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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | I know that these are Incredibly Special pieces made for the Japanese Market in 1992, and that there were the N769 (Center Hole) and N768 (Elite) style made using 100 year old Spruce.
The only 2 colors I have seen are the Natural for the Center Hole, and the Burst for the Elite.
On ebay, there is one that is Ebony, and I was wondering if anyone remembers there being any Ebony Elites made in that run??? It is a Gorgeous Guitar, but I can't find anything on either Jerome's site, or Ovation Gallery that tells about the Nakao's, let alone an ebony one.
Does anyone here remember, and could share??
Thank You So Much!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/222158677390?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&s...
Edited by Nancy 2016-06-20 10:42 AM
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Yes there were black ones. Nice guitars but unless you are ga-ga over abalone trim, at heart it's a regular USA Elite.
A few of the overseas importers (like Nakao) would sometimes order batches with some different features than the regular USA configuration. Actually a similar process to what Lost Art Vintage has done a few times here in the states. |
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | Thank You So much StandingOvation!!!
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Location: moline,illinois | I think the Nako Elites are much more than a fancy looking Elite,from what I've read on other threads here and personal experience with my N768 they are a big step up from regular elites.They were originally called craftsman guitars if I remember correctly and were supposedly built to a higher standard out of concerns for return issues and warranty problems on guitars in japan,They are at the least a Custom Elite and used AAAA 100 year old spruce tops,mine has a magnificent sound and look only equaled by the book elites,yes all the abalone is a bit gaudy but they are beautiful guitars well worth adding to any collection.
Nancy try searching for Craftsman Elite as opposed to Nako you might find more info. |
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Location: NJ | the Japanese absolutely had high standards. I often purchased guitars that were rejected by them that I could not find flaws.
same craftsmen same materials same guitars.
same standards
some appointments may have varied |
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | Thank you So Much 2Wheel and Al!!!
I remember when I bought my 769 Nakao Clone, I Loved the abalone trim, all hand laid (I do like my Guitars with some Bling!  ). But the selling point was the YouTube videos he had in the ad, of himself playing her. I closed my eyes and listened to both of them, and knew right there and then it had the most incredible sound I had ever heard, and would do bodily harm to bring her home! My N768 is no different. Stunningly Gorgeous and Crafted, but the most notable selling point is the 'sound' that came out of them.
I really would not mind having this unusual Black in the Cave, but someone else should have the experience of one of these Beauties! I was a bit concerned that it was a color I did not know it was produced in, so Thank You all for sharing your knowledge. This Black Beauty is Sweet, and would make a stunning Trio in the Cave! |
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Location: Taxed To Death State | Like the Nakao's the Century Adamas is made of 100 year old aged spruce. The wood is beautiful. I'd love to get my hands on a Nakao.
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Location: Cologne/Germany | BTW. there was a Nakao in natural finish recently on the bay, can't remember if it was in the US or in Japan, but here is what it looked like: 
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Location: Cologne/Germany | Nancy, obviously, there have been more Nakao's later... optima preamp, mid-depth bowl... 
Edited by red-twins 2016-06-21 1:39 AM
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Location: Cologne/Germany | ...and even more limited runs called N 868 (120 only): 
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Location: New Hartford CT | Nancy - 2016-06-20 11:40 AM I know that these are Incredibly Special pieces made for the Japanese Market in 1992, and that there were the N769 (Center Hole ) and N768 (Elite ) style made using 100 year old Spruce. The only 2 colors I have seen are the Natural for the Center Hole, and the Burst for the Elite. On ebay, there is one that is Ebony, and I was wondering if anyone remembers there being any Ebony Elites made in that run??? It is a Gorgeous Guitar, but I can't find anything on either Jerome's site, or Ovation Gallery that tells about the Nakao's, let alone an ebony one. Does anyone here remember, and could share?? Thank You So Much! http://www.ebay.com/itm/222158677390?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&a...Hi Nancy, most of the information in this thread is accurate but it's a fact that extra effort went into Nakao guitars going to Japan. As 2wheeldrummer mentioned, having these instruments sent back to the States was kind of a disaster. I picked up my Millenium for just this reason; it was returned to the US for a flaw in the top...but i can't find a thing wrong with it after 16 years. There were a bunch of different Nakao's produced over the years, mostly the 80's-early 2000's. If it's ebony somewhere along the production line a slight visual-only imperfection was noticed...then it's going to be black to cover up whatever the imperfection was; maybe a slightly irregular grain or a knot. Edited by Geostorm98 2016-06-21 6:54 AM
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | NOW I feel educated!!!
