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Joined:
October 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Keene, NH | Hey everyone.
First time posting here - just found this site a couple days ago. I'm looking to get an Ovation Acoustic/Electric.
Right now I'm looking at a Std Elite Prototype:
II'm unfamiliar with Prototypes in general in terms of pricing, perhaps someone has some insight on what this might be worth in pristine condition?
Any and all thoughts on Elites vs Applause vs Celebrity's are welcome and encouraged.
Thanks! |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3666
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | B&L, Elites are better. Buy USA model. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3666
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | And, do your homework. There's plenty in the archives.
"Life requires perspiration" |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Welcome - interesting looking guitar. Are those inlaid epaulets? Does the label say "Prototype" and what does the special 12th-fret inlay say? It almost looks like a 1993 Collector's Series.
Protos are worth whatever a collector (most of them are here) are willing to part with. Depending on how old, a mint Standard Elite would probably fetch ~$500 give or take in today's economy.
As far as your last point: Elites = solid top, better quality woods, US-made (pre-2008). Applause and Celebs = laminate tops (for the most part), lesser quality neck & fretboard woods, Pac-rim made. 'Nuf said.
Edit: C^2 - no coffee yet? :D |
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Joined:
October 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Keene, NH | G8r - on the 12th fret it says "1993" :)
I'm not sure about whether or not they are inlaid epaulets or if the label says Prototype.
Is the 1993 a special guitar in and of itself?
I'm trying to find a good Elite that I can play for many years to come. This particular guitar is not in my same state - I'm confident enough in Ovation Elites that I would even buy it without having played it.
A side note - I am in New Hampshire. If anyone knows of anyone who has an Ovation Elite that I might be interested in, please let me know. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| OK, then it's not a prototype, it's a '93 Collector's ( specs here ). Have to admit, I've never seen one in the Autumn/Honey Burst. Maybe it was re-done at the factory. I'm not as fond of the Slimline pickup as I am of the Original Patented Pickup; the former has a more pronounced piezo "quack."
A mid-bowl Elite will sound and play very nice. |
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Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | I found the guitar 9thAnimus is looking at. IT IS a prototype as the seller has shown pic's of
more then what is above including the label that states prototype. (FET 3 electronics)
I own a mid bowl elite LX andlove it.
Welcome by the way and good luck! |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Kewl - a '93C proto... |
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Joined:
October 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Keene, NH | Open-ended question to everyone - if you had to guess price on this guitar, what would you say is fair? As in what would you sell it / buy it for? In pristine condition. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1132
Location: NW Washington State | If I'm looking at the same one BT found, it looks like it might have the original pickup, not thinline, but I'm no expert. Very pretty, but appears there might be a couple of dings at the bottom edge near the binding.
Looks like it's been listed for a week, maybe they will take a little less. I don't know what these are worth- what would you experts pay for a 93 Collector's?
-Steve W. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | $27.
I have no idea what a '93 is worth. Check eBay history. The prototype may add a bit of value, but I would think $50 or something small. The dings definitely hurt value more than the proto helps IMO.
9th, Welcome aboard! You'll find many outstanding guitars available here in the for sale section. The established members are trustworthy x10. I bought a 6778LX from a new member and it turned out perfect, though in general I shy away from low post count sellers. If you can be patient for a few weeks there is likely to be something turn up here that you would love and could trust the seller.
An elite is probably worth around the $500 mentioned by someone else. The market is variable right now, and a lot depends on the particular model and it's condition. From $300 to $1000 you could find any one of many different excellent used Elite models. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Yeah, now that I look at the original pic more closely, it's definitely the original PuAssy, which you'd need for the FET pre-amp. Very interesting guitar. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4536
Location: Flahdaw | Well, it's not a prototype, but I tried to get $600 for my '99 Collectors Edition on craigslist and didn't get a single response. It's not a good market to sell, but a great market to buy. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | The prototype designation may add some additonal value to some people. It certainly would to me under certain circumstances, i.e., it had features I prefer. I've paid from $600 to $1400 for my prototypes. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Found the ad. Should be a sweet guitar if it's in good shape. The proto aspect would only really appeal to Ovation homos like us, so minimal added value for that. If you can inspect it in person to check for actual finish shape and any neck/brace issues, then just lowball it. The worst the seller can do is say no, and you can negotiate from there. I wouldn't necessarily go as high as his asking price, but that's just me. YMMV. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1132
Location: NW Washington State | G8R- which pickup is that? Do most people prefer the OPPuassy? Is FET-3 preamp a plus or minus? |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| I've only ever played 4 Ovations with a Slimline, and was underwhelmed or disappointed at the plugged-in tone in each case (different pre-amps in each), but again that's just me. The PUP in the proto picture is definitely the OPP.
I haven't used the FET-3, but it's the immediate precursor of the OP24 (I think), which I always found to be a good pre-amp. |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | The $600 asking price is fair for an Elite in that condition IMHO. The "prototype" flavor add a bit of exclusivity, and it has the OHSC.
If you can get it for less it would be a great deal. As it is it would be a good deal. |
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Joined:
October 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Keene, NH | Wow you guys are all awesome....this place is great.
Thanks for all the info. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Let me just add that I hope the seller won't take a penny under $800 so I can put my 6778LX back on the market. I've tried several times in the $600 to $700 range and gotten no bites except for a new member here from overseas (who I believe has dropped off the OFC since then).
It would be nice for sellers for the prices to go up. I've been a buyer and really need to move out some stuff that doesn't get the love it deserves.
9th, the price is ultimately what you are willing to pay. If you want a proto and a collector's edition, the $600 for a very good condition or better guitar is "in the ballpark". I would not feel ripped off at that price in this market as long as the guitar isn't beat or broken. If you want a nice Ovation but aren't stuck on that particular guitar, you could find one for less than $500.
No one has said the obvious. Buy this one! But beware that it won't be your last Ovation. |
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Joined:
October 2009
Posts: 78
Location: Keene, NH | My only concern is that I can't see it and play it and visually inspect it myself. I suppose it comes down to trust between me and the seller. I'll likely ask for more photos - it's in New Jersey, I'm in New Hampshire. |
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April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | Where in Jersey is it? It's bound to be close to somebody here, seeing how large our state is... ;)
--Karen |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | Back in November of '05, I bought a pristine 1718 Elite prototype from 1991 (Garris, slim line p/u) from a guy who said it had been in his dad's basement. $1,000 sight unseen. Well worth it.
The 1718 prototype is a 'plain Jane' compared to my Custom Legends but it does sing. Prototypes can be significantly different (i.e., electronics or bracing) than the production run.
A prototype serial number is actually the date, followed by an X. |
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Joined:
October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Hey 9th, Did you see this one in Boston?
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/msg/1431239594.html |
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Joined:
September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | I'm with some of the other guys here, buy from somebody on the site.
You can find some really nice guitars on the For Sale side.
So much stuff gets moved around here that somebody will let you know if it's a good deal and if the seller is somone who is trusted
People who screw folks around don't last here.
Welcome to the fold.
As I always say thoug, buying an Ovation is like getting a tattoo, get one, ou'll get more. |
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