|
|
Joined: November 2003 Posts: 7
Location: Vermont | I have an old Ovation Balladeer. The lable inside the hole of the body states no pat. number and has a serial # 1830. I received the guitar for my ninth birthday and believe it was purchased, used, in Feb of 1968. Can anyone tell more about this guitar, how many were made, etc.....? |
|
|
|
Joined: March 2002 Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Can you post a pic of the guitar? Sounds like an old shiney bowl. What's the rosette like on it? If it's in good condition, these are great old guitars. |
|
|
|
Joined: November 2003 Posts: 7
Location: Vermont | I AM NEW TO ALL OF THIS EMAIL STUFF. WHAT DO YOU MEAN "ROSETTE"? If you are refferring to the ring around the hole, it is two lines going around in a figure eight pattern. The guitar still plays well and the sound is as good as any new guitar I have played. There are a few cracks on the top surfacw but it seems to only be in the lacquer finish. Do you know how many were built for this model? |
|
|
|
 Joined: June 2002 Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Yes, you've got an old Balladeer from most likely 67-69 timeframe. These are among the best sounding of all Ovations in my opinion. Is the rosette black chain on a white background or white chain on a black background? I've got a photo of mine in the gallery. It's just a wild guess, but I would say the number of these produced was probably less than 1000. The deluxe balladeer (grover tuners, floral rosette) was much more popular. Dave |
|
|
|
Joined: November 2003 Posts: 7
Location: Vermont | The rosette is a black chain on white background. Any idea what she might be worth? |
|
|
|
 Joined: June 2002 Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | The white background rosette is the most common. I've seen them go for $400 - $800. If it's a very eraly one without the Baladeer logo on the headstock it may be worth more. Do you have the original Lifton case? Dave |
|
|
|
Joined: November 2003 Posts: 7
Location: Vermont | I lost the case years ago. The headstock says Ovation and has the word Balladeer on it, horizontally between the string keys. The round back is smooooth and shiney. The serial # is 1830. What number range did Ovation start with for this model, 1 or 1000? |
|
|
|
Joined: January 2002 Posts: 970
Location: Atlanta,Ga. | Condor,is the serial number on the label or the heel block inside the guitar? or both? |
|
|
|
Joined: November 2003 Posts: 7
Location: Vermont | the serial number is located on the label inside the hole of the body |
|
|
|
Joined: November 2003 Posts: 7
Location: Vermont | well I was wrong. The serial number is in both locations |
|
|
|
 Joined: June 2002 Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Serial numbers started at 001 (actually 006), but it's not clear if they actually went all the way to 999 before deciding to switch to 4 digit serial numbers in late '67. For sure all '68 and '69 guitars had 4 digit serial numbers. Seems like quote a few old acoustics have surfaced recently in the 1000-2800 serial number range. Dave |
|
|
|
Joined: November 2003 Posts: 7
Location: Vermont | thank you to al that replied! This old balladeer will be played til its death. |
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Old Balladeers never die, they just faidodo away. |
|
|