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September 2009
Posts: 180
Location: michigan | I have a 1987 custom legend with an OP 24, non cutaway, deep bowl going back to the mothership for a new top (top needs to be replaced). Currently, my favorite ovations (Don't own an adamas yet) are my Balladeer Reissue, and my 30th anniversary Custom legend. ( I am a fan of the non cutaway deep bowl models.
My thinking was
1. Replace the top with Bearclaw spruce
2. Replace the bowl with a deep shiny bowl (are all shiny bowl backs hand laid fiberglass?)
3. Upgrade the electronics to OP Pro
I can do all of this for about $1000. All the guitar really needs is a top which would be about $500. Having a matching 12 to my custom legend 30th anniversary with a shiney (sp?) bowl sounded pretty cool.
If I get the new top for the custom legend, I am into it for about $1000 with the op-24
I would be into the custom custom legend for about $1500. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | In my opinion, if you're gonna keep the CL, then in for a dime, in for a dollar. I say 'keep' in that I doubt you'll ever get what you'll put into it.
Such is my FUD... but it's a keeper and I'm very pleased with what the MS did and what I now have. In fact, it now sounds superior! Plus, I could never get what I've put into it; even if Elmer passed on.
If you have a vision of a unique Ovation unavailable otherwise, go fer it!  |
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Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Just go for a tight grain Spruce and add the Abalone edge. Then play the heck out of it. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15679
Location: SoCal | How's it going to be different than your 30th CL? Shiny bowls are not all they are cracked up to be. Are you going for a great playing great sounding guitar or are you going for cool? Your 30th CL is one of the best wood topped Ovations ever made and you're not going to improve on it. In all likelihood, you're going to end up with two very similar guitars.
Sell the old CL and call Al about one of his 30th Anniversary Adamas guitars that he still has (I think). He's been offering them at a dirt cheap price to members. Get one of those and round out your collection. You won't regret it.... |
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May 2006
Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
How's it going to be different than your 30th CL? It's going to be a 12-string if I understand correctly, built to semi-match his 30th CL?
Or did I miss something?
Your plan sounds pretty good to me. It's your guitar, if it clicks your gears and fits your bank account, go get it! |
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March 2002
Posts: 15679
Location: SoCal | It's a 12 string?? Don't get the shiny bowl (there's a reason they went away from it) and never mind the rest of what I said...... |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | All nice ideas Rhoads. The bearclaw does look good if it has a lot of the noticeable stretch marks, and they COULD use some antique stain to sweeten it up even more. I'd probably do Koa instead, or consider one of the endless burst options if using the tight-grained AAA Spruce. I just like the CL as a darker guitar, so the Abalone/MOP inlay stands out better. I guess the shiny bowl is a matter of preference, and I can't say whether it would sound any different or not. Maybe Beal would have to insight to that. Another option I chose on MY CL makeover was a black saddle. Sounds like a lot of fun, and a LOT of anticipation to look forward to. Good Luck!! and happy choosing! OH YEAH! ... make sure you do the inlaid rosette instead of the glued-in one! |
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Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | Get the OpPro. |
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September 2009
Posts: 180
Location: michigan | I appreciate the opinions, keep em coming.
I asked this question after reviewing the archives.
Every so often, folks sell rebuilt ovations (maybe after the honeymoon period, or they see something new they want). All seem like really good deals for the buyer (the resale kind of sucks). As much as I want to say, I would never sell a new creation, I usually eat my words in the end. (don't we all). It is intruiging if you are going to spend $500 vs $1000 what you can do (already having the guitar to send back).
A couple of questions:
BVINCE-I was not aware of an INLAID rosette vs the glued on one. That sounds like a nice upgrade. I will have to inquire about it. Is it as stunning regarding the abalone as the rosette on both of my custom legends (the 6 and the 12) is the glued on type... Are there any pictures out there of the inlaid ones.
MOODY P.I.-Acoustically, I like the sound of my 30th anniversary custom legend the best. Having a similar 12 string is something I am after. I happen to play an older pacemaker 12 string with an orginal shiny bowl. I also have the 40th anniversary reissue balladeer that has the shiny bowl. That is where I got the idea.
I can live with the sound of my 30th anniversary custom legend, my thinking was how unique/distinct would the sound be if I upgraded to a shiny bowl. It does add to the cost, and I am more looking for any sound improvements (the shiny bowl looks cool, but does it sound different). I need to make up my mind before I send it back. The wait is about 3 months but I thought I would run this by the group as most of my research came from this board and some of the guitars I have been able to play from folks here as well. I appreciate the comments...
I will have to confirm that the abalone inlays around the edges are included in the new a braced top. One option (that had no upcharge) was to put a sunburst top on vs. the orginal natural top. The neck wouldn't be finished in sunburst if I did that, but don't know how a natural neck would look on a sunburst top. I am sure the sunburst would bring out the inlays and all. It sounds like I will have a few more questions come Monday before I send this back. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | I've sold a few and from my experience you never get your money back on selling a customized guitar. Maybe 20 cents on the dollar.
I think your first goal is to decide what the purpose of this guitar is going to be: a player, a trophy, or an investment. This will decide for you what upgrades you want and how much you want to invest. |
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August 2004
Posts: 709
Location: Germany | I doubt they can combine the original Kaman bar neck with a hand-laid shiny bowl because these bowls have a solid neck block.
