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Location: Simpsonville, SC | Ok experts, now that I have two sixers and a 12 on the way, my GAS has turned to a solidbody! I have never seen one, held one, or played one.
There are Deacons, Preachers, Vipers, Breadwinners, UK IIs, and probably a few more that I haven't seen yet.
I have searched the Bay and other sites, yet grow more confused. I know that ya'll can give a quick, clear and concise synopsis for the uneducated.
I am out o school, but always willing to learn from the Masters.
Humbly yours, Jim |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | Don't forget Ultra GS and Ultra GP. I'm no help otherwise. Go to Miles' site and read up on them. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Miles is probably the worlds most renown expert on ovation solidbodies. Definately contact him for details.
Here's another site with some good info http://www.ovationuk.co.uk/index.html
I'll give it a stab: First came the Bwinners and Deacons. Deacons were also available in 12 strings. These had the non-upper waist battle axe body. Hardware changed over the years. Some variations were a Bwinner Limited (and Limited 12) that had a more sculpted waist, and a custom doubleneck 6/12 string. Magnum bass also became part of the mix, some with on board 3 band EQ.
Second wave was the Viper and Preacher. Viper was available in 2 or 3 pickup version, and was a single cutaway. The double cutaway Preacher also came in a Preacher Deluxe version with large block inlays. Preacher Deluxe was also available as a 12-string. There was at least one Preacher 6/12 doubleneck.
Also at about this same timeframe was the Bluebird, which was basically a Viper with special glitter paint job. About a dozen Bluebirds were built, a few of which were 12-strings.
Next canme the UKII's with urathene molded body on an aluminum frame. These were double cutaways similar in shape to the Preachers. At about this same time or a little later, came the Ultra GS (Guitar Strat), Ultra GP (Guitar Paul) and PF22 (Peavy Fucker). Along with some bass versions.
Somewhere in the mix Celebrity solidbodies also started showing up, but it's all kind of a blur to me now.
Dave |
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| DEACON, quick, clear and concise. |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | Jim - don't forget to ask about Pickup configurations... # of windings, # of leads... just when I think I know enough, I learn something new. |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | Thanks all and please keep it coming, I am a sponge (lol). The UK site that Tupperware links to is very informative and might be an OFC Links candidate.
How about some personal thoughts on solidbodies that you have owned?! Please include all of the goods and bads, likes and dislikes, etc.
Absorbingly, Jim |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | I've owned about 5-6 of them and didn't like any. Probably because I don't play squat electric. But I was able to sell each one for quite a bit more than I paid, so in that regard I gotta love them. Dave |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by Tupperware:
Next canme the UKII's with urathene molded body on an aluminum frame. These were double cutaways similar in shape to the Preachers.
Dave My UKii is a single cutaway that more closely resembles a Viper.
I have four of these models, a BW Ltd, Viper III, Preacher, and a UKii.
The UKii would be my first choice, the BW Ltd my last choice of the group. The Viper III and Preacher are close in the middle. However, nowadays, I seldom play any of these. I also believe, IMHO, that set up with the right action, nice light strings, and a good electronics cleaning and tune-up, any one of this group would hold its own against the competition, and certainly against anything from that era. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Buy a Hamer USA. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | As the gentleman from FL/CT (season dependant) says, buy a Hamer. But that is way too easy...
If all you have is under $400 - Viper
If you have under $600 - Deacon
If you have $800-$1300 get a sweet Deacon 12 or Limited and retain the sale value.
The other option is to buy parts and assemble your own.
I think I'm done playing around with Preacher parts after this next one.
If you don't want to waste a lot of time go straight to the Hamer Newport 12 and almost any other 6 depending on style and wallet! |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I probably have the most info on solidbodies, or so I'm told. I keep finding stuff I need to update, but am working on it constantly.
http://www.baronaudio.com/collection
Fyi the Bluebirds only look like Vipers. They have the same Urelite body as the UKII. I have a urelite Viper in Sunburst. It is probably the best stock Viper I own.
The rest of Tuppy's story is pretty accurate. |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | Bill, I have thought of a Hamer USA and of looking at the VXT. I don't play outside of the house and thought it might be fun to have an O if for nothing but the historic sake.
From a financial standpoint, a little bit oof O history (read $), may go a long way to keeping this home a happy one. I believe that a Viper or Deacon may be a fair compromise to the better half.
Hell, I just play around anyhow. Any solidbody that I do get will be a first for me. I stole, er... borrowed, my son's Austin Jazz guitar (hollowbody), but would really like something a little slinkier. (is that a word?).
Mike, you know that I was really hoping that the Preacher project was to continue, don't you have enough for just one last one? Probably a line waiting, your previous work looks great. Thanks for the $ guideline, that will help alot.
Recently, Mike told me that I need to come to the homecoming, tour, etc., so that I could hear and play many of the different O's, this was very sage advice. This year is out though, too many previous work and family commitments. I truly hope that I can make it next year, (that is a warning to all, you do not want to hear me play).
