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Location: SoCal | This could be a great deal for an outstanding 12-string.
eBay |
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Location: closely held secret | I saw that one too, Tony. But the description of the cracks with no pictures scared me. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | If the price is right to grab the guitar, the factory can fix the cracks. |
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Location: closely held secret | True. I'm just not yet used to the concept of a guitar maker who actually cares about them once they go out the door...
I'll keep my eye on it. |
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Location: SoCal | I have two 1658 Custom Legend slotheads (the a/e version of this.) My first Ovation was this model in dark sunburst.
Ask seller for closeup of finish cracks. Also, details of other damage.
A natural finish is easier to work with than dark sunburst - either at the factory or on your desk. You can either eliminate, mitigate, or at least seal the cracks. A thin sealed crack can be character...it is over 25 years old. StewMac has the fine grit (I use 3,200 to 12,000) and #4 swirl remover. You can even touch up the crack to blend with the other surface area. Can fill with water sol glue or CYA, then sand. Excess CYA comes right off with CYA solvent w/o damaging the finish.
If this scares you, send directly from the seller to the factory...very, very inexpensive for the pros to bring her back to near-new.
These guitars are not cheap so if it goes for a low price, super deal. |
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Location: Maryland, USA | For $125, even with the cracks, it'd probably be a good deal. |
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Location: closely held secret | Well, fixing the cracks doesn't sound that scary.
Tony, do you think it would be possible to install an older style one-knobber preamp like the FET and p/u in one of these? |
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Location: SoCal | anything is possible but wouldn't it be better to get the 1658 and leave this great ol' lady intact?
I have an acoustic GC - wouldn't consider changing. |
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Location: SoCal | just got a picture from seller...major cracks, email if you want a pic.
would recommend having it sent direct from seller to factory. |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Tony Calman:
just got a picture from seller...major cracks, email if you want a pic. yeah, I got it too... ouchie. They can fix that? |
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | I thought that the bids looked a little low. That would explain it. |
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Location: closely held secret | Looks like a third crack is starting at the bridge, which looks like it could let go any time...
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Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Oh Man, what a mess! I'm not an expert, but it looks like the whole top needs to be replaced. It looks pretty buckled as well as cracked. |
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Location: SoCal | I AM NOT AN EXPERT...although I have been successful...
Sure, this can be fixed...either have it sent direct to factory from seller or do it yourself.
Two choices:
Full top refinish (down to wood) which was about $350-375 for my CL 1658 (a/e version of this) plus factory shipping to me.
Or, have factory seal, sand, and buff for pocket change.
Or (in addition to checking braces), seal, sand and buff using material from Stew/Mac.
Was told (and agree) that natural is easier than dark sunburst - repaired a bad finish crack in dark sunburst that is smooth, hard to see. On this, even if the crack is visible, will look more like the grain.
Here's the deal...if anyone from OFC is going to bid, let me know. These are hard to come by and the best wood-top 12 that I have ever had or played. I wouldn't sell my natural 1658 for less than $1,200. So, if it will go too low, I will get it, send to Kim (sorry Kim, know everyone is busy), full top refinish, then sell it for big bucks. I would easily pay at least $350-400 for it. However, I have two 1658's - would rather someone on the OFC get a fine instrument.
You want an a/e 1658 or a 1659 non slothead - both dark sunburst that I might sell (stacked tone/vol) - suggest that this one be left acoustic. |
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Location: NJ | That needs a new top. |
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Location: closely held secret | Ok, Tony, I'm going for it. Thanks for the advice. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | G'luck Waskel. I was tempted too. Hope you get it. |
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Location: closely held secret | We'll see. I have my financial constraints at the moment. |
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Location: Tampa, FL | I may also be taking a shot at this, will know more tomorrow. |
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Location: Central Florida | Aren't the Custom Legend slothead 12-strings and Glen Campbell 12-strings essentially the same guitar except for the upgraded cosmetics on the CL?
Jeff |
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Location: SoCal | as to playing...appears awful close. not sure if AAA spruce on GC but believe so.
as to appearance - the abalone inlaids, rosette, carved walnut trc & bridge, etc., highlight the CL. and, these items added to the cost, when new or used.
both are great 12's. |
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Location: Tampa, FL | I'm in on this one, but I'm not super committed to it. All interested parties are welcome... |
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Location: closely held secret | I am. Please don't drive it up too far! :) |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Dun dun dun dun dun (poor version of the theme from Jaws!) :cool: |
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Location: closely held secret | The mind of T28 works in mysterious ways... |
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Location: Tampa, FL | Time: Noon
Place: Tuscon, AZ
Chatman and Waskel square off. Face to face, 20 paces separating two desperate men, the noon sun bakes the sweating pair. Each eyeing the other, waiting, senses acutely tuned to change. The first to move initiates an inexhorable sequence. One that, once begun, must grind to its inevitable, as yet unknown, conclusion.
