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Location: Pennsylvania | Hey, guys. I'm still looking to do something productive with that brand new, boxed-up elite special of mine. I just came across a 1712 Custom Balladeer made in 1991. They want 485.00 for it.
They said before they would give me 425 for the Elite Special in a trade, but I could possibly talk them into giving me more for it.
Would it be a smart trade? I am looking for a deep bowl, but will an 11 yr old guitar hold up for a while? What's good about it and whats bad? Finish, sounds, etc? Is the preamp any good? If it's not, it's okay, cause I just want this for an acoustic. Let me know what ya'll think. Thanks.
[ September 03, 2002: Message edited by: snowlock ] |
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Location: SoCal | Boy, talk about a personal decision! I wouldn't have any problem with buying from Elderly Instruments. I believe that they are very reputable.
I also wouldn't have any problems buying an 11 year old Ovation. Of my 6 Ovations, one is 27 years old, on is 24 years old, two are 19 years old, one 14 years old, and the baby is 9 years old. All are in fine condition.
I've never owned a Custom Baladeer, but I've played them and my guitar teacher has one for his acoustic guitar and plays it heard. Sounds great. I also think you'll like the difference in sound from a mid depth bowl to a deep bowl.
And money wise, it's about right. |
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Location: Scotland | I have a 20 year old Custom Balladeer on the bench right now for a fret dress, general set-up & electronics upgrade. I personally wouldn't bother with the upgrade but the customer is always right. It's had a hard life but sounds great, not as refined as an Elite or Adamas maybe, but a big and robust sound. These guitars are workhorses, you could do a lot worse. Don't worry about the electronics, the pre will probably be a FET3 & they work fine, if you need extra EQ go buy a Baggs Para-acoustic DI or something similar.
Paul
[ September 02, 2002: Message edited by: Paul Templeman ] |
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Location: Minneapolis, MN | Hey Tom,
That's a nice looking Balladeer you're talking about... looks just like my '78 1612, 'cept mine has a truss rod cover (no k-bar or whatever) and after 24 years, I'd say it's holding up wonderfully! I love the sound of the deep bowl unplugged-it especially shines comparing it to shallow or mid bowls. I don't know anything about Elderly Instruments, but I have seen acoustic only Legends go for way less than $485 (on ebay for example)- without getting hosed on a trade. Just one guy's opinion, but like Moodypi and Paul T. have indicated, you certainly could do worse than what you have suggested. Btw, what was the top bid on your elite when you tried to sell it on ebay? Take care and good luck :)
-Rich |
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Location: Pennsylvania | After not selling it on a 7 day auction, I put it up for a 10 day. At the end of the 10 day auction, it only got up to 406. |
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Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | the reality of selling anything that isn't an essential in this economy is tough.
i have several ovations over 20 years young. the baladeer is a working musicians amigo. they are rugged and yet sound great and hold up to the punishment of gigging. (i use one on each foot when i go frog gigging.)
when it comes to deciding between two good guitars, play em both and follow your gut feeling. the fact that you are choosing between ovations good stuff already tells me you are not one of the mainstream guitar playing sheep out there. all you have to do is refine an already good choice. |
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Location: NJ | hmmmm.......wasn't THIS the same guy that was crying "help! help! I've bought too many guitars....I'm going bankrupt!....my wife is gonna kill me!......".....now he's lookin' to trade in for yet ANOTHER guitar?!?!?!?!?
That's all.
I'm just asking.
Hell, Snow; I'd probably do the same thing!!!!
I've got a 27 year old Custom Balladeer that hasn't even come CLOSE to letting me down ONCE!!!
You always seem to hear the term "workhorse" bantered about with these guitars. Nothing could be closer to the truth. I gig with mine constantly! The only thing that ever gives up is the occasional string(s). My lead guitarist uses a pair of ESP electrics and a Korean Fender (kim-chi crate) acoustic. My Balladeer stays more in tune over the course of one four-hour gig than his does over the course of a month!
