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Joined:
August 2010
Posts: 48
Location: Sydney | Hey folks!
I've just had a tour of the Ovation Tribute page and it's fascinating, a truly great source of information.
I've been poring over Balladeers that I might be able to get hold of, both Custom and Standard.
Now after looking at the old catalogue, I see the Ovation Legend looks like a lovely piece.
Does anyone have any views on how Legends compare to balladeers in terms of sound and projection?
I found my custom balladeer of yesteryear could be a tad on the quiet side, especially in the bass notes.
Beauty, thanks all! :) |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Welcome Jeremiah,
In general... the Legend is just a dressed up Balladeer.
In specific.. I think the Legend models might get the better choice of materials and might have a little more attention paid to them during assembly. Afterall, they are their top of the line wood tops.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | It depends on when they were built and what bracing was used on them.
Legends in the 1970's had VT-11 bracing. Balladeers and Custom Balladeers had X bracing. In the 80's they all went to A bracing.
By and large, the Legends had better materials and were fancier. But you'd have to play them all side by side to decide which you liked best..... |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Hi, Jeremiah! First there's nothing that I could add to what Slipkid and Moody would say. They are a wealth of knowledge. Wait a bit for others to weigh in as well...you'll get even more!
Second, you have a GREAT name -- right out of some great adventure novel!
Best,
Alan |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| What Moody said. |
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Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 608
Location: Caribou, ME | I had a 1990 1719 Custom Legend that was a dream. The only criticism is that I never got comfortable with it because it was almost too pretty to handle. I was always aware of how 'nice' it was and was always leery of bumping it against something. I have a couple battle worn Balladeers that sound very nice and I actually use them. I don't mistreat any of my guitars, it's just that there's a greater comfort level with something that's already bruised.
I think it went overseas. I kinda miss it... but I miss every guitar I sell. |
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Joined:
August 2010
Posts: 48
Location: Sydney | You guys are the best, thanks for those tips. It looks like I'll just have to get both and then in theory sell one but we all know how those plans end. There doesn't seem to be huge amounts of praise for the legends over the top of a balladeer, at least not for the extra cash.
Indeed the only difference I could pick up was the apparent AAA grade spruce on the legend vs A grade on the balladeer, but who knows if my ear could tell the difference.
It seems that the legends have higher sale prices on ebay, and might not quite be possibly perhaps worth that extra.
Thanks for the kudos on the name Alan, I wish I could say my parents gave it to me at birth, but instead it was an old english farmer who was a bit nutty and may well have lived in an adventure novel of his own making...
The quest continues! |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Hey Jeramiah, what side of Sydney are you on? (I'm in the deep North). I prefer Legends to Balladeers - I had a deep bowl 1117 legend which is a delight to play (my nephew has it now).
It depends on your budget, but I'd fork out the extra money for a legend. I think you'll enjoy the difference long after you've forgotten how much you paid. |
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Joined:
August 2010
Posts: 48
Location: Sydney | Hey Tafkar, thanks for that. I have had a Balladeer and loved it, but to try something different I think I may keep my eyes peeled for a legend, I don't like to buy guitars too often (ok I do, but my wife doesn't) so maybe spending the minimal amount extra would be worth it.
I'm perhaps in the shallow north? If that is a term. A stone's throw from the harbour! O'er the hill and far away.
Or cremorne point as it may be known. |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Jeremiah, I'm in Hornsby Heights
If you want to try something REALLY different (obscure reference for fans of The Twighlight Zone) you could come and try my Adamases. However, be warned - once you've tasted carbon fibre, you'll never go back. Your wife will also get a bit annoyed because it's more than just a little bit extra over a Balladeer. |
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Joined:
August 2010
Posts: 48
Location: Sydney | Ah really different, sounds a bit too daring to me, I thought carbon fibre was for bikes only!
I've bitten the bullet and got a 1979 Legend (1617) on its way! It turned out to be only $20 more than the balladeer (1612) that I was looking at, so seems like a decent deal!
Just out of interest, Moody said that "Legends in the 1970's had VT-11 bracing. Balladeers and Custom Balladeers had X bracing. In the 80's they all went to A bracing."
So this 1979 should have VT-11 Bracing, is that good?
I shall continue the research... |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I have owned several legends over the years...I really liked them and look forward to your comments when yours arrives! |
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Joined:
August 2010
Posts: 48
Location: Sydney | Thanks Mike, gee I've been reading a lot about bracing and I almost feel like I've bought a lemon with some of the hostility towards VT! Turns out this could be one of the early 79 A bracing ones, but nonetheless ouch!
Can't wait to give her a go :) |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | JG,
We here spend a lot of time and effort in deciding which car to drive to da prom...
All that counts is that ya get dere!
Just to throw ya off a bit more, I had a Custom Balladeer that had more mojo than any CL I've ever played. That puppy is now in Italy with Riccardo... still looking for comparable replacement! 
:D |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | And I have an early 80's Legend that I picked out when I worked at the factory, as the BEST sounding guitar I came across in all the years I worked there.
BUT!! There is a guy I know who has a Balladeer from the 60's. When we compared the two guitars side-by-side, they sounded almost identical!
Go figure... |
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Joined:
August 2010
Posts: 48
Location: Sydney | Ah Iffy, just sold my custom balladeer too.
History repeating itself?
So ALison... each an individual beauty eh. Once you find it, never let it go :) |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
Just to throw ya off a bit more, I had a Custom Balladeer that had more mojo than any CL I've ever played.
:D I have one of those C. Balladeers, but mine's a 12-string. I've had Custom Legend 12's, an Adamas 12, and several Pacemakers pass through my hands. They looked fantastic. They sounded great. But that stock, burst-finished, off-the-rack, impulse-bought 1755 has something in its sound that just plain makes me smile when I hear it. It also has the BEST action of any 12-string of any a brand I've ever played. It's the only guitar I've kept for more than five years or so. (Thus far anyway. :rolleyes: )
It may be that the sentimental value I carry for it colors my impressions. So what? All I can say is that the first 12-string I've found that holds a candle to it is a 1538. So it couldn't possibly be in better company. :D |
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Ovation Legends versus Balladeers