Thank You Red Twins and Geostorm!!! I had believed there was just the one run, and the 2 models and 2 colors. It is fun to learn that there were more of these beauties made and floating around out there to stalk!
Thank you all for your input and taking the time to share your knowledge, it just makes me treasure mine more, and when I see them on ebay, I will be much better informed on them!! Thank You So Much!!!
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Location: Yokohama, Japan | Nice thread! I think the Nakao's started showing up in JP O catalogs in about 1992. They first introduced the N768-9 and the N769-7. They first appeared with only these 2 color schemes. But then in 1996, when O introduced their 30th anniversary catalog (pages 1 and 2 in the catalog from Ovation Tribute)... http://www.ovationtribute.com/Catalogues/30th_Anniversary_JP_Catalog/30Th_Anniversary_Japan_Catalog.html ...they expanded the line with a limited N778-9 and N779-9. They were dubbed "the Nature Series - Southern Bald Eagle Models". What was really cool about 1996 was that they included 3 Adamas in the Nature Series line-up dubbed the NNS781-2, NNS781-5, and the NNS781-8. These were special ordered with a production run limit of 100 total units. They were all cut-away models featuring the OP24+. I've only seen one or two of these Adamas, and they are highly sought after. This is my friends NN78-9 that the Mothership restored last summer! The bowl was separating from the top, and the sound board had a few cracks. The Mother Ship did a great job of restoring her. She was literally a brand new guitar when she came back. She even smelled new! I never got around to recording a audio sample of her, but she sounds majestic! 
Anyway, I didin't really add much more info, but the Nakao's are exceptional guitars. By the way, they were not built in Japan. Although the Japanese built Os were of the highest quality and craftsmenship 2nd only to the work done at NH. Thanks for letting me share Nancy!
Edited by arumako 2016-06-21 11:17 AM
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | Thank You VERY much Arumako!!
I remembered seeing one with a Feather on it, and could not remember from where or who, now I remember, it was You!! Thank you for adding to the thread and adding the picture!
I have never seen one of these for sale, but will definitely keep my eyes open for one (I would LOVE one with a Eagle Feather on it!), my love of birds extends to the Raptors too! I LOVE Eagles, Hawks and Owls! This one would be a real "feather in my cap" or *cave* as it were!
Thank You for adding your experience to the thread!
The Japanese have a legendary knowledge of Art, Craftsmanship and Precision, and it is no surprise that they insisted on the Best of the Best from Ovation too.
The more I learn, the more I appreciate these Beautiful pieces! |
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Location: Cologne/Germany | some do have the feather, yes. Mind that the one arumako posted pics of has no binding on the neck, like this one, a 1996, obviously: 
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Location: Cologne/Germany | another photo. Again we see, the MS did all kinds of specs. 
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | Red Twins, I am red-lining again!
Smoke is starting to seep out from beneath my frantically furrowed brow...
I had no idea that there were this many, and this many varieties!
Thank You So Much! Every single one of the them are Gorgeous!
You bought Detlef Michels, correct? So you are part of the Nakao Club too! 2WheelDrummer, myself, how many others have a variation??? |
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Location: Cologne/Germany | Yeah Nancy, I bought Detlefs. It was on German eBay and I was lurking for it, but while I was still thinking, he grabbed it. Fortunately I wrote to him if ever he would want to let it go again, he should get in touch with me.... And that's what happened. |
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Location: Cologne/Germany | Nancy, to finalize this, here is what the Adamas NNS781 arumako mentioned looks like: 
There was also a blue one, but I can't get the photo in here, don't know why, anyway, think you got a idea... Or try google search for NNS781... So, hunting for one?!
