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Location: Wisconsin | I own an Ovation 1613 Classical guitar ( single piezoelectric pickup with volume control. ) The serial number 051163 corresponds to a manufacture date of 1975 according to Ovation's website. It bears a paper 1613 label in the bowl of the guitar under the serial number. I have just listed the item on eBay.
An eBay member contacted me and stated that without a foil label, the guitar could not have been produced in 1975, despite the serial number.
I contacted two very well-known vintage guitar dealers. Each rep advised me that the guitar bearing that serial number is a 1975 and that, to their knowledge, there is no direct correlation between the paper / foil label and the specific date of manufacture. The label could have been changed during production, Ovation could have run out of foil labels or used foil labels on some 1613 models and not on others.
I purchased the guitar used in 1984 ( I still have the receipt ) so I know it dates prior to that. I feel confident in the 1975 date, but does anyone have information on the foil versus paper label issue ? There is no mention of it on Ovation's website.
Thanks,
Steve |
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Posts: 153
| Hi Steve,
The metal (foil) labels appeared from approximately 1972 - 1979, and all USA Ovation guitars from that period carry the silver metal label, with the exception of the Custom Legend that had a smaller, gold foil label. The blue and white label on your guitar did not appear until about 1983, when it replaced a similiar blue and white label with a brown shadow.
Your guitar; however, can definitely be dated to 1975, not only because of the apparent original serial number, but also due to the fact that the gold Ovation decal on the headstock of your guitar was discontinued after 1976. In approximately 1977, the letters of the gold Ovation decal are outlined in black.
The inconsistency of the label is probably due to a factory repair that was done on the guitar during the period of 1983 - 1989 when this label was used. For some reason, in the 1970's and 1980's, in certain cases the factory was known to replace the label on a guitar in for repair.
Thus, I have seen many Ovation guitars with non-period labels that do not correspond to the correct period of the guitar. |
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Posts: 153
| And as ammendment to my previous post, I would clarify that all <> USA Ovation guitars from approximately 1972 - 1979 carry the silver foil label. There are special models such as the Patriot, Anniversary and perhaps others, that may carry a label specific to that model. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Check out the big brain on Bob...
No really, it is a real comfort to have a website like this with such a wealth of knowledge about the guitars we all love. A personal thanks to all of the contributors who have helped me and others with the sometimes stupid (from myself) questions submitted here. As a relative newbe to the Ovation world, I have made a few mistakes (read purchases) and have found ready help here. Thank you all!!! |
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Location: Wisconsin | I whole-heartedly agree ! Thanks Bob. I find myself in the situation of wanting to sell an Ovation, but only if I can be honest and up front with any potential buyers. Information like this is a great resource.
Steve |
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Location: Central Florida | As usual, Bob hit the nail right on the head. I also saw your guitar on eBay and drew the same conclusion. The guitar most likely suffered a cracked, or otherewise damaged top and was sent back to the factory for a top replacement.
What Ovation typically does in the case of top replacements is replace the entire top and bowl assembly, which would explain the blue paper label. Another indication that this type of repair was done is that the bowl on your guitar looks like a "molded" bowl (more recent), as opposed to a hand laid cloth bowl, which would've definitely been original equipment on a '75.
At any rate, it shouldn't devalue the guitar any. I have a Glen Campbell 12-string that began life in 1972 but it, too, underwent a complete factory makeover in the mid-late '80s. It's actually a much better guitar now than it was in its original state. Good luck with your auction. |
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Location: Wisconsin | Well, the controversy continues... Yet another member on eBay suggested the following:
"I read your revision to your auction ad concerning the Ovation production date. Actually, your instrument was mgf 1972 - 1984. Based on your serial number your instrument would be a late 1984 and your label inside your guitar is the orginal label. I have the Ovation Production Model and Serial Numbers Life To Date data base on my computer and I am very up to date on Ovations as I have been playing them now for over forty years."
My only response was that I have done what I feel is reasonable and I cannot keep changing the listing to appease everyone's opinion.
It is interesting to note that if I believe this latest member, the guitar was built in late 1984. I have the receipt from May 31, 1984 when I bought the guitar used. That's early to mid-1984 to me. That means I bought the guitar used before it was manufactured ! Now that makes me quite an astute collector !
Finding this users group, I'm kind of sorry I am selling my Ovation. At one time I had a nice early 80's Ovation 12 string. My Larry Coryell phase. Traded it towards a 1972 Les Paul goldtop. My Al DiMeola phase. Sold that too along with another Les Paul. Now I am in my "why did I ever get rid of those guitars ?" phase. Veeeeery painful phase. Funny how everything I owned as a young man is now vintage gear at Guitar Center ! By the way, I never approached playing like either Coryell or DiMeola but I had the great opportunity to see them in concert with their respective Ovations. |
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Location: Hiram, Georgia | I suggest that you refer other such inquiries, to this website and this thread. I don't know of any other single source of Ovation information available on the web as the OFC. Some of these people are probably more interested in a debate, than are actually interested in your guitar!
Stick with Qualified Buyers!!!
btw nearly 5000 Ovation knowitall's and growing! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Your guitar was built in 1975 and would have originally had the foil label, but it was probably replaced at a later time. If some person on ebay does not like that fact or thinks you are trying to pull something over on them, then just tell them not to bid on it and leave you alone. dave |
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Location: South of most, North of few | "just tell them not to bid on it and leave you alone. dave"
AMEN to that. Just as Philmax said, some of these people are more interested in trying to show their "knowledge" of Ovations than actually bidding on an item. You want to tap into some knowledge, come to this website! |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Hi Steve,
That's a very nice classical you have up for sale, and if I didn't have one already I'd be all over that one. I think Ovation classicals are very nicely made and play and sound great, and are an excellent deal for what they usually sell for. I wouldn't worry about the critics on Ebay if I were you. GOOD LUCK!! |
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Location: closely held secret | "I am very up to date on Ovations as I have been playing them now for over forty years." Over 40 years? That's a good trick! |
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Location: South of most, North of few | BTW, sgonwa, your listing is just as it should be on Ebay, informative and honest. Great job! If I had funds in the O account,(depleted by th LX purchase) I would be all over it. (wouldn't want to trade a 1114 with a foil label for it, would you??) |
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Location: Kingston Ontario | I have been reading with interest the discussion involving the paper versus foil labels within Ovations.
I have an early 70's Balladeer, model 1111-4, serial number K913. The label is made of paper and imprinted on it is Ovation Instruments.
I also have a Balladeer Special that I bought about four years ago. It's label is made of foil, and contains the company address as well as the country of origin, model number and serial number.
Tom (From the Great White North) |
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Serial No and Foil versus Paper Label
