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Location: Pittsburgh | I have attached a link to the Ovation I have. I guess it goes by the name Book Elite. Mine has been stored in a tempature controlled case and played a couple times. I am thinking of selling it. My question is this. In 1996 this guitar was $1900. Being that this is a highly collectable model do they increase in value.
Here are a couple of pics what the guitar looks like.
http://www.ovationguitars.com/?fa=detail&mid=1379
http://www.ovationgallery.com/page6stringbe.htm
Any information would be helpful. |
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Location: Bluffton, SC | Here\'s one answer - no bids @ $1,150 in near perfect condition.
Of course timing is everything... |
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Location: closely held secret | Wow. You really have a temperature-controlled case? |
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Location: Pittsburgh | I guess I worded it wrong. I should have said one of those things that you keep in the case to control humidity. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Some folks, including me, are willing to pay the asking price, however high, to obtain something they lust over and just can not live without. Accordingly, price may be immaterial if you have exactly the right product and find exactly the right buyer. This is marketing 101. If the demand is high enough, even if from only a single source buyer, then the seller can control the terms of the sale. However, if a continuing relationship with the buyer is of any interest (as it often is with OFC members), then the seller should probably exercise some consideration by not taking maximum advantage of his favorable position in negotiating the terms of the sale. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I don't think there are many collectible or highly collectible Ovations that have increased in value over the original sales price. I have the original receipt for my 87 Collector's. Surprisingly it was about the same price as yours for a very similar guitar. It has some issues, but it's not worth the original price, unless someone wants to pay me that.
To add to what the Prof said, I have a personal reason for preferring the 87 Collector's over the Book Elite, so assuming the two were of equal quality, I'd pay more for the 87. |
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Location: Pittsburgh | Thanks for the advice. Again I am not sure I even want to sell it. I may give it to my little brother who is an amazing guitar player. The reason I ask on here is because if I were to get rid of it, I know the folks on this site would appreciate it.
I am one of those people who loves guitar, unfortunatly I am more of a singer than a skilled guitarist. Being I have a beautiful Adamas collectors addition, this guitar goes unplayed and it's a shame something that nice isnt getting any use.
I just didn't understand how values were determined on guitars. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Hold on to anything long enough and the value will come around to meet or exceed its original list price. I think some of the guitars from the 70's and 80's are now at this stage. Certainly the value of many or even most of the solid bodies now exceed their original list prices. |
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Location: Colorado | The particular auction Weaser refers to ended with no bids. The guitar was relisted at $950 (no reserve) with no bids again. And I don't really know what it's worth or what the market will bear.
As Weaser stated before, timing is everything. In my case, the timing is bad because I don't have the money to buy either of these rare guitars. Conversely, timing would be excellent if I had the money and desire for such a guitar. I bought my Adamas three years ago for $850 (a $2500 guitar when new 11 years ago) because I had just gotten my Christmas bonus. Even though I put another $150 into it recently, I still feel like I got a deal I couldn't pass up especially since I was looking for an Elite or Custom Legend.
As most of us around here know, the Ovation market is pretty soft at this time. Great for buyers, not so great for sellers. Perhaps the Book Elite doesn't get the attention it deserves on Ebay because people don't know what it is.
This board would serve as a much better place to sell it. I think a buyer on this board will be happy and I think you will be satisfied knowing this guitar will be appreciated by its new owner--not to say you haven't appreciated it. You get the idea.
People in the market here might be looking for a 1537 Elite, a 1713 classical, or a 1992 Collector's. But your Elite might be on somebody's wish list. Give it to your brother (or me) instead of selling it. For you that might be as good of an idea as any. Personally, I think that would be great, too.
Either way, best of luck in your decision. |
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Location: Fayetteville, NC | It could be that nobody bid becuase the seller only has a feed back of 1. The seler not having alot of experience on ebay could spook alot of people. also i wonder what the (C) Listing is..Canadian exchange rate? wonder why that's theer ifteh guitar is in Pennslyvania? |
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Location: Colorado | Then there was the note that Ebay didn't guarantee the (language) translation in the auction description.
So, does anyone have a real-world value on this guitar? Al? Dave? |
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Location: Bluffton, SC | If I was your younger brother and was an amazing guitar player (and I'm admittedly neither but I'm taking a stab here) and you had that guitar, I would probably get you in your sleep if you were considering giving it to me but sold it instead.
That's the stuff that makes older brothers you know (and this is from a guy who gave his youger brother a beater car for college). |
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Location: Upper Left USA | About 2 yearsago an OFC Member asked about a Book uitar anywhere. I had spotted one at a local music store and gave him the info. It went!
Probably paid at least $1400 for new, hanging on a hook for 9 years.
It really comes down to whether someone that wants is around. We are emerging from a market low on Fleabay right now.
If it were a pre-war Martin or Gibson(?) you just have to wave a hanky and there will be a crowd. Ovations just don't get the respect they deserve. |
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Location: Pittsburgh | I agree with you Weaser. I defineatly planned on giving it to my brother. I have done everything I can to help him in his musical endevors. The only thing about giving him the guitar was I'm not sure if he would really appreciate an acoustic. He is really into electric guitars and keeps mentioning that he wants a second guitar to keep in another tuning for when he plays out. He also keeps mentioning he is saving for in home recording gear. I figured if I sold the guitar I could put the money toward something he would enjoy more like another electric or recording gear.
But after thinking about it, recording gear only lasts so long until you need to upgrade. This guitar is something he could have forever and allow him to add diversity to the music he plays.
So I guess my Brother just got a new guitar. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I bet that are a few members that would consider a trade for an electric. Hell, if no one steps up, I got a few electrics that I might consider in a trade. |
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Location: Pittsburgh | I doubt I would trade it after thinking about it. The Ovation means alot to me and I know that he would appreciate it. I just feel guilty having two great guitars when I dont have a 1/4 of his talent. And this will give him a chance to add an acoustic guitar into his music. |
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Location: SoCal | Mark, why do you prefer the 87C to the Book Elite (beside the gay looking epaulets on the Book E)? |
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Location: Tennessee | Paul, please. We call them "happy eppies" now.
JT ... your bro has a pretty good bro. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Paul, I owned both and sold the "Book" which was/is an incredible looking guitar. I just felt that the '87C has a much fuller more even tone.
The "Book" seemed a bit thin to my ears. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Moody, I forgot about the epis, but I also like the headstock of the 87 better. Mostly, I have no fond memories of 96, but 87 is the year our daughter was born and it is hers when I get rid of it. The 1537 is 83 and goes to our oldest who was born in that year. Two great years for Ovations and us. |
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Location: SoCal | Mark, those are reasons I can understand..... |
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Ovation Book Elite Value