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May 2006
Posts: 4239
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I got this yesterday, and I'm hoping someone here can help dig up some of its history. The guitar is a stunner and was made for a music store chain several years back. I've contacted the chain, but the store it was made for is closed and they really didn't know much.
The official model number is CE768-wbx. All I got from Kim Keller is "The -X on the end of the model number means "Custom", so it's something we built for someone somewhere. So thusly, it's a Custom deep bowl Custom Elite."
Basically, it's a Waterfall Bubinga-topped, Custom Elite with a little "Book" flair.
The music chain contacted Rick Hall who responded by saying: I don't have much information on that guitar other than what I can remember. It was a proprietary guitar specifically for George's Disney store. We only made a small number. If I had to guess, probably lees than 10 pieces.
So does anyone here know any more? I'd love to get a specific number built if possible, but any other history would be great.
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March 2007
Posts: 843
Location: CA | Yowza. Let me put my eyeballs back in (they tend to pop out when I see things like this). That is gorgeous.
It again makes me wonder why no one — apparently including Ovation — apparently keeps track of these special orders. You would think the folks who made them would actually, you know, write down somewhere the information on special orders, how many were made, etc.
But that is a stunner for sure. In a way almost TOO blingy. Almost. Only other thing they could have done is glossed the neck and put blinking lights in it.
How does it sound compared with other Bubinga toppers? |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | You rook mahverous baby! |
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Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | Originally posted by Oddball:
But that is a stunner for sure. In a way almost TOO blingy. Almost. Only other thing they could have done is glossed the neck and put blinking lights in it.
Too blingy?!? Never.
blinking lights, huh? Hmmmmmmmmm. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Yes, I know this is down to personal opinion/taste/how much wine you've inbibed but...
...there ought to be a new scale developed along the lines of the following where there is only a *TOTAL* of 10 points to award to the looks versus tone/playability, i.e...
1. Looks = 10, t/p = 0
2. Looks = 5, t/p = 5
3. Looks = 0, t/p = 10
So for example I found that the 01C rated a high mark for looks, 7.5 but actually had a 2.5 for tonal quality/feel.
I know this is a ridiculous and pointless scale but using this type of system helps to prevent you from having guitars that are just eye candy (NOT that there's anything wrong with that!!!) but *I* prefer a 'better' guitar based upon tone/feel than looks.
Also this doesn't take into account the exceptions to this rule/system, like the 06C, 07C & 1680 - all scores 9 on both scales. Damn there goes my silly idea! :rolleyes:
Anyhow Patch - it's a killer all the same. So what does it sound like????? :) |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | There's some truth in what you say. The absolute best sounding guitar I've ever owned is the plainest-jane thing you could possibly imagine.
Unfortunately there's many models (my opinion) the the combined scores comes nowhere near ten. In fact barely a positive number.
It's all over the place. But in the end the only "score" that matters is the amount of pleasure that the owner gets out of his guitar, whatever brand or model it might be. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Maybe it was made to play at Little Caesers
Pizza Pizza
Custom Custom
either way I'm drooling |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | It is kinda cute. It has Schallers and an Optima. I wouldn't go outta my way to get all that baloney but if it sounds Good...
It looks okay. |
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September 2004
Posts: 1180
Location: Vermont USA | Beautiful! |
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January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Wow, it looks nearly identical to my '99 'Collectors Edition, except for the added mother of pearl. I guess mine is flamed maple, but it sure looks close |
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May 2006
Posts: 4239
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by Oddball:
How does it sound compared with other Bubinga toppers? Originally posted by dweezil:
So what does it sound like????? :) OK, so I'm back from a holiday with the relatives who have no internet.....but did get a close look at a VERY stunning guitar (not to mention a Book Mandolin).
