Visit, call, or ask for a hands-on look before you buy.

Imperial Vintage Guitars Vintage instruments, honestly represented
Search Cart 0
Menu
Menu

Call a store

Search the collection
Full-length sunburst acoustic-electric guitar with diamond fretboard inlays and ornate soundhole rosette, standing in a brown plush-lined case.
01 / 25Full-length sunburst acoustic-electric guitar with diamond fretboard inlays and ornate soundhole rosette, standing in a brown plush-lined case.
Full front view of a sunburst acoustic guitar with a decorative soundhole rosette and diamond fretboard inlays, resting in a brown velvet case.
02 / 25Full front view of a sunburst acoustic guitar with a decorative soundhole rosette and diamond fretboard inlays, resting in a brown velvet case.
The guitar's back, showing a textured black composite body, a glossy brown neck, and chrome tuners on the headstock.
03 / 25The guitar's back, showing a textured black composite body, a glossy brown neck, and chrome tuners on the headstock.
Rear view of the guitar's textured black composite bowl back, with a glossy brown neck extending upwards and a strap button at the bottom.
04 / 25Rear view of the guitar's textured black composite bowl back, with a glossy brown neck extending upwards and a strap button at the bottom.
Close-up of the guitar's headstock, showing the dark brown sunburst finish, six chrome tuners, and the top of the fretboard with a diamond inlay.
05 / 25Close-up of the guitar's headstock, showing the dark brown sunburst finish, six chrome tuners, and the top of the fretboard with a diamond inlay.
The guitar's sunburst headstock and neck are viewed from behind, showing six chrome tuners with light wear.
06 / 25The guitar's sunburst headstock and neck are viewed from behind, showing six chrome tuners with light wear.
The sunburst acoustic guitar is angled to show its textured black bowl back, light binding, and ornate soundhole rosette.
07 / 25The sunburst acoustic guitar is angled to show its textured black bowl back, light binding, and ornate soundhole rosette.
Close-up of the sunburst body, soundhole with ornate rosette, bridge, and fretboard with diamond inlays.
08 / 25Close-up of the sunburst body, soundhole with ornate rosette, bridge, and fretboard with diamond inlays.
Close-up of the sunburst body, showing the ornate soundhole rosette, bridge, and a volume knob on the lower bout.
09 / 25Close-up of the sunburst body, showing the ornate soundhole rosette, bridge, and a volume knob on the lower bout.
The sunburst acoustic-electric guitar's body is angled, showing the dark brown back and sides, and the ornate soundhole.
10 / 25The sunburst acoustic-electric guitar's body is angled, showing the dark brown back and sides, and the ornate soundhole.
Close-up of the guitar's sunburst top and black bowl back, showing the cream binding and an endpin jack on the lower bout.
11 / 25Close-up of the guitar's sunburst top and black bowl back, showing the cream binding and an endpin jack on the lower bout.
The black textured back of the guitar is angled from the upper left, showing the output jack and a strap button on the lower right.
12 / 25The black textured back of the guitar is angled from the upper left, showing the output jack and a strap button on the lower right.
The guitar's textured black Lyrachord bowl back and lower bout are visible, with a cream binding and two strap buttons.
13 / 25The guitar's textured black Lyrachord bowl back and lower bout are visible, with a cream binding and two strap buttons.
Close-up of the guitar's textured black Lyrachord bowl back, showing a single control knob and the neck heel.
14 / 25Close-up of the guitar's textured black Lyrachord bowl back, showing a single control knob and the neck heel.
The guitar's black textured back is angled, showing the rounded bowl shape and cream binding along the edge.
15 / 25The guitar's black textured back is angled, showing the rounded bowl shape and cream binding along the edge.
Close-up of the guitar's dark fretboard, showing five frets, light strings, and two small white dot inlays.
16 / 25Close-up of the guitar's dark fretboard, showing five frets, light strings, and two small white dot inlays.
Close-up of the dark fretboard with diamond inlays, showing four frets and six bronze strings from the side.
17 / 25Close-up of the dark fretboard with diamond inlays, showing four frets and six bronze strings from the side.
A digital caliper measures the nut width of the dark fretboard, showing "1.70" on its screen, with diamond inlays visible.
18 / 25A digital caliper measures the nut width of the dark fretboard, showing "1.70" on its screen, with diamond inlays visible.
Digital calipers measure the guitar's nut, showing a reading of 0.89, with the headstock and strings blurred in the background.
19 / 25Digital calipers measure the guitar's nut, showing a reading of 0.89, with the headstock and strings blurred in the background.
A digital caliper measures the guitar's fret height at 0.99mm, showing the dark fretboard and light frets.
20 / 25A digital caliper measures the guitar's fret height at 0.99mm, showing the dark fretboard and light frets.
Digital scale display reading 4 lb 15.7 oz, the weight of this 1979 Ovation 1612 Custom Balladeer Acoustic-Electric Guitar Sunburst.
21 / 25Digital scale display reading 4 lb 15.7 oz, the weight of this 1979 Ovation 1612 Custom Balladeer Acoustic-Electric Guitar Sunburst.
Close-up of the sunburst body with ornate soundhole rosette, showing a long finish crack and several scratches above the lower bout.
22 / 25Close-up of the sunburst body with ornate soundhole rosette, showing a long finish crack and several scratches above the lower bout.
Close-up of the sunburst body, showing ornate mother-of-pearl rosette inlay and a small chip in the finish below the soundhole.
23 / 25Close-up of the sunburst body, showing ornate mother-of-pearl rosette inlay and a small chip in the finish below the soundhole.
Close-up of the guitar's interior label, showing "Model No. 1612" and "Made in Connecticut, U.S.A." on a blue oval sticker.
24 / 25Close-up of the guitar's interior label, showing "Model No. 1612" and "Made in Connecticut, U.S.A." on a blue oval sticker.
Close-up of the guitar's interior, showing a white label with "OVATION 197855" and a partial round label below.
25 / 25Close-up of the guitar's interior, showing a white label with "OVATION 197855" and a partial round label below.

Ovation

1979 Ovation 1612 Custom Balladeer Acoustic-Electric Guitar Sunburst w/OHSC

$695.00

Unavailable

Make an offer Sell one like this

Description

1979 Ovation 1612 Custom Balladeer In Sunburst Finish

This Guitar Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks

In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)

Finish Shows Some Cosmetic Play Wear, Including Various Marks, Dings And Scratches Throughout

Cracks Shown On Top Are Not Structural And In Finish Only

Made In USA

Composite Bowlback Body With Spruce Top

Indian Rosewood Bridge With Compensated Saddle

Mahogany Neck With Bound Ebony Fingerboard And Diamond Inlays

Onboard Electronics Tested And Fully Functional

25.25" Scale Length

1 11/16" Nut Width

Neck Depth At 1st Fret: 0.89"

Neck Depth At 10th Fret: 0.99"

String Height At 12th Fret Bass Side: 3/32"

String Height At 12th Fret Treble Side: 2/32"

Weighs 4lbs 15oz

Comes As Shown With Original Hard Shell Case And Cleaning Cloth 

 

The Ovation 1612 Custom Balladeer is a classic acoustic-electric known for its distinctive roundback design and stage-ready performance. Featuring a solid spruce top paired with Ovation’s Lyrachord bowl, it delivers a clear, balanced tone with excellent projection and feedback resistance. With its comfortable playability and built-in electronics, the 1612 is a reliable workhorse for live performers who want consistent sound, durability, and a look that stands out.

Glossary Refund policy Shipping policy