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Location: Canada | I am going to see a S778 tomorrow. It is said to be in excellent condition - no issues, no dents - Guitar case included. Askng $600 Cdn (approx %540 US-). Serial number 549897 (approx 5 years old - played 10-15 times - plays his Adamus).
What specifically do I want to look for when checking out this guitar tomorrow?
Other offer I have to firm up is a 1978 1115-4 also in great shape with original brown case. Asking $360 US. I have some photos but am not sure how to post them here. They are a bit grainy but give a general idea. Will work on cleaning them up and posting them.
Could you let me know if the pricing is in range.
Thanks again for all your help.
Kit
I realize that this is not my original "wish list" per se, but taken together and adding an Artist, all my wish list will be fulfilled. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I know absolutely nothing about the S778! I had to got to Ovation to see what it looked like. :confused:
But if you can get a Pacemaker in great shape for that much (or little), I think that it is worth it.
[But I've got one, and I'm gonna spend that much just to get it fixed!] 
So I'd go for that... :cool: |
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Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | My opinion.....$600C is a bit high for the S778. It probably wasn't a lot more than that new. It would have to be in perfect shape to justify that price.
Check the "normal" things, no cracks, straight neck, no buldging at or below the bridge. Also that the electronics, pre-amp and tuner, work perfectly.
The 1115....if it's in the shape you state, that is a fair price.
Roger |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Cannontakeit,please,buy a new Elite,monthly installments over two years will not hurt you so much,and you will have something that you like..I know..I`m biased .. :)
Vic
..and remember to add strings.. ;) |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Vic, do you ever sleep ??? Ovation could put you on the payroll as a 7x24 advertisement for Elites.
Dave |
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Location: Chehalis, Washington | Seriously...switch to decaf, dude! ;)
I agree on the S778 price - I think they only retail in the $750US range new, so that's not a huge deal you're looking at. And, the quality is not going to be up to par with the 1778LX that is the "standard" if you will among Elites.
You can typically pick up a used 1778 online for around the same price range - I'd hold out for something better. |
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Location: Vermont USA | Hi Kit I used to own the S868 Shallow bowl I liked it a lot traded it towards an Adamas. I paid $799 US in 2004. I would think he could do a little better with his price. With that said the S868 was a fine guitar plugged and unplugged, took it to nursing homes two OFC tours which are similar to nursing homes. The electronics are nice also. So if you can get him to come down in price this could make a good guitar. How old is it? I was given $700 on my trade towards the Adamas.
Pauly
Pauly |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Hold out for a used LX. |
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Location: GA USA | I'm not sure it's a bad price. According to places on the web that sell the S778, it retails for close to $1300, and sells for around $900. I've got the S771 Balladeer, and S stands for Special, as in special price, as in the bottom rung of USA made Ovations. It may be a good guitar at a good price, but if it's like mine, it's not a great guitar at a great price. Once I ordered mine, and paid an extra $100 for a custom burst I started to realized how much more I could have gotten for the same money. I love it, but at the Asheville jam, it never came out of the case, as it couldn't hold a candle to the really nice guitars. What to play... the S771, or Brad's Ute, or Mike's Millenium...? |
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Location: NJ | Call Al. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | do you want 6 or 12 strings? |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | I'm with Cliff. Call Al before you spend that kind of money. |
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Location: SoCal | took it to nursing homes two OFC tours which are similar to nursing homes.
Eh, what'd you say, sonny?
For that kind of money you could get a used Elite T, a really great guitar in that cash catagory.
Call Al...... |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Vic, do you ever sleep ??? Ovation could put you on the payroll as a 7x24 advertisement for Elites.
Dave I`m an "insomnia" kind a` guy...Al and Andrew told me to try camomile tea..a couple of thermoses of that gave me a ponderous headache,and you `re Right !!..the Good Folks in Hartford ought to give me a swish Elite ,sunburst ,with scrolled bridge and headstock,gold hardware,a year`s supply of Thomastik bronze,gauge 13 - 57,and a case to go with it ( I`ll supply the plectrae myself) , and oh..a guitar course ,so I can learn how to play it the " Elite " way.. ;)
cannon`lltakeit :
Yup !!...call Al for a good deal on an Elite ,sunburst (to match your great looks),and gold hardware (for better sound),and who know`s, he might throw in a set of strings...Here`s looking at you ,you goodlooking near-future Elite-owner.. :)
Vic
..a dozen Gibson H plectrae should be standard.. |
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Location: Canada | Thank you all for answering my call for opinions; your wealth of knowledge is greatly appreciated.
No go on the S778 - he would not go less than $550. However, the Pacemaker should be here this coming week.
I am still looking for a 6 string. Who is the Al many of you suggest I contact?
Once I get these beauties, the next thing will be to learn how to play - great project for the oncoming Canadian winter.
BTW, totally enjoying the postings - Schroeder better hurry on home before you have to create a dedicated site.
Kit
"It's good sportsmanship not to pick up lost balls while they are still rolling."
Mark Twain |
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Location: Parrish, FL | Kana,
Al is our unsung hero who has sponsored this site. On top of that, it turns out he is a pretty nice guy and he is an authorized Ovation and Adamas dealer.
To find him, go to the 'Welcome' screen and find the link to ....
Better yet, use this link and drop him a line or give him a call. |
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Location: Parrish, FL | DAMN EDIT FEATURE!
Let's try this again.
Kana,
Use this link and drop him a line or give him a call.
Lost Art Vintage Guitar
He is usually pretty good about getting right back with answers to your inquires, unless of course he is in the middle of installing a new garage door, wiring the spare bedroom, landscaping the yard, painting the den, putting new cabinets in the kitchen, finishing the basement, ...... Well, let's just say that he is has been distracted recently but, as I understand it, all that hard work is coming to fruition. You'll hear from him PDQ and he may have sweet deal for you.
