3, shallow bowl, good materials, and purdy. In fact, surprised how well it plays as an acoustic with the shallow bowl.
As to price, usually discounted $80-100 from the US Balladeer. $260-300 is not a bad price ($300 for a very good one.
Originally bought it from a musician in Sacramento for my wife, replaced it with a '97 Collector's (parlor.)
Yet, even though I have far more expensive guitars, often pick it up to play. Would be my #1 travel guitar. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I think the original 4861 might have been made in Ko-reeha, all parts supplied by the states. Or maybe it was made in Japan at Tak or Moridaira in which case they would have used their tops. This guitar has a K-Bar, right? |
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Location: NJ | . . . according to the pics it does. |
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Location: SoCal | posted a photo in Gallery, standard blue O label with made in Korea typed in. good ol' 'S' W.Germ tuners, etc. |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | The 4861 models were made in Korea, as far as I know. The early 90's versions had FET3 preamps. They had a curtain call in 1999 with the OP24+.
I have had two or three of them. IMHO, if one can get an #1861 for a similar price... take the latter. But the #4861's ARE decent guitars which can sometimes be picked up for Celeb prices. |
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Location: SoCal | "But the #4861's ARE decent guitars which can sometimes be picked up for Celeb prices."
Best way I can explain is to give an actual example:
Back in May, 2003 paid $202.50 plus $35 s&h - 1989
There are some good deals on eBay if you are patient and a little lucky. Will eventually sell or trade it but not for less than $300.
If necessary, great travel guitar.
So, the $350 is not that unreasonable. |
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Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | I just found one of these Ovation 4861's second hand here in Anchorage and picked it up for $260.00 with no case. It is in exelent condition and as stated earlier they have a beutiful Burst color. Mine says very clearly "Made in Korea". It's a very nice sounding guitar pluged or unpluged and is now my #1 "Road Warrior" (traveling guitar). At one of the guitar shops up here I had a guy look it up in the "Blue Book of Guitars" and it had a value of $392.00. I don't know if that was with case included or not though. |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | Alaskan Fly Guy,
Welcome to the board! For some reason, I now feel the urge to do some guided trout fishing next month when I go to Estes Park for a couple of weeks....
To the point: Blue Book prices are just price estimates, particularly if you were looking in the paperback version. The hardcover Blue Books are revised annually, are designed primarily for store owners, and are usually more accurate for market values.
While the paperback version is much more useful for model information than pricing, it may give an insight into the latter on occasion. What seems more important is that you got a guitar that you think is a good deal for the money.
I believe that it would be assumed the guitar comes with a case.
Steelstrings and Steelhead? |
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| i have both a 4861 and 1861. the 4861 is made in korea. |
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Posts: 15684
Location: SoCal | Can you tell a difference in the quality, sound and feel of the two guitars? |
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Posts: 12
| yes.both are great guitars but i would have to give the 1861(u.s. made) a higher mark than the 4861. the 1861 seems to be built with a liitle more attention to detail and just feels better. i think it sounds a little sweeter and plays a touch easier. that said the 4861 is still a great guitar and i'm glad i have both. |
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Ovation 4861