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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3
Location: WV | I picked up a viper on ebay - it looks to me like it has an old refinish on it - the frets are flat topped, fret board is glossy, the body is 5 piece maple with a walnut color, high gloss with some deep pits.
I have another that I think is later - mahogany mat finish body, rosewood frets, metal bridge/plastic saddles that adjusts from the top (lp like posts). I can't make a direct comparison because my old one is in another state (thus the purchase).
this new one is harder to bend notes but has the same strong projection unamped - it's also lighter, I think.
can anyone shed some light on what its supposed to look like from the factory
thanks
austin |
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Joined:
June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | There are many types of wood for Vipers...
Do you have any pictures of both guitars?
NOTE: An easy way to know if the Viper is from the late 70's/early 80's is to see if the guitar has "Viper" engraved onto the pickguard.
If it is, early 70's, if it isn't late 70's/early 80's.
But the serial number and pictures would certainly help us find out. |
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Joined:
September 2005
Posts: 3
Location: WV | the serial number is e and four numbers - so prior to 73 according to the reference section. the mahogony is e and 5 digits, so pre 80s.
http://cm.ebay.com/cm/ck/1065-29393-2357-0?uid=50143459&site=0&ver=...
neither has viper on the pickguard, so both are prob replacements.
thanks
austin |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13987
Location: Upper Left USA | The poly finish on the solids is pretty tough but once they are damaged they will resemble a bowling ball rolled down three flights of concrete steps. On the maple (blonde) necks the finish is the poly as well.
Take a look in my gallery for some refinish projects. Not as good as the original but fair recoveries for some damaged units. Lacquer and Tung Oil were used. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | This Viper looks to be all original. If the frets are flatted out maybe it needs new ones. This is one of the early ones, you can always tell them by the switch up in the tele position. Later ones had it down between the knobs. Nice guitar. |
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Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | I've got one that has a 6 or 7 piece body. Did Ovation make some bodies from aircraft spruce? |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | WHOAAAA, WHOA, whoa...
LazyLUDITE...Buys an electric fixer-upper????
This man can't be trusted.
;) |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Really. Either he is or he ain't.
If it's technology he should be agin it.
...on the other hand, if he's lazy... |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | No, Vipers were Alder (or was that popalar?) in the beginning and multiple pieces. Never spruce. Later maple and some mahogony, Ash too I think.
This one would be the Alder. |
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1271 viper original fret shape and finish