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Location: London, Ontario, Canada | So, one more question/opinion... considering there is no sticker, can anyone offer an opinion specifically which model it is? Are there any other areas I could take a pic of, or things to look for that would help identify it?
Here are the pictures my father took:
http://ovationfanclub.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-ovation-is-this
and this little pic of the control panel:
From what I can see, it is a CS257, not a CC257. Is there anywhere (besides the sticker) that would have a serial number or something that can help identify the SN/Date/Model? There is nothing stamped on the back of the head.
Thanks for any help.
By the way, I have chosen to keep this guitar and be very happy with it, at least for now. I have a habit of selling buying guitars, so who knows how long I will have it..
This seems to be the same guitar... unfortunately, they don't list a year for this one they are selling:
Elderly Guitars CS257 |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | I think you're right, a CS257. I think the CCs are newer and would have a newer preamp. I don't think there's any way to cross check the serial numbers on Celebrities. |
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Location: NW of Philadelphia | Lue,
Mine (made in 1994) has a sticker and its says CC257, and has the rectangular OP-24Plus you have shown.
According to Ovation's website, the CS257 has the newer, round OP-30.
Jerome's Price Guide shows the CC257 being made from 1992-94 & 1996. The CS257 was made from 1997-2001 |
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Location: Marlton, NJ | I used to have a CS257 with the OP24+ so it probably changed over time. |
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Posts: 10
Location: London, Ontario, Canada | The sticker was removed along the way sometime - either by my seller, or the one he bought it from... who knows.
Elderly guitars has another CC257 with this preamp:
http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/images/20U/20U-10753_controls....
And, I have found lots of links that say "CS257 with OP24+ preamp".
Very confusing.
I get the impression that there may have been multiple variations of both the CC257's and CS257's... it is weird that they would not change the model number every time there was such a big change as the preamp.
If anyone knows something specific I could look for (obviously, not on the sticker) that would be the defining characteristic of a CC257, CS257, etc, etc... please let me know. |
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Location: south east Michigan | The Ovation line is chock full of "multiple variables". |
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Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | From my research for the Decoder I would say that if the unit has the old bass/treble control it is definitely a CC. If it has an OP-30 it is definitely a CS. If it has an OP-24+ it is probably a CS but may be a late CC. |
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Posts: 106
Location: UK | That PreAmp looks like an OP24+ with the 3 way Bass/Mid/Treble sliders just like I have on my CP247 (Celebrity Delux) Mid Bowl.
I have a CC-049 with the newer OP30 although my CC has a single sound hole.
Problem is a lot of these korean models had strange model numbers where the letter/number combination didn't follow the USA models so it's difficult to see what it is without that sticker.
Going by the pre-amp - As far as I know the OP24+ was around 2005
The top is going to be laminate (ply wood) rather than solid. To confirm that take a look at the edge of one of the sound holes and you'll probably see multiple layers of ply rather than one single layer as on the better US built models.
I'd say that when played acoustically (ie not plugged in) the laminate top models sound OK when you're playing around the first 5 frets but as you progress up the neck they can get a little dull. I own 2 of them although both mine are mid bowl. This dullness may be exagerated on a shallow bowl which won't have as much body. Although plugged in it should be just fine. |
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April 2009
Posts: 10
Location: London, Ontario, Canada | I went through the decoder, and by process of elimination (all the things it isn't) it is definitely either the CC257 or CS257. Unfortunately, it lists one having the old preamp, the other having the OP-30.
Since mine has the OP-24+, Mitzdawg is probably right, it is either a late CC or early CS.
I emailed Ovation to ask them if they can tell me any (non-sticker) distinguishing characteristic that I can use to tell the difference. We'll see if they respond and what they have to say.
I want to thank everyone for their contributions to this thread. I am on a couple of guitar forums and this community is by far the most helpful and knowledgeable I have seen yet (and very quick to respond). |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Don't expect a lot of info from Ovation. They don't have much to do with the Pac rim models. Heck, they read this board for information when they get stumped by a customer's historical question. We are truly a bunch of Ovation geeks. ;) :D |
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Location: UK | Note that the guitar you linked to at Elderly shows an OP24+ in the picture but their descriptions says it's an OP30
So I don't think their picture matches their description anyway. |
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October 2008
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Location: NW of Philadelphia | Pac Rim serials are kinda fuzzy to Ovation CS. The best they could give me on my CC257 serial number (#499xxx) was a batch made in the mid 1990's. Since I got it in 1995, I safely can assume mine is a 1994 since they didn't make them in before 1994 and skipped 1995 in production.
The serials listed at OFC Registry at Ovation Gallery kinda say if the serial starts with a 4xxxxx assume CC257, if 9xxxxxx assume CS257.
I hope this helps some. |
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Help identifying a guitar