Suddenly, without warning, Chatman blinks.
A new awareness is apparent in his eyes, he has the look of new found knowledge. Glancing down, he sees to his horror, that he has forgotten his pants. Unable to continue, he awakens.
Hey Waskel, come on in, the water's fine. |
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Location: Tampa, FL | Oh the dweaded Waskel has stwuck. You could have at least let me bask in my winning bid for a few more minutes. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | The mysteriousness is that it works at all :confused: |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by ChatMan:
Hey Waskel, come on in, the water's fine. Can't right now. I've got my pants on. :D
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Location: Peoria, Illinois | I am looking at it too. How much of the value would be lost if this was sent back to the factory for a reconditioning? |
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Location: Tampa, FL | Couldn't say for sure, but I would guess that the answer is "less than if you didn't" |
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Location: closely held secret | Skinny's probably right. With the top damage, I can't see this being worth much if you didn't get it fixed.
(wave of hand) These aren't the droids you're looking for. |
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Location: closely held secret | Here\'s one that doesn't need any work. |
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Location: Peoria, Illinois | Any other slot head 12's out there to look at? (wave of the hand), I am not looking at this one......
What I DO like about this ebay item is the slot head and 12 fret neck. |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | If what Cliff says is true...that the top needs to be replaced (a judgement call, but I tend to agree), then you have to take into account that when the boys at the factory replace a top, they also replace the bowl and the bridge. They take a band saw to it and cut off everything a couple of inches from the neck. Then they unbolt the remains and rebuild. So...you're essentially bidding on a neck. It is a beautiful neck, though. My point is that you kind of wind up with a different guitar. |
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Location: closely held secret | Thanks, bhb. Keep my optimism up. :rolleyes: |
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Location: SoCal | bridge does not appear to be lifting (also confirmed by seller) and other "stress" finish cracks that would indicate top replacement...of course, only the factory would be able to make that judgement (and they are on a vacation break).
it is a risk but if, as the seller has stated, there are no playability problems (bridge, neck, etc.) then pretty good chance the cracks just need to be sealed. this will never be cosmetically perfect but should be able to get the finish cracks smooth and look close to the grain. note that the finish cracks are not into the inlaid...heck, the custom elite I just bought has a finish crack into the inlaid.
the cracks look bad because they are old with oil, dirt, whatever that has gotten in there. if one of the cracks is through the wood, seal the bottom as you are sealing the top. again, these do not look like fresh cracks so at least you know what you've got.
fill, sand, buff...a good home project. |
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Location: closely held secret | I'm going to have it sent to the mothership when they get back from vacation on 8/1. I'd like to see what they think about it.
Thank you for all your advice, Tony. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Waskel,
It's a good grab. |
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Location: closely held secret | nope, got sniped. :( Wasn't meant to be. |
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Location: closely held secret | Glenn, I'm still looking at the pictures and thinking. Very attractive price on a decent guitar, but I'm still kind of hoping for a Balladeer to jump out at me and say "BUY ME"!
My brain hasn't said no to the Ultra, however. |
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Location: Peoria, Illinois | Waskel,
Sorry you got sniped on that 12-string. As soon as I saw that you and I were bidding against each other, I stopped and just followed the bid.
I am really a new instrument kind of guy but I have this thing about wanting a slot head guitar. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Jim....satisfy both desires....get the U681T :D |
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Location: Peoria, Illinois | I hear you man. Al has one I believe. I wonder what kind of shape it is in. Does it have the same issues that the others that were sent back to the factory had? Al???? |
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| no problem waskel,
The CL would have been a good grab in my opinion but then I would have done a DIY on the cracks and still been very happy.
been playing it(ultra) for three days now since the new set-up and strings went with the elixir special 11's and has some good punch still say it sounds like my balladeer's more like the 1112 than the 1111, plugged in sounds nice and bright.
God Bless,
Glenn |
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Location: SoCal | When I'm not so lazy ;) , I'll probably put a 1658 CL a/e or the GC acoustic,(both dark sunburst) out on the "for sale"; or maybe the A-347 shiny bowl Balladeer slothead acoustic.
Maybe even the 1659 CL a/e (regular headstock, dark sunburst);
The keeper is the natural 1658 that the factory did such a great job on. Nice to have a 25 year old classic that is as-new. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Jim, even if it did have some issues, the factory will stand behind it and make it like new (or better). Don't let all of our early bad press scare you off. Everyone is delioursly happy now and the guitar is a tone monster!
If Al has one or can get you one, you need to jump all over it! Remember...limited to 100! |
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eBay-1158 Custom Legend slothead 12str