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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Cincinnati, OH | I have an Ovation Balladeer 12-String. The label is hand typed and says:
Model "Balladeer"
Serial "A-348"
Approval "12-string"
"PAT APPLIED FOR".
Anyone have any ideas? The Ovation code series "A+3 digits" = 1968 (July-Nov). Is this a production model or a prototype? I was told that Ovation did not make a Balladeer 12 string. Thanks for your input. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | In the early days, Ovation used what labels it had. This sounds like an early Pacemaker. Is the back shiny or textured? Is the rosette inlaid or an add on piece, and if it's inlaid, does the soundhole appear to be smaller than the inlay?
When Ovation first started building 12's they were just called the Ovation 12 String. They didn't become the Pacemaker until late '69. |
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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Cincinnati, OH | The back is shiny and the rosette is inlaid. The sound hole is much smaller than the inlay, maybe 3/8" or 1/2" on each side. Do you think this was a production guitar or possibly a prototype? How would I determine the value of it? |
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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Cincinnati, OH | The back is shiny and the rosette is inlaid. The sound hole is much smaller than the inlay, maybe 3/8" or 1/2" on each side. Do you think this was a production guitar or possibly a prototype? How would I determine the value of it? |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | It's a Balladeer 12-string. Probably like this one ...
http://www.ovationgallery.com/pageoriginalb12.htm |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 1388
Location: Paris/France | Dave is right,
Look at this sheet for specifications:
BALLADEER 12S
J :) |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 153
| The described guitar is a first generation Ovation 12-string that pre-dated the Pacemaker model. It did not carry a model name, but was known as model # 5, sequentially following the first four production models (# 1 - Balladeer, # 2 - Deluxe Balladeer, # 3 - Classic, # 4 - Josh White).
This model 12-string was first produced in 1967, and thus, the mentioned guitar carrying serial number A-348 is not a prototype, but rather, a full production guitar that had been produced for over a year when manufactured. It is estimated that approximately 100 - 200 of these guitars were produced before 1968 when the textured bowls were introduced.
If 100% original, the guitar will have four distinguishing characteristics:
1) A smooth, shiny bowl with no texture.
2) A reduced size soundhole with an inlaid
(flush) rosette. There is also a small
strip of wood bewteen the rosette and the
soundhole.
3) A Brazilian rosewood bridge with curved
"wings" at the ends (with or without two,
possibly three, pearl dot inlays).
4) Kluson Deluxe open tuners (with no Kluson
markings).
The original case would be a Geib or Lifton black tolex case, with blue or yellow (orange) plush lining. However, most of the 1968 models came with the yellow (orange) lining.
The 1968 models have a two-piece spruce top. However, some of the earlier models have a three-piece spruce top.
Most of the first year (1967) guitars carry the first generation "Bloomfield" labels, and are printed with the model name "Balladeer" or "Deluxe Balladeer" in italics. Usually the designation "12-string" is typed on the Approval line. The serialization on these guitars is either three or four digits, with no letter prefix.
Following the first year (1968), the labels were the "New Hartford" label, with the model name "Balladeer" or "Deluxe Balladeer" typed on the label. This label also generally carries the designation "12-string" on the Approval line.
The serialization of these guitars was either A-XXX or B-XXX, with the model style having changed by the introduction of the C-XXX serial numbers in late 1968 or early 1969.
With regard to value, these guitars generally have a selling price of $300.00 to $600.00, depending on comestic condition. Several 1968 Ovation 12-strings have been offered on the market with asking prices in excess of these values. However, most of these have been listed for several years without success. |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 153
| Correction: The last line of the second paragraph should read: "It is estimated that approximately 100 - 200 of these guitars were produced before 1969 when the textured bowls were introduced." |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | It's a very cool guitar. Hold onto it. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Keep it or give it to me!
Welcome to the board! |
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What is it???