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Posts: 28
| First of all I have already spent hours pouring over most if not all archived threads going back as far as I can....and wow you guys are like the Bible of Ovation....knowledge and wisdom....so I feel if anyone can help me it is you guys.
(Please bare with a noob a moment)
How this new love and obsession started was a youth leader at our church brings her guitar every Wednesday night to play downstairs for the youth...I made the mistake of saying "Can I look at that?" And this is when it all started. I fell in love with the