new Viper owner
iamjethro
Posted 2018-07-15 3:09 PM (#544492)
Subject: new Viper owner


Joined:
July 2018
Posts: 9

I just bought an old Viper solidbody. I wanted one big time when I was a junior in High School. Patience.

Would love any extra info on determining year of manufacture. I know the chart shows a 5 year range, but wanting to zero in more.

Looking forward to digging in on this baby. Goes well, with my two Ovation A/E guitars.





(viper1 resized.jpg)



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Love O Fair
Posted 2018-07-15 7:12 PM (#544493 - in reply to #544492)
Subject: Re: new Viper owner



Joined:
February 2016
Posts: 1802

Location: When??
If you have the serial number, maybe you can average out the year by calculating where your serial number falls in the range of numbers--- however, I'm not so sure that Ovation was perfectly sequential in numbering them through the year span they were made, or how many were made per any particular year. It would just be a round number guess, but maybe closer than what you already have. If you haven't checked the serial number listing, here is a link to it.

http://www.ovationfanclub.com/megabbs/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=32...

Hopefully it will get you started, and maybe other members with more knowledge on the Viper than I have (which is little), they may know how to get it closer in time matching. Congratulations on your acquisition.. and good luck with your quest.
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Mr. Ovation
Posted 2018-07-16 9:06 PM (#544506 - in reply to #544492)
Subject: Re: new Viper owner


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222

Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
The serial number should be on the neck plate. Right off the bat, I'd say it's an earlier one based on the bridge, but... the pickguard either is later one or has been replaced as while it has the "early" configuration, it doesn't have "Viper" etched on it.
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iamjethro
Posted 2018-07-16 10:21 PM (#544507 - in reply to #544492)
Subject: Re: new Viper owner


Joined:
July 2018
Posts: 9

It is an E + 5 digits. So I know from 75-80. Not sure how to get much closer.

I thought maybe later in that range because of toggle placement.

Edited by iamjethro 2018-07-16 10:24 PM
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alpep
Posted 2018-07-17 10:01 AM (#544508 - in reply to #544492)
Subject: Re: new Viper owner


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 10582

Location: NJ
Enjoy
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Love O Fair
Posted 2018-07-17 1:51 PM (#544516 - in reply to #544492)
Subject: Re: new Viper owner



Joined:
February 2016
Posts: 1802

Location: When??
My mistake. Dummy me wasn't considering the E+5s with no list of specific numbers. Sorry 'bout that. Maybe other Viper owners can chime in and compare numbers on theirs to establish some kind of range that could possibly be helpful.
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iamjethro
Posted 2018-07-18 12:26 AM (#544520 - in reply to #544492)
Subject: Re: new Viper owner


Joined:
July 2018
Posts: 9

Saw a guy in Japan has one almost identical to mine,( no viper engrave, toggle placement, bridge) He is claiming 1977. Not sure if correct.
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Mr. Ovation
Posted 2018-07-19 1:19 AM (#544525 - in reply to #544492)
Subject: Re: new Viper owner


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222

Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
I can't seem to recall which came first, switch forward of the knobs, or switch between the knobs, but my Viper has the engraved "Viper" on the pickguard and the switch between the knobs. Hmmmmm
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Waskel
Posted 2018-07-19 12:53 PM (#544535 - in reply to #544492)
Subject: Re: new Viper owner



Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
Looks exactly like mine... Same finish, switch and jack configuration. Differences - mine has the etched 'viper' pick guard and labeled 'tone' and 'volume' knobs.
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