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Joined:
February 2006
Posts: 7
Location: California | Hi,
I have a 1968 Ovation 12 string that I will be puting on ebay soon.This is one of the first Ovation 12 strings.Serial number is A-191 on a paper white lable.It has the deep bowl,shiney back,open headstock,winged bridge.Diamond and dot inlays and is in nice shape except for some laquer cracks.The neck is straight,action is low and it plays and sounds great. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | That's a good one. What are you asking? |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Pictures would be nice too. |
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Joined:
February 2006
Posts: 7
Location: California | Hi,
In response to the emails.I have no idea of the value,that's why I was going to put it on ebay and let them decide.And I have no idea how to post pictures on this site.Anyone have any idea as to what number 12 string this is in the production of 12 strings?I tried calling Ovation but no one has returned my calls.
Thanks for any info. |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 640
Location: boulder | Hi,
I will err on the high side. It is in the first couple of years (obviously, if it has a shiny bowl). One of the first 3000 or guitars overall made (with a serial # in the 'A' range), definetely one of the first few hundred 12 strings made. I think the earliest I have heard of was a serial # less then 1000. Still It should be a great sounding acoustic 12 string. good luck with sale, peace mike |
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Joined:
February 2006
Posts: 7
Location: California | The time line at the Ovation site states that Ovation did not start making 12 strings until 1968.It was their 5th model.So this is a first year production Ovation 12 string.I'm trying to find out how many 12 strings they made that year and what number this one be.Thanks. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15679
Location: SoCal | 1968 may be the first year of 12 string production, but don't trust the timeline. It's not accurate. |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 153
| Although the Ovation timeline states 1968 as the beginning year of production of the model # 5 12-string, actual production began around mid-1967, or earlier. The 1967 NAMM show promotion for Ovation includes the 12-string, along with the other five models (Balladeer, Deluxe Balladeer, Classic, Josh White and Contemporary Folk Classic).
I presently own the oldest Ovation 12-string that I have heard of, which bears serial number # 731. It has a three-piece top, and the tiny truss rod cover that only appears on serial numbers 80 -1000 (numbers approximate).
However, the 12-string on the NAMM promotion that appeared in The Music Times, (I believe this is on paulmac's website), predates this serial number, or was a prototype only, as the configuation of the fretboard is different than serial # 731, which conforms to factory specifications.
Besides the three piece-top, the only difference between the 1967 12-strings and the 1968 12-strings are the tuners, which are a earlier variety of the open Klusons than those on the 1968 and 1969 models.
The A-XXX and B-XXX serial numbered 12-strings are the most common of the shiny bowl 12's. However, as I have conjectured in other posts, I don't believe that there were more than 100 - 200 shiny bowl 12-strings produced, and certainly the number of those that still exist are limited to 100 or less. |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 153
| Additional Note:
These are great sounding guitars if the action is not too high. However, with top cracks the value will not exceed more than $250 - $400 on eBay.
There are several of these available in good condition from vintage guitar stores, priced from $700 to the one that Mandolin Brothers has offered for over 20 years at $1,500. To my knowledge, all of these are still available for sale, as no one is willing to pay these prices. |
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February 2006
Posts: 7
Location: California | Thanks for the information! |
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Joined:
February 2006
Posts: 7
Location: California | Oh by the way this 12 string has a 3 piece top and the open tuners.I will be happy to email pictures if anyone is interested.My email is: per7@adelphia.net |
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1968 Ovation Balladeer 12 string Serial number A-191
