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Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | I bought a Used Ovation Model#: 1127-4, Serial #: 008510 on Valentine's Day at Sam Ash in Manhattan NYC in '76 or '77. It is a real beauty.
It is pure acoustic...no volume control that I see in pictures on the Ovation Website...no electronics at all. The original Grovers still work great! It records like a gem. I have been researching to find out more about my Ovation and have discovered many things on many Websites. But I have only ever seen one like it in all these years...and as I said I can not find an exact picture of it without the volume control up by the neck on the bowl.
Any ideas on what it is worth? Someone once told me $6000 but I do not believe it.
Any other helpful data would be appreciated.
Thanks.
BTW...my other Guitar is a Strat I bought new in 1980. |
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | You bought a good guitar. It's the Glen Campbell model, mid depth bowl. A little less bass but more mid range and treble.
As to monetary value, $6000 may be a little high. $350-$450 might be a little more realistic. |
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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | I'd pay $600-900, but moody is a cheapskate! ;)
Of all the Ovations I own, this one is *the* one that records like a dream. I've used it a lot in sessions over the last 20 years, too.
Mine, like yours, has no pickup. Back then, I think this made a big diffence in the sound quality of the guitar. Hell, they didn't even make pickups when they made mine. Apparently, the one I have was made between '70 & '72. |
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Location: SoCal | Goob:
Your's must have the bridge with the wings on it. The prices I was quoting are what I see on ebay. I'll stand by them. Regardless, if the guitar puts a smile on you face then how can you put a price on it? |
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Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Thanks for the responses.
This is one Guitar I will never part with no matter how much it is worth...it is just that sweet!
According to what I can find from the Serial #, mine was made between November '67 and July '68.
I feel like I stole this Ax now that I look back on it. I don't think I paid more than $250 at the time.
Yes Moody...I have seen the prices on Ebay and elsewhere and I could not believe such a great acoustic would go for so little.
Goober is more in the range I was thinkin'. But then again Goob knows what a Priceless Piece this Guitar is because he uses it in the studio and has others to compare it to.
Goober...what are the Model and Serial #s for the one that you have that is like mine?
How many Ovations do you own dude?
Moody...I know the basics on my 1127-4 from the Ovation Website...I am looking for any more detailed and indepth info and an Ovation Stock Pic if it still exists...and...you betcha I bought a good guitar! |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | ClassicRocker, This may be one of the guitars that was built by Glen's mother when he sold her into indentured servitude for 16 months to pay for the pilot of the GoodTime Hour. If that's the case it would be worth in the 12-1500 range. If the lable or serial number sheet has red ink it might be one of these. (This was talked about quite extensively here maybe a year ago, check the archives) Other than that I'd guess the value to be 750-1000. I've always found ebay to be 20-40% low of what things should be worth. Then again, it is a measure of actual transactions. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | CL, You have a great guitar. But there were literally 1000's of 1127's made and they can be had for around $400-$500. There is one on ebay right now in the $200 range. They are not all that uncommon. Check the gallery and you will see that several OFC members have them. What is the serial number of yours? A winged bridge version may fetch around $800, and a shiny deep bowl version would be worth over $1200 in my opinion. 6G's is a little bit optimistic. Dave |
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Location: SoCal | Rock:
Ovation didn't start making the Glen Campbell Artist until 1970 (before that, it was the Glen Campbell Deluxe Balladeer -- deep shiney bowl). So I suspect that your guitar was built in the early 70's. The serial numbers can be a bit confusing when researching.
I, personally, have never been a fan of the sound. Since I normally play solo (very few people out there bad enough to be willing to play with me), I like a fuller sound. But the people that play the Glen Campbell Artist swear by them. I know a number of people who have them who would never sell them. That's quite an endorsement. And regardless of whether your guitar was made in the late 60's or early 70's, it's 30 years old. The top has aged and must be wonderful. And 30 years is, by my definition, wonderful.
And to think, it was made by Glen's mother..... |
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Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | CWK2...the only Serial # data I have is inside the 1127-4. The Serial # 008510 is in Black Ink. I'll check the archives. Should I search the archives with key words Red Ink?
And...what's up with Glen and his Momma? :o Is this a joke or am I just not hip to this history?