Any continuing ideas are, as always, greatly appreciated.
The sponge is getting fuller, Thanks!
Jim |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | Thanks Miles, I am heading to your site now!
Jim |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I am working on a Faux Limited body with Viper pups and a Preacher Deluxe neck.
Also on the bench is a Mahogany Viper body with an earless Maple neck. Most likely a piezo Tune-a-matic bridge and TV Jones pups.
DVD has a Faux Limited body and PD neck in my hands with lots of possibilities ahead.
Grab the first Viper you can and check it out. then send it to me for a facelift... |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I don't like preechers. At all.
Vipers are pretty nice, like a tele.
The UK2s are pretty good too but I've got a distorted view point on them.
I guess it comes down to, do you want something paulish or tellish or strattish?
UK2, Viper, or Viper 3.
That's my suggestion. Deacons or Breadedweiners are OK if you're inclined in that direction.
Don't be in a hurry, check the 4sale here and watch fleabag. You'll find something. |
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Location: SoCal | Bill, even the Preacher 12's? |
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Location: Simpsonville, SC | Thanks again Bill! The suggestions are greatly appreciated and the opinions even more.
I have to remember, patience is a virtue, patience is a virtue, patience is a virtue..
i CAN'T stop mYsElF tHoUgH (GASSSSS>>>GASSSSSS>>GASSSSSS)! I will endever to make you all proud! HaHaHaHaHAHAHAHaHaHAHa..... :mad: :o :D ;) :p :confused: :rolleyes:
Sincerely, Jim
Please Pardon the Insanity of it all. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | Paul, I'm not big on 12 strings. The preecher or Deacon 12 is a pretty nice animal for a 12 string. I just don't like the fat double cutaway body. You want a 12, go Deacon.
Patience is a real pain in the ass. And just because I don't like preechers doesn't mean that you might not like it. |
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Location: SoCal | Bill, I've got one and do like it. But my opinion on it doesn't carry a lot of weight. I really don't play electrics, and mostly it sits on the wall looking cool here in my office. I do take it down and play it, but it doesn't get plugged in much. |
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Tuppy: "...Also at about this same timeframe was the Bluebird, which was basically a Viper with special glitter paint job. About a dozen Bluebirds were built, a few of which were 12-strings..."
Miles: "...Fyi the Bluebirds only look like Vipers. They have the same Urelite body as the UKII. I have a urelite Viper in Sunburst. It is probably the best stock Viper I own..."
Other than body/headstock shape, they are nothing like a Viper...different body construction, neck construction, scale length, electronics, everything.
As Miles states, they are closest to the UKII although actually, they are not even totally like each other...there are only two that I know of that are exactly alike. Of the eight or so made there were at least three different body moulds used and at least four different electronics configurations. |
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http://www.baronaudio.com/collection
Fyi the Bluebirds only look like Vipers. They have the same Urelite body as the UKII. I have a urelite Viper in Sunburst. It is probably the best stock Viper I own.
The rest of Tuppy's story is pretty accurate. [/QB] aha... so there's the other bluebird body!! at least one of them.
another piece of the story.
Thanks Miles.
Glenn |
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Location: SoCal | Wayne,
I never heard that different body molds were used for various Bluebirds. Where did that information come from and what differences are there? |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | As I recall all the bluebirds were preecher (G) scale except the brown one made for Roger Bolduc that had a viper neck and scale.
The bluebirds only had one body shape, a moulded Viper. There were several moulds because we'd screw them up and have to make another, they were soft urethane rubber, the blue 8 durometer stuff, and it would tear easily. Also there was a mould for the Viper electronic style one and another for the larger cavity of all the preecher deluxe electronics. |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Originally posted by Amazingly-Detached..:
aha... so there's the other bluebird body!! at least one of them.
another piece of the story.
Thanks Miles.
Glenn Huh ? I'm sure there were several "bluebird" bodies that never became bluebirds. I have the sunburst guitar, and an extra body that was red I think. One of my Viper III's may have been made from a Urelite body too. |
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Paul;
I am just going by the three that I have as they are all somewhat different. The 12-string body is thicker than the other two and as Bill says, has a pickup well and back-plate mould to accommodate the Deacon-12 type electronics. The BB6 pup wells are quite different from each other too; one is similar to the 12 with the long pick guard while the other is more like a UK2 but with a Viper style pick guard.
Also, the tummy cuts are different on all three, with the BB6/UK2 being the most pronounced and the most comfortable...it almost tips back ever so slightly, just like an Ovation should! The neck plate on this guitar is also recessed and flush with the body like a UK2 whereas the other two are not.
Bill, that is interesting additional info, particularly about the Brownbird. Were there ever any other long-scale electric twelves?
Wayne |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Shows what I know. I thought the bbirds were vipers with glitter paint. To the untrained eye (me) that's sure what they look like. Thanks as always for the history lesson. Dave |
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I need a lesson about solidbody O's, Please!