Unfortunately I still Have GAS....

I've handled and played the finished product and pictures cannot do this piece justice! (You get a flavor on this shot)

Visually...I guess stunning is the only thing I can think of. The MOP on the rosette is amazing! The abolone purffling (sp?) is the usual perfection. The fret board inlays, the carved saddle, the hand-laid deep bowl... WOW! The neck and headstock is very dark and you can't see the skunk stripe except the imprint that is visible below the finish. I think that is kind of a shame, because I bet the wood is beautiful. Oh well.

I've played a new (2011ish) Custom Legend LX and this thing blows it away in every facet, except the single knock I post below.

Under-hand, it feels as good or better than anyting I own, including my 1637, 07C and 1617ALE. The neck profile feels very thin and fast like the old 1617-4 I gave to my son-in-law, (the best O neck I've felt, until now) thin, but sturdy, if you know what I mean. When I play it, it seems to make me better because it is so easy to fret. Hard to explain, but you folks know what I mean.

The sound is off-the-charts. Un-believable that a new piece of wood could rumble against my belly like that! Must be the A-brace...? Every individual note across tthe spectrum sings clear and noticable. Bear had it in the office and I had to be carefull with any pick because it is just LOUD, louder than my 1537 or Anniversary. Overall, it sounds better than anything I've ever played except the Original slothead and the re-issue... Truely. What will it be like after the top opens? Hard to believe that it has a brand new top. Astonishing! Way louder than my (new) 1617ALE. The sound seems clearer and more pronounced, but I wonder how much of that is the difference between Sitka and Adirondack. Don't get me wrong, I love the ALE and would not trade for this 1669, but I'd love to own both. I'd like to do a side-by-side (Bob?) It has the stacked-knob that we (I) didn't get to use, but I bet it's great plugged in.

I am not an expert and play rather ham-handedly, but I have played since 1980 and this is a top-of-the-line get.

I have first right of refusal if he ever sells... He won't

The only knock I can give is that the tuners are rather corroded and kinda crusty. I think some of that will clean up and Bear's gonna let me give it the treatment that I gave my 1537 (Which made those tuners look virtually perfect) when it's time for a string change. Of couse, that treatment might take a couple weeks, months. I could feel no back-lash at all. They felt perfect, just looked out-of-place on this fine instrument. Also, I guess, the case was a little used. No big deal.

I know what he paid for the guitar, and what the Mothership cost, and IMHO, he stole this thing and I hate him.

I have no reservations to getting work done in New Hartford, at all, if this is what comes out. Why would anyone buy a different high-end guitar from other manufacturers, if this is what Ovation produces for very reasonable costs. I'd stack it against anything I've ever played except what I noted above.

 Dan

That makes all the sense in the world keeping the bowl. I'd still change the preamp. That was the one thing I didn't like about those. The placement of the knobs in the waist instead of the upper bout made it a great nominee for upgrade.

Regardless, I'm nitpicking. It's f'n awesome and congrats. There's no place better to get your O fixed.

That's a good idea.