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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 130
| Hi!
While browsing around in a local guitar store today, I came across a Breadwinner Limited that the store had somehow acquired. It's a gray/silverburst finish that's in good to very good shape. The sides of the neck show some play wear (the paint is sort of flaked off) and there are a few dings and dents, but she's largely intact. The store really wants to be rid of it, and they quoted around $300 w/ case. Since I've never encountered a vintage Ovation before, I was wondering what I should know about these before buying. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Original Breadwinners have sold on e-bay between $500 and $800. It's hard to really say without seeing a picture. Sounds like they might take less than $300.
A guy on the board here has done some amazing rehab work on Breadwinners. Maybe he will post a pic for you.
Welcome to the OFC!!! |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 130
| It might need some rehab work-all electronics are intact (phew!) and functioning-the neck seems to be the biggest wear area. The paint arount the fret tangs has worn away, as if the guitar has been refretted. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | That doesn't sound like a big deal. See if you can get it for half that and settle somewhere in between if you're so inclined. |
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January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | If you don't buy it let me know the phone number of the store. I'd be interested in it. |
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August 2005
Posts: 130
| I'm buying it tomorrow-perhaps. i'll have pics if I do! |
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January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | Two things to look for:
Check that the tone control works in all positions. These use an unusual tone circuit.
Try the guitar with some different FX while in the store. The internal pre-amp makes it react differentlly than most guitars.
If you look in my gallery you'll see a copy of an early Breadwinner manual (under 'Early Breadwinner Manual'.) The controls are the same. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13986
Location: Upper Left USA | If it functions fine but you still don't like it just send it to me for $300 plus shipping! :D
The only plce to redo the Grey Burst is the Factory that it came from. That would be totally original and give you a high resale value.
If it has a disfigured sister thats been beat around a little theres some updates you can do :rolleyes:
Just get it and I guarantee someone from this site will take it off your hands when your tired of it. Better yet, what is the phone number to that shop...
Welcome to the OFC! |
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December 2003
Posts: 13986
Location: Upper Left USA | BTW - Nice Member number! |
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August 2005
Posts: 130
| The tone control worked fine after the shop installed a new 9v or two-I had to tell them what was wrong with it, as they couldn't figure it out :rolleyes: It never cut out and the switches and volume control were very quiet. My only complaint was some hum from the pickups-but I suppose that's to be expected, from what I've read.
Should I be able to feel a strong natural grain in the neck finish, or should it be completely smooth? She feels really...slow. Of course, I play a neck with nothing but a sealer coat right now, so it might feel a little odd.
A good cleaning would probably fix that, as the thing doesn't look to have been cleaned in a while. Also, tell me more about a refin-I'd love to have that done.
As I don't use effects, I'm not really concerned about how the guitar reacts with them. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Refins can be done at the factory for a reasonable price for a fantastic job. |
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August 2005
Posts: 130
| About how much in terms of price? |
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December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | Give Ovation Customer Service a call in the morning. They can give you some ball park estimates.
Check out this site on the Breadwinner and Deacon.
Limiteds do not come up for sale often. Not many of us have them. It sounds like you can pick this one up for less than $300. Even if you bring it home and offer it up on this thread for us to fight over, you'll make some quick money. If you have the factory refinish it for you and sell it on eBay in a few months, I bet you would double your money. The last two Limiteds on eBay went for $1000 or more. If you fix it up and start playing it, you'll probably never want to part with it.
Welcome to the OFC. |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | What a great find! I might even go for a deal like that, and I think Limiteds are ugly (just my preference - I think Deacons are the most beautiful guitars ever).
I NEVER see Ovation solids in stores... except I stumbled into Atlanta Discount Music (Chamblee, GA) the other day and saw a Preacher. |
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May 2005
Posts: 327
Location: Evansville,IN | Welcome to the OFC! :)
The Breadwinner Limited is a cool guitar, and they are few and far between. Even if you have it refinished at the factory it will be worth more than you have spent. :)
I say go for it! You may never find another one at that price. ;) |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Hard to find guitar. Buy it. If you hate it somebody here will be glad to take it off your hands! ;) |
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December 2003
Posts: 13986
Location: Upper Left USA | ...and the name and phone number of that store was...
If missed this will be one of those "shoulda-coulda" moments in your Guy-Toy life! |
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August 2005
Posts: 130
| SNAGGED!
It's in much better shape than I thought-a refin probably won't be necessary. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Theeeere ya go!!!
Nice catch. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13986
Location: Upper Left USA | How much for the rug?
Nice get!
Is this your first Ovation? It doesn't always start this good... |
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January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | Nice looking axe.
If you have trouble changing the strings you can raise the rear of the bridge by loosening the nut inside the battery compartment. (Looks like it's a little low in the picture). The bottom plate of the bridge should be parallel with the top of the guitar.
Another trick is bend about the first inch of the string at a small angle before feeding it though the bridge. Makes it easier to get over the saddle. |
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Joined:
August 2005
Posts: 130
| Yep, this is my first one.
I just plugged it in and it sounds amazing-definitely a keeper for the time being.
The rug-well, if you have to ask, you can't afford it! :D |
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May 2005
Posts: 327
Location: Evansville,IN | Nice one. Most definitely worth what you gave for it. I love my Deacon, and I'll probably die with it. :D |
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June 2005
Posts: 274
Location: Maryland, USA | I actually really like the look Breadwinner Limited.
I hope you like it after the refurb.
I was looking at a Breadwinner some months ago, and I really wanted a Breadwinner Limited, but could never find one.
You got a great price, I hope you enjoy. |
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December 2004
Posts: 2150
Location: Orlando, FL | Very Cool, nice find! Congrats, enjoy. When you get tired of it let us know! Heck, I'll do you a favor and give you $100 more than you paid for it right now. ;) |
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Breadwinner Limited
