So, I was searching Craig's List, as I do most days, for "Ovation Guitars", and found a new listing for a 1980 Ovation... for $50!

No phone number on the ad, listed as email response only... After getting no response on my first attempt, I sent another with my phone number.. long story short, he finally called me the next morning, but did not know what model he had.

So, I went to check it out, and to my surprise it was a model 1617, natural finish, A braced Legend! Obviously I bought it.

It is in rough condition, with a small piece knocked off one ear (more of a "Mike Tyson" than a "Van Gogh"), has a few short cracks, and one quite long crack in the body, several dings, 20 + year old strings, quite a bit of fret wear, plus the electronics did not work. I played it, and it sounded decent even with the old strings!

This is exactly what I was looking for, something I can take camping, or let my year old Grandson "help" me play, as he LOVES to do. 

I spent a couple hours cleaning it, stripped out the electronics, put on new strings, and this thing sounds AMAZING! It'a s keeper for sure.

I plan to seal the cracks, and maybe replace some frets, but other than that, will leave it alone. Now I have a low cost, great sounding guitar that I am not afraid to use and abuse.