Struck me as humor.
StandingOvation...I gathered that 1000s were made and that is why the value is not that high on the open market. The bowl is shallow and not shiny. Whoever told me $6Gs was smokin' crack IMHO! Still Priceless in my Blue Book! ;) I'm curious: winged bridge versus what other kind of bridge was used on the 1127-4?
Thanks for the responses...much appreciated. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | CL, I think there has been 5 different versions of the Glen Campbell 6 string. First was the GC Deluxe Balladeer, deep shiny bowl with 5 point rosewood bridge (guitar on the left in the photo below) in '68-69, then came the first GC Artist Balladeer 1127, textured artist depth bowl, add-on rosette, winged walnut bridge in '70-71. I've got a photo somewhere of this bridge but can't find it right now. The bridge is wide and flattens out into reverse curved ends wiht sharp corners. In '72 the 1127 changed to the now traditional bridge shape (guitar on the right on the photo). Sometime later ('82?) they got rid of the trussrod and cover, and went to the K-bar. Then earlier this year they came out with a limited edition 1127 re-issue. Dave
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/Standingovation_41395_socampbells.jpg
The 12 string on the far right of this photo has the winged bridge.
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/photos/Standingovation_29789_namm67ovation.jpg |
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Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Moody...Thanks for the info. Yes...it has been a bit confusing...or should I say just not specific enough when researching my Serial #...Frustrating! Sheesh...do I have to raid Kaman's File Folders & Archived Paperwork to get the exact data on my 1127-4? Seems like the info on the Ovation website is not detailed enough for the early years. Oh well...add that to the fact that I purchased it used with no paperwork.
I am one who swears by mine too. I find that with a new set of strings it has enough Bass for me...it is the Mids & Highs that are so wonderful...but that is what it was designed to do.
Yes...it is over 30 years old and has aged beautifully...and in mint condition. I am truly happy and proud to have it. It has written, recorded, and played many tunes over the years.
Musician Mans Best Friends: his Dog & his Guitar...hmmm...sounds like a Signature to me! :D |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I guess I might as well "weigh in". I bought an 1127-4 about a year ago, sent it to the MotherShip fairly soon. Thereafter, waited about 4 months, and now have an instrument my meager musical skills will NEVER do justice to. I probably have about $650 invested into it. Bought it a hardshell case for protection, and fondle it as much as possible. According to the serial #, it was made in 1981. No electronics, nor did I want any (Mr. Moody was helping me in making some decisions, before I had it repaired). BTW, those guys at the factory are incredible technicians, and, even better, nice people. |
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Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | StandingOvation...OHHHHHHHHHH the Pic is GREAT!!!
That is my 1127-4 on the right!!! Thank you!!!
Those are your Ovations? WOW...what beauties!
Thanks for the detailed info.
I'd love to see that bridge when you can find it.
BTW...I just took a Pic of my 1127-4 with my Fuji Finepix S5000 Digital Camera. Forum Newbie Question: How can I post it so you and others can see it? |
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Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | SeeSquare...thanks for weighin' in!
Did you buy it in 1981 new or used?
The Mothership...ya know I have never had any work done on mine. I think you have inspired me: maybe it is time to send it to the Factory for a Checkup...OK 1127-4..Bend over and cough.
It is great to hear that the Techs at the Shop are cool and skilled.
You waited 4 months to get it back from the Shop?
I'm curious: What the heck did you have done and why did it take so long?
I still have the original Hard Case. It is tough and has protected my "O" Ax well over the years.
Yes...I understand...the fondling that is...everytime I touch my 1127-4...the love affair is still hot!
I may have to ask Moody for advice before sending mine off if I can ever stand to part with it for that long! |
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Location: Scotland | OK, now I'm confused. As I understood it the "Artist" shallow bowls were introduced at the request of Glen Campbell somtime in the late 60's. But in the catalog pic in Dave's post the Contemporary Folk Classic, which pre-dates the GC models, looks like it has a bowl approaching the depth of the current supershallows. Any ideas anyone? |
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Location: NJ | . . . it shrunk in the wash? :rolleyes: |
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Location: SoCal | Rock:
With what you've said, we can finally put a price on your guitar -- priceless. We should all feel about our guitars that way.