Edited by red-twins 2016-06-22 1:33 AM
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | red-twins - 2016-06-22 1:24 AM
Nancy, to finalize this, here is what the Adamas NNS781 arumako mentioned looks like: So, hunting for one?!
I am NOW!!! Thanks Ever So Much Red-Twins!!!
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | Merci' Jerome!
Thank You So Very Much for sharing this with us, now I have to start stalking the Elusive Red Eagle Feather! This is not going to be so easy, I am thinking...
And THANK YOU for the Ovation Tribute, and maintaining it! Once I know what to look for, there is always something out there to whet my appetite for more, and answer questions! Thank you for doing that for us! |
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Location: Cologne/Germany | The Nakao on US eBay that Nancy referred to in her opening thread went through the ceiling today. Until yesterday it was at about $500, so I started looking, but today it's up to more than 1,5 K....
Wondering where it will stop. |
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | 30 minutes left, it should be very interesting to see if he gets what he wanted on Reverb!
I hope it goes to a Great Home!
(Pass the popcorn please!! ) |
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Location: Cologne/Germany | So, 1660$..... Did he?
No Popcorn, thanks :-)
Edited by red-twins 2016-06-26 1:56 PM
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | Pretty Close Red Twins!
I believe he started it out on Reverb at $2200, then went down to $1950, then put it on ebay for .99 cents, and ended up with $1660. That is a nice price, and hopefully, it went to a good home! I like our N768 Bursts better, but the Black is unusual! All Great sounding Guitars!
(Junior Mints then???) |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Black cars and Black Guitars show every fingerprint and scratch.
Just sayin'... 
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Location: Cologne/Germany | Old Man Arthur - 2016-06-26 10:47 PM Black cars and Black Guitars show every fingerprint and scratch. Just sayin'... yeah true OMA. But: didn't Henry Ford say: any colour is good as long as it's black... I love black guitars, and my wife prefers the black ones too. Just sayin' |
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Location: Cologne/Germany | Nancy - 2016-06-26 10:23 PM Pretty Close Red Twins! I believe he started it out on Reverb at $2200, then went down to $1950, then put it on ebay for .99 cents, and ended up with $1660. That is a nice price, and hopefully, it went to a good home! I like our N768 Bursts better, but the Black is unusual! All Great sounding Guitars! (Junior Mints then??? ) Well, that's some $$$ less... eBay has its price als well, some 10 or 11% over here, guess similar in the US... I was happy to get a Guitar in Sunburst finally. Most of mine were black ones, then with the Longnecks, there were naturals als well. I felt lucky when I found that 2007longneck, a Black one, in New York. Then I decided to have a "normal" Ovation guitar, and since this colour was missing, wanted a sunburst, a colour I didnt't look at until then. Looked at several 1768-1, too expensive or they were already sold, so it took a while, but that made me ending up with the Nakao... P.S. no mints for me. Had chips.... it's past midnight here, so... good night!!! |
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Location: New Hartford CT | Did anyone on the Ovation Forum by this most excellent guitar? I almost thought red-twins bought it... |
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Location: Pueblo West, CO | red-twins - 2016-06-26 3:23 PM yeah true OMA. But: didn't Henry Ford say: any colour is good as long as it's black... Close. When Ford first offered the Model T for sale, it only was available in black. He was quoted as saying, "Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black." This has since been paraphrased as, "You can have any color as long as it's black." |
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Location: Cologne/Germany | Geostorm98 - 2016-06-28 12:02 AM Did anyone on the Ovation Forum by this most excellent guitar? I almost thought red-twins bought it... I would have loved to do so, and though he didnt't want to sell abroad I would have had a chance to get it delivered to an address in US, but it didnt't really make sense to spend that amount of money on another Nakao, adding taxes and transport fees - and still having the risk of getting a damaged guitar finally.... |
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Location: Cologne/Germany | Thanks Dan! Didnt't know the exact words Ford used. I only heard this saying from a Guitar Shop owner some 20 years ago, here in Germany, who offered a bass in a local paper (it was the time when there was no Internet yet) and I asked whether the bass was black... He confirmed and I drove up the way to the shop, only to see that bass in surf green.... He had both and was just kidding me....
