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Location: South of most, North of few | The guitar fund is comming back up, and was looking for something in the order of a 1718, 1537, or a non cutaway, inexpensive Adamas (if there is such a thing) I saw a 1718 on the bay that the guy wants 700.00 for, but I don't know if thats a fair price or not. Also saw the 1537 that looks like it was used as a canoe paddle, but don't know if I would want to go through withdrawals waiting for it to get back from the mothership. Anyone have something like this he wants to part with?? :confused: |
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Location: NW NJ | I bought my 1718 from a guy on ebay for $400 and it is in 9 out of 10 condition. One small ding on the lower bout, but other than that, magnificent. It is a canon, pure and simple. Plays really easy, sounds absolutely amazing. I've been seeing a lot of 1718's popping up on ebay in the $600+ range, which, based on what I paid for mine 8 months ago, seem high, especially as depressed as the market seems to be. Here are some examples:
Black 1718
Natural 1718
I know that the 1537 is the holy grail, but the one that is on ebay now for a BIN of $280:
Natural 1537
looks like it would require a lot of work at the mothership to restore. The cracks all over it are worrisome - you gotta wonder how many are through the wood and if they affect the integrity of the instrument. The bowl is cracked as well. Being a 1537, I'm sure it is a wonderful sounding instrument, but structurally, it looks really rough. Now, if you are inclined to start getting into restoration as a hobby, I think this one would be a great one to restore yourself. It'd take a lot of TLC, but when you finished it, it would be a great source of pleasure and accomplishment. If you had the mothership do the work, it'll probably be significantly more than what you would pay for this one, although it too has issues.
Black 1537
Anyway, your question was if there was anyone willing to part with a 1718, 1537 or inexpensive, non-cutaway Adamas. I've only got a 1718, and the answer is no. I love everything about it ... everything. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Jim,
Any of the guitars you mentioned would be great investments. You can find them regularly in the $500-$700 range. Robbie has given some good leads. Among the models you are looking at you really can't go wrong.
Dave |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Thanks for the info. If I run across anything, I may be back for advice before I lay out the cash. I really like the non cutaway deep bowl style. If only I could afford an ADAMAS... Is there a website that gives information on the model #'s of the Adamas line? I just got used to the Ovation numbers, but am pretty lost when it comes to the Adamas. :confused: |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | Jim, is that you with the high bid on the '81 Adamas on ebay?
I don't think there's any info on older or discontinued series of Adamas on the factory sites - you'd be better off checking www.ovationgallery.com or www.ovationtribute.com for more specific info. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Andrew, Yes it is. I thought I'd give it a shot, but I won't go much higher. Am I barking up a wrong tree here? |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | Absolutely not! A nice deep-bowl Adamas is NEVER a bad idea! :D
That one will probably go for about 1200 or so, just based on what I've seen in the past. Actually, with as many guitars per buyer as there's been on the bay lately, it could go for a lot less.
Good luck! |
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Location: Las Vegas, Nevada | Jim:
Advice from an eBayer who has sold hundreds of items including a lot of guitars and high ticket collectibles that I had accumulated over the years. Here, in summary, is what has worked for me: Listing with a starting bid of a penney, no reserve, free ground shipping (or fixed shipping clearly stated in auction-it's only $25.00 to $45.00 to ship and insure a guitar depending on value and destination anyway-too many sellers insist on making this an issue and don't understand how to use a scale and shipping estimators on shipper's websites), good clear pictures with the enlarge feature (find the macro feature on your camera and learn how to use it), 10 day auction beginning at 7PM on a Sunday evening has worked well for me. Oh, yes, one more thing, No Attitude in the description or answers to questions. (If you are selling an Ovation, there is great information as to serial numbers and production years and prices on the Ovation website in an Excel spreadsheet; use it and the website to answer questions accurately and state year, etc. in your auction). Watch your auctions closely and answer questions as soon as you can. (There are questions to answer in the auction so that everyone can see, questions to answer privately, and some questions such as the ones from people just picking at your auction just to be nuisances that don't need answers; number one question to not answer is "Why are you selling?"). Sorting them out gets to be an acquired skill. Keep an eye on how many watchers you have and you can get an idea of what's going to happen towards the end of the auction when the real bidding goes on. Don't worry about someone "stealing" your item as you can end an auction early without any consequences to you as a seller if you believe that it will sell too low. I see lots of auctions with unrealistic starts and even more unrealistic reserves that ultimately ensure no bids. I've noticed in my auctions that most things seem to bring what they are worth, sometimes a lot more than I expected, and making an auction as attractive as possible to a lot of bidders will ensure many bids and a favorable price to the seller at auction's end; after all, in most areas, something's worth what someone will pay. I have noticed a lot of discussions of "cheap" or "good price" comments on early bids on items which have basically nothing to do with what final outcomes usually are. Just my thoughts on what has worked for me and hope this helps. |
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Location: closely held secret | ...and use paragraphs in your description so it's not as hard to read a Prairie Dogs's very insightful tips were! |
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Location: NW NJ | ... you Waskely Wabbit! |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
...and use paragraphs in your description so it's not as hard to read a Prairie Dogs's very insightful tips were! I appreciate the tips, but my problem is not selling on Ebay, it's finding what (I think) I want in a guitar at a reasonable price. Again, all the help on this site is really great. Many thanks to all! It's hard to find "professional" help without having to pay for it. (and no, don't start sending me bills...) :rolleyes:
and yes..
