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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | OK...I know I've been taking up some bandwidth in the last couple of weeks, but I just discovered this place and have been playing nothing but Ovations since they first came out. So, I have years of lingering questions .
Question: white paper label that says New Hartford on it. The serial number is "6673," no extra zeros or digits in it. Is it a '67 or '72?
Thanks in advance. |
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Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | Hey Goober,
I would guess '67 according to the Ovation website:
crack the code...
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Mike :cool: (hope that helps!!) |
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Location: SoCal | Goob:
Telling us what model is on the label and posting a pic would tell us a lot. I've got a 68 Deluxe Balladeer but the serial number is in the 2000 range. I would guess that your guitar was made in 1972. Look in the reference section here at the OFC page. Also telling is the bridge (rounded walnut or 5 point rosewood), and the rosette (inlaid or overlaid). |
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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Guys, just because name is Goober and I'm a newbie here......sheeesh!! :cool: I've looked at every O serial number website on the net, including this one and still, it remains a mystery to me.
FWIW, beside "model" on the label it says "1127-4."
And there is picture of a very busty nude woman taped below the label. :p |
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Location: SoCal | 1127-4 is a Glen Campbell Artist Balladeer. Shallow bowl. They were first made in late 1969-70. I would guess, pretty confidently, that your guitar was built in 1972.
Can you post a pic of the busty blonde?
Say "Hey" to Andy for me. Just kidding. |
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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Thanks Paul! I think this particular guitar is in fact a '72, from what you say.
I think it might be against the rules to post the pic of the nekkid woman inside the guitar, but I'll tell you that she looks amazingly like Julia Child. :eek: |
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Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | Hey Paul,Who said she was blonde? :D
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Mike :cool: |
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Location: SoCal | Of course it's not against the rules. In fact, it's highly encouraged.
Looks like Julia Childs??? "Don't forget the gizzards, they make a mahvalous pate!"
Or was that Dan Ackroyd? |
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| If the serial number is the New Hartford white label with four digits, this falls within the 1000- (Nov.) - 1968 (July) category on the Serial Number list; however, it's probably not a 1968. The white label serial numbers with four or five digits ran concurrent with the A - XXX, B - XXX, C- XXX, etc. serial numbers on certain models, especially the artist bowl models.
According to the Serial Number list, serial numbers 10000 + were manufactured between February, 1970 and May, 1972. (See example currently on eBay of model # 1122-4 with serial number 10890). The six digit (000001 +) numbers began in 1972 when the white label was replaced with the silver foil oval-shaped label, so this guitar would precede 1972.
A guitar with a white paper label, model number 1127-4, serial number 6673, is probably a 1969 or 1970 model, although the "official" Serial Number list states that after February, 1970 the number would have to be superior to 10000. |
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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | I'm confused. It is a yellowed white paper label. |
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| Goober,
The first white, paper, rectangular shaped labels were the "Bloomfield" labels, so named because the label stated the location of Ovation as Bloomfield, CT, where the original factory was located. As stated in another thread, these labels were pre-stamped with the model name written in black ink in a cursive letter, stating "Balladeer", "Deluxe Balladeer", "Josh White" or "Classic". These labels have "Ovation Instruments" written in black ink with a rectangular "fingerprint" in red behind the word "Ovation".
The words "BLOOMFIELD, CONN.", "Model" "Serial", and "Approval" all appear in red ink, and "PAT. APPLIED FOR" is written in black ink in the lower right corner. When these were printed they had no idea that they would be moving to New Hartford shortly, so they printed a quantity that were used on certain models as late as 1968 and possibly 1969.
The second, white, rectangular label (which is the one I suppose you have) is the "New Hartford" label. This label is similar in size and design; however, the colors have been changed. The "New Hartford" label has the rectangular "fingerprint" is in gray (instead of red), and "Ovation Instruments" is written in blue (instead of black). The location of Ovation is now stated as "NEW HARTFORD, CONN.", and if memory serves me correctly without looking, the zip code was also included.
This second label appeared until 1972 when the large, oval foil labels appeared, and to my knowledge the paper labels were not used henceforth, even thought there may have been excess stock. |
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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Oh man, I have a headache! |
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Location: SoCal | Goober, post of picture of the damn thing. The model number still says Glen Campbell Artist Balladeer. Look at the bridge. If it's made of walnut and shaped like a modern bridge, then it's 1971 or later. If it's walnut and has thin wings on it, then it's 1970.
Labels were used at various times until they were used up. They give a general indication, but are not perfect.
Post a pic. I can't believe I'm sitting arguing over a fucking date that's not going to be exact anyway.
Post a damned picture! |
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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Hey! Calm down! ;) It really is pointless, in a way. But, I'd like to pin it down as close as I can. I will try to post a pic later today. I had a new bridge put on it at the factory several years ago, so that will be no help as an indicator.
When did they start making the shallow bowl Artist GC models? That would help! |
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Location: SoCal | Officially the GC Artists first showed up in 1970. GC himself may have been playing one in the fall of 1969, I don't know. When they first came out, they had a bridge that had "wings" (for lack of a better term) on them. Then in 1971 or 72 Ovation went to the standard bridge that is used today.
It's impossible to date things closer than that from the early years. Things started to smooth out (record-wise) in the mid 1970's and at that point, you could look at your serial number and say with a reasonable amount of certainty that it was built in a specific year.
In my arsenal I have a Thunderhead and Deluxe Balladeer. The best I can do with both of them is to date them to late 67 to mid 68. It's just not an exact science.
What did the bridge that was replaced look like? |
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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | You have been tremendous help, Paul. Thanks!
It looks like it's a '71 or '72, as the original bridge (to the best of my recollection) was not the sculpted-looking wing job. Good detective work! |
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Location: SoCal | Goob:
I hate quibbling over this stuff, but the guitars from the early 70's are dramatically different from the guitars of the late 60's. But regardless, you've got a great instrument that's over 30 years old. When I think back to the early 70's when I first started looking and buying guitars, an instrument that was 30 years old (built in the 40's) was just considered "old". Now, they're vintage. |
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Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | Paul, the first fine guitar purchase I made was in 1967: a shiny bowl Deluxe Balladeer. I agree that those guitars were some of the best ever made. What feel and tone! Mine was subsequently stolen several years later. One day, I hope to own another. |
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Personally, I love quibbling over all the minutia. It may not really make any difference in the grand scheme of things but I just find it fun. The amount of info that has come to light about Ovations since the inception of this site is amazing.
If you think this is bad, don't ever start collecting Fender stuff. The difference between a few months can make the difference of houndreds of dollars in value. The difference in a sunburst guitar or an identical guitar, but in a non-standard color, can mean thousands.
One of the great things about Ovation collecting is that you can have a little more fun finding great quality rare guitars without having to take out a mortgage to get one, unless it's a Slothead or something like that.
Actually, it's easier to find pre-cbs Strats and Teles in my area than it is to find '60's Ovations! :rolleyes:
Wayne |
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Serial # Help
