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December 2006
Posts: 3
Location: Hanover, NH | I found someone looking to sell a Balladeer 1862 custom. I recently started learning to play guitar and am looking to make this Ovation my first purchase, but I don't know much about them. So I went on the web and looked for info on the Balladeer 1862 but didn't find much.
The 1861 Standard seems to be the guitar that is closest to the 1862 Custom, and I found a lot more info about that model. In fact, I looked on the Ovation website and noticed that the 1861 first came out the year after the 1862 was discontinued. Are the two guitars very similar, and if not, how are they different? Also, the seller mentioned two 3-inch cracks on the face of the guitar. They were professionally repaired at a supposedly well-regarded shop, but should they be much cause for concern? For $295, is this guitar a good buy?
Thanks in advance! Hopefully this sale will work out because I'm really excited to have an Ovation. |
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November 2005
Posts: 4827
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Here's the company specs. i862
Here's a discussion from 2004 about the 1862
Overall, if it's in good shape...it sounds like a good deal. It will sound great plugged in. The Super shallow bodies aren't as loud as the deeper bowl...but may well be easier to learn on.
Minow surface cracks aren't an issue much on Ovations, as far as I know....and most of what I know I learned here. I've got a 32+ year old Balladeer (that I bought new) that attests to what an Ovation will stadn up to. (the case, on the other hand, has been to Europe, the Arctic, all over Canada....and looks like it was dragged all the way!)
;)
Besides, you're close enough to the factory to drive over and have the plant refinish it for you. They seem to have a good track record for that. |
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Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | call me nuts but i personaly think a top that has some cracks sounds better. a repaired top crack is even better..lol....just my opinion...jason |
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July 2006
Posts: 171
Location: Oregon | I have an 1861 standard. Mine's not perfect, but the sound is awesome. The only problem witht he super-shallow is you can get drowned out by your friends. "Can" is the key word there. I go louder than my friends fender, but my teacher's Ibanez AW series whoops my @$$.
Anyway, awesome guitar. I have no idea about those cracks though. |
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February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Now let me be the voice of reason.
Why do you want this guitar? Because it's only $300? Because you like Super Shallow bowls?
If you know you really want a SSB Ovation...OK. Don't want to put a damper on your excitement this Christmas. I'm just asking.
John <>{ |
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December 2006
Posts: 3
Location: Hanover, NH | Do the shallow or supershallow Balladeers need special hardcases, or will most standard cases work? |
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July 2006
Posts: 171
Location: Oregon | I do believe every size of ovation bowls have their own hardshell case. I have no idea if a ssb would fit in a regular case. |
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December 2006
Posts: 3
Location: Hanover, NH | To be honest, since this is my first guitar purchase, I don't really know what to look for. I'm going to have a friend who has been playing for a few years come and help me, but otherwise I don't really know what I'm doing.
Basically, I've been looking online at used models of different guitars, comparing the price to what they are selling for online to see if I'm getting a good deal, and looking for reviews or other kinds of advice about them on the web.
The Balladeer 1862 custom seems to be selling online for quite a bit more than what I'd be paying for it, and the 1861 (which I believe is similar to the 1862) has been praised by their owners as being really good instruments. Ovation is a great brand, according to my more knowledgable friend, and their guitars seem to be quite unique compared to most others. Plus, getting an electro-acoustic would temporarily solve my dilemma of whether I should start with an acoustic or electric guitar. Finally, and probably most importantly, the 1862 seems to be a very playable guitar, which for a beginner like me has obvious significance. These are the basic reasons for my wanting to buy this particular guitar.
Luckily, I live very close to the seller (I found the listing on craigslist), so I will have the opportunity to go and check the guitar out for myself. |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | a ssb case is a ssb as far as depth is concerned. but some of the models with the knobs in the waist wont fit some case. ive still got to find a case for my 1118....good luck on the quest for the case...jason |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Welcome bfg147. The biggest difference between the 1862 and the 1861 is in the bracing type/pattern used for the top.. The luthiers here (and I'm not one) can argue for hours about the right bracing and its effects on tonal quality, projection and sustain. Most people here (and I am one of them) think the Ovation A-brace is the best overall desig for their round-hole guitars. The 1861 has the A-brace, while the 1862 has the K-5 brace, about which I know nothing. There was a thread here earlier this month (search for 'bracing' as the keyword) where the different bracing types were discussed extensively, but I don't recall anyone talking about the K-5. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Originally posted by johnny cash 83:
a ssb case is a ssb as far as depth is concerned. but some of the models with the knobs in the waist wont fit some case. ive still got to find a case for my 1118....good luck on the quest for the case...jason On one of my SSB cases, the on-the-waist electronics are a real tight fit. Want to pop the battery out, so I gotta put the guitar in carefully. If you have waist stuff, like a tuner, this could cause the battery to die.
Niether of my SSB cases would take a guitar with a knob on the wiast or top.
Oh, both mine are for cut-aways, which may make a difference in the way they're made. |
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August 2006
Posts: 2804
Location: ranson,wva | im a fan of a and x bracing. the minimal bracing on the josh white was amazing....but thats a totaly different subject....jason |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4827
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by bfg147:
Ovation is a great brand, according to my more knowledgable friend, and their guitars seem to be quite unique compared to most others. We like your friend too! :D
Take you friend, have a strum on the git. If you like each other, why the heck not take it home? The price sounds good.
All the chat about bracing preferences is a little too much information for someone buying their first guitar. We also probably don't want to get into open tunings and stomp box preferences. (Though an acoustic/electric will give you the option of ripping some overdriven leads once in a while if you like.... :cool: ) |
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August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | bfg - welcome!
Try and get to a GuitarCenter or somewhere that's got a few different models that you can try. I was just like you - I thought I wanted the SSB - till I tried the mid-depth and then the deep contour. As it turns out, the contour was the one for me. Take your time and find the one that's right for you... I think you'll be happier in the long run.
Mike |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | I agree with CL.... go to a GC and try several different bowl sizes. Going with a mid depth bowl over a super shallow bowl yields a big increase in acoustic sound. Try different ones and get an idea of what's best for you. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | In the old days the difference was that the 61 had dots and the black nylon housed Schallers. The 62 had the legend inlay pattern but no binding and chrome keys. All else was the same. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12758
Location: Boise, Idaho | I have the 1862 that was the subject of the thread that fillhixx linked. It has decent sound and surprisingly good volume for an SSB. It lacks the lowend punch of the deep bowls. If you want something that is easy to handle, good looking and sounds decent, but not boomy, it would be a fine guitar for the price. I just decided I should have a SSB, a Balladeer and a sunburst finish and this one fit all those. |
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July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | I have an 1861, shallow bowl balladeer. It's not perfect, and I'm quite happy with it. Unplugged, while it may sound bright and sweet, is very weak (volume-wise) which it makes it a good practice instrument without disturbing others. This guitar has to be plugged in to be truly appreciated. The preamp that's equipped with it can make this guitar come to life! Mine has the old-fashioned Op24+.
If you want big acoustic sound (unplugged), you will need to upgrade from a shallow bowl Ovation. A mid-depth bowl is a good place to start, and then go from there. Good luck. |
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Differences between Balladeer 1862 and 1861
