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Looking for information

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mike_oxbig
Posted 2012-02-06 3:56 PM (#449541)
Subject: Looking for information
Joined:
February 2012
Posts: 0

Hi everyone

I recently inherited a USA made Ovation 1112-1. I believe it is from the 70's. The serial number is 119906. I've tried google searches with a limited amount of success and a moderate amount of confusion.

I'm mostly curious about the top material (solid or laminated) the year and the value, as the rest i've been able to piece together, although i've found a lot of conflicting information so if you know for sure the exact specs i'd appreciate if you could pass them on.

I've been told that "book value" is a max of 500$, however i've found several ebay listings of nearly identical guitars in far worse condition that are selling for more.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970s-OVATION-DELUXE-BALLADEER-1112-1-ACOUS...

That one in specific has cracks, dings and chips, and still has an asking price of 700$. I understand that many ebay users are delusional, but I haven't been able to find any that are in the same shape as this one for reference.

Speaking of shape, it's in 9.5/10 condition. I took the .5 off because the original owner scratched his phone number into the back of the headstock. I am told that it could be fairly easily sanded off and polished back to a shine, but I don't have any interest in trying to do it myself.

I've linked a few pictures, hopefully that helps

Thank you in advance for your time

Cheers

Mike









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moody, p.i.
Posted 2012-02-06 4:06 PM (#449542 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15676

Location: SoCal		Welcome. Your guitar has a solid top. You can get more information on it here

http://ovationtribute.com/Catalogues/Guitar%20of%20the%20stars%20ca...

and if you look around you'll find info in other catalogs at the site.

A really nice Custom Balladeer goes for about $400 on ebay. You can ask $700 all you want. Asking doesn't set the price. Selling sets it....
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Damon67
Posted 2012-02-06 4:11 PM (#449543 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information



Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6995

Location: Jet City		Mike,

You've showed an ASKING price, not a selling price on that link. If you look at completed listings you'll see they've been SELLING on eBay for $250-350. I'd say Moody is right on the money for a nice example of your vintage, but that's on the high end.

The serial database seems to be down, but that foil label puts it at '72-'75ish

And yes solid top.
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mike_oxbig
Posted 2012-02-06 4:17 PM (#449544 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information
Joined:
February 2012
Posts: 0

Awesome, thank you
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standing
Posted 2012-02-06 6:59 PM (#449545 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information



Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1454

Location: Texas		I agree with Damon's estimate: $250-$350 in good condition.

Your serial number indicates that it was made between September 1977-April 1978. (Although I thought the foil labels were discontinued by then.)

The Custom Balladeer had a 2-piece neck.
Here are the specs from Ovation:

Model 1112
Body Type: Deep Bowl
Top: Sitka Spruce A
Bracing: Ovation Modified X
Scale Length: 25 1/4"
Fretboard: Ebony
Fret Inlay: 15 Pearl
Bridge: Walnut
Pickup: none
Nutwidth: 1 11/16"
Machines: Deluxe Chrome
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Old Man Arthur
Posted 2012-02-06 7:14 PM (#449546 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information



Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR		That one has a 5-piece neck cuz it has a TRC (I think).

As to eBay pricing... Like folks have said, People can Ask for whatever price they want.

There is a 6778LX Elite that has been on eBay forever...
The asking price keeps moving from $1899 down to $1299 and back up again.
I am watching cuz if he ever gets that much I will sell mine.

Back on Topic... That is a Purdy Guitar.
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Darkbar
Posted 2012-02-06 7:23 PM (#449547 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information



Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535

Location: Flahdaw		Sad...USA made, ebony board, spruce top, beautiful burst, nice case----$300. Try to replace that with something else for that kinda money.
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Damon67
Posted 2012-02-06 8:12 PM (#449548 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information



Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6995

Location: Jet City		They were 5 piece until the 80's or as OMA says, when they had the truss rod covers (when the Kaman Bar came into play).

I could be off on the foil label's lifetime. Maybe they went all the way to 77-78
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Auriemma
Posted 2012-02-06 8:16 PM (#449549 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information



Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639

Location: NW of Philadelphia		Welcome Mike... you are among O' friends here.