The Ovation serial numbers are confusing at best. They will almost never be able to provide much more than a year (my deluxe balladeeer was built somewhere between 1967-1968 and I'll never get it closer than that) and the earlier guitars are sometimes in a range of years.
Seesquare had his guitar in for some major work. If your guitar is playing well and there are no major obvious problems, I wouldn't worry about a check up. Nobody likes to have a finger up their soundhole.
Lastly, I'll recommend to you what I've recommended to lots others. Take a evening or a Saturday, and read thru the archives. You'll learn a lot about your guitar and Ovations in general. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Paul (T, M, H and whoever the hell else is reading this). You are correct that Ovation introduced the Artist depth bowl on the 1121, 1127 around '70 and a little later on the 1123 country artist. But that was not their first experiment with shallower bowls. They built 4 prototype classicals in '67 called the Contempory Folk Classic. These bowls were what would later become known as the super-shallow bowl, although these first 4 guitars were non-cutaways. Each of the 4 had a different bowl color (red, blue, green, black). Sam owns the red one - see his gallery. Word is that they took them to NAMM '67 but got no orders, so the model was scrapped before it ever went into production. These four prototypes are just about THE rarest Ovations out there. Dave |
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Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Moody...OK...copy that...I'll have to do some Archive Readin' per your suggestion.
And...no problems at all with my 1127-4...I guess it'll stay Soundhole Monogamous. ;)
Thanks for the Forum Newbie help Bro...much appreciated!
Now...how do I view the Guitar Galleries?
Also...how and/or where do I post a Pic of my Ovation for all to see?
StandingOvation...excellent Ovation History!
I'd love to view Sam's Gallery...but how? |
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Location: Upper Left USA | While logged in click MEMBER ACCESS and then click GALLERIES.
Scroll to select a Gallery by Log name. Some have sub ALBUMs in their galleries. You can also SEARCH all Galleries (try LX) or use the Gallery Utility to post and edit pics.
JPGs not BMPs and if their too big "poof"!
And patience. |
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Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Thanks MWoody...
Miles gave me all the data too.
DUH...this was easy!
Here is the World Premiere of this Schweet Acoustic Machine...Drum Roll...Ovation please...
http://www.OvationFanClub.com/photos/ClassicRocker_45077_classicrocker%201127-4.jpg
Thanks for all your help folks...I am glad to have found this Forum! |
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Location: SoCal | Your link didn't work, but when I went to the photo section, your guitar is there. Beautiful instrument. It's definitly a 1971 or later guitar. The bridge used came in to use in 1971. With the age of this guitar, we can definitly say "vintage". |
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Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA | Paul...I fixed the Link.
Thanks for the additional data.
Yes..it's a beauty!
1971 or later huh? Hmmm...that just goes to show that the "Carbon Dating" on the Ovation website is definitely not very accurate and/or complete for the "Vintage" years.
But thanks to you and the other resident experts I now have the info I have been looking for.
And...now I can say VINTAGE!
As we say in Dallas, TX where I grew up: WELL AW RIGHT!!! |
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Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Rock,
Moody's correct on my repair. I got the guitar, used, from a pawnshop, in Minnesota, through Ebay. It had a bad action and the neck was being pulled into the body. It also had a 7 1/2-inch crack in the lower left bout. Well, after it was examined by Kim & John at the MotherShip, they reused the neck. Got a new bowl & top for it. Oterwise it's a "spec" 1127-4 GC Artist Bowl. Most of the Wizards who restored my critter signed an Ovation factory label for me, which is now affixed next to the original label, and serial number. Pretty cool, eh?!
It's kinda like my 1111- it, ostensibly, has a late '60's neck, and an early '80's body. It was my 1st "O", and it ain't goin' anywhere.....ever!
Oh, & BTW, I had some initial difficulty with image posting, also. Size of the image is critical, and it needs to be jpeg format. Other than that, it's smooth as a baby's butt.
Hang in there! |
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Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | Here's the photo of the winged bridge. This was my first Ovation, a 1111-4 Balladeer. Dave
http://www.OvationFanClub.com/photos/Standingovation_47888_wingedbridge.jpg |
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Model 1127-4 Question
