|
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Chicago 'Burbs | I've learned there's a forum for about anything. Glad to see there are Ovation brethren out here on the web. I'm a bit torn and need opinions from folks that love their guitars.
Here's the sit. My sister went completely off her nut at age 44. (she made $95K last year but is now penniless and will be homeless any minute now) Her 1984 1155 Custom Balladeer has been a great force in her life. A few months ago I saved it from being sold from the repair shop and she bought it back from me. Now I'm told it's been pawned again. (idiot!) To give you a hint, her trailer-trash hubby crushed it's face and she paid $585 for Ovation to put a new face on it (it's black now so it's a custom Custom) The guitar can't be worth more than $250. (despite having the best action I've seen on a balladeer.)
So I'm trying to decide if I should find it, buy it, and keep it until she pulls her head out someday (or give it to her kids as something to remember her by when they grow up) I'm sure it'll cost more than it's worth. If I do... this time it's mine until I'm convinced she's got her world together.
Sorry for the novel, but who's letting it go and who's going to find it? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | The value of the guitar more than how much money it could sell for. The real value is often to those who know the story of the instrument and the one who loved it. It obviously meant a great deal to her, so it means a lot to you, and one day it can be a cherished item for her kids.
Find it and preserve it, someone will be thankful you did.
Just my 2 cents... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Buy it for no more than $300-400. Hold on to it. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | Could be that since I hit 50, I see more value and importance in preserving great, older guitars. I'd find it, buy it and keep it ... and don't give it to her until you are SURE she is in a place to treat it in a way it deserves. I agree with Jeff's $300-$400 range. Where else can you buy a guitar of that quality for that little money?
My 2 cents ... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Welcome to the club and a great first post (even tho it is a sad tale).
I really have nothing additional to add that wasn't already expressed. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Welcome to the OFC Down2...
While money can be the deciding factor besides room space and spouse approval (among others), with regards to acquiring a much sought-after guitar, it is still just a number.
I don't want to sound like a commercial, but valuing our instrument(s) regardless of how much we paid for, is something that we just can't put a price tag on. It becomes more apparent when it's been with the family for quite some time. If I were in your situation, I'd acquire it for $300-400 as Jeff mentioned.
Perhaps in the future, her children can inherit it when they're ready ...
Good luck. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Buy the guitar.
Give her a Taylor.
If she hocks it or f@cks it up, . . . who cares?? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Chicago 'Burbs | Thanks for the back up guys... Nice to know I'm not thinking crazy. That guitar's seen a lot in my fam. I consider it a sibling to my '82.
Thanks also for the welcomes. Nice active forum you have here. Looking forward to browsing and participating...
But now... on with the hunt. Wish me luck.
"Peter... where are you?" (Yes she named it.) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 31
Location: Clinton ,Ct | Welcome D2.Grab that guitar and hang on to it.the idea that you were thinking about you sister and family will mean so much when things look their worst.Good job. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | Originally posted by Down2TheC:
Nice to know I'm not thinking crazy. I don't think you can really qualify that with the opinions of THIS group. Hang around awhile and you will see that most of us are a few fries short of a happy-meal ourselves.
Good luck on the quest! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Chicago 'Burbs | Found! It's safe for another 45 days. Whew! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | NiceSave!!
cngrts. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2002
Posts: 1900
| ..a few bricks short of a load....a few clowns short of a circus... |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | D2,
If I read through correctly it is more a guitar that you need to have.
Buy it and keep it. Loan it to her or hang on to it until a time comes to let it go.
On one hand these are just wire and wood. On the other their a whole lot more. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2005
Posts: 331
Location: San Angelo, Texas | ditto...value is about the meaning behind the guitar, not the wood and metal and lycord that make up the item :)
BUY IT! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | I've got guitars that I really should sell, but I can't. One of them was used when I sang to my kids when they were small. One doesn't get played but was a gift from a good friend. One is the first guitar on which I seranaded my wife. One.... well, you get the idea. They become much more than the materials from which they were built. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Chicago 'Burbs | This one's saga begins in '84 when I was responsible for getting my sister's Sakura ripped off. The deal was that I and the insurance chipped in to buy her a new Ovation and her '82 became mine in the deal. (sweet) So legitimately, it is the first guitar that I ever bought, despite never owning it. It should be looking pretty unique with the black face... I'll post some pics when I pick it up.
They also did an amazing job fixing the chunk missing from the head. I thought it was a new neck for a second. You'll dig pics of that. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Better yet, get a Washburn for the old man to smash again. Then Hock the Taylor and play the Ovation. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Chicago 'Burbs | Well, the 60 days ran out so I went and picked her up. No regrets. $140 for a '83 (I think... gotta check the serial) custom balladeer deep bowl with a brand new face from the factory and the neck has always been solid with great action.
What makes it unique is that the face is black. Don't think that's a common configuration. Black seems to be reserved for the cutout models. I could be wrong though.
The sound is awful with the virgin face on it. I'm assuming it will mellow with time. Mine of the same model sounds much better but the action sux in comparison.
edit: looked up the SN. Table says 1981 though the history shows the 1612 in 1982. Close enough. But if anyone knows what model 1612-4 means, clue me in. Tried to find the SN on mine but I think my mother put an address sticker over it when I was a kid. :mad: |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 149
Location: New York, NY | Buy the guitar.
Give her a Taylor.
If she hocks it or f@cks it up, . . . who cares?? Bravo! An excellent idea! ;) |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 1116
Location: Keller, TX | From Ovation's website:
Model 1612
Body Type: Deep Bowl
Top: Sitka Spruce A
Bracing: Ovation Modified X
Scale Length: 25 1/4"
Scale:
Fretboard: Ebony
Fret Inlay: 15 Pearl
Bridge: Walnut
Rosette:
Pickup: Piezoelectric
Nutwidth: 1 11/16"
Machines: Deluxe Chrome
The "-4" denotes the color. Ovation uses 4 to represent natural. Since your guitar had its top replaced with black, it is now a 1612-5.
You can find out all you need to know about Ovation guitar models at Jerome's site www.ovationtribute.com |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 22
Location: Chicago 'Burbs | Ah the color... of course. And I verified that 1612 only had two colors. No black.
Thanks for the tip. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 2491
Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Hi D2C , adjusting the action on your own Ov would be an easy thing to do,providing that you have the adjustment key for it,or a luthier could do it for you,or call Ovation and ask for one.just talk to john Budny or K Keller,when properly set up the action is as smooth and easy as an electric ( nearly )Have fun and happy playing :) Vic. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4832
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by Steve:
..a few clowns short of a circus... Not qui-ite the right image for this group. Cos there's more than enough clowns here.
 |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | This thread reminds me. Some of the best guitar purchases can be had from crazed people, especially drug addicts. Not all musicians are stoners, but I've met a few. One of my friends got some nice guitars that way, even one from his brother. For some reason, I've never been that lucky.
As to a guitar, for me, it's a tool, and if they are not used they are just things chaining me to this earth. I'll always have at least one, though. |
|
| |
What would ya do? (Oh and howdy)
