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May 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Bellevue, Washington | Got a 1984 Ovation 1538-5 12 string that needs some love and attention. This guitar came by way of a friend who wanted to unload it as the gigs he was running no longer required a 12 string and it had been sitting in his closet for several years.
The guitar is in very good shape but has been a player, not a museum piece. There are some small nicks in the gorgeous wood binding and the frets are starting to show some wear, especially the first few, but they really could just use a good cleaning more than anything.
The bad news: it appears that this guitar may need a neck reset. It is definitely playable in its current condition and perhaps someone more skilled than I will be able to adjust it to where it needs to be without having to do a full reset, but sadly I am not skilled enough and don't have the extra scratch to send it off to the Mothership.
Asking price is set at what I paid my buddy for the guitar, 1200 plus shipping, which is a deal even considering the potential repair needed. Comes with an old brown case which is in decent shape. I would also consider trades for a natural 1987 Collector in good to very good shape. Shoot me a PM or reply to the thread if interested :)
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March 2010
Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | I can attest that hese are nice 12ers... (Thanks Patch!)
Good luck with sale. |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Bellevue, Washington | Will update on this in a few days, just dropped the guitar off with Mike Lull Guitar Works here in Bellevue, he doesn't believe the neck needs a full reset and is going to work on it.
When I get it back I'll update the posting :) |
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Joined:
August 2004
Posts: 709
Location: Germany | These are really very nice guitars. I prefer my 1538 over my 12-string Adamas. Warm and rich tone. But I tune it down one step to reduce string tension. Good luck with the sale.
Karl |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Bellevue, Washington | Got the guitar back tonight and what a job they did fixing this issue. After careful consideration it was determined that the neck did not in fact need to be reset and that it was straight and true.
A shim was removed from under the saddle and 1/32" of wood was removed from the seat underneath the saddle. A full setup and a new set of strings later and the guitar plays like BUTTER! This is seriously the easiest playing 12 string I have ever laid my hands on.
As the guitar no longer needs repair (and to cover the cost of work done), the price is now set at 1400 and I will cover your shipping costs to the lower 48. If interested please shoot me a PM or reply to this thread. Still interested in potentially interesting trades, especially for a 1987 Collectors edition in very good condition plus a little cash on their end, or if anyone is looking to get rid of a Rickenbacker 4001 bass guitar. |
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May 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Bellevue, Washington | Guitar is still available, shoot me a PM with ideas and deals, maybe we can work something out :) |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Bellevue, Washington | Guitar is up on Craigslist, gonna head to eBay soon, shoot me a message if interested! |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Bellevue, Washington | Last bump before this hits eBay, price for OFC members dropped to 1300 shipped, this really is a fantastic guitar! |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | Was the bridge just routed too shallow in production or is it the natural age progression of a wood top bellying? How much of a break angle is left at the saddle after removing the shims and lowering it even more by routing the bridge? Plays like butter, but how does it sound now? |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Bellevue, Washington | Originally posted by noah:
Was the bridge just routed too shallow in production or is it the natural age progression of a wood top bellying? I think it's a little bit of both. Mike had said that he thought it was routed too shallow to begin with and there is a little bit of bellying going on from age. Laying a ruler across the top results in and almost perfectly flat surface but there is some small bulge under the bridge.
Originally posted by noah:
How much of a break angle is left at the saddle after removing the shims and lowering it even more by routing the bridge? I'll have to look at this when I get home tonight, but it looked good to me, lots of room for adjustment still.
Originally posted by noah:
Plays like butter, but how does it sound now? Sounds exactly like what you would expect a 1538 should sound like. Warm, rich and full sound, with a TON of volume. This thing BOOMS! Several members played it at the NW OFC gathering last week and can attest to the sound of this one! |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Bellevue, Washington | Guitar still available at 1300 shipped! Shoot me a PM, great guitar that needs a new home :) |
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Joined:
March 2010
Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | Wow! What a steal. Someone should jump on this. If I didn't have one (I did pay a bit more) I'd be on it like a duck on a Junebug! |
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May 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Bellevue, Washington | Pains me to do this but this guitar needs a new home, 1200 shipped gets this under your Christmas tree. You won't find another 1538 at a better price I can promise you that :) |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Wow! ...I'd be tempted a lot more if it wasn't black. I love the natural AAA Sitka Spruce tops they used for these guitars. I can only imagine what it sounds like after having played my 1537. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | You know, I was just thinking that you almost never see an Elite 12 string in natural. It's always in black (not that there's anything wrong with that).... |
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December 2006
Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
You know, I was just thinking that you almost never see an Elite 12 string in natural. It's always in black (not that there's anything wrong with that).... :)
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March 2010
Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | Originally posted by moody, p.i.:
You know, I was just thinking that you almost never see an Elite 12 string in natural. It's always in black (not that there's anything wrong with that).... How about burst?
These are great 12ers and this is a steal!
Can't believe it's still here!
Hmmm... Do I need another?
Naw :) |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Now THAT I really like! I do like the natural walnut binding better though. I guess with so few of them having been made, one can't really be very picky about fine details. I guess someone is lucky just to be able to own one of them. |
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March 2010
Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | I think the burst with the walnut would look great. Mine has the ivroid, but with Paduk (sp?)... |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I think I'd try out some black or dark brown vinyl pinstriping over that Ivroid to see how it looks. (: |
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May 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Bellevue, Washington | One day crazy special price on a very "11" day. 1100 gets this shipped to your door, if you were on the fence about it now I've dipped this under what I paid for it cause it needs to go. Got my eye on something cool and need some funds!
1100 shipped on 11/11/11! |
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September 2005
Posts: 3618
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | TEASER!!!
(Just say no Bryan...Just say no.) |
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June 2005
Posts: 489
Location: California | That is a beautiful guitar! someone is going to be happy with the sound also. Vince? are you still thinking about it? |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 364
Location: Bellevue, Washington | You know you want to! I'm a peddler of fine 12 strings, am I not? |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | what does butter play like? |
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FS/T: 1984 1538-5 that needs someone to love.
