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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 86
Location: Detroit area | Good day all;
I am the proud owner of a '99 1769 CL, and a '79 1617 Legend. My preference has become to play the 1617 and leave the CL in it's case. The tone is much deeper, the neck fits me better, etc. The only issue is that all of the electronics are from 1979 - no tuner, battery is a pain to change, no strap-locks, etc. The '99 spoiled me.
Is it worth trading in/selling the '99 and picking up a new LX Balladeer or Legend?? The '99 is an absolute beauty - new top last year thanks to a falling mic stand.
Your thoughts? |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Originally posted by Joey Joe:
Good day all;
The tone is much deeper, the neck fits me better, etc. The only issue is that all of the electronics are from 1979
I have an old 1619 that I sent back to the factory for (among other things) installation of an OP Pro. The guitar has the best neck of any guitar I've ever owned. It's the original 5 piece neck with a truss rod. If your 1617 is the older truss rod neck, and you like the shape/feel, you may not like the LX neck as much, just like you prefer the 1617 over the CL. Not only that, a 25 year old Ovation just sounds better than most new ones. The upgrade to the OP Pro is about $300, then you'll have great electronics, a built-in tuner and easy battery access. |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Tough call. You don't play the CL because you like the sound of the Legend better. You might sell the CL to buy the LX and still find you like the sound of the Legend better. You would invested a lot of money for nothing. It's a risk. On the other hand you can upgrade the electronics in the Legend for a lot less. Sure, it'll be an old whore in a new dress. If if you like the old whore, well ???? At that point you could still sell off the CL and pocket the proceeds.
Dave |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 627
Location: Cherry Hill, NJ | Mitch
I have a 1619CL 1982. Love the neck and thought about upgrading the electronics. How did you coordinate it with Ovation for your upgrade? |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Keep them all and get a new LX!
That was easy! |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | Dear Woody, Here is my wallet and credit cards. Just do what you think is best ...
Dave |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Now that's the attitude we need to have!!!
Actually Dave, Waskel and I found the back door into your website and thus, your Home/Work PC's and all of your info.
Orders have been placed!
Please leave positive feedback... |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | The old battery is a bear to change, but it lasts forever. Just put a new one in every 2 or 3 years when a string change comes due (the old liturature says it should last for about 2,000 hrs, and I swear it's true). I have 2 of the old ones, and an OP Pro in the LX. The tuner is a nice feature, but frankly, how many bells and whistles do you need when the sound guy is just going to eq your tone to the house anyway? Also, the OP Pro seems to eat up the battery pretty fast. If it's just the battery change, install a quick change battery holder and save some money. |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Joey, the only new O I would consider that would give you similar sound to your 1617 would be a 1777LX Legend with a contour bowl. THEN, you might could get rid of your 1769. Or....a Custom Legend with the contour bowl if you want the bling. But you want the contour bowl.
Hmmmmm....or maybe an Al DiMeola Custom Legend......(it's deep bowl)
Roger |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Originally posted by Tommy M.:
Mitch
I have a 1619CL 1982. Love the neck and thought about upgrading the electronics. How did you coordinate it with Ovation for your upgrade? Send an email to Kim Keller (kkeller-kmc@kaman.com) with the model and serial number of your guitar and the work that you want to have done. Kim will give you a return authorization number. You then pack up the guitar and send it to the factory with the auth number marked on the box. Kim will then send you a written invoice for the repair.
Getting back to the original subject, there are those who really like the sound of a vintage Legend and the feel of the old (pre-Kaman bar) necks. I certainly do. A 25 year old Legend with that neck is worth upgrading IMHO. The OP Pro is not just bells and whistles, it's a whole 'nuther sound when compared to the old stacked knob FET. Once the guitar is at the factory, you can have the frets dressed and leveled and any cosmetic fixes you want/need for a very reasonable fee. My 1619 looks and plays like new. It started out pretty beat up.
For anyone who really loves their old Legend, factory upgrades and refurbishing is something to seriously consider. |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 86
Location: Detroit area | Thanks for the great advice. It would ultimately be very hard to part with the CL (you know, sentimental value...), so perhaps the pre-amp upgrade would do the trick. I already play the Legend through a Boss GT-8, mainly for the tuner and a little subdelay. But again, that battery!
Thanks again. |
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C. Legend vs. LX?? What to do...