
( Brand: Ovation ), ( Model: 1612-2 ), ( Part Type: Acoustic Case ), ( String Configuration: 6 String ), ( Country/region Of Manufacture: United States ), ( Model Year: 1978 ), ( Series: Balladeer ), ( Body Type: Bowl Back )
The Ovation Balladeer Model 1612-2 is a unique and distinctive acoustic-electric guitar, recognized for its exceptional craftsmanship, innovative design, and high-quality sound. This particular guitar is in minty or near-mint condition, having been crafted in 1978, making it a desirable collectible item for guitar enthusiasts and musicians alike.
Body and Construction:The Ovation Balladeer 1612-2 features an Lyracord compound-curve body. This proprietary, advanced design creates a guitar that provides increased sound projection, allowing the instrument to fill a room with warm, rich tones. The body is made of a laminated spruce top with a mahogany back and sides. The back and sides are adorned with elegant, delicate flourishes of ornate marquetry. The guitar possesses a unique shape, originally termed the "Roundback," which allows for added comfort and ease of playing due to its contoured body. The eight-sided shape and deep cutaway facilitate effortless access to higher frets.
Neck and Fingerboard:The neck is made from mahogany, ensuring both strength and dynamic tonal qualities. The scale length is 25.5 inches, which is popular for providing excellent playability and balance between tension and intonation. The fingerboard is crafted from rosewood, which is known for its frequently used tonal properties that imbue the guitar with a well-rounded sonic character. The 20 frets are position markers, with the 12th fret serving as the octave marker.
Hardware:This model boasts chrome Grover tuning machines, ensuring reliable, precise tuning. The Bridge and saddle are made of rosewood, contributing to the transfer and projection of the instrument's sound. The under-saddle piezo pickup system delivers an authentic, nuanced acoustic tone when played electrically, making this guitar an all-around versatile option for both live performances and studio recording sessions.
Electronics:The preamplifier includes a custom-designed Fischer-deedle phase reversing control which offers a distinctive, slightly altered tone for creative applications. Additionally, the onboard controls include volume, bass, mid, and treble knobs, allowing players to tailor the sound to their specific needs or preferences.
Conclusion:In summary, the Ovation Balladeer Model 1612-2 adorned in mint condition is a timeless piece that offers a harmonious blend of innovation, craftsmanship, and high-quality sound. This guitar, with its unique features and elegant design, is not only a joy to play but also an excellent addition to any collector s assortment. Whether you're a seasoned musician or a hobbyist looking for an exceptional instrument, this 1978 vintage Ovation Balladeer Model 1612-2 is guaranteed to meet your expectations and exceed them.
The Ovation Balladeer Acoustic-Electric guitar, specifically model number 1612-2 manufactured in 1978, is a classic and sought-after instrument in the music community. This guitar offers unique features that cater to both acoustic and electric performance needs. In this analysis, we will discuss its advantages and disadvantages to help potential buyers make an informed decision.
Advantages:1. Lyrichord Shape: The Ovation Balladeer is recognized for its unique Lyrichord shape, which has a distinct look and contour, providing excellent comfort during long playing sessions.
2. Advanced SC-24LN Pickup & Preamp System: The 1978 model comes with an upgraded SC-24LN electronics system that captures a clear and accurate representation of the integrated pickup and offers a reliable performance on stage.
3. Solid Spruce Top: The solid spruce top on this guitar offers superb sound projection and sustain. This material contributes to the bright and clear tone that is desirable in many musical genres.
4. One-Piece Back and Sides: The one-piece back and sides made of laminated flamed maple create a uniform and consistent sound that is desirable for balanced and projection-rich tone.
5. Larger Body: The larger body combined with the contoured shape helps to enhance the overall volume and projection of the guitar, making it suitable for playing in larger venues or more robust settings.
Disadvantages:1. Action setup: The string height, or action, on this Ovation guitar may vary from unit to unit. Proper setup by a professional technician is recommended to ensure optimal playability.
2. Thin neck: The neck profile on the Ovation Balladeer can be described as thin, which may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with large hands or a strong preference for a thicker neck.
3. Bone nut: Some owners have reported issues with the original bone nut wearing out, which may cause tuning instability or Intonation issues. Replacement is recommended for longevity.
Conclusion:The Ovation Balladeer (1612-2 1978 model) offers several noteworthy advantages such as its distinct Lyrichord shape, upgraded electronics system, solid spruce top, and one-piece back and sides. However, it also comes with drawbacks, including the need for professional setup and the thinner neck. While these downsides may deter some buyers, the unique features and exceptional sound qualities often justify the investment for those seeking a versatile and high-quality acoustic-electric guitar.
Recommendation:Despite the potential shortcomings, we wholeheartedly recommend the Ovation Balladeer Acoustic-Electric guitar (1612-2 1978 model) to those who prioritize a bright, clear tone, modern design, and desire the benefits of an integrated pickup and preamp system for both live and recorded performances. Remember that setting up the guitar professionally and addressing the bone nut issue, if necessary, are crucial steps to ensuring optimal playability and longevity.
The back is very clean. All latches work.
Neck, fret board head stock in great shape up for sale is a vintage 1978 Ovation balladeer acoustic-electric guitar. Top 40 guitars is a veteran owned business.
It has absolutely no cracking, splitting or warping. Mint condition. All original packing must be included.
Peace be with you. Brand new strings were installed. Very comfortable to play. Dripping with Moho.
Gig ready on arrival. They will tell the story. Electronics work fine.
Our Luther did a complete setup. Made in USA. Warm, rich bright sound. This is really cool.
Cosmetics: excellent condition. Keep in mind that this is a 40 year old vintage guitar. Great sound projection.
Awesome neck. You are looking at a vintage 1978 Ovation balladeer acoustic-electric. Some light very small dings in the top. Has super low action with no fret buzz.
Complete package with Ovation hard shell case included. Overall, a really nice guitar. Not perfect. Case is in great shape.
It is a deep bowl American made model look at the pictures closely. Due to cites treaty for endangered wood mahogany, rosewood we no longer ship out of the USA.