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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 32
| Hi folks,
This is probably my 3rd time in as many years on this fine forum concerning selling my 1537. I chickened out the 1st 2 times. Some of you may remember this guitar. I'm ready now, if you are.
It's a black 1537 Elite, the 1st one made in '84, ser.# 302670. I picked it up at the factory new way back then. Save for the following issues, this guitar would pass for a 2006 model.
1. Four 1" or less finish cracks below the bridge. This is due to the fact that I kept it cased for close to 2 decades fully tensioned (my bad)and the bridge started pulling up. I had a luthier (not Ovation) repair same. He re-glued the bridge by drilling two new screw holes, and used matching wooden plugs.
2. A small, hardly visible finish crack that runs from about 2 inches above the bridge (directly under the strings) to the beginning of the fretboard.
3. The little wood marquetry triangular volume control pointer is missing. The eq one is there.
4. On the neck, directly behind the 2nd fret are 3 tiny finish dings of about an 1/8th of an inch or less. These are very minor, you can barely feel them, but truth in advertising, right?
Other than those issues, if you saw this guitar hanging on the wall at a music store you'd think it was new.
I used to have pictures of it posted in here in a gallery, but in looking around, I couldn't find the gallery. Is it still here? Otherwise, I'd be happy to send pics to anyone interested.
I'd love for someone here to get this guitar. It's truly amazing. It has a very rich tone plugged or unplugged. And I'd really rather not do the ebay thing. And I know that there are many folks here who appreciate these guitars for what they are.
Make offer, or e-mail me for pics. Thanks. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 1133
Location: Parrish, FL | Frank,
Yes, your pics are still in the gallery. Go directly to the ovationfanclub.com and you should see a green bar to the left. You'll find the gallery under member access.
You have a very nice guitar. Too bad about the bridge. Nice repair though. Can't believe you are selling it, even if it is a little used guitar. Great sound seldom found on lesser instruments.
If I didn't already have one, you would have heard from me directly. i already let one black 1537 get away and this one is calling my name, but I must resist! :( :eek: |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 32
| Sailor,
Thanks for the tip on the gallery. I do now remember that "secret" entry, I forgot about it.
I can't believe I'm selling it either, and I promise you I'll regret it.
Way back....in the 60's, about my 4th guitar was an extremely rare find, of course I didn't know it at the time. It was a stereo Gretsch White Falcon, the early ones that were exactly like a Les Paul. All gold plated, and in mint condition. I paid $125 for it, and laughed all of the way to the bank when I eventually sold it for TWICE that.
I'd say it's easily worth 5 figures now. Oh...the ones that got away!
Thanks again |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Here' a little help Frank...
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Sad you have to sell Frank.
What are you asking for it? |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 32
| Hi Stephen,
I don't really have to sell it, I just don't play anymore. It's strange, I used to play professionally, and then I just stopped cold turkey. I went into midi and just dropped the guitar. Figuratively speaking that is. :-)
$800 |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Well, I have the only other black 1537 that I know of and it looks and plays great.
$800 is a good price. Someone will snatch this one up I am sure. |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Ooooh, the black is pretty! It might be nice to own a black guitar. But I don't really need two 1537s. |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 32
| Hey Designzilla,
You wrote:
"But I don't really need two 1537s."
Are you sure? Then you'd truly be stereo. You can play more than one guitar at a time can't you? I'm sorry, I just assumed that you too were polyambidextrous. My fault. :-)
Frank |
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May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Seems a little high in price considering the bridge work/issues.
jmho.
Norse(let the verbal lambasting commence)man1 |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 32
| Norseman,
Do you think it's high? I'm asking seriously.
Actually, at least in my mind, the issues are relatively minor all in all, considering that otherwise I doubt there's another 1537 anywhere in better overall condition, unless some collector cased one new and left it alone.
I used to know a guy in Bristol Tenn. Va., some of you may know him, Joe Morrell, of Morrell's Music. I used to teach guitar there way back in the 70's. He was always buying special issue Martins and leaving them cased upstairs. I'd bet he had a hundred, and still does from what I hear. Cash in the bank.
