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May 2026
Posts: 5
| Dear Ovation Forum,
I am new to this forum although I'm already an Ovation fan since the late 70's and was definitly hooked when I bought my first Ovation in 1989.
That first Ovation was a 1987 build black Pinnacle 3862 made in Japan (super shallow body) which I bought at Tommy Lee in Hong Kong during a 3 months assignment overthere in 1989. At those days the US dollar was so strong that it was hard to afford an USA made Ovation. Instead I decided for this Japanese production. And never regretted because this particular Pinnacle MiJ model can compete the Made in the USA models.
But unfortunately after a second long stay period in Hong Kong around the millennium my Pinnacle was not able to cope with the dry European weather again and the topshield cracked and the bracing has come loose. In past years I have tried to get it repaired but this seems rather difficult and not worthwhile, meaning total loss.
This kept nagging over the years, so I decided recently to buy me a similar vintage Pinnacle again.
Now I came across a black Ovation Legend 1867 Made in New Hartford in 1992, mint condition, which should resemble my Pinnacle pretty closely incl. its SSB.
But what I bought is not the general black 1867-5 version. Instead of gloss black finish it seems the top is matt anthracite and even could be synthetic i.s.o. wood. This makes me curious since I can not find any info on this type of execution, only the gloss black (5) and the natural finish (6).
Other differences compared to my Pinnacle 3862 (see enclosed pictures):
- matt black headstock i.s.o. gloss
- golden tuners i.s.o. silver
- the neck has a V-shape i.s.o. a D-shape
- diamond neck inlays i.s.o. dots
- the 1867 weights 2.5 kg vs. 3862 only 2.0 kg
- preamp OP-24 with battery slide i.s.o. FET3 with internal battery
- plug outlet at the bottom i.s.o. at the back.
This 1867 was originally bought at the Music Market store in Hasselt Belgium around 1992. Then she was sold and imported to someone in de Nijmegen/Arnhem area in the Netherland and sold 5 years ago to guy in St. Willibrord from which I bought it recently.
Now I have following questions:
- Does anyone recognise this special type matt black Legend 1867 from 1992?
- If so, any idea about the background of this version.
- Any other useful information on this particular guitar?
Sorry for the long read.
Much appreciated, Dutch Will - Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.
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Joined:
May 2026
Posts: 5
| incl. my pictures (I hope): |
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Joined:
May 2026
Posts: 5
| As new member I have an issue pictures to my posting ... 
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7251
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I moved this to the general forums, and Welcome !!! |
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December 2004
Posts: 586
Location: Denmark | Welcome, Dutch Will. Pictures can be added to posts through links to an online photo storage.
You can store the photos here on the site by going to: http://www.ovationfanclub.com/megabbs/photos/photo-main.asp and make an album to hold you photos. Then you can link to those photos in your posts.
Another option is to use the Rich Text Editor or click Advanced Reply (look for that button) there you can add attachments to your post.
Edited by tpa 2026-07-01 2:04 AM
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May 2026
Posts: 5
| Comparison pictures of Legend 1867 in matt anthracite finish (USA - 1992) vs, Pinnacle 3862-5 black (Japan - 1989)
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 IMG-20260528-WA0001.jpg (28KB - 0 downloads)
IMG-20260528-WA0000.jpg (59KB - 1 downloads)
IMG-20260528-WA0005.jpg (29KB - 0 downloads)
IMG-20260528-WA0004.jpg (26KB - 0 downloads)
IMG-20260528-WA0006.jpg (23KB - 0 downloads)
IMG-20260528-WA0007.jpg (25KB - 0 downloads)
IMG-20260528-WA0009.jpg (36KB - 0 downloads)
IMG-20260528-WA0003.jpg (40KB - 0 downloads)
IMG-20260528-WA0002.jpg (90KB - 0 downloads)
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Joined:
May 2026
Posts: 5
| Thanks Miles (and tpa) ! Appreciated. |
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Posts: 2353
Location: Pueblo West, CO | The best way to tell the top material is to use a mechanic's mirror and flashlight to peer inside.
Other than Adamas and the Academy, I don't recall any Ovation having anything but a wood top. It's always a possibility that someone, somewhere along the way, sprayed the top with a flat finish. The way to tell is if the rosette is glossy or flat. Ovation never used a flat-finish on the rosettes. |
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Posts: 586
Location: Denmark | Nice Pinnacle. Similar to mine, except the bridge on mine has transparent black finish, maybe dye, and has the two small screws which I guess held the bridge while the glue cured. Mine is a little younger (higher production number).
Edited by tpa 2026-07-10 3:47 PM
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Ovation Legend 1867 from 1992 in Matt Anthracite finish?
