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Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 10
Location: Linköping Sweden | Hi!
I'm helping a friend buying a guitar for her boyfriends birthday
(Posted a topic regarding a Balladeer 1111-3 a few weeks ago).
Now I've found a Legend 1617-4 (1975), and since I have one myself, I know this is a GREAT guitar.
My guitar's made 1982 though, so I wonder if there's a big difference between the Legend made 1975 and the one made 1982? If so, what are the differences?
The problem is that I can't SEE the guitar, cause I live quite far from where it is now. So my only way of helping my friend is talking to the seller, asking the "right" questions, and getting some more info from all the nice experts on this forum.
This older guitar costs a little bit more than what I payed for mine. It's sold in a music shop though (I bought mine on the web), so that's one of the reasons I guess.
I'd be greatful for quick answers, cause this birthday is coming up fast now... ;-)
Thanks!
/Anna |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Should be a very nice guitar - AAA spruce, deep bowl, 'A' brace, ebony fretboard; features found on the Custom Legend and Al DiMeola.
Could be a difference between two guitars of the same model...one possibility is how the top has "aged." Respected theory is that a guitar needs to be played (vibration) to "open" up the top. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Anna:
There's a BIG difference between an '82 1617 and a '75 1617-it's the bracing pattern in the top. The Legends made in the 80's had Ovation A bracing while the older ones had something called VT bracing. Several knowledgable members of the OFC have commented that the VT bracing is very much inferior and not recommended. I've never owned a Legend with the VT pattern, but I have a 1619 Custom Lgend and I used to own a 1117 both of which have the A bracing and great acoustic sound. I'm not sure when the change to the Ovation A bracing pattern was made, but I do know that the '75 Legends had the VT pattern. My advice is to keep looking for either a 1617 that has the Kaman bar in the neck (no truss rod cover on the headstock) or a 1717, both of which will have the A bracing. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Mitchrx, thanks for helping me out and not leading Anna astray...course the other alternative is moving up to a 1619. |
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Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 10
Location: Linköping Sweden | Mitchrx,
thank you so much for your expertise!
That was really something worth knowing of course... :)
I talked to the music shop the other day, and they don't seem to know very much about Ovation guitars at all, I'm afraid.
Because of this, I think I will be difficult to get the "right" price.
Anyhow, I've told my friend about this, and she will let her boyfriend play the guitar before they go any further.
This information will definitely influence his decision.
Again, Thank You!
Kind regards
Anna |
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1617-4
