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Location: San Francisco, CA | What can you folks tell me about this model? Please list pros and cons, plugged and unplugged.
Many thanks!
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I had one for quite a few years and loved it. They made a lot of them, but the quality was still good. It played great with the narrow neck and low acton, and sounded really nice plugged and unplugged. The only problem I ever saw with these is finish cracks in the laquer which was due to the thick finish used during that time and extreme temperature changes ... never affected the sound or playability though. The medium bowl size was relatively comfortable. The bling factor was great, with everyone who looked at it commenting on how beautiful it was. Arguably the most beautiful guitar made by Ovation. They all came with the AAA Sitka Spruce top, which would cost an arm and a leg on any brand name guitar nowadays. Today you can find them on the used market ranging between $500-$800 (average) and a bit higher at times for ones that are in excellent condition. I personally think they are one of the best values for someone wanting an outstanding instrument at a moderate price. The only reason I got rid of mine was because I already had aquired more guitars than the wife was happy with, and i had a missionary friend who really needed a guitar. I gave it to her, and she still has it and loves it. If you're looking at getting one, have it looked at to make sure there are no serious structural issues first. If there's not any problem there, I'm confident you'll be happy with it. |
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| I had a -5. Beautiful, well-made guitar, especially if you like bling. The cutaway is nice if you play up higher. It's a shallow bowl (not a mid), so the unplugged tone can be a little thin compared to a full bodied deep bowl custom legend (1619, 1719) of the same era. Mine had the OP24 pre-amp, which was simple but adequate to the task. I only got rid of it because at the time I was playing mostly unplugged and preferred the richer & louder tone of a deep bowl. If you're looking for a stage guitar, especially if you play standing up, you'd be hard pressed to find a nicer one. |
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Posts: 92
Location: San Francisco, CA | Thanks for the input!
Would it be possible (or worthwhile) to have a techie install the latest pickup system? Is the current system really superior to what Ovation was using in 1990 on the Model 1869 Custom Legend?
I'm getting really close to pulling the trigger on a 1990 Model 1869.
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| The OP-Pro are probably among the best pre-amps available, but you're looking at a pretty good expense (cost of the pre-amp itself plus labor for someone to cut the side of the bowl to shape for the can and install it). Assuming the existing pre-amp has no issues you might be better off just getting a DI box and running it through that. |
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Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | I had my 1990 12 CL (1759) custom built basically as a 12 string version of the 1869.
Like G8r said the shallow bowl isn't as loud but it still sounds really nice and of course great plugged in.
I haven't had any issues with finish cracks on mine and to me the OP-24 sound just fine.
Oh, and the bling doesn't hurt either. |
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Location: Seymour, Tennessee | Oh yeah, there's a pic of mine on my ning page... |
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Location: Newington, CT | I like mine. Love the neck! Very playable. Better plugged in than not. See G8r's first comment. I think I paid $400 for it, but it had a cracked piece in the epi. VERY much worth it. It was a used Craigslist special. The guy hadn't played it for years, and just wanted to sell it. Other than the epi, it was in great condition and I love it. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | A less expensive and easier-to-install upgrade recommendation for the electronics would be the Optima pickup. It has more options, including the built-in tuner. You could email Kaman Customer service and ask how much they would charge you to put one in. |
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Location: Munich, Germany | Wow! Consolidated knowledge! 1869 with mid depth bowls, Custom Legends with cracked epis...
Listen to what G8r and Michael said.
1869's are very good guitars plugged in, but not the go-to-guitar if you want to wake up the house on an acoustic base.
To my ears, the old, one knobbed OP-24 is one of the best Preamps Ovation ever built. Very good acoustic sound.
If you're interested in an Optima (also one of the best with notch and tuner), I'd try to get an 1869 that came with an Optima. They're not really rare and with that not that expensive.
I never play mine, because I hardly play plugged in, but everytime I take it from the wall and play some notes, I fall in love with it.
AND: It is one of the nicest guitars Ovation ever made (this of course means all bowl depths).
Best regards,
Kurt
Wait, here, a picture to relief GAS:
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Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | The Op 24 is a great preamp. The OP Pro is very similar but gives you a tuner. Without a real big hassle, you can't retrofit a kidney shaped OP Pro into the area where a rectangular OP24 used to live.
When I had my 87C rebuilt (top split open from a hard fall on the hardwood floor, and I needed a new bowl, I had the OP Pro put in for the tuner, for the ease of battery changing and because if there were ever a newer preamp that I wanted (there isn't), it would fit with no hassles.
Stick with the OP24 or go to an Optima. But personally, I'd stick with the OP24..... |
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Location: Michigan | I put an OP24+C in my legend to replace the op-24. Not a huge deal. A bit of filing and fitting but it can be done. The sound differnce in amazing with the EQ pre shape button. I liked the plugged in sound with the old op-24, but not nearly as much as my UTE or even my son's 1614. With the OP-24+C it sounds every bit as good as the UTE plugged in. (to me that is)
The Optima is no longer available I think. I had to go with the OP-24+C which is a worthwhile upgrade and you don't have to cut any new holes. |
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Location: San Francisco, CA | Great info above folks. I'm takin' it all in!
I owned a Model 1869 CL back around 1994 or so. Loved everything about it except the piezo sound. Hated to sell it, but I did.
However...
Last week I bought a pristine 1990 Model 1869 CL off eBay ($799.00) and it should arrive tomorrow. I love the neck and look of those guitars SO much I decided to give one another try.
Will report back when I get her.
Can someone tell me what years the Model 1869 CL was made?
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Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by 6L6:
Can someone tell me what years the Model 1869 CL was made? According to the 'Price List' near the bottom of the REFERENCE page, 1990-2001. The list isn't gospel, but it's a terrific resource. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Does the Op-24C have a tuner? That's the only thing that I don't like about the op-24. |
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Location: Munich, Germany | Yes! Click!
Best regards,
Kurt |
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| It is by no means the best sounding guitar I own but it is a very comfortable one and with the Optima pre, is a great guitar for gigging. So much so that I periodically scan ebay for another. |
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Posts: 92
Location: San Francisco, CA | Well, my 1990 Model 1869 arrived and it is cosmetically darn near perfect and the neck has the feel I remember so well.
Unfortunately, the seller left the battery in the guitar during shipping. It came loose and bounced around inside all the way from Michigan to California.
However, I see no apparent damage! What I can't tell, though, is how the battery goes in it's little box. There is no marking of which side is +Positive or -Negative. Does it matter which way the battery goes in?
Thanks for your help.
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| I hate when that happens! Glad you didn't get any damage to the braces.
Without taking apart my 87C (the only one I have with an OP24), I don't remember of the leads are different color. Check the leads first, they may be red (+) and black (-). I'm pretty sure you won't harm the pre-amp if you reverse the battery polarity, so just try it, and flip it if it doesn't work. |
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January 2003
Posts: 92
Location: San Francisco, CA | Yep, the leads are red and black and I went with your suggestion, G8r. Works perfectly!
This thing sounds SO good I think I'm just going to leave it with it's OP-24.
Many thanks to all who contributed their outstanding knowledge above. Most appreciated!
This one ain't goin' nowhere.
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Posts: 92
Location: San Francisco, CA | Well after a few days with my 1869CL I'm in love!
And, if you put a BOSS DM-2 Analog Delay into a BOSS CH-1 Super Chorus and then into a Fender tube amp (like my Vibro Champ or Deluxe Reverb), the tone is nothing short of INCREDIBLE!
Yeah, Baby! |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Congratulations! |
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Model 1869 Custom Legend...?