Karl |
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Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | The AD Custom Legend has the inlaid rosette. You have to look closely at the pictures of both to see the difference, but inlaid definitely looks higher quality. |
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September 2009
Posts: 180
Location: michigan | Thanks for the Opinions (really) ... I played my 40th Reissue balladeer and 30th anniversary custom legend again.
I am going to stick with the regular deep bowl non-cutaway for this one.
I have decided to upgrade the electronics to an OP Pro (which brings it in line with the 30th anniversary CL as far as electronics, bowl, A brace top, etc... I also went on line and compared some of the Sunburst custom legends to the naturals.
I decided to go for the sunburst top vs. the bear claw...
The bling really does stand out with the darker tops and the sunburst caught my eye the second time around.
All in all, I'll end up with a 12 like my 30th anniversary custom legend, just a different color. As much as I like the bear claw, I think I will sonically get what I am after and the bling of the custom legend will be set off by the Sunburst top... The guitar will be on its way to the mothership tomorrow. |
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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | cool... I hope I get a chance to play it sometime. |
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May 2002
Posts: 651
Location: Australia | ....if you're going to replace the top, bowl and electronics, wouldn't it make more sense to just keep that guitar as a spare and order a new one exactly the way you want it? |
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December 2003
Posts: 1071
Location: Carle Place, NY | Originally posted by bauerhillboy:
Get the OpPro. +1 on the Op Pro. A built-in tuner is almost a neccesity on a 12 string. |
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November 2008
Posts: 1119
Location: Michigan | Can't wait to see it. I have another michigan jam idea in mind that I may through out there sometime in the near future but we may have to wait until you get the new 12! Anyway...thinking UP eh? Maybe we could get Bvince involved?
I do like my shiny bowl pacemaker.... |
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September 2009
Posts: 180
Location: michigan | Unfortunately, this guitar got damaged in the shipping. The battery holder was velcro'd in (the set screw was not functional). The seller did not know it and shipped it. The battery bounced around, put a second crack in the top and seemed to have loosened some of the binding as it bounced around. Also, it was not packed very well so I doubt UPS would have covered the insurance. I got the seller to knock some dollars off the price to make it feasible to put a new top on it. Then I started dreaming. The neck is in minty shape and they seemed to do more bling in the mid 80's (before 2000) based on looking around. Since ovation said they replace the bowl when they replace a top anyway (no additional charge), I could upgrade to the OP Pro without having to have any holes left behind... I wanted a 12 like my CL 30th anniversary and will end up with one. I wish ovation would make the deep bowl non cutaway models new... Luckily, they are quite reasonable and I will end up with a new top, bowl, electronics with a great neck...
TWISTEDLIM ... We'll be looking for you EASTER. The UP sounds like a cool get together. We are hoping to have a Harson's Island cottage soon. We'll pick everyone up at SLIPKID's in the Formula and head for the Island this summer (fingers crossed)... |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Just ask yourself.... WHat would Randy do?
Go Black man! Black Custom Legends show the bling the best! But beware, once you've had black...
I gotta say, I never was much for bursts or black acoustic guitars, but now I think I have only one natural left. All the rest are bursts or black.
Well I do have a nutmeg too.
Randy woulda picked black. Then put polka dots on it.
BTW, I played his Strat today :D |
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September 2009
Posts: 180
Location: michigan | DAMON
I am on the lookout for a Black VXT which will be a candidate for Polka-Dots... Randy would be proud ...
I still can't believe you have Mr Rhoads Strat. I have gotten to know some of the folks at Fender, Randy fans and hope to build a
Rhoadsscholar.com Tribute Strat based on your guitar someday (Like they did with SRV #1). I thought it was great that they used a Strat w/ my GuitarWorld article (as Randy was known for being a Les Paul / Jackson RR V player) and I am a fan of the strat... Wanna trade a 79 Cream Les Paul for that Strat. Take care man. Hope to look you up when I am on the West Coast ... |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | No no no. You have me all wrong. I don't own it. It belongs to his former roadie ( I just found out yesterday), I forget his name. It'll be in the movie that Garni is putting out.
It's just hanging out next to my Mosrite. They're both in a little museum a local Guitar Shop put together. Actually, I went to pick up the Mosrite yesterday cuz I had some licks in my head for the octave neck.
You'd be proud though. They've got the Guitar World article you were in right next to it with the pic of Randy holding it.
I'm going back in the next couple days. I'll get pics for ya. |
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September 2009
Posts: 180
Location: michigan | That would be cool Damon. At least I know where he guitar is. I will be going to Sacramento on business next month, then visiting my son in Palo Alto. I would like to swing by there with my Son. What address / music store it that at.
Thanks. look forward to the PICS .... I might bring some of my original lesson plans to leave at the museum. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | BTW, a polka dotted VXT sounds very sweet. It already has the tuxedo look going for it.
I just used mine for a recording. I Love it. I might just have to see if I can find some vinyl polka dot stickers that just cling to the top.... hmmmm
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Adhesive
Bathtub treads/Dots on Ebay |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Damon, that guitar never looked or sounded as good when it was in my hands. Keep those dots away from it. |
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Sending Custom Legend 12 to MS. Looking for opinions
