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Location: South Windsor Connecticut | Does anyone have a ballpark of what it would cost to have my 1968 Balladeer 1111-4 spruced up a bit. It needs a new saddle, nut, frets polished and a complete set up. All of this talk of the older Ovations reminded me I have to send it into the mother ship.
Thanks, Top Dog Jim |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I could do it for free!
You'll get your guitar back in about a year though...
For this you just have to ask, and the best way to ask is to bring the guitar in to Mother.
My guess is that it would be less than it would cost to take Alpep out to dinner. |
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Location: SoCal | Just know that the factory work is over and beyond what you can imagine at a price that won't hurt you. It's well worth it to send the guitar to them.... |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | All that you mention is very easily done on your own, with just basic tools and a little time.
Saddles and nuts are readily available through StewMac or other Luthier supply. A little cleaner and 0000 steel wool will take care of the frets.
Set-up from a pro would be less than $50 in most cases. |
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Location: Location Location Location | Probably the costliest part of that job would be cutting a new nut and saddle. Ballpark for the whole job from a reputable tech guy would be about $120. |
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Location: Location Location Location | Just to clarify... I was referring to a local tech, and not mother. |
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Location: Vernon CT | Jim,
Call John or Kim at Ovation and have them do it. They have a reputation of doing a bit more then asked and the guitar ALLWAYS comes back looking and playing great. At least that was my experience with my 1112-1.
I thought you were abducted?? ;) |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | For that price a local tech will do exactly what you ask and no more.
When you send it to the factory they take a deep breath as they open the case... they have a certain reverance for your old Ovation...they'll treat it like it's their own...they'll send it back to you expecting you to be overwhelmed when you open the case...you will get another lifetime out of your guitar.
It'll probably cost a little more for that kind of TLC than you'd pay locally, but you won't skip a meal or a mortgage payment...and you'll have a connection with the Mothership that will be dear to you.
But who cares about all that crap? I'd save $30 and go local.
John <>{ |
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Location: Vernon CT | Mother is local for TopDog. approx 32 miles!!! |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | If I could drive there in half an hour...if I didn't have to pay shipping!!!...no question about it. Especially if you've never been there. |
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Location: Location Location Location | My experience with mother backs this up. They did magic with my 1127. Always more than you expect, and follow up as well. That said, I have a local guy here in Austin, TX, Bill Giebitz who is unbelievably competitive price-wize and does the best work of any local tech I've ever seen. |
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Location: Vernon CT | Originally posted by bauerhillboy:
If I could drive there in half an hour...if I didn't have to pay shipping!!!...no question about it. Especially if you've never been there. Actually about 1 hour as it's all backroads, but, still worth the ride. I've been there 3 times. Actually got a short private tour of the plant with John :) |
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Location: south east Michigan | Without a doubt. Take it to Mother.
I had my '70 Balladeer, same model number, done there and was VERY pleased.
They love & respect those old guitars as much as we do. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | If I lived in Connecticut, I wouldn't be asking. I'd have that guitar over to the factory. |
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Location: South Windsor Connecticut | TOPDOGJIM - 2008-12-31 8:58 PM
Does anyone have a ballpark of what it would cost to have my 1968 Balladeer 1111-4 spruced up a bit. It needs a new saddle, nut, frets polished and a complete set up. All of this talk of the older Ovations reminded me I have to send it into the mother ship.
Thanks, Top Dog Jim
Well it took me awhile but the guitar has been delivered to the mothership for repair. I will post some pictures and review when I get it back. |
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Location: Texas | Reading through the thread, it appears that your decision mirrored one I struggled with...local vs Mothership. I would never hesitate to make the same decision again. I can guarantee that you will not only be satisfied with the guitar that you get back, but thoroughly impressed. They do incredible work there. Just wait...you'll see. Good call.
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Location: Tennessee | This thread just caused an acid flashback.  You can't go wrong with the folks in New Hartford. |
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Location: Texas | That must have been killer acid. Mine are only in B&W |
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Location: South Windsor Connecticut | Whats a few years among friends?
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Location: sitting at my computer | stonebobbo - 2012-05-09 2:44 PM This thread just caused an acid flashback. ...which caused a Cheech & Chong flashback... Dave's not here man.
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Location: South Windsor Connecticut | Got the guitar back today and Wow, nice set-up. Sounds great, plays like butter. Hope to get another 44 years of life out of it (well my grandson will I hope) |
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Location: Jet City | John, Kim, and the team do wonderful work. I found this site when I was looking to have the same thing done for my UKII. It had been my main axe for nearly 30 years and needed some of that very same work done. It's like new all over again (with a bit of tarnished gold).
Congrats!
Now please post some pics. |
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Location: Massachusetts | TOPDOG, if you don't mind me asking, what was the total cost from the factory? |
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Location: South Windsor Connecticut | javaman - 2012-05-16 5:08 PM
TOPDOG, if you don't mind me asking, what was the total cost from the factory?
For a new saddle, new strings, and set-up, $110.00
Well worth it as the action is perfect. |
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Repair 1968 Balladeer 1111-4