Edited by red-twins 2016-06-28 4:22 AM
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Picked this guy up for $400 the other day, is it a Nakao? The label inside says 1768 but everything about it screams Nakao.
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Location: NJ | nakao guitars had a medallion on the back of the bowl |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I can find no such medallion on mine, nor on the one this thread is dedicated to. So is it possible some don't have the medallion? The picture is one from the Nakao that just sold on ebay.
Edited by Samuels 2016-06-28 1:28 PM
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Location: moline,illinois | Samuels - 2016-06-28 11:01 AM
Picked this guy up for $400 the other day, is it a Nakao? The label inside says 1768 but everything about it screams Nakao.
Probably a custom elite mine says N768 on the label(N for nakoa)
Nice grab for 400$
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | My Center Hole says 1769 Custom Legend, but is the Nakao Clone that someone at the Factory built on their own time. I am thinking that this one is too.
I have never seen a 1768 with the abalone trim on the neck. I am thinking that yours is one of the ones that GeoStorm mentioned that had a slight blemish (good luck finding it), and was not given the N on the label, or one like mine that was Custom Made by one of the NH Luthiers on their own time.
Neither of mine have the Medallion, and my N768 Elite has the N768 on the Label. I have never seen one on any of the ones going through ebay either - was there a Special Reason that some had the Medallion and others did not? Good Question!
With or without the Medallion, they are some of the nicest Ovations I have ever seen or heard, to be treasured for sure, especially when you get one on a Deal like yours Samuels!! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | The medallion may have been put on there upon arrival in Japan. Just a guess. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I'm going to have to get together with Sam again and check out his guitars. |
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | I would like to go too Mark!!
This young man has Great Taste, and knows the Good Stuff! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | And to think that I knew him as a youngster with his first Celebrity. I hope I had something to do with his development. |
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Location: Cologne/Germany | Mine is labelled N 768 too. Built in 1992.
As standingovation, I also do think that only those got the medaillion that made their way to Japan. There are a lot of Adamii actually on ebay from japan showing the medaillion. There might have been other guitars that originally were supposed to go there, but for what reason ever didn't make it then.
Ovations that were delivered through the german distributor Musik Meyer all got their own warranty label on the back of the headstock. I don't know when they started doing so nor do I know when they took over distribution over here, but my 1994 and 1995 Longnecks do have the label.
My N 768 is not labeled, which could mean that it wasn't delivered by the german distributor, but found a different way from the US to Germany.
To the one labeled 1768: Recently there was a Longneck on US ebay labeled 1768 as well instead of DS 768. Beal said this could have happened when they were doing the first attempts at the factory... maybe same here, since it looks absolutely like the N 768.
Samuels - nice grab! You saved a lot of money! Guess the seller didn't know about this guitar... maybe because of the wrong label.. |
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | red-twins - 2016-06-30 1:31 AM
To the one labeled 1768: Recently there was a Longneck on US ebay labeled 1768 as well instead of DS 768. Beal said this could have happened when they were doing the first attempts at the factory... maybe same here, since it looks absolutely like the N 768.
Samuels - nice grab! You saved a lot of money! Guess the seller didn't know about this guitar... maybe because of the wrong label..
+1 |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | You most certainly did Mark haha! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | red-twins - 2016-06-30 1:31 AM
Samuels - nice grab! You saved a lot of money! Guess the seller didn't know about this guitar... maybe because of the wrong label..
Thank you Red! I certainly feel very fortunate to have found her, she sounds incredible! |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Nancy - 2016-06-29 7:45 PM
I would like to go too Mark!!
This young man has Great Taste, and knows the Good Stuff!
Haha you're too funny Nancy, I only know the good stuff because of friends like you! |
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Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | I see that the Black Nakao is back up on Reverb for the Original $2250 now:
https://reverb.com/item/2494009-rare-1992-usa-ovation-n768-nakaos-el...
I wonder if the Seller "No Sale" 'd it, or if the Buyer did not come through. Either way, it is back up for grabs again! |
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Location: Cologne/Germany | Funny.... |
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Location: Oklahoma City | This was a fun thread. Here's an N619.
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