Conference napalm::guitar

    Take with you into the plane, you are baggage-handler.
    

    I agree, bring it with you.  Many airlines will not allow you
    to bring it in the cabin with you (some charge half fare) while
    others will.  So ask first.  
    
    What I usually do is first loosen or remove all the strings and
    then ask for my guitar to be insured for twice what it's worth.
    This kind of insurance is usually only about $2.00.  If they
    say that they don't do that kind of insurance then I will ask
    for special handling.  The airlines don't want to pay for your
    guitar and when it has a special handling tag they really do
    take special care of it.
    
    Anyway, that's just one persons opinion.  It's worked for me.
    
    =ken

    I will mention that I've brought my guitar with me to Minneapolis
    many times on the plane. All but one of those times, I flew
    Northwest Orient, and with one exception, they always let me
    carry it on board to put in the coat closet. The one exception
    was when they had a completely full flight and no room in the
    coat closets. That time, one of the flight attendents hand-
    carried the guitar down and out to the luggage compartment to
    have it put in carefully. No problems resulted.
    
    The one time I didn't fly Northwest, I flew American. They would
    not let me carry it on board, nor would they insure it. The case
    came out slightly chipped, but the guitar was fine.
    
    A friend of mine who often flew places with his 12-string Martin
    had a custom-built case made. Wood sided, with metal-reinforced
    edges, the size and shape of a steamer trunk. I don't recall (if
    I ever heard) what it cost him, but it's managed to resist all of
    the efforts of the luggage-gorillas.
    
    --- jerry

	As far as prices....

	When I bought my Guild this past summer, I also looked at Ovations.
	I believe a Custom Balladeer went for around $750 list.  You can
	usually get it for -30% or better.  Still not cheap.  As far as
	and Adamas, they must be around $1200-1400 by now.  If you want
	I could call my local dealer and get the current list price for
	you.

	-gary

        
        Thanks for  the  information  and suggestions - I'm undecided
        about keeping or shipping my Ovation, but having been offered
        a good price for  it,  I'm looking to bank the money and then
        buy new when i get there.
        
        I'd appreciate it if you  would find out the prices from your
        dealer, Gary - I'm interested in another Legend, possibly the
        12 string, but any other prices would  be useful if you don't
        mind the hassle..Thanks much!!
        
        Andy.
        
        

    From wht I've seen there in the 699 to 899 dollar range.  a little
    more for the twelves.

	Well...I just called around and there is only one dealer in my
	area that handles Ovation (new that is), but they won't discuss
	prices over the phone.  However, I will be going to this store
	sometime soon as they have my mandolin for repair right now.

	I'll ask when I go and post it here if you're still interested.

	-gary

        
        Around $700  -  $800 sounds about right, I paid $650 for mine
        about 3 years ago (complete with fitted flight case).
        
        I'm still interested - thanks Gary.
        
        Andy.
        

    When you get to the states, where abouts in the Mass. N.H. area
    will you be?  I know of one dealer who has good prices, and is
    usually willing (read that easy) to work around prices. 
    (within reason ofcourse).  He carries, Baladiers, Legens, Adamas
    6 and 12 strigns.  Has matching cases in a choice of colors.

    So if your area is anywhere near *this* area, it might be worth
    at least checking it out.
    
    /ray

        
        Sounds good Ray - I'll be living in Manchester N.H., but I'll
        be happy to  travel as far it takes for the right deal!!  :^)
        Where is your dealer located??
        
        Andy.
        
        

    Fitchburg Mass Andy.  In the center.  Store is called Fitchburg
    Music.  Used to be a horrible place.  But the owner sold it out
    to the store managers, and since his retirement, they have done
    a real lot to change things.  Like 2 for 1 string sales each friday
    for openers, and you can actually talk down the sales people.  They
    really want to move inventory.

    To get there, your best bet is to come straight down route 13 from
    new hampshire, through  Townsend, get on 2A from route 13, and stay 
    on it.  Fithburg Music  in the begining part of the center.  (about 
    6 miles or so from where  you'll first get on 2A.)  Just ask any gas 
    station along the way, and they'll mostlikely know where to point
    you.  From where you first merge with 2A from 13, you'll go through 
    2 set's of lights about two miles apart.  Just go straight through
    both sets.  After your second set of lights, look on the right, after
    a large   self service gas station.  (Do you have those across the pond ?)
    Anyway, it's the next building after the Gas station.  Parking is
    directly across the street.  I believe their opened on friday nights
    too.
    
    Another place that is more in your nieghbor hood is Nashua Music.
    I think he stocks ovation too.    

    
    Good luck..  When you get here, let me know how you make out.
    
    	"Don't touch my bags if you please Mr. Customs man...."
    
    ray
    

        
        That sounds  really good, Ray - thanks for the info, and I'll
        check them out while I'm over on vacation at Christmas!! 
        
        Andy.

        Thanks again  for  all  the  good information supplied.  In the
        end, I brought  the  Legend  over and have just upgraded to the
        Custom Legend 12 string,  trading the old (non-electric) Legend
        against it.  Banjo-picking 'House of the Rising Sun' now sounds
        like it's someone better than me playing it! 
        
        Cheers,
        
        Andy.
        

    Well house this for responsibity? I'm replying to an old topic of
    interest rather than start a new one. What a good dube eh?
    
    Here's the situation. I was lookin at an Ovation Legend a few days ago.
    I don't usually like the sound of Ovations, at least not for the money
    they get for 'em. Well there I was at a Music shop in Cambridge and
    this dude has me try a Legend saying I'd be surprised. He was right - I
    was very surprised. Could be the acoustic sound I'm looking for, nice
    and deep and bell like. He's lookin to get $450 for it. It's a used
    guitar in good enough condition, but certainly not new. It has no case
    either. I think its a bit high, especially in comparison to a new Yamaha 
    that I've been looking at. My question to those of you who know, is
    $450 in the ball park for a Legend? Mind you, I don't know about age,
    but this one has no pickup.
    
    Sakman 

    
      I bought a Legend 6-string new back in 1973 (still looks new today)
    and paid about $350 for guitar/case (military discount). I have the
    current catalog at home which lists the Legend at around $1000
    excluding the case. My best guess is if the guitar is in excellent
    shape..ie. no cracks in the top around the bridge and the neck is
    still true a $400-$500 price tag isn't bad. I have been very happy
    with mine. It has the pearl inlays and gold keys...clear maple finish.
    
                               R.B.