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April 2004
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Location: TX | Hello....I just bought a 386T, I think it is a
Made in Japan model. It has a very pretty flame
maple top. It has the EQ and built in pick-up.
I think it is a 1990'ish model, it came with the
hard shell Ovation case. It sounds great and
looks new....I think I bought it for around $300
total with case. Any info or history on my guitar
would be greatly appreciated, oh yea....was that
a fair price???
Thanks
Dave |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | Dave,
Wewlcome to the Club. You'll find a wide array of opinions and information on this Board.By The Way, The price Sounds Like it was a good deal. If Memory Serves me correctly, The Model You have was made in Japan. The New Pinnacle Models are made in Korea. The New Models are available in two versions. a Center Sound Hole Version and a Multi-Sound Hole Version.
The One's I've played had a petty Good Sound and Feel. Again Welcome aboard . It's Great to Have you here! |
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Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | The Pinnacles were made in Japan (and I think some in Germany) in the early '90's of components similar to the Balladeer, to which it also compared in price. The top on the 386T is a thin maple laminate.
CWK has all the lowdown on the series.
They are nice guitars, and the T models (for Torch top) are very visually striking. I have seen them in several colors.
They used to sell for around $400 on eBay, but of late have sold for far less. Too bad... unless you are a buyer looking for a well made Ovation at a bargain price. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | As I recall the German ones were very close to the US specs. This sounds like a Japan one. |
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August 2003
Posts: 63
Location: Miami, FL | I have one as well. Paul you are correct, it is a great looking guitar. My problem is the action. It is so high and and I have it looked at by a local luthier and there are no more shims to remove.
John |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | John,
It may be neck reset time for your guitar. I just got rid of a 386T that was in near perfect shape except for high action and no more shims to remove. $200 with Ovation case! It sounded great, but got a little dicey to play up the neck. I just decided to cut my losses rather than get it fixed. |
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Location: Miami, FL | Paul,
That was the suggestion from a local tech, but I am at the same point you were at. Does it warrant the investment from a personal perspective considering what the are selling for.
In the meantime it has become just a practice, finger strength conditioning guitar.
John |
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February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Hmmm.... interesting question. If it were my guitar it would depend on a combination of:
- how good it sounds
- how good the overall condition is
- cost of the neck reset.
I have had all of my resets done at the Ovation factory, where the cost runs $150, or so. A Pinnacle has to be pretty special to warrant that investment.
But I do like your putting it into a good perspective, rather like the character-building side of adversity. |
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April 2004
Posts: 2
Location: TX | Thanks for the info guys, if I could just play
it half as good as it looks I would be in pretty
good shape, I suppose some practice might help!!
David |
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January 2004
Posts: 648
Location: Florida | The question is, Zorjon, has the top lifted, or the neck come back.
Keep in mind, that the lower the bridge, the worse the tone is gonna be, so, if anything, a reset will improve things tonally.
If O's doing resets for $150ish, that MIGHT almost be worth it, if otherwise the instrument is in real nice shape.
However, can we assume you've gone to some extra light strings like .010's, and made sure the truss rod is set correctly? |
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March 2002
Posts: 1380
Location: Central Oregon | Originally posted by CharlieB:
However, can we assume you've gone to some extra light strings like .010's, and made sure the truss rod is set correctly?
Exactly what I was wondering.
I know zip about Japanese made Ovations, but my American ones respond very well to truss rod adjustment. My 1612 strings were a tad high for my taste even with all the shims removed, but a quarter turn (+/-) on the truss rod made it very nice, same with my 1115.
I have no idea what size or type wrench a Japanese 386T would take, but my 1858 Elite 12 & 1612 CB require a quarter inch allen wrench from the body end. (Really easy if you have the genuine Ovation wrench.) Korean Ovations that adjust from the body are 5mm allen as near as I can tell. My 2002 Collectors & my Pacemaker have truss rod covers (adjust from the head end) & I use a quarter inch American socket & extension on those.
Loosen the strings first & remember that a little bit goes a long ways, a quarter turn can make a very noticeable difference. I thump the neck gently a few times after I change the tension, (either direction) then re-tune.
If it doesn't help you can go back to where you were easily enough.
Oh yeah, I've only owned one Celebrity & nothing short of a neck re-set would have helped it. I sold it, bought the 1858 Elite & haven't looked back. I'll never buy another non-USA made Ovation.
Welcome aboard Dave :)
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New owner 386T Pinnacle Torch/Flame top