"There is a fine line between hobby and mental illness". Dave Barry |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by jpcannon:
I appreciate the tips, but my problem is not selling on Ebay, it's finding what (I think) I want in a guitar at a reasonable price. Heck, Jim... that ain't so hard. Just takes patience and diligence. Do a little research on Ebay to see how much what you want is going for. If it fits your budget, hunker down and keep a close eye.
What are you looking for, anyway?
I mean which model do you really want? An Adamas? Go for it! I kept my eye out and grabbed mine for $750, and I know there's others here who've made equally good finds. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Wabbit, I really think I want to try a 1718 and am talking to the guy that has one now on the bay in natural finish. I know the Adamas is a fine guitar, but I still like the look of a wood top. I really like the non cutaway deep body look and sound. I'll let you guys know how it goes. The next one WILL be an Adamas. I am thinning the ones I have untill I arrive at what I beleive is best combo of three or four for my circumstances. BTW, my 8 year old just started on the AN13 Applause, and has really taken to it. I'm sure he will be better than the "old man" in a very short time. |
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Location: Hiram, Georgia | I guess I'll weigh in on this one, since I noticed what you've been up to. Nice grab on the LX, I see you didn't do too bad on selling the Celeb.
I recently picked up a 1537, I love it with the natural top! Then 2 days later a black AdamasII non-cut-away went up on the bay(what I really, really wanted). The blk AdamasII (when I get one) will look great beside my natural 1537.
The LX and 1537 or 1718 are very closely related animals. The deep, textured top, non-cut-away Adamas is a very different beast, that IMO would be a very gratifying contrast (if you can swing it now) to the LX. It all depends on what order you want to take them down.
I had absolutely no regrets when someone picked up a nearly identical 1537 for $200 cheaper than I paid for mine, a week later. It just seems like we're moving in very similar direction. Every deep bowl non cutaway I see is driving me crazy, They are beautiful!
What ever you get, I'm sure you will not be disappointed. My advice: be patient; make a decision; pull the trigger; and have no regrets! YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH AN OVATION!!!
I hope that bunch of mumbo jumbo helps... phil |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | So JP, what do you want specifically...I can help satiate my own GAS by looking for you! :D |
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Location: ranson,wva | ive had bad adamas gas for a while now..but thats gotta wait till i get back to work..jason |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Well, I think I've gone and done it. I ended up buying that natural 1718 for 600.00. The guy swears it is in new condition with little, if any, fretwear. The only issue with it is that the border of the OP24 has some plastic missing at the bottom. Actually, I was bidding against this guy when it was up last time, a couple of months ago, and he paid about 600.00 for it.
He seems, from what I've seen in his feedback, to buy and sell alot of guitars, and not really make much if any money on them. I guess he just likes to feel them pass through his hands. Anyhow, he gave me a money back guarantee, if I didn't love it, I can send it back for a refund (less shipping of course) so I can't really loose much. This is the same guy I bought my 1114 from, and he paid more for it than he sold it to me for.
Now for the next question: can you buy just the outer trim for the preamp, or do you have to get the whole module? (OP 24 with the volume knob) BTW, I still have my eye on the Adamas...
and thanks wabbit, I did put in paragraphs. |
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Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by jpcannon:
and thanks wabbit, I did put in paragraphs. An old man thanks you, Sonny. Much easier on the eyes!
I think you'll love the 1718, Jim. Those deep bowl Elites have a beautiful rich tone. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | "An old man thanks you, Sonny. Much easier on the eyes"
Oh, I'm plenty old also. True, I have an 8 year old, but I started very late at that game. (I didn't have him untill I was 48) I will be waiting at the front door for the 1718 to arrive, then, don't anyone bother me for about two or three days! |
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Location: closely held secret | Alright then, you seem to fit our demographic very neatly. We want pictures when it shows up! |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Pictures as soon as I get it, right! (thats after I wipe the drool off it) :p |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | Nice grab, Jim. I love my 1718. Unplugged, you may never play your 1778 again...
I'm picking up a 1537 in about a month, so I can do a side-by-side comparison, but that 1718 is gonna be hard to beat for sound.
BTW, next step is an Adamas or Adamas II. There's no stopping it now... |
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Location: South of most, North of few | "you may never play your 1778 again..."
Andrew, I was very afraid of that, seriously. The LX may be the next one on the chopping block if I find a nice Adamas. |
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Location: Hiram, Georgia | Nice one, Jim! Looking forward to the review!
Yep, we're on a slippery slope for sure.
Next: the Adamas Quest!
yer right about that Andrew, 1778 plugged in, 1537 unplugged! looking forward to the side by side comparison 1718 and 1537. Man, your cup is running over! |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | I took the opposite approach... went for the Adamas 1st... makes everything else seem like a bargain... so when I say to the wife - honey it's only $700... no problem! |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by CrimsonLake:
I took the opposite approach... went for the Adamas 1st... makes everything else seem like a bargain... so when I say to the wife - honey it's only $700... no problem! Now there's a smart man!! :D |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | Originally posted by philmax:
yer right about that Andrew, 1778 plugged in, 1537 unplugged! looking forward to the side by side comparison 1718 and 1537. Man, your cup is running over! I missed the 1114 I was gunning for...THAT would have made a nice addition. |
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Location: Hiram, Georgia | The amazing thing about the LX is how good it sounds compared to the original, 1537 being 24 yrs younger and all. It's only going to get better with age! Ovation still makes great sounding guitars! |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by edensharvest:
Originally posted by philmax:
yer right about that Andrew, 1778 plugged in, 1537 unplugged! looking forward to the side by side comparison 1718 and 1537. Man, your cup is running over! I missed the 1114 I was gunning for...THAT would have made a nice addition. |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | Amen to that! |
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Need an opinion, (I know there are some out there)