Back to this 1537...What do you folks think...is $700 more like it? I'd like to know how you folks weigh in on this. Thanks |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I paid $1000 for mine, which has no issues and Noah did a great job in getting it to near mint condition. I thought he was being generous, but recent sales have been lower. I got fed up with ebay and was glad to have one at a fair price. The one on ebay now looks awfully good and the guy says he is expecting $700. It is almost there. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | You know, the prices of 1537's have bounced around a lot over the last few years. I paid $750 for mine back in '93 and felt good about it. I've since seen them go for a low of $450 to a high of about $1600. I've always found this interesting since they seem to compete sound-wise, with guitars in the $2000 plus range. And quality-wise, they are top of the line.
It would take at least $2500 to buy mine, if I'd ever consider selling it in the first place. |
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Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 1026
Location: Back in the Valley of the Sun Mesa Az. | Frank,
I think $800.00 is a little high, but my Great Uncle was Jack Benny too!
It just kills me that I could have gotten a pristine 1537 two summers ago for $500.00, and settled for a $275.00 1711 Balladeer (which is very nice by the way) because I couldn't afford the extra $225.00 at the time. Now I find myself comparing every 1537 to that particular situation.
I would guess your price is probably on the money...I guess the input from posters whom actually own a 1537 would carry more weight than my own, and judging from their responses...I withdraw my "priced a little high" statement.
Norse(too high for me...yes, too high for the market...no)man1 |
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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | Gee....you guys are getting me thinking. Maybe I should offere to trade my 1537 for some primo Adamas, like a new U681T or some such....that would be a fair deal wouldn't it?
Well.....maybe not....better keep it for a while longer. Someone is bound to discover it is actually worth $5000 one of these days, then I can get a couple of "O's" and an "A" or two huh?
Mark, you need to get over and check it out though so you can thoroughly brag about it to the members of this board and help drive the price up. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | You known, there are guitars that I'm happy to sell when the opportunity arises and it means newer or different guitars will come my way. But then there are guitars that are keepers, that even tho' I aquire other, similar, guitars, I won't get rid of those keepers. Currently, my keeper collection includes
1537
Adamas 1 12 string
87 Collectors
Custom built 1773 LX (arriving Friday)
Glen Campbell Deluxe Balladeer
GC 12 string (gift, never to be sold)
But I just got done selling my 68 Deluxe Balladeer (to a great home in Germany -- strange how it looks better in Karl's pictures than it did on my wall), and I'm about to sell my '83 Country Artist cutaway (watch this space over the weekend).
But I guess my point is that there are some guitars, like the 1537, that I wouldn't sell to get an Adamas 6 string. Somehow, I'd find a way to afford the A and keep the 1537. |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Paul, well said. |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | i have a near perfect 1537, i can't say mint because it has been played and if you looked very very closely, you can tell it's not new...
I wouldn't even consider anything less than $1150... |
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March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | Jeff, I thought you sold one of your two. Are you selling your last 1537? |
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November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Paul,
I did sell one of the two. And no I'm not selling the other, I was just suggesting that if I were, I wouldn't even consider selling it for less than that. |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 32
| 750 going....going.....come one you guys, you know you want this thing.
$750 will take away this prized axe. Case and shipping to normal proximities. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Normally, I would be jumping all over this beautiful guitar. Someone should buy it.
But with 3 hours to go till my 1581 arrives, I can't seem to get interested... |
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Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Somebody needs this guitar! At $750 it's a steal! If I did't have one, I would buy it in a heartbeat. Though I gotta admit, I'm tempted anyway, the black is beautiful!
This would be a fantastic Christmas/new year present for somebody. |
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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 777
Location: East Wenatchee, WA | Hey Waskel....my 597 got delayed until today, so I hope to see it also within the next three hours. Pretty cool......
I intend to pop it open in the office and maybe treat everyone (well I hope they think it is a treat) to a couple of Christmas caroles.
Merry Christmas. Have you figured out how we can "Goldwing" somewhere with our guitars yet. Maybe a packit rak for golf clubs would work? |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 123
Location: Braman, OK | Having never tried a 1537, I feel left out. I just acquired an Adamas 1597 on the Bay for $950, and I LOVE IT. How does the 1537 compare, sound and action-wise? Is it really comparable to an "A?" |
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1537 needs good home