Sorry for missing the responses. Here's my take on this one thus far. Like most Ovations (And ALL of you know I'm telling the truth here.), this guitar looks even better in person than it does in pictures. Admittedly, abalone in this quantity is not everyone's cup of tea, but this guitar is done right. It seems altogether appropriate that it was built for a store in Disney. (I've even begun calling it the Disney guitar.) The only flaws I've found are a couple of cracks in the neck binding, otherwise, the thing is perfect.
Now for the real stunner! I've had a 99C, and quite liked it. It played well, looked killer, and sounded nice. Many folks here dance around the sound of various models, but the truth is that while some O's are sonic masters (1537, 87C, FD-14, etc.), I have yet to meet a Connecticut Ovation that sounds poor. PERIOD. So I felt confident that at worst I would get a "nice" sounding guitar with a peerless custom treatment. And It would come for less than $800! I figured I couldn't really lose short of shipping damage.
What I didn't expect was a sound that was completely unique within my personal collection. And the sound is GOOOOOOD! It has a deep bowl (unlike the 99C), and maybe this makes a a bigger difference than I ever thought, but otherwise, I expected a similar tone to the 99. I got so much more!
It is loud! One of the loudest I've heard. What surprised me first was the sustain. The sustain in this one is phenomenal, rivaling my 87C and my 1537. But late Saturday, I got to sit in front of it while a friend played it. I could no longer deny it, the tone is absolutely lovely. Sitting there, the words that came to mind were "smooth and brassy", brighter than spruce, but somehow more balanced, not too trebly with good bass response. My friend, who plays mostly jazz and ensemble style, who owns a custom Tommy Dorsey archtop, commented that it had a very nice jazz tone to it. I could only agree.
This guitar is one of Ovation's winners. And I have other winners to compare it to. I putting this one next to my 87C, 1537, and 01C (Dweezil and I have polar opposite opinions about its tone. ;) ), as the acoustic benchmarks of my collection.
And BTW, it's drop-dead gorgeous too.  |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | An exotic wood topper with lotsa bling. I love it. |
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May 2006
Posts: 4239
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Something's not right today. :confused:
I put a thread up about this one on the AGF (I am, apparently, a glutton for punishment.  )
And they seem to really like it! 
The sky's still hangin' out at its usual altitude right? 
Here |
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September 2009
Posts: 9
Location: UK | Hi, I am interested if you found out anymore history of this guitar. I have one which I bought in the UK new 9 years ago. The guitar is exactly identical other than the Ovation label inside the guitar looks just like a standard one and code finishes in -WB not WBX. Having said this the registration card for the guitar does list it as a WBX. Any more info anyone can give would be much appreciated. Thanks. |
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October 2009
Posts: 7
Location: Sunny Nashville | Smokin'!!!!! Nice axe!!!!! I like a little bling! ;-) :cool: |
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January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Hey C Brown, you're allowed a maximum 3 exclamation points for a first post. You are officially on double secret probation.
Secondly, it's not always sunny in Nashville.
Welcome to the forum, by the way. |
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May 2006
Posts: 4239
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Wow!
Back from the dead just before Halloween!
I wish I had more info guys, but I never managed to track down anything new. In fact, I even took it to the factory about two weeks ago, and still struck out info-wise. (Lots of compliments though.)
Ian, I would LOVE to see pictures of your guitar. Especially since I've never been able to find anything other than a picture online with no info at all.
And for the record, it's getting its neck glossed. Beware however, the cost for that treatment went up considerably recently. I should have been quicker out of the gate. :rolleyes:
But its gonna look SWEET!
And finally, I'm honored!
I get to welcome two new members in one of my threads.
Good to have you both around! Don't be bashful. :D :cool: |
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September 2009
Posts: 9
Location: UK | Hi, I have posted some pictures in the main gallery, but dont know how to attach them to a reply. |
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May 2006
Posts: 4239
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Here ya go Ian
And that's a beautiful instrument. I sure wish we could find out more about it. |
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Custom Custom Elite (The guitar with the redundant name)