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Posts: 124
| thanks for dave's testimony. looks like FRG's the way to go.
$1000 BIN = $970 + $30 shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33029&item=7300862121&rd=1
they have 2 in stock. if i didn't buy something else last week, i would have bought this one. |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Let me clarify one thing, just so there aren't any hard feelings later one. I'm guessing every FRG is unique and as best I can tell mine cosmetically is damn near perfect. Another FRG may be a whole different story. Don't blame me if you're not as happy with your as I am with mine. If your ONLY goal is to save a few hundred bucks think long and hard about buying an FRG from someone you don't know, sight unseen. |
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Posts: 396
| StandingO is speaking some truth here. Anytime you buy on the net, be sure you either have total faith in someone AND there is a good return policy in place that won't cost you a fortune. I still don't exactly understand the FRg thing -- how bad does something have to turn out before the factory just dumps it? Will I keep wondering what was wrong with it that caused them to list it FRG? If the problem is so minor why is the warranty more limited than on a new item?
That being said, I purchased a FRG 2003 collectors that seemed to me to be PERFECT. I went over every inch and I could find nothing; however, I sent it back at no cost because the seller didn't state it was an FRG. At times I think I should have kept it (I mean it was perfect!), but then the internet retailor later gave me a great discount on my elite lx to make up for their listing error. So, it all worked out.
Be sure you understand the return situation with any internet purchase in case there are any problems. I wouldn't necessarily conclude (as StandingO warns) that every FRG is the same. |
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Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | I considered buying an FRG DiMeola from Al...bought a 2001 Collector's that had been set up for export, the FD-14 that Stephen now has. In addition five new ones.
I will either play it first or take Al's non-biased evaluation of something in his stock.
I have called a seller and discussed the guitar, asking detailed questions and been negatively "surprised." Be careful, know what you are getting or deal with someone who "lives" with us every day. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | So Tony, Is the FD14 I have an FRG with the tag removed? Didn't see any signs of glue inside where a label might have been. |
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Location: SoCal | nope... |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Further clarification (this has been posted before). There is a difference between FRG and Seconds. Seconds leave the factory as-is with some cosmetic defect. An FRG is different in that the defect was found during the manufacturing and inspection and fixed to the best of their ability. So, for example the neck set may not be quite right at inspection. So they send it through the loop again and have the neck reset. That's why it's an FRG. Total guess on my part (maybe someone fromthe factory can comment), but I would GUESS the most common causes of FRG are 1) bowl paint, 2) bad binding, 3) neck set or 4) bridge attachment. Am I close ??? Dave |
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Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I don't even think (again a guess) that the FRG's have even that much ever wrong with them. I am thinking more along the lines of something that comes back from a dealer for the odd electronics issue, or incorrect order, etc etc.. At this point, they are so buzy I don't think they have time to run a guitar back down the line. If it's something that the repair shop can handle, non-cosmetic, or just a store return, I think those become the FRG's.
Again... this too is just a guess. |
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Posts: 124
| mr. ovation, u r an honest guy!!
FRG has been discussed here for several years. not a single buyer found major flaws with the FRG bought. general feedback has been that they are as good as new with 5 yr warranty from the factory.
it would be a miracle that only dave could have bought a FRG that's as good as new.
yes, it's risky to buy FRG from strangers on eBay, but it's true for other items, not just FRG. in this case, the seller owns a major music store, with close to 3300 feedbacks (99.5% positive).
guys, don't try so hard to discourage people from gettting good deals. the public may think that ovation has quality problems. |
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February 2004
Posts: 49
Location: Wisconsin | I have ordered one of the two 2005 FRG's that were on eBay. Before ordering I called the guy up and had him give me a detailed description of the entire guitar and then I had him play it for me. We were on the phone for about an hour. Like Dave, the seller swears that he can't find a single mark or flaw on the guitar. I also looked at his feedback rating and recognized that as a business he has a reputation to protect. So...I bought it. It hasn't showed up yet, but I'll let you guys know how things turn out. Oh... and its got a pretty low serial number too -- #75.
I realize that eBay is a pretty scary thing and I've gotten burned on more than one occasion. But I live in the middle of nowhere in northwestern Wisconsin and we don't have a plethora of music stores around here (or any other stores for that matter). And the stores that we do have jack their prices pretty good. So, as far as eBay goes, I know that I'm taking chances, but on the whole, its an awesome resource for those of us living in rural areas. |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | rt,
and I thought I was in the midle of nowhere and I'm in Madison. You live in a beautiful part of the country!! |
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Location: closely held secret | I've looked at some of the other auctions by that same music store. They appear to be getting large deliveries of FRG's from those trucks Al says don't exist.... |
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Posts: 338
Location: Toronto | I did a ton of search before I finally found a 1719-30CM, but it was online (GuitarTrader). I hadn't heard of FRG prior to this and didn't see any mention of it in the Online discription.
When I opened my shipment the first thing I looked for was the serial number - but I only found the FRG sticker. I was disappointed and thought I had gotten ripped-off - but after a couple hours of playing and inspecting - the only thing I could find was a tiny glue smear.
All in all I'd have to admit that, other than not having a serial number, I got a pretty good deal (even if my 30CM is a bit of an orphan)!
Dano |
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Location: the BIG Metropolis of TR | MrDano,
Did you look at the back of the peghead for a serial #? |
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February 2004
Posts: 49
Location: Wisconsin | Okay, so I got my '05 Collector's in a couple of days ago, and like the other FRGs discussed here, I just can't find a flaw. And WOW, this guitar sings. I am really, really impressed. I've got some other pretty nice O's (FD14, '97 Collector's, etc.) and while the sound is different, I think that the quality of the tones is at least equal. Now I just don't know what to do with these other guitars I have -- should they stay or should they go! I have a feeling I am going to be spending alot of time with the '05. The only thing I don't like about its look is the truss rod cover -- that "Collector's" word looks kinda crappy and cheap. Everything else looks understated and elegant. Anyway, I guess no real news here. I, like everybody else so far, like this guitar -- ALOT. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Well, if you did temporarily go insane and offer your FD14 and 97 collectors for sale, I can assure you that many members on this board would be happy to relieve you of your burden :D |
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Posts: 49
Location: Wisconsin | Oh...I'm not saying that. I love the FD-14 and the '97 too. Its just that the '05 is right up there with them. I've got some other O's that are nice and perhaps collectable, but unless I actually play a guitar I don't want to keep it just to keep it. If it sounds great and I love playing it AND it happens to be collectable, then its a keeper. Otherwise...eBay. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | You should always offer them up to the OFC members first :p . Saves on ebay fees, dishonest riff raff and more importanly, keeps them in the family. Usually, you will get a more than fair price for them also.
Just a common courtesy we extend to each other. You would be amazed at how the same guitar has been with 3, 4, maybe more members of this board.
The ones that don't generate interest within the circle, then go to ebay and the masses. |
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February 2004
Posts: 49
Location: Wisconsin | Thanks Stephen...I'll be sure to do that. |
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Turn the ugly cheap piece of crap truss rod cover over to the other side. Dave |
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2005 Collector - $970 !!!