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Posts: 6
| I was thinking of getting one of those really neat looking a/e vipers, but i wanted to hear the reviews of all you beautifully talented musicians. One thing thats been bugging me is should i go for the lower end celebrity model or the american made one?
I appreciate any info :) |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | If money is not an problem, absolutely go with the american made model. Better build and better sound. |
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February 2005
Posts: 1132
Location: Parrish, FL | The local shop here has a black Celebity model marked down to $475.00
BluesSailor |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Welcome nancyfan. Hope you'll pick one up and let us all know what you think.
I'm definitely not a beautifully talented musician, but I'll put my two cents in anyway. ;) I'm probably biased as I own a USA Viper.
It depends on whether you can tell the difference between the guitars when you play them. The USA Vipers rank right up there with Gibson Chet Atkins and the new Taylor T5.
The Celeb vs the USA is about the same as an Epiphone 335 Dot vs. a Gibson 335. I'm an Epi fan (own some) and they are good guitars for the money ... just like the Celeb. But the USA Viper and the Gibby 335 are a LOT better guitars than their Korean brethren.
The USA Viper has a solid spruce top (mine is really good ... as good as the AAA on my CL12). The Celeb is laminated spuce. The USA model has the very nice 5 piece neck and a ebony fretboard with nice 3 ply binding. The peghead is walnut veneer, which matches the walnut bridge. Nice. The preamps are the same on both. I don't know if the bodies are all carved in the US, or if the Celebs are carved in Korea.
The Celebs are very good guitars for the money. The USA models are a whole step up in quality, playability and tone. USA Vipers pop up on eBay from time to time and are a great bargain when you can get one ... many times not much more than a Celeb model goes for. If you can wait and think you'll be able to rationalize the difference, the USA is the way to go.
Keep us posted on your quest! |
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Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | One other difference that I noted that nobody talks about is that the USA built Viper has the strings going thru the body and anchoring on the back of the guitar. The Korean built guitar has the strings anchoring at the bridge. The USA built Viper has got to have better tone based upon that alone.
Just my guess..... |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | good guess. |
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Posts: 812
Location: Hicksville, NY | Welcome to the OFC anancyfan! :)
I don't own a viper, so I won't be able to tell you anything about it. Anyway, I grew up believing that it's a better investment when purchasing a U.S. made guitar (regardless of brand), as opposed to their Asian-made siblings. Over the years, I've owned Korean-made guitars (which were very well built, had excellent tones, and heck of a lot cheaper than the ones made in the US) which I was very happy with. However, when the time came for me to trade it in for another guitar, their resale values never really held well. Oftentimes, I felt that I just gave away a very nice instrument and I would be better off paying the price in full without a trade.
If money is not an issue, I would go for the American-made Viper. While the Korean-made Viper may be great for the money, the American-made one will be a big leap higher in terms of the craftsmanship, sound and tone quality. Also, its resale values are much better and seems to even go higher as it ages and kept in good playing condition. In the long run, it just seems the better investment choice. Just my opinion ...
Peace!
Gil |
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May 2005
Posts: 6
| wow! thanks for all your help guys! Ill look into the USA model. Mebbe therell be one at our local GC... |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Fat chance a local GC will have one. Best bet is to watch eBay for a nice one or just order one from Al and wait the 3-4 months it takes to get it.
It would be worth the wait :) |
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December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by anancyfan:
Mebbe therell be one at our local GC... It has been years since I've seen an EA68 at GC.
Along with the EA68, there is the EA63 (nylon string/cedar top), EAB68 (bass), and even a few EA58 12-string Vipers were made. You will also find some EA68s with blue Tamo Ash or orange flame tops.
I am very biased, I have all but a 12-string. They are great playing guitars and their sound plugged-in is outstanding, but different then an acoustic box or roundback.
As Moody said, the string-through bridge on the EA68 is one of its assets.
Search for other threads on the EA series, there have been other discusions.
nancyfan, Where are you located? Maybe one of the members close to you can let you try one out. |
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May 2005
Posts: 6
| im located in newport news VA. Unfortunately, the GC is 75 miles from here, so i suppose its catch as catch can...=/
Another thing i thought was interesting were the electronics...Different from the OPs ive seen and heard.
Looks like ill have to keep an eye out on e-bay O_O |
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June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | I would be absolutely shocked if GC has any EA's in stock. If they do, it's surely a mistake on someone's part for ordering the wrong inventory. I don't own a viper, but I can tell you I've watched the Shaina Twain DVD about a million times. Mightly impressive. Dave |
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Location: south east Michigan | Shania or the Viper? |
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June 2002
Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | What due YOU think ??? |
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Acoustic Electric Vipers?