Good luck with your search. Keep an eye on Evil Bay. There have been several Country Artists available, and although not the Elite styling, have the bowl and neck attributes you are looking for.
Your best bet will be a used 1778LX which can be had for under $800 if you are patient. The plus side of this route is that you will be able to sell it for very close to what you have in it should you change your mind and want something else. Ovation hit the mark on this one though and you should be plenty happy.
Good Luck.
Blues |
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Location: Budd Lake, NJ | A belated welcome to you, Kit.
I don't see a reply to part of your post, about what to look for. I don't know alot about buying used guitars, but the first thing I do is view the neck from both sides and follow the strings as they parallel the neck. How much greater is the distance the strings lie at where the neck meets the body than at the nut? Is that distance the same on both sides? (My Gertrude's strings are very nearly the same all the way down; my Jewel's have a little more rise in them, but not much.) I play each string open, and then again at the 12th fret--does the intonation vary alot? If the strings are really high at that fret, the higher note will sound sharp--sometimes very much so.
When you strum it, is there any fret buzz? (I'll play each string up the neck, one fret at a time, to see if it buzzes anywhere.)
Do the electronics work? Any pops, crackles?
Anyone else have more helpful suggestions? Like I said, I don't know much about it.......
--Karen |
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Location: south east Michigan | Once again, Karen brings it back around to the point. |
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Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Is that good, or bad? ;) |
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Location: south east Michigan | Well yeah... without addressing the point the thread is pointless! |
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Location: Canada | Karen, thanks for the very specific directions. :)
Kathryn |
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Location: GA USA | Originally posted by Jewel's Mom:
Like I said, I don't know much about it....... In that case, I know nothing at all. Good advice, K. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | But what's the point? |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Decisions, Decisions, Decision...
Yeah Kit, there IS such a thing as Too many options.
Let us know how the Pacemaker works-out.
[I just put mine in the mail to CT last night... Probably two-or-three weeks before I get the diagnosis.
I'm treating withdrawal symptoms with my 1112... The e/a Stellar 12 just ain't the same!] |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | cantakeit : I was done with this thread..but then I caught what you said :..
the next thing will be to learn how to play - great project for the oncoming Canadian winter.
That sounds to me (unless you were joking),that you are starting out,now,written advice is at best good as a reminder,that is for someone who allready knows about guitars,otherwise,it does not mean much,if you want to know about adjusting/setting-up a guitar,then have a look here....
http://www.guitartips.addr.com/
..another thing , buying "used" from a stranger,can be a Risky Adventure !!..and Costly even,what if something needs to be fixed..who`s gonna pay for it..?..if you have looked at that particular web-site,than you will understand what I mean,and purchasing "used" ,you will probably have to pay the full amount ,500 bucks is a lot of money,so ,I say ; Buy from a Reputable Dealer,find a guitar that you like the looks/sound of,tell him what you intend to use it for,rythm/fingerpicking ,or a bit of both ,have him set it up for you,and if you think it is still to hard on your fingers,than he will re-adjust it for you ,it is Very Important that your guitar is a Good One !!..for if not,it could stop you from learning how to play it,on the other hand,when you Enjoy playing it,than it could "grow"with you ,and monthly installments could help you to get a very nice one... :)
Vic
..that particular website is the best guitar-site I know,..you can print Blank musicpaper from it..tablature..standard notation..chords..and even a calendar.. ;) |
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Location: Canada | Yeah Kit, there IS such a thing as Too many options. But is there such a thing as too many guitars?
And that makes 2 - just bought the Artist off Ebay from Ron.
Now if I could only wrestle this beauty from my brother-in-law. It has never been plugged in - sits tucked away in a closet.
Kathryn :) |
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Location: Canada | Dang, that image attachment didn't work! Let me try again.
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Location: Canada | Vic, I was not joking. I remember a few tunes from the 70's - strictly chords - nothing fancy. Took piano lessons for 7 years - cannot read a note of music - look at tablature and have to count lines out - may be blonde but as my t-shirt says "Blonde with a brain" - it is just selective.
The two guitars I just purchased were not a big investment - one comes from the list here - just took a detour for a few months - the other is a gamble but I can return it. There is a music store here but CDN prices are outrageous because they are still pricing US product at a 40% exchange rate instead of the current 9-10%.
I will give these two a good shot and I know that I will have students this year who could use something to occupy them during lunch so may do something with them - nothing more heart lifting than teacher as student / student as teacher.
And I shall be keeping my ears to the ground, and my eyes on this group, for a really excellent guitar - a real investment. I have it on good authority that the group members here are all honest, straight shooting individuals - that is why I had no qualms about buying the Artist on ebay.
Thanks so much for the site - what a wealth of info it has - I had not found that one before - you are a gem.
This is what I would one day like to be playing - my daughter is one of the few who has been permitted to hold it - no playing allowed. What a shame!
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Ooohh.....usually I do not like blackcolored guitars..but that truly is a "humdinger"..signed by B.B King ..?..slimline jazzbox..what guitar is that..?..how old is your daughter ? (she looks cute with the guitar in that picture)..you`re a Lucky Girl :)
Vic |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | edit time has lapsed...
That a Gibson "Lucille"..?
Vic |
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Location: Canada | That would be a 1997. Brother in law got it when he had BB King play at Comdex in 1997. It was actually a press release sandwiched in between a warm-up band and BB King - ingeneous - the press was clamouring for passes.
To me, a guitar is like a book - nothing until engaged. That pic is almost 3 years old - Aryel is going to be 16.
There is a really great clip of BB King playing with Gary Moore "The Thrill is Gone".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqAuuIDU2sw
Kit |
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Opinions requested