The CB isn't particularly "frilly' or "flashy", but it's RELIABLE and it SOUNDS GOOD!! (both acoustic AND plugged-in) |
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Location: Pennsylvania | Nope, thankfully, that wasn't me. That was Norseman.
I'm unmarried. That means whenever I want a new guitar, I just tell my girlfriend, "Hey, hun, I'm getting another guitar." and she says, "I thought you said you weren't going to buy another guitar for a long time." And I then I buy it.
No, I was the guy that bought 2 guitars at the same time and wanted to sell the one I didn't want. If you recall, I said I either needed 600 dollars, or if I didn't get that, I'd probably trade it on something of use to me, since I didn't want the shallow body. If I did get the balladeer though, I'd probably give my elite t to my brother. (just to be nice, cause he likes it).
If I dont trade for the balladeer, I'll consign the elite special at Elderly (and probably take the opportunity to consign my DeArmond too).
Russ-
About choosing only between Ovation guitars...
Of all the acoustic guitars, the Ovation just makes the most sense. Very rugged, good projection, good bridge design, good cutaway, smart designs and good components all around. It's pretty obvious that Ovation has the best design out there.
[ September 03, 2002: Message edited by: snowlock ] |
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Location: NJ | wonder where old norseman is?????? |
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Location: Pennsylvania | ...I was just thinking that myself! He was quite active in the days when he accidentally bought that deep bowl balladeer.
Hmm...maybe contrary to what he last said, his wife was pissed at him for buying that guitar! ...acted like she didn't mind, but then, when norsy least expected it, she struck! "No more Internet for you! No internet, no making thoughtless last minute bids!" ;) Poor Norseman. |
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Location: SoCal | Guys, if memory serves, Norsey is a teacher. It's the start of a school year and he's probably busy. Or his wife killed him for excessive ebay buying. |
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Location: NJ | funny the beginning of the school year never used to bother me...I guess it is all in how you are prepared and how you approach it... butI am just a lowly gear seller now |
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Location: SoCal | I would say "That should teach you something", but obviously, it never did. |
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Location: NJ | $300 a day plus expenses
I learned all I need to know from tv |
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Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | so tom, you really have my curiosity going. how did you wind up with the elite to begin with? what exactly are you after? i think you might do better than elderlys deal on the balladeer. i like the ss bodied guitars as i play on stage allot and plugged in they are great. much more comfortable and less feedback than the deep bowl. |
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Location: SoCal | Al there's a book title in there somewhere. |
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Location: Pennsylvania | Ha. Good story...sort of.
I ordered the Elite Special from a dealer in NY.
Due to some confusion, it turned out to be a shallow (apparently, he always orders shallows and nothing else). I wanted at least a mid.
So as the dealer was shipping the guitar over the border to PA (to exempt me from tax), I came across an official internet dealer with a mid bowl Elite T.
I loved the features, the look, the sound-aiding and indestructable thin paint job.
I figured, hey, since there's an Elite Special on the way that I dont want, I'll just buy this, cause I thought, it cant be too difficult to turn around and sell a wrapped up, unplayed, in-the-box Elite Special with the new preamp, blah blah...
I was wrong.
So here I sit with two guitars. An Elite Special, packaged up and lonely, and an Elite T which is suffering buzzes from possibly a poor nut and saddle...but that's a different thread.
So it's a story of bad luck and dumb choices.
So I'm currently considering more dumb choices. ;)
So there we have it. |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | Boys (the cowboy always says boys when it's bad news)
Snowlock said "I'm unmarried. That means whenever I want a new guitar,... And then I buy it."
I didn't see one of you pointing out that us married people never even want to go out and buy a guitar just like that. None of us has ever showed up with a new instrument, no no no, we plan these things with our wives, unmarried people don't know the pleasure of sacrifice for the family, the rent, groceries, what a pleasure to meet those responsibilities. Going out and buying a guitar, heavens no, every one of us has carefully fitted it into our budgets. I assume everybody on the board has at least one guitar.
We don't envy you snowlock, not at all. Buy your guitars and don't blame us if your not happy like we are, seeing all those deals passing us by as we get older an older. you're out there swimming in a sea of attractive guitars and not knowing what you're missing by not having groceries and rent and a wife eyeing our guitars that we already have, who has convinced us that one guitar should be enough.
