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January 2005
Posts: 49
Location: Orlando, Fl | Hey guys! I am new to the forum and have a question.
Background: I have come across what I believe to be a Custom Legend 12 string. Some idiot took the label out of the bowl, so I will be needing your expertise.
1) The guitar has tons of abolone inlay and a very ornate carved bridge. It looks similar to other custom legends I have seen, but it has one notable difference. The "Ovation" in the headstock is inlayed with MOP or abolone, as well.
2) The top has finish cracks. They don't affect to guitars playing and don't bother me too much, although they are quite large.
Question: What year(s) was this model made and what do you think a good deal is for it?
(I appreciate your help. This guitar needs to be saved from a local pawn shop. I didn't want to purchase it until I got my facts straight. It needs a lot of work, but I am always up for a challenge! :D )
Kindest Regards,
Anthony |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Anthony:
Welcome to the group. It's a good place to hang out and you'll like it here.
On the CL, is the headstock a slothead or solid? Does it have electronics? If so, what kind? Stacked volume/tone? OP24?
Also, even if the label inside the soundhole is gone, look inside up by the neck block. The serial number should be up there and with that, you can determine when the guitar was built. |
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January 2005
Posts: 49
Location: Orlando, Fl | Thanks Paul! :)
I will make a trip to the shop and see if I can find the serial number on the block. I will also try to give you the remainder info later today.
If anyone else has input, I thank you ahead of time.
Kindest Regards,
Anthony |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | JustBuyIt . . . ;) |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | Well, there is that option too....
How much do they want for it? |
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January 2005
Posts: 49
Location: Orlando, Fl | They are asking $300 USD. I would have bought it instantly, if it were not for the finish/surface cracks. There are 3 large ones ( 2 under the bridge going to the bottom and 1 from the upper left of the sound hole going to the upper left of the top.)
As I stated earlier, they don't appear to affect the playability of the guitar. I just wonder if I should wait to find one with a top in better shape.
Kindest Regards,
Anthony |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 1374
| my opinion if cracks are not top-through or affecting structural or sonic integrity.
go for it.
i don't think you will find another CL anywhere near that price. especially w/mint top. but again I'mnew at this.
I've bought lower end O's 12&6 at about the same price. as my colleagues here will tell you nothing wrong with a few war wounds.
my 1758 has a crack/split bridge to binding
(stable)
my 1111 as above plus smaller finish crack.
my 1118 has three 2 finish/1 top-through again binding to bridge. the top through has been(hopefully) repaired and stabilized w/a glue treatment.
Does it talk to you?
Glenn |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Ok, my opinion and your money!
$300 for a Custom Legend with the carved bridge and some character is very, very good! Get it and enjoy it!
For about $350 having the Factory take off and recoat the top and making it perfect would also be a deal.
Check out the new Custom Legend LX and judge the Value for yourself! |
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January 2005
Posts: 49
Location: Orlando, Fl | Well, I went back to the store to take a look at it. The headstock is slotted, has a carved truss rod cover, but it is acoustic only. No eletronics!!! Now I am really baffled, I thought that Custom Legends were acoustic/electric.
Also, at least one of the cracks appear to go through the body. :rolleyes:
Anyways, I think that I am going to sleep on it over night. If you guys think that it is something other than a Custom Legend or have any other input, drop a line.
Kindest Regards,
Anthony |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Anthony,
Appears you are talking about a 1158 (1658 is the a/e version.) A beautiful instrument. My first Ovation was a sunburst 1158.
Assuming the rest of the guitar is in good shape, their asking price is good. Even if you shipped it back to the factory and had the top refinished.
As for the cracks...if finish cracks (not through wood) it is fairly easy to repair or at least mitigate the crack yourself. Even if the crack is through the wood, you can seal it to avoid other damage.
My recommendation is to run, not walk, back in there. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | I have a 1619 CL that has a through the wood crack that goes from the bottom of the bridge to the bottom of the guitar. I paid $225 for it on eBay about a year ago. I filled in the crack, as per some OFC advice, with some super glue and I have never had any problems with it. The action on mine is fantastic as is the playability. As for the acoustic tone, the only Ovation I've played that sounds better is my Elite 1537, but the 1619 is easier to play because it has a thinner neck profile. My 1619 also has some minor finish checking that is not very visible because it is in the dark part of the sunburst finish. $300 for a slothead 12 string Custom Legend, even without electronics, is a good deal. The guitar as described sounds like a late '70s model. Back then the factory reserved the absolutely highest grade of spruce for the Custom Legends. They called it hand-select AAA. GO FOR IT!!!
BTW-I would not even consider a refinish of the top if it plays well. Perhaps a thinline under the saddle p/u if you need electronics. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Go for it! |
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Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | JustBuyIt . . . |
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Old Custom Legend Question
