1974 Ovation Balladeer

This time we check out a 1974 Ovation Balladeer. Ryan plays some nice chords then gives a brief history of Ovation. They explore the original case and "owners manual" and it devolves from there.

#bizarreguitaraz #ovationguitars #ovationballadeer

[larryburwell]

My mom bought me a 73 one when i was 18 for christmas. im 69 and still have it a play it to this day. its bueatiful and sounds great. 50 years ive had it.

[PWatts-fffd]

Ovations were great guitars for touring. I think I heard that Ovation supplied guitars to popular artists, like Jim Croce, to use for touring because they were so tough. Jim's guitar reportedly survived the crash that killed him, Maury, and everyone on board. Jim's wife, Ingrid, was said to have sent Jim's guitar back to the company. It seems that this guitar could have sustained damage in the crash, causing it to fail dramatically, possibly causing harm to anyone in the vicinity. That's what I read, at least. Jim Croce died 51 years ago this month, on 9/20/1973, so it's been a minute. I have a guitar exactly like this. I got it because I have been a Jim Croce fan my whole life. Thanks for the video. ❤

[sandywinfield]

You guys are just too cool for school. Always love a dry sense of humour!

[jonheddleston]

Beautiful '74 Ovation that sounded great while you played it. Glen Campbell would be pleased .

[erickleefeld]

The shallow bowl Ovations are really meant to be plugged in for most usage — oh man, but those deep bowls are monsters!

[FromMyEyesToYours]

For Ovations I have what I call my "decades collection'-- being acoustics with at least one from each decade they were produced in the USA, and spans from what was the first of their production models.. being a 1966 Deluxe (shiny bowl - serial# 045).. to a 2018 Glen Campbell Artist from their final production run with a serial# as the 37th to last guitar ever built in the USA factory. My favorite of the balladeers represents the 80's (1981 custom balladeer sunburst) and is actually the "from my dead, cold hands'' of my entire guitar collection of any brand or model. So yeah.. that's what I think of Ovation guitars.

[AC-heln]

I have the same one with the same case, my dad bought it in Madrid in 1978. The inside booklet is different though. Not sure how much it costs now but my dad paid over 200.000 pesetas for it, which is similar to paying over 2000 euros today. It has the best fretboard i have ever seen and sounds really good.

[ericwilleke]

Bought an Ovation Balladeer new in 1974. Love it.

[poppycock]

Just got a 1974 Ovation 1112 (dark tobacco burst?) not original case BUT... a case that works + it was the original owner + it is immaculate AND... was $200!!!

[robinleebraun]

I have a 73 Glen Campbell. Still in 2024.

[zazz]

robert smith of the cure used a breadwinner in the banshees.

[ronross]

Was advised at the time to always use light strings...always used thomastic plectrum strings, to this day, the combine well together...

[josephholliman]

I have one of those from 1976. I play it and I need a replacement rubber leg pad so it dies not slip off my leg. Anybody know where I can get one?

[robertwilson]

I recently purchased a Balladeer model 1111-1.. A great guitar.
I agree with the other comment, the camera man ruined the demo with his rudeness.

[samuelrash]

. I bought a Balladeer No. 1111-4 in 1974. I still play it often. The loud mouth interrupting is an assclown. I have never watched you channel. Found you by chance. I rarely comment. Promise I wont be back. You may only get one chance to impress a stranger. All your friends were strangers in the beginning.

[johnblackstock]

Thank you for your Video, in my opinion the Ovation guitar, Dollar per Sound, really cuts the mustard. My version of the same vintage as the one shown has a “T-shaped aluminium epoxy filled neck. My problem is the frets are cast into the neck, and three off them have ware marks.
Twenty years ago I met an old guitarist who told me the Ovation with the Aluminium neck was a failure for two reasons. First under hot stare lights the guitar went out of tune, and secondly, there was something about the Aluminium that caused pain in the back of the hand after hours of playing. However both the above complaints are not applicable to me, only the fret ware.

[matthewrinehart]

I could do without the passive aggressive commentary. I have a nostalgic bent for Ovation/Applause guitars but the hype of a bullet proof guitar has not been proven. Zippo has a $0.01 policy for repairs, what does Ovation give? That said, do they offer replacement necks?