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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2538866424&category=33029
Chain-link rosette Balladeers don't turn up too often. It'll be intersting to see where he's set the reserve. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | OK, I opened with 100 so someone out bid me. It looks like a nice one. I would think it should be $1500 to 2K but it will probably go for half of that. |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 153
| As the owner of this guitar, I am honored that the former President of Ovation would be interested. However, I do disagree with his opinion concerning the value. I have set a modest reserve (not to be disclosed), considering the prices at which these guitars have sold in recent years.
This is a beautiful guitar, with a spectacular spruce top that has an almost 3-D effect in person. I have owned and observed many early Ovations, and have never seen a spruce top this beautiful. The guitar has a very good looking overall appearance, and is a good sounding, loud
early Balladeer.
However, as a discriminating buyer myself, I am concerned that the buyer be 100% satisfied with the purchase. (I have been disillusioned by eBay descriptions, and more than one eBay Ovation purchase has gone directly to the factory for repair upon receipt, due to lack of information on the part of the seller.) Thus, I want to address the exact condition of this guitar on this forum.
There are absolutely no structural problems with the guitar. The post mentions that there is a fine crack that appears to penetrate the top. There is no buckling or rising associated with the crack, and I have looked inside with a mirror and flashlight and the crack is so fine that it is difficult to ascertain if it really penetrates or not.
The action is very good and low for this guitar It is strung with 10's with no buzzing, except in the area of th 12th fret where the fret is a little high. (This can be seen on the photo showing the neck block.) The guitar was purchased several years ago from a vintage guitar dealer, and the frets were dressed at that time, so there is minimal fretwear. It has been in storage for the past two years.
There is no label.
There is a small (1/4") chip on the top back side of the headstock.
There are several minor finish checks.
There is an extremely old crack repair on the heel where an end-pin was added. It is approximately one-half inch above the black heel cover. It is possible that the entire heel was severed at the time, but was replaced in the same spot, and the repair has aged accordingly with the guitar. (I do not presently have pictures of this repair.)
As mentiond in the post, an early 1970's brown Ovation molded case is included. It is of the narrow variety with a molded foot, with a hole at the top. It is a solid, fully fuctionally case, but should not be an considered as an issue in the value of the guitar. It is being included solely for secure shipping, but for not for its appearance.
The purpose for selling this guitar is that I am purchasing another non-Ovation guitar. Like most Ovation collectors, I need to sell one guitar to buy another.
I hope this answers some of the questions that some may have. I will be glad to answer additional questions beyond the realm of this post; however, I will be unavailable from Monday afternoon, June 16 though Tuesday afternoon, June 17.
Thank you,
Bob Frith |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I think Bill's evaluation of the true worth of these guitars is dead right. Unfortunately the snobbery & fad-ism of the vintage guitar market says otherwise. If this was a mid 60's Gibson j45/50, a Gibson-built Epiphone flat top or a Martin style 18, 21 or 28 it would fetch $2 to $3K. Why should an American guitar of similar vintage and quality, such as your Balladeer be any different? I have a pristine '64 Epiphone Texan which would fetch £2.5K in the UK, my '68 deluxe Balladeer, for which I paid $200 sounds and plays better.
Early production Ovations are sleepers, eventually sharks like Gruhn and the rest of the vintage snobs will latch onto them and suddenly they will be "vintage classics" with 4 figure price tags, unless you try to sell them one, in which case they will be "plastic crap" Betcha. |
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February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | Thanks Paul!
My wife's been after me to sell off some of my O's as I promiced to pay for my Adamas and Haida Gwaii guitars. You've given me a way out! "Gee honey, I know I didn't pay that much for them, but in a few years these guitars are going to be worth $$$$$$$$ ".
Might work,
Bradley |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 153
| Paul,
I am in total agreement with your assessment (and Bill's) of what early Ovation "should" be worth. However, it has been stated: "Something is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it", and this statement has never been more true than in the vintage Ovation market. Hence, early Ovations continue to be great bargains in the overall vintage guitar arena.
Ovations (especially early ones with the laminated bowls) are more reliable, sound much better, and are more attractive than the majority of vintage guitars, but the reality is that they do not bring the inflated prices of other brands.
Even those of us who are collectors of early Ovations will not pay more than current market prices, and most of us are looking for bargains even within the parameters of standard "going prices". Case in point is Balladeer #26 that Mandolin Brothers offered at $3,600. The guitar was in Near Mint condition with the original case; however, it was untouched for over 20 years.
(It appears that the guitar has sold in recent months, because it no longer is included with their price list.) I wanted to buy it, but in all reality, in today's market $3,600. was more than I could justify for an Ovation.
One day, though, the early Ovations will gain the respect that they deserve in the vintage guitar market. And, in that future date, the elevated prices will dictate that we, who cherish shiny bowls, will no longer be able to afford them. We will become as admirers of 1958-60 Les Paul Standards that watch them from afar, but cannot even conceive the possibility of owning one.
Blessings,
Bob Frith |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I've often wondered what happened to that guitar in Mandolin Brothers. While I think it was way overpriced it was good that a dealer with Stan Jay's reputation and credibility saw fit to advertise an early Ovation in 4 figures. He was way too soon, it's going to take a while. Good vintage Martins, Gibsons or whatever are finite, eventually all the naysayers whose supply of gravy-train classics has dried up will be telling the world about the merits of mid-70's Urelite and aluminium. |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | well
I sure like the look of the top on this guitar, that is the best looking grain I have seen in a while. I'm going to commmune with the powers and consider a bid.
Bailey |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2538995552&category=33029
Another very early Balladeer, this one has a later bridge. |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | Father's day came and went and I didn't get either one, nice guitars, keep keeping us informed PT. |
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Early Balladeer on Ebay
