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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 43
| My first post was a few weeks ago, and I shortly after won an e-bay auction for a dinged up 1861 Balladeer with some neglect and the treble side wing-tip broken from the top of the headstock.
At $102 I figured I could take a chance....
Well, it arrived today, and the e-bay pictures made it look worse than it actually appears in person. While the dings do show, they are not so bad. The color looked kind of orangey-burst in the pictures, but it is actually a very pleasing red glow - Ovation red.
Strings were old and loosened to ship, at my request. Tuned it up and saw something that made me sad - the action was very high. I looked at the neck to body joint and there was a gap.
Pulled the strings off, took out 2 shims from under the saddle, and looked inside at the neck attachment. I got a 7/16 socket and tightened the attachment bolt, closing that gap. Strung it back up with old strings and the action was just right. Might tweak the truss later, but it's a real sweet player!
So I took the old strings off, cleaned the whole thing up, oiled the exposed wood, and put new strings on it.
SWEET!
That wonderful focused tone I missed from my years-ago 1862 is here in the 1861. I usually don't like rosewood fretboards, but this one is as right as rain. Very smooth.
Haven't plugged into an amp, but I plugged it into a tuner and all was fine.
Guess I got lucky - I'm really happy to have an Ovation again. I missed that comfortable shallow bowl and the special sound of these. I have a nice Larrivée dread when I want big woody volume, but I appreciate what Ovations do also.
The SKB case is in good condition, but nothing to write home about. Boy, this puppy plays like a dream! |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | It's amazing what you can get on eBay if you're simply looking for a playable Ovation and have the ability to do minor adjustments.
Your Balladeer is a tribute to the durability of Ovations. They can take a "winging" but keep on singing.
Rock On! |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | You got a good deal. I was just bidding on what looks like an older Balladeer with the electronics pulled out and a cracked head and it went up over what you paid and I gave up. |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 43
| I was really hoping for the feel and sound of the 1862 I had some years ago - this one fills the bill. I liked the fret markers on the 1862, and I think the fretboard may have been walnut. Most rosewood boards I find feel kind of grainy and porous, but this 1861 has a very smooth look and feel. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Isn't it is much better to get old beat up gitter and bring it back to life? I find it more exciting that buying a new one (well some of the time). |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 43
| Yeah, I feel pretty good about this 'un. |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12755
Location: Boise, Idaho | After my last post I went back and bid up the cracked Balladeer or Legend and thought I had it for $177, but got beat at the last second. I was somewhat disappointed. I was going to fix it up for my daughter or her boyfriend. I think my wife was actually hoping I'd get it so that I wouldn't be looking at ebay all the time. Ha! |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 43
| Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
I think my wife was actually hoping I'd get it so that I wouldn't be looking at ebay all the time. Ha! Won't she be surprised when she learns it never works out that way! |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 69
Location: Massachusetts | LOL Mark.
Great deal. Great story CC. I have been won over... There's no doubt, if I buy another acoustic...... stop laughing out there! I can stop any time!,... that it'll be an Ovation |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Even, if you think in terms of parts and the case, it's a good deal. To have it in playing condition. Sweet. |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 43
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My $102 e-bay Balladeer 1861: The Verdict