None of us married guys would even want to buy a new guitar just because we want it.
Back to Ebay, just looking dear.
Bailey ;)
[ September 05, 2002: Message edited by: Bailey ] |
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Location: Pennsylvania | Ha! I got a real kick out of that, Bailey!
I see now that you have it much better than me.
I did go ahead on the deal. I think I'll be quite pleased with it. I could probably do better, but I think I'll be more than happy, being a big acoustic guy.
I'm going to give the elite t to my brother, so that makes me feel good about it too. He needs a good guitar--time for him to get rid of that old epi acoustic. Anyway, wish me luck, y'all. Someday I'll be as happy as you. :D |
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Location: Las Cruces, NM | snowlock
Enjoy it while you can, some beautiful lady will come along and praise your ability to select guitars, your talent in playing them, how handsome you look holding your favorite guitar, and as love blooms, she will post on this site a series of "how much is this guitar worth" postings as she converts your life's collection of guitars to cash. Will we try to save you, of course, after we have bought all your guitars at a tenth of their value. what are married friends for?
Bailey :cool:
I hope your brother lets you play his Elite T once in a while after this happens. :D
[ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: Bailey ] |
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Location: SoCal | All this reminds me of a Taylor ad (I like their guitars, but I often love their ads!) where a man says:
"I could home home and drink instead of playing the guitar, but my wife would never compliment me how how good my drinking's getting."
Or something like that. |
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Location: NJ | I hate that ad Paul.
They say nothing about the guitar and give no information. It is like the ads on tv that after you see then company logo at the end you said now how did that advertise (fill in the bland ) cars, soda, jeans, soap, beer, etc here |
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Location: SoCal | Of course. Like all good ads, they are selling a benefit, not the product. This is why Ovation ads drive me nuts. The benefit they sell is for 20 year olds that want to be cool. Taylor ads are geared to people like me. Trouble is, I've played too many Taylors and just aren't that impressed. But the ads have put Taylors in my hands. Ovation ads don't even make me want to pick up an Ovation. Only my track record with them make me want to try anything they have.
One other note while I'm on my soapbox. The Taylor ads I've seen never show somebody famous playing their guitars. They are just damn good ads. Ovation should take a note from that. It's not necessarily the endorsee that makes a good ad. |
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Location: NJ | I kinda like that ad campign as well. I thought that one that Martin was using was good too, but it seemed just a bit TOO "hokey". Granted, the ads don't give alot of specific info on the guitars, but it "humanizes" the product. I liked the one with the woman holding up a lighter and the copy says something like "...it's nice when your wife and your groupie are the same person.."
(Granted, if they'd used a really nice "MILF" in the pic , it would'a been better, but it was a good ad none the less). There's also one something like "..16 and a half seconds - that's how long it took Joe Blow to buy a new Taylor - that includes the 3.6 seconds to "flinch" at the price tag..." At least they're honest in that they're admitting that they're probably not the best choice for the entry-level guitarist. There's that damn obligatory Celebrity that keeps getting shown in Musician's Friend for that.
I do have to say that the one Ovation ad that I do like is the current one highlighting the new Optima system. Doesn't say much about the guitars, but that pre-amp sure looks purrrrty.
A 20 year-old John Mayer wannabee's not gonna spend the bucks for an Adamas/Legend/Elite. But a forty-year-old who's wife is "allowing" him to keep half of his annual bonus or tax check MIGHT.
HE'S the one that's gonna relate to the guy with the SEG, the half cup of coffee, the dogs lumbering around while his wife smiling in the ad. There's a bigger market of those types of guys than there are 19-year-olds with rich daddies.
If Ovation were smart, they'd some of us in they're ad campaigns.
....and more than likely, they'd get us for FREE!! |
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Location: Pennsylvania | Yeah, a big picture of us with our guitars infront of the factory for the OFC convention.
It'd make a great ad. |
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advice on trading that Elite for a Balladeer Custom
