Guitarists: My new Ovation Balladeer Re-issue

[Arlo Kalon 2.0]

About 35 years ago I owned an Ovation Balladeer I always regretted selling. I stopped into a music store this week and saw what I was told by the clerk was a 40th anniversary re-issue. I picked it up and played it and was blown away by how much nicer it was than my Martin D28 Custom Shop in sound and feel. I offered to trade even up a vintage Fender 12 string acoustic for it. The guy said "sure, I don't have any 12 strings in the shop".

Since researching these re-issues, I learned 40 were made. I also learned where to look for the faintly laser engraved serial number and found out I have number 003. They had a MSRP of $2895... not a bad trade considering I paid $180 for the Fender 12 string! My poor wife just became a guitar widow again as this thing is in my hands constantly!

 

[skyhigh]

your story would have been more interesting if you had a youtube link of you playing it.

 

[Stealth Ryder]

Very Nice find Arlo... I have been searching Pawn Shops for an Ovation myself but have yet to find the one that feels just right... Congrats on the find, you deserve it friend...

 

[signage]

Nice find and deal, but are you a Bass player or a six stringer?

 

[Arlo Kalon 2.0]

Nice find and deal, but are you a Bass player or a six stringer?

About 15 years ago, our church hired a worship leader who was tasked with raising an orchestra out of our congregation. We had almost every instrument represented except for bass. I volunteered to buy a bass and take over the duties in the mistaken belief a bass was just the first four strings of a guitar. I had no concept that it was a rhythm instrument. The worship leader, who had a masters degree in instrumental music, took me under his wing and made a decent bassist out of me eventually. I have played guitar since I was five years old. In our current contemporary praise band, I am handing off the bass role to an eager 18 year old kid and will be playing rhythm guitar from here on out on the Balladeer. I might add this particular Ovation is not an acoustic/electric. I never liked that setup. The guitar will be mic'd thru the soundboard. I had a 3 year hiatus from playing the bass during a time we left the church for awhile. When I came back to a new worship leader, I couldn't get my groove back. I've been discouraged with my bass playing since returning even though all the other musicians say I'm doing fine. I very much look forward to giving up the bass in favor of a six string acoustic again and will probably sell the bass soon.

 

[Arlo Kalon 2.0]

Very Nice find Arlo... I have been searching Pawn Shops for an Ovation myself but have yet to find the one that feels just right... Congrats on the find, you deserve it friend...

I was in a pawn shop recently and saw and played an Ovation Legend. Very nice guitar. The thing with Ovations is you can pick up a used one at a decent price if you keep your eyes open. I guess it has to do with all that woodworking they get to skip out on by having a one piece round molded back and sides. I can still remember the first time I saw Glen Campbell playing one on TV and thought "what the hell is that?". Of course, that was before the internet and it took me forever to learn about Ovations. I just always thought they were gorgeous guitars. This one has the soundhole rosette under the clear coat instead of a plastic ring glued on top.

 

[omgsideburns]

jealous.. i need a good acoustic.

 

[John Butto]

http://www.deerheadguitars.com/deerheadHome.shtml
...this is what I have

 

[sportycliff]

Sweet!

Had a Balladeer Custom myself back in the early 80's, one of the few I wish I'd kept.

You really like it better than the Martin? I'll have to find one to try again...

 

[d fleming]

Good find. Always have liked the way a good Ovation sounds and plays. I found my Seagull acoustic/electric cedar top 12 string years ago and have been dragging it through bars ever since. I rarely play anything else. I have an Ibanez 12 string electric I keep hooked into a line 6 pedal to the board with a wireless rig in case I want to go wandering through the crowd on a rowdy night.

 

[Spud Murphy]

Full credit to the man who made the Balladeer famous...and the album


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtgXus3eiII&feature=related

 

[Speedsterbeast]

I always loved the sound of Ovation guitars. But I don't like the way they slide off my knee when I play them (rounded backs) no kidding!

Never played an acoustic Fender that I liked (but I love my Strat)

I'll stick to my Martin.

 

[sportycliff]

Full credit to the man who made the Balladeer famous...and the album


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtgXus3eiII&feature=related

How about giving credit to the "player" who made Ovation famous...

http://www.ovationguitars.com/sound..._canvas_in_stores_online_everywhere_aug._30th

 

[Spud Murphy]

How about Art Garfunkle and George Bush?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9GiAu4Z40U&feature=related

 

[Stealth Ryder]

A Ovation has a very unique tone that I have always liked... Like you Arlo, I was turned on to them back in the day watching the Glen Campbell shows... You have inspired me to get out this weekend and find me one...

 

[Arlo Kalon 2.0]

http://www.deerheadguitars.com/deerheadHome.shtml
...this is what I have

Those look like exceptionally high quality guitars from a conscientious luthier. Would like to try one out in person.

 

[Arlo Kalon 2.0]

I have a friend who stops by often to visit. He always has a camera hanging from his neck. Here's a pic he shot of me playing my new baby.

 

[Stealth Ryder]

Very Nice Sir...

 

[StarSign]

Nice, I have a Thunderbolt myself

 

[Arlo Kalon 2.0]

Nice, I have a Thunderbolt myself

I'm too much of a traditionalist to go in for futuristic acoustic guitar designs, although Thunderbolts DO look cool. Does it have a carbon fiber top or is it real wood?