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Joined:
July 2013
Posts: 8
Location: Assonet, MA | Hello OFC. I found this site, and I'm hoping it will turn into a great resource for me since I'm just starting out. I'm a 28yr old critical care RN, and I have been needing a hobby to relieve stress, and I'm hoping that playing guitar will fill that void. I've always loved singing, so I figure I might as well learn to make my own music. When I started my search, I knew I needed something with a shallower profile as I have somewhat short arms for a guy of my build, a bit of a belly, and short fingers. When I discovered the Ovation line of guitars, the thing that reeled me in besides seemingly meeting my needs was the roots the company has in the aerospace industry. I am a HUGE aviation geek, so that really was the cherry on my sundae. I don't know exactly what a guitar is "supposed" to sound like, but the few videos I could find on youtube of this model sounded great to me. Once I went shopping, I found the guitar that I will describe and picture below.
From what I have been able to gather, it is a 1979 year Ovation Applause in "Avocado Green." I picked this gem because of the finish, I love the color and style, and according to the seller I bought it from, it has seen minimal use and shows it. From my rookie perspective, this thing looks all but showroom fresh. I paid $155+shipping for the guitar and the pictured case (feel free to let me know if I got taken, but it seems to be on par for a guitar in this condition). It is currently being shipped to me, and I can't wait to lay my hands on it. I plan to start learning on plastic picks, but when I am no longer in danger of roughing up the guitar, I plan to switch to a custom engraved brass pick I had made (I'm a Mustang owner and fanatic, so I had to have it). If there's anything you guys can tell me about this guitar, I'd love to know it's history, story, anything that will bring more ambiance to it.
So here's the guitar
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Joined:
July 2013
Posts: 8
Location: Assonet, MA | 
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Joined:
July 2013
Posts: 8
Location: Assonet, MA | I do have some questions. What can I do to keep this guitar in pristine shape? I assume the wood face can use some care over time. Should I get a pick guard for it, or is it not supposed to have one? What do you guys think I should know about this guitar? I already ordered a nice little strap for it as I can be a bit clumsy at times, and I like that it has pick holder slots on it which will be convenient for me. I also ordered 3 carbon fiber grip picks to use while training, as I imagine they will be more forgiving than my custom brass bobble up there. Anyway, my ears so to speak are yours, and I look forward to and education I can get. | |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | Starting from scratch? There are a lot of tutorials on basic guitar care out there. Basically treat them like people - avoid extremes, clean them occasionally, etc. I have a idea for one of the songs you might want to learn first: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKlMqLSuPpo And... Ovations don't need no stinking pickgaurds! 
Edited by MWoody 2013-07-31 8:16 AM
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Joined:
July 2013
Posts: 8
Location: Assonet, MA | Hahaha. Ok. Wasn't sure on the pick guard, I can be heavy handed at times, and I was eyeing a clear stick-on one just to save the guitar's beautiful face. Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am starting from scratch. I played 3 years of violin in jr high, so I have some fundamental understanding of how a string instrument works, but I never learned to read music. Watching videos on Youtube has started to get me understanding though, there's a guy on there called "your guitar sage" and I seem to understand what he's saying. I now at least have the strings memorized, EADGBE...and I'm working on the notes that they can make. Next step once I get my guitar is chords. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a little overwhelmed, but I like the challenge an I'm going to be beaming the first time I strum out a song. A local music shop has a deal for $38 for 4 1/2 hour lessons. They have a good reputation, and I learn best in person, hands-on, so I'm thinking about booking the 4 lessons and going from there. What do you think of that idea? If a moderator sees this, I would like full access, since I'm probably going to become a full blown geek about my guitar. Like I said, I want to learn everything I can about it's history. | |
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Joined:
July 2013
Posts: 8
Location: Assonet, MA | Also, your thoughts on my new guitar? | |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | Thoughts... It's nice, and green, and Korean
Welcome to the club. You've been un-newbied so feel free to post about. | |
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Joined:
July 2013
Posts: 8
Location: Assonet, MA | A guitar guru friend of mine was looking at the pictures I have of it, and he asked me if I knew what kind of wood the face and neck were made of. How can I find this information? And yes, it's green...that's part of what sold me on it :D | |
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Joined:
July 2013
Posts: 8
Location: Assonet, MA | Also, according to the serial number decoder, this is a '79 model, but when I sent the data to Ovation, they said it was at minimum an '80 because it was made in Korea...confused and in need of clarification. | |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | The "Serial Number Decoder" only applies to USA Made Ovations.
Asian-made models serial numbers do not apply.
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July 2013
Posts: 8
Location: Assonet, MA | D'oh! So then, is there an asian ovation decoder out there? | |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Unfortunately there is no decoder for the non-USA models. Many people ask why and it's rather simple really, It has to do with warranty. The USA models are/were covered by a "Factory" warranty so there was a need for the serial numbers to unique and relate to a specific guitar. The non-USA models have a warranty from the store that sells them. As the stores have their own way of tracking things, mostly the receipt, the serial number only means something... maybe... to the store that sold the guitar... and further, it's usually a limited warranty, like till you get to the parking lot of something, so tracking it really isn't that important beyond them knowing they sold it to you...
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Hello all! Newbie starting out, bought a vintage Applause. SCHOOL ME PLEASE!
