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Posts: 24
Location: Minneapolis | I was on a session with Sherwin Linton http://www.sherwinlinton.com/ yesterday. He is the owner/band leader of one of the roots bands I play string bass in here in the Twin Cities. Anyway, he brought this sweet old Balladeer for one of the tracks.
He bought it used in Watertown, SD in 1970 so It's likely a fairly early one. He has it strung for high Nashville tuning, and the guy playing it was finger picking. It had this tight, icy sharp tone that was really neat. Hope the image I created from phone image captures is OK for viewing. Enjoy!
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Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Ouch! |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | nice |
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December 2009
Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | Sah-weet! |
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January 2011
Posts: 24
Location: Minneapolis | You guys dig that shiny black bowl? I hope anyone that knows about Balladeers of this vintage will post information or links to old threads. I'm off to that cool Ovation database... Cheers, bp |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | They were so good they did a reissue a few years ago. Look up K1111 RI or reissue when you are doing your research. |
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November 2011
Posts: 741
Location: Fort Worth, TX | Sweet indeed. Looks just like my pristine condition 40th anniv re-issue, serial number 3. Doesn't someone on here have serial number 2? |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | one of the very first ones, very nice. |
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September 2011
Posts: 402
Location: New Hartford CT | Why does this guitar have the older rosette and tuners but was made after my #698? It appears to be #2754. I'm using Ovation Tribute for reference. Just wondering....
(pics courtesy lefty steve)
https://picasaweb.google.com/105567705311232066629/DeluxeBalldeer698... |
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December 2009
Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | The tuners can be explained by the fact that your's is a Deluxe Balladeer. I don't think that the chronology of rosettes is a perfect timeline. In the early years they changed rosettes frequently due to problems. There were at least three different rosettes used in the first 100 units, i.e. #22 marquetry, #45 black w/white chain link, #93 white w/black chain link.
Your #698 is a beautiful guitar. I can't tell from the photos, but is your rosette set into the top? |
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September 2011
Posts: 402
Location: New Hartford CT | Thanks Nick - good info on the rosette; I've been wondering about that for a while. It is not set into the top.
This belonged to my Dad. It was stolen, upon which I posted about it here. The thief listed it on craigslist and then it was purchased by an OFC member who posted pics of it on the forum.
A sharp eyed member here saw it, recollected my post and contacted me; ultimately it is now safe with me and under 24 hr guard! |
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December 2009
Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | Originally posted by Geostorm98:
It is not set into the top.
Is is possible your Dad had it repaired at some point? The early rosettes would lift and the factory fix was to install the newer style rosette over it. Do you have access to an x-ray? :) |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | That #698 is kinda different in a number of ways. The triangular bridge looks like walnut ... I thought all the early ones were brazilian rw. I have an early DB (model 1117) with the original Grovers and it has the stick-on rosette (and a walnut winged bridge). Could be this one be a transitional model of some sort? Being marked as a "2", maybe it was put together from the parts bin? |
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September 2011
Posts: 402
Location: New Hartford CT | Moody pointed out that the bridge is 'replaced, at least with the proper shape'
The rosette is original but not inlaid.
Dad grabbed it from the factory in 1967. perhaps at some point the bridge popped and they fixed it up for him? |
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May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | I thought all rosettes before '69-'70 were inlaid. I have two '68's that are inlaid. |
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December 2009
Posts: 686
Location: Route 66, just east of the Cadillac Ranch | Originally posted by Geostorm98:
perhaps at some point the bridge popped and they fixed it up for him? Maybe, but what's important is it's a '67, which is supported by the S/N and the fact that your "Dad grabbed it from the factory in 1967," and it was stolen and due to some an amazing turn of events you recovered it. That raises the coolness factor of the guitar way up there. Again, beautiful guitar. |
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Thoughts?