I'll say it again (from the other site)... Very nice!
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moody, p.i.
Posted 2012-02-06 8:35 PM (#449550 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information


Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15676

Location: SoCal
Damon67 wrote:
Mike,

I'd say Moody is right on the money for a nice example of your vintage, but that's on the high end.



I was trying to be nice......
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mike_oxbig
Posted 2012-02-06 8:38 PM (#449551 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information
Joined:
February 2012
Posts: 0

standing wrote:
The Custom Balladeer had a 2-piece neck.
Here are the specs from Ovation:

Model 1112
Body Type: Deep Bowl
Top: Sitka Spruce A
Bracing: Ovation Modified X
Scale Length: 25 1/4"
Fretboard: Ebony
Fret Inlay: 15 Pearl
Bridge: Walnut
Pickup: none
Nutwidth: 1 11/16"
Machines: Deluxe Chrome


And that's where I get confused. Mine has an old style pickup, with no eq...is it aftermarket? The man i bought it off of was the original owner and said he bought it in '75...but he was in his 70s, is his memory just foggy?




I agree it does seem too cheap to be true...all of this for 300$. Nowadays you're lucky to get a laminated entry level guitar with a gig bag for 300$.
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Damon67
Posted 2012-02-06 9:05 PM (#449552 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information



Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6995

Location: Jet City		Mike, That model number continued as well as the name "Custom Balladeer" for many years. During those years many things changed. Some of these changes included the bracing, neck, truss rod, electronics, labels, tuners, finish options, etc.

You have the very first version of the model that was electrified. It had a simple preamp, single volume knob, a different bracing, 5-piece neck, etc. This description you're seeing on the Ovation site is from a much later date. Really, it wasn't the same guitar at all by that time. All of the above mentioned things had changed from the original that you have.
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Damon67
Posted 2012-02-06 9:10 PM (#449553 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information



Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6995

Location: Jet City		Oh, just looked at your pictures and realized your model#.

Yes, you have an aftermarket pickup installed.
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mike_oxbig
Posted 2012-02-06 9:26 PM (#449554 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information
Joined:
February 2012
Posts: 0

I don't have a volume knob either...unless it's the kind that hides inside the soundhole, and was broken and removed somewhere along the way. i'm tempted to try to take a picture of the electronics. yeah, i'm gonna do that.



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numbfingers
Posted 2012-02-06 10:12 PM (#449555 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information


Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1128

Location: NW Washington State		Looks like a couple of soundboard pickups were added, one at each side of the bridge.
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standing
Posted 2012-02-06 10:42 PM (#449556 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information



Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1454

Location: Texas		mike_oxbig;

Sorry if I added confusion instead of clarity, I should have looked more closely at your original photo and I would have spotted the truss rod cover… my bad, I apologize.

A lot of Ovation models, (and guitar models in general,) had specs that varied over time, but I should have been aware of the various 1112 specs, so I will accept the usual punishment; 20 lashes with a Taylor guitar.(Since very few members here will pick up a Taylor guitar, I think I'm safe…) ;)

I have a 1112 that is only a year or two younger than that one, and it matches the specs I posted above. It has a paper label, 2-piece neck and Kaman Bar (no TRC) so it is quite different from yours, even though it is the same model #. Because I have one, I occasional look at what they sell for, (I have no intention of selling mine,) and I still believe that Damon's estimate of $250-$350 is probably accurate, but ymmv.

The pickup is probably aftermarket, since the acoustic-electric version of the Custom Balladeer had a model number of 1612.
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Mr. Ovation
Posted 2012-02-06 10:54 PM (#449557 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7232

Location: The Great Pacific Northwest		Of course there are people out there that put truss rod covers on guitars that didn't have one to start with....

I'm just say'n.. :)
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standing
Posted 2012-02-07 3:29 AM (#449558 - in reply to #449541)
Subject: Re: Looking for information



Joined:
December 2008
Posts: 1454

Location: Texas
Mr. Ovation wrote:
Of course there are people out there that put truss rod covers on guitars that didn't have one to start with....

I'm just say'n.. :)


That's true, but unless someone added racing-stripe tape to the back of the neck, I'm pretty sure he's really got a 5-piece neck. ;)
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