NBD - Ovation Magnum I

[Nickweissmusic]

There's a Magnum at a pawn shop near my work that was asking $899 for it, but reduced the price to $699. Sad thing is that it was modded for EMG P and j pickups. The original routes were filled in with wood, and re-routed for the EMG set. it looks like it was done a long time ago, and of course the pick guard is not original (the mute foam is gone also). But the frets are in great shape and the neck is arrow-straight. Too much for me though...

Raz

Too much is right, that's an absurd price for a user routed Ovation bass with no Ovation parts. It's worthless as a collector piece, which is where all the value comes from. If they took the first digit off the price and it plays well, then maybe

 

[Papazita]

I was randomly on craigslist for the first time in months and happened across this local Ovation Magnum for sale. Been trying to score one at a decent price and got a great deal on it. And only a 20 minute drive from my house. Anyway, it could used some new strings (I'm thinking TI Jazz Flats maybe?) and a bit of a set up, but I'm digging it. Not a bad day.

I can hear the Jah Wobbling already.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

They are made in my home state of Connecticut. New Hartford not to be confused with the capital city of Hartford, which is where I was born. I plan on getting one someday.

 

[blacktocomm]

I can hear the Jah Wobbling already.

Public Image was the first riff I played on it.

 

[Papazita]

Public Image was the first riff I played on it.

Nice

 

[40Hz]

Wow! Those were classic deep tone machines if there ever were any. Guy I knew had one and he'd put even the Gibson Triumph crowd to shame with the lows he could summon from his. Congratulations on a real find and an interesting bit of bass history from back in the days when different was the goal of the bass makers rather than just another hand-built PB/JB clone, or some squeeky clean hifi sound and pretty furniture wood looks.

Play it well!

 

[40Hz]

Public Image was the first riff I played on it.

Good choice. PiL was responsible for more than a few woofers giving up the ghost in home stereo systems back in their day. We're talking loooooooow here.

 

[jjmuckluckjr]

I had one for a couple of months back in '78. I don't even remember what it sounded like. I do remember taking a ration of s#+* for playing Lynyrd Skynyrd on some far out, Sci-Fi, hippy shaped bass. Weirdly judgmental I know, but a lot of 14 y/o boys are. The Magnum shape is kind of like the Gibson Modern. Anyway, nice pick.

 

[jetsrush]

I had one of these and absolutely loved it. Sold for some unremembered financial crap. I remember it having the sound of a Jazz and Rickenbacker mixed. One of my favorite sounds, the other being Gibson G3 with the three single coil pickups.

 

[wintremute]

Congratulations! Do you know if they make this as a double-bass? I've always wanted a standing Ovation.

 

[MEKer]

Do you know what year of production this? 1979?

PS: somebody took excellent care of it! Wow. THAT's what I like to see in old basses....loving care even though it could have tons of playing time.

 

[ajkula66]

That's one stunning instrument. Congratulations!

I've passed on a couple of those in my much younger years since I never found one with a neck that I could live with, but seeing yours makes me want to re-visit them...

Do you know what year of production this? 1979?

More likely mid-70s. By 1979, the body shape had changed as had the electronics. Not that there's anything inherently wrong with newer Magnums, they're just different.

PS: somebody took excellent care of it! Wow. THAT's what I like to see in old basses....loving care even though it could have tons of playing time.

Agreed. I haven't seen one in this shape since the early 80s.

 

[MEKer]

Great score. Have fun with it.

 

[Rabidhamster]

Awesome man great score that bass is so cool!!

 

[blacktocomm]

Do you know what year of production this? 1979?

PS: somebody took excellent care of it! Wow. THAT's what I like to see in old basses....loving care even though it could have tons of playing time.

Im currently trying to date it. Ill let you know if/when I find out.

 

[Cazman]

Love to play mine. I don't gig with it all that often...it weighs a TON. My back ain't what it used to be.
Enjoy, it's a great machine.
Cheerios!

 

[blacktocomm]

Love to play mine. I don't gig with it all that often...it weighs a TON. My back ain't what it used to be.
Enjoy, it's a great machine.
Cheerios!
View attachment 1077510

That's a beauty.

 

[blacktocomm]

Do you know what year of production this? 1979?

PS: somebody took excellent care of it! Wow. THAT's what I like to see in old basses....loving care even though it could have tons of playing time.

I thought it would be a '75-76 due to it's serial number, but according to the info I just received from Ovation Guitars it is indeed a '79...

Ovation Customer Service
<[email protected]> Sat, Mar 11, 2017 at 1:10 PM
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>

This one was built in 1979 and has a mahogany body and neck with ebony fret board.

 

[bholder]

OK, I'll play, here's mine:

 

[bholder]

Love to play mine. I don't gig with it all that often...it weighs a TON. My back ain't what it used to be.
Enjoy, it's a great machine.
Cheerios!
View attachment 1077510

That's in great condition!