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Joined:
December 2011
Posts: 3
Location: NY, NY | Hi,
I just joined the forum and have recently rejoined the ranks of Ovation users. I used to own a 1986-issued 1867 Legend in black which I had bought in Falls Church, VA through Guitar Craft. The GC tuning required heavy gauges on the bottom strings and greater tension on the top strings so it was important that the bridge hold up and the body not bow. I sold that guitar in 1994 and many years later have bought another 1994-dated 1867 Legend for $220 with a soft case. This one is a tobacco sunburst in very good shape with a satin-finish neck unlike my old one which had a black lacquered neck as well as top. The other difference with this new one is that it has a rosewood bridge instead of the ebony one I had on the previous one though the fretboard is ebony as the previous one was.
I bought this used 1867 since they are no longer made but also see that the 1861AX seems like the modern replacement with a better preamp. Frankly, I don't see how you could make a worse preamp than the OP24 that is in my present as well as past 1867. After being reacquainted with the noisy OP24, I was hoping that I could upgrade the preamp. I called Ovation and they said that the only preamp available that would fit mine would be the OP24+ and I'd have to order it through a dealer. Elederly.com could special order one for me for $79 but I wonder how much better it will be than the OP24. I'm thinking that maybe I should order a Fishman saddle pickup and feed to a preamp instead for better quality.
So now to the 1861AX. I've heard the bowl is made in the U.S. but the rest of the guitar is made in Korea unlike my used 1867 which is all made in New Hartford, CT. You can find these new for $350 without case on the internet but I'll be damned if I can find one in the stores to try out.
First question: How good is the OP Pro preamp and is it worth going with an 1861AX for it? It would be nice to have the preamp, eq and tuner all within the guitar instead of having to go outside the guitar as I might have to do if I go the Fishman route with the 1867.
Second question: I know that most pundits, prefer American-made guitars to Asian-made but is the Korean-made 1861AX really something to be wary of? The price is good, I like the idea of the updated preamp and its a new guitar for a very decent price. Does anyone own an 1861AX or has anyone played one? Any impressions? How is the neck? Is the sound any different than an 1867? Will it be able to hold the GC tuning without the bridge flying off one day?
I suspect this is a lot for a first posting but its been a long time in between Ovations and I'd like to get the best possible option for getting back into a super-shallow body that will be using Fripp's tuning without breaking the bank.
Any and all input and opinions is greatly appreciated.
Reinaldo |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | The 1861 is a Balladeer rather than a Legend. It will not have the build or material quality of a 15 year-old US made Ovation.
If you want to upgrade from the OP24 without doing major remodeling, see if you can find an Optima preamp, it's one of Ovations best preamps and it should fit the existing hole nicely. |
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Joined:
December 2011
Posts: 3
Location: NY, NY | Thanks for the reply Waskel. I wonder how significant the difference is between the two guitars. As long as the neck and body shape are the same and the Balladeer doesn't blow up, then I think I could overlook US vs Korean.
Someone on this forum said that the neck was glued rather than bolted on the Balladeer which I don't know if that's true but that may be of some concern.
I wish there was someone on this forum who actually owns an 1861AX so I could get their impression of it. No dealers in NYC stock it so I can't demo it. |
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Joined:
September 2011
Posts: 260
Location: Spain | Hi Mate
I have recently bought my first Ovation, a 20 year old Elite made in USA ( needs a lil work done on her), and have actually today played for the first time a Korean made "elite" ...it's like driving a Bentley then getting in a Kia.
I know we're not talking about the same guitars, and sorry if it's not the advice you're looking for but it's along them lines... |
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Joined:
December 2011
Posts: 3
Location: NY, NY | Well, if its the same model guitar than the comparison is definitely relevant. I've been searching around the forum and there have been similar discussions. In one, the bracing seems to be a big factor with the Legend having A bracing vs. scalloped bracing on the Balladeer. I do like the used Legend I bought and it will need some setup work as the previous owner did none on it.
I just wish that I had gotten one that didn't have that crappy OP24 preamp. I asked Ovation about getting an Optima preamp but they said there are none to be found. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | I've had several with the OP-24 (still have one in my '87). While there are better preamp models, I've never found them to be "crappy". |
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Old 1867 vs 1861AX
