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Joined:
April 2005
Posts: 2
Location: Rhode Island | I have a Balladeer that was apparently made in 1966. It has the number 144 printed inside. It has a deep bowl that is smooth on the outside. Two years ago it was laying around in my great aunt's house without being played or protected. Fortunately, my Aunt said I could take it and weeks later the house burnt to the ground. Nobody was hurt, but the house was destroyed.
Even though I saved the guitar, this Balladeer needs a few repairs from being neglected and unprotected for many years. I plan to bring it to West Hartford in the near future to get a repair estimate. The bracing appears good but the neck needs to be re-set. There is a crack in the top which is quite dehydrated.
I'd love to be able to play this guitar, but I'm afraid I'll have to sink lots of money into repair and restoration. Depending on the result, I may be interested in selling or trading to recoup monies spent.
Any interested collectors out there? Any thoughts on how much should I spend to repair or restore this guitar? I don't want to spend more than the value of the guitar itself. | |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 640
Location: boulder | Hi Jon,
You might get a few different thoughts. But if you have an early 'shiny bowl' balladeer, w/ s/n 144, and it's in decent shape, I say let the ovation factory at least give you an estimate to make it proper again. You seem to get a lot of bang for your buck by having the factory luthiers work their magic. (cracks, resets, they are the best, and you are relatively close being in RI)
Once you have a restored by Ovation factory early shiny bowl balladeer, s/n 144, now you are in the drivers seat.
But the big question is.... what does the rossette look like? Please say mostly black with a white ribbon chain pattern with some grapes at about the 4 o'clock position. :) Ok, if it is the same pattern but mostly white with black ribbon and grapes, it's still good. (mostly black is more rare). Rossettes from early on tend to go bad easyly, so don't worry if yours has.
Of course we want to see pictures if it is possible.
I think if you spent $500, you would get $650 -$1000 depending on condition of originality, finish (cracks, dings, scratches), set up and fret condition, etc.....Maybe my costs are off, others will let you know if I am in ball park or not.
I will be in Mystic Ct in three weeks, I wouldn't mind meeting and taking a peek at your guitar, I sort of like shiny bowls...email me here or cookmj@boulder.net
Think about it this way, there are only 143 possible guitars earlier then yours, ever built by Ovation, ........... the condition of the rossette is the key, peace, hope it helps, I am way tired from moving today and yesterday, good luck, mike | |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Good advice above. The price Fugot stated is about right based on my experience (depending on the condition of the top, might even be less 350-450, but I would use 500 as an expectation) Good Luck, if you get her primped, she's a keeper ( you would do no worse than break even, if you sold after repairs) | |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I think number 154 just sold on ebay to Trawler for $152.50. I was at $150 till the last second. I thought it looked pretty good from the pictures, but Standing O thought the top was trashed. It is really hard to value old "collector's" of anything. Sentimental value is worth a lot to those with the sentiment. | |
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Joined:
April 2005
Posts: 2
Location: Rhode Island | Thanks for the responses. Sorry to be MIA for a while--I hadn't been back to the site till now to read your words of wisdom.
In response to Mike about the rossette, I'll check when I get home. I think it is the mostly white version with black patterns but I'm not positive. I would say that the rossette is in very good shape--though I'm no expert.
I brought the guitar to Noll guitar in Warwick,RI and they told me that it appears that the original starburst top had been refinished. The top now is clear showing the color of the wood.
I'll take some pictures tonight when I get home and post them for people to see the condition.
Mike,that would be great if you wanted to come see my guitar when you are in Mystic. The only thing is that I am thinking of making the trip to West Hartford soon (maybe tomorrow) and I'll probably have to leave it there for a while. Keep me posted about when you think you will be coming.
Jon K | |
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restoring an Old Balladeer #144