Buyer beware
Tony Calman
Posted 2004-04-10 11:42 PM (#190195)
Subject: Buyer beware



Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619

Location: SoCal
Check out the description and model number...seller convinced this is a Legend, yet the tuners are chrome, etc., and label says 1655, not 1656 for the Legend. A guitar in great condition and very good price ($400 incl s&h) but not a legend. Wouldn't have known without archive search. Just FYI as seller will probably relist.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=3715247701
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Paul Templeman
Posted 2004-04-11 8:18 AM (#190196 - in reply to #190195)
Subject: Re: Buyer beware


Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750

Location: Scotland
Tuners are never a reliable way to indentify or date a guitar as they are easily and frequently changed by owners. The giveaway here is the unbound neck. It's a Custom Balladeer, probably mid-eighties
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Tony Calman
Posted 2004-04-11 2:00 PM (#190197 - in reply to #190195)
Subject: Re: Buyer beware



Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619

Location: SoCal
Paul, I agree...your photo software must be better than mine, coudn't tell if there was binding or not.

From O's site, couldn't find anything on the two models except for the 1755 and 1756 (shows binding on 1756 legend.) Without OFC archive searches, wouldn't have known.

Main point is that there is a wealth of information in the archives and well worth the time to do research before making decisions.

First of all, I believe the seller when he says "I don't know about your model number comments. I always thought it was a Legend."

Here is Seller's description:
"You are bidding on a beautiful Ovation legend acoustic/electric 12-string guitar. It is in like new condition, and comes with the original case included. Following are the specs from the manufacturer:
Model 1655 Specifications:
Body Type: Deep Bowl
Top: Sitka Spruce
Bracing: Ovation Fan
Scale Length: 25 1/4"
Scale:
Fretboard: Ebony, Ivory Binding
Fret Inlay: 26 Genuine Abalone
Bridge: Reinforced Carved Walnut
Rosette:
Pickup: Piezoelectric Stereo
Nutwidth: 1 7/8"
Machines: 24k Gold Plated, Pearloid Buttons
Case:

The Legend 12 String is the finest 12 string guitar in the Ovation line. On many 12 string guitars, none of the individual strings sound clearly and the overall sound leaves much to be desired. The Ovation 12 String is different. The Lyrachord roundback reflects each note with perfect clarity allowing each string to retain its individual sound and not get lost in a mass of tone.

Thanks to the Ovation five-piece neck construction, the 12 string necks are thin and fast. Even the smallest hand has no problems on our 12 string guitars. The Legend 12 String has all the beauty and craftsmanship of the Legend 6 String. Truly one of the finest guitars ever made, the Ovation Legend 12 String is the overwhelming choice of our professional endorsees who play 12 strings."

However this description was created, looks like a little CL description and Legend combined.

From what I can see, this is a great Balladeer if someone is interested.
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Mary S
Posted 2004-04-11 2:13 PM (#190198 - in reply to #190195)
Subject: Re: Buyer beware


Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 66

Location: Minnesota
You definitely have to be careful buying on ebay!
I came out smelling like a rose with what I got....but it took a while and additional money.
I bought what I thought was a GC and ended up with a Legend model 1677. After sending it to Ovation(they are really great there)and having them install an OP30 and straighten the warped neck, I ended up with a guitar that is effortless to play and sounds amazing. Well worth it and wouldn't part with it for anything.
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Old Applause Owner
Posted 2004-04-12 7:35 AM (#190199 - in reply to #190195)
Subject: Re: Buyer beware


Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922

Location: Canton (Detroit), MI
I'm not buying any more guitars on eBay unless the seller is a music shop with good feedback, or I know the seller. Both guitars I purchased on eBay had "hidden" problems (found later) that the seller did not disclose, which required extra money to resolve, like Mary's example.

The "up" side is that both guitars have solid, crack-free tops and sound wonderful. But I'm now convinced that if a guitar listing on eBay looks "thin" on detail and pictures(out of focus, or only from specific angles), and the seller appears unknowledgeable, RUN!!!! :eek:

Roger

1976 Applause AA14-4 6-String
1978 Ovation 1617-4 Legend 6-string
1981 Ovation 1118-1 Glen Campbell 12-string
2001 Adamas 1598-MERB Melissa Etheridge 12-String
2003 Ovation 1777-NAT Legend 6-string
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