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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 18
Location: Western PA | About two weeks ago, I joined this great forum and made my first post inquiring about purchasing an Elite T series. Thanks to all the info from fellow OFC members, I decided to definitely seek out a model built in USA.
At that same time, John (bauerhillboy) offered to sell his Sweetwater T to me. Since I was already leaning towards the 2078T w/deep contour bowl, the offer was enticing. Throw in the fact this is a rare version of the Elite T and amongst the last produced in Hartford, CT got me even more excited.
After he e-mailed me some photos and answered tons of questions (sorry ‘bout that John!) that hook was now embedded deep. Throw in the fact we both lived in western PA and no shipping required was a nice bonus as well. Needless to say, a down payment was promptly sent!
It’s been an agonizing wait, but we both worked out our schedules to meet for the transaction early this morning. Below are some photos taken at the rendezvous point near Pittsburgh:
John checks the tuning.
Just one last strum before we say good-bye.
Me to John: “Ok, you can let go of the guitar anytime now!”
John even threw in some Ovation mementos as a gift. Here you can see the various books, brochures, calendars, key chains & DVDs. A very nice surprise – Thank you!
Parting shot of John as I drove off with the Sweetwater T. ;)
This was a fantastic transaction in every way. Not only was the guitar in pristine condition, but John was extremely personable, gave me a fair price and even offered to help with any post-sale questions or concerns. Being a guitar novice, I’m not yet deserving of an Ovation of this caliber. But, I plan to keep it for a long time (probably forever) and at least I’ll know the guitar itself won’t hold me back.
Speaking of which, I’m an engineer and thus tend to scrutinize the design and build quality of any product I purchase. Must say, the craftsmanship and attention to detail are simply tops (particularly impressed with the inlaid Koa epaulet).
In closing, I’ll take good care of her, John, and we can work out visitation rights in the future. Really honored to be the new owner of this guitar – definitely a piece of Ovation history that is now sadly gone.
-Paul
P.S.
Also thanks to MWoody for doing such a great job on the custom Koa TRC! |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Congratulations! That's a great guitar, and even better that you were able to get it in person from another OFCer. May it give you much enjoyment.
BTW, my outlaws live northern WV, a bit less than 2 hours from PIT, where we always fly into when we visit. Next time I'm up I'll let you know, maybe we can get together somewhere in Pitt, maybe even meet up at Acoustic Music Works. That would be fun to play all those ultra high-end and boutique guitars together. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Cool Deal Paul!
Now you've joined an Elite(T?) crowd.
There are Collectors' Editions... (they only made 1500 of them :p )
Then there is the Sweetwater T!
Nice Choice! |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Being a guitar novice, I’m not yet deserving of an Ovation of this caliber. Nonsense!!!
Being a novice, this is the type of guitar you want! No one should struggle with a hard to play instrument if they don't have to and as we all have said, the EliteT gives you the most bang for the buck you'll ever find.
(BTW.. I have one just like it only with a regular mid-bowl.) |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | Congrats. You're as worthy as I am. Play the heck out of it. That Ovation book is out of print and hard to get. Priceless. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 347
Location: Reno, NV | what's the difference between a "Regular" T and and a "Sweetwater" T?... I understand the later was sold by Sweetwater towards the end of the USA line, but whats different about the guitar? |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Regular Elite T doesn't have epaulets.. just paint. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Very nice Paul...Welcome to the Contagious...1 is never enough..stick around and spend your life's savings...group!
Nice pics and a great transaction!!!! |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 18
Location: Western PA | Originally posted by Yak:
what's the difference between a "Regular" T and and a "Sweetwater" T?... Yep, as Miles said the epaulet is the main difference. To elaborate, the one on the Sweetwater is one-piece and made from Koa wood. It also sits totally flush with the painted Spruce top.
IMO, this really does wonders to improve the aesthetics of the Elite T. While I like the stealthy looks of this series, it really needed just a touch of "bling". This does the job perfectly!
All Sweetwater T's also came with OP-Pro preamps. Pretty sure most standard T's use OP30 (or so says the Ovation website).
Oh yeah, John mentioned this Sweetwater also came with an upgraded case. It's branded 8158 but identical to the Deluxe 9158.
-Paul |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 3408
Location: GA USA | Great swag! Is that a Longhollow pick pocket? I use mine all the time. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4026
Location: Utah | Originally posted by Paul1PA:
Pretty sure most standard T's use OP30 (or so says the Ovation website). There were various versions of T, some with OP30 and some with OpPro. My daughter's Red Flame has Op30, her sister's 2078T has OpPro. Some Red Flames were more orange flame and had OpPro. Anyhow, there were variations across several years of production. |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 840
Location: CA | Also, only 10 to 14 — depending on who you ask — Sweetwater Ts were made. They were a special order from Sweetwater Music. So it's a rare bird.
I agree on the added bling of the epaulet. |
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Joined:
June 2003
Posts: 1792
Location: Rego Park, NY, | Now all you have to do is find guys named George and Ringo then you might have something special. ;) :p |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Congratulations, Paul!
John is a great guy, glad you got to do business with him! |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Nice going, Paul. This is how it all starts. Meet some friendly OFC members. Buy a guitar from one of them. Meet a few more. Buy a few more. Repeat often. And as Miles said, you even have the Book! Not sure how John let that one go. |
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Joined:
October 2008
Posts: 639
Location: NW of Philadelphia | Congrats to both of you.
Paul, if you like your as much as I like my Elite-T, you will be playing more often than you ever did. |
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Joined:
September 2004
Posts: 1180
Location: Vermont USA | Awesome guitar and as for John great guy.
And with the last picture of John you posted you certainly belong here.
Pauly |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 2791
Location: Atlanta, GA. | Congrats on the T...
Looks like he even threw in a round tuit in the swag bag. That's what I need to get! |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Every 3 months or so I rotate to a different "go-to" guitar.
My koaEliteT is next in line. |
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Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | Congrats Paul! I love my Sweet T. Amazing guitar in every respect! In fact, I am just going to head down to worship team practice... think I'll have a little Sweet T tonite ;) |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | you even have the Book! Not sure how John let that one go. [/QB] |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | I bought the book on ebay several years ago. It was a lot of fun to read. Then I put it on the book shelf. I wanted to keep it, but I knew it would collect dust for the rest of my life. So why shouldn't Paul have some fun, too.
John <>{ |
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Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | have fun
nice swag |
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Joined:
March 2008
Posts: 355
Location: Wichita, KS | Paul, congrats on your purchase and welcome again to the forum. You may have already noticed there are a couple of other Western PA (and former Western PA) boys in the group. |
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Joined:
September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Today I changed the strings, took out a shim and oh boy! Sweeeet!
It's not the UTE or the AD-II but it sure sounds plenty nice enough. |
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Sweetwater T finds new home + my 1st Ovation!
