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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 97
Location: North Cal. mountains | Hi, Tony PD,
Boy, were you lucky!
I would have thought of something to say much later...after playing it.
This is your chance to say it!
Please?
J |
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Joined:
February 2003
Posts: 398
Location: Gig Harbor, Washington | Well, here's my story...
I bought my first O' from Ted Brown in Tacoma, WA in 1972...since then I've visited frequently to check out the inventory and had a chance to play an FD-14 they'd received as one of the early supporters of Ovations.
They had it listed @ something like $2395 (way beyond my means!) but I fell in LOVE with it immediately (regardless of the pricetag)...
Then, in August of '04 there was an auction on eBay for one listed as "like new - only a couple hours of playtime" that was set with a pretty high reserve - which nobody hit. The next week it went back on with no reserve - ending at about 6 o'clock Sunday evening on Labor Day Weekend (when everyone's gone!)...
I happened to be home ill, and (of course!) watching the auction...I looked around the house looking for anything not nailed down that I could sell to justify buying yet another guitar I couldn't afford - and found a bass, a banjo, a violin and several other trinkets & trash and totalled what I thought they'd fetch to justify my severely acute case of GAS!
Well, I won the auction @ $715 in the final minute from the original short-term owner (a well known, seasoned LA musician) who split the shipping ($30) as is customary among OFC members - so it landed on my doorstep for a total of $730 (a steal of a freaking deal in my book!).
I later learned from the Mothership that he'd picked it up directly from the factory - but as he's really an electric sorta guy - it just wasn't his cup o' tea. He prefers to be anonymous - due to his notarity (managed by the same agency as Burt Bacharach & Stephen Stills) so he'll remain nameless.
My serial # is 574069, though the sticker inside doesn't say xx of 50 - so Kim suggested it was 51 of 50 (true story!). I play out about twice a week, and it is the "chosen one" over half the time (and there's many to choose from!). I get more compliments on this guitar's sound than any other ever - and the variety of sounds I get out of it even amaze me - mostly because of the low-end growl that it offers. I usually play clean, but sometimes kick in a modified tubescreamer for some added "thickening".
If I could only own one guitar (per SWMBO!) - it would definately be this one - though my factory refurb'd Tornado would come in a close 2nd...
It has a neck that is, well, practically erotic it feels so good - and is the one that's hardest to put down once you pick it up...All the rave and fanfare afforded it are well justified - and is worth sacrificing several others to capture (somebody better snatch Jack's before I talk myself into buying it as a backup!).
OK - that sorta went over my 100 word essay guideline, but I seldom get a request for MHO on a topic I have so much passion about...thanks for asking, Juju!
p.s. And the happily ever after part - all the trinkets & trash sold for more than the purchase price (fortunately keeping me off the doorstep of the doghouse)... |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 97
Location: North Cal. mountains | Hey Mistergolf007!
I loved your essay! And I couldn't agree more.
My numbers are nearly invisible on the back of the head. Will you please take a close look in the light? It's stamped into the wood so discreetly, I had to get a magnifying glass and loupe to read the serial number. If you find anything, will you please come back and log it in?
Thank you again for your beautiful answer!
J |
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Joined:
November 2007
Posts: 1486
Location: Cincinnati | Originally posted by jujurocks:
Hey Mistergolf007!
I loved your essay! And I couldn't agree more.
My numbers are nearly invisible on the back of the head. Will you please take a close look in the light? It's stamped into the wood so discreetly, I had to get a magnifying glass and loupe to read the serial number. If you find anything, will you please come back and log it in?
Thank you again for your beautiful answer!
J I'll have to look at mine closer. I received an email from the original owner who still swears it's number 18. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13984
Location: Upper Left USA | An observation on construction: I had, for a while, a later Josh White which I gave as a graduation present to none other than... Josh White!
The bracing on this one was very minimal, it didn't have the three smaller braces of the "X" pattern. I see that my FD 14 has a minimum of braces as well. |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado | So Dave, have you had the nerve to add polish to #42s neck yet? Curiously - my preference is an unpolished neck - just like my playing! |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by elginacres:
So Dave, have you had the nerve to add polish to #42s neck yet? Curiously - my preference is an unpolished neck - just like my playing! YES. Absolutely #42 was on it's way to the shop. I just don't like the bare wood look on any guitar. But they told me it couldn't be done very well due to the impregnations in the wood the gloss doesn't adhere well, and it would tend to crack. So #42 stays in it's raw form. I did however get rid of that stupid wooden triangle thing and put on a proper Glen Campbell truss rod cover, |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
I did however get rid of that stupid wooden triangle thing and put on a proper Glen Campbell truss rod cover, [/QB]
Pictures? |
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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 97
Location: North Cal. mountains | Nice!
I have a couple questions, though:
Have you all been diligent to look at the back of the head under the serial # for the series #? It will say 45/50 very lightly, if it's 45/50. Keep in mind, it took my jeweler's loupe to read it.
AND
What "Stupid Wooden Triangle Thing" is Gallerinski speaking of?
Mine's original and has a sort of 'marquis' or almost 'teardrop' trussrod cover-plate. It blends so well with the understated look of this guitar that I never noticed the particular shape of the trussrod cover until it was specifically mentioned.
I wonder if Gallerinski's was the same?
I guess I should post some pictures soon.
Show me yours and I'll show you mine... :)
JJ |
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FD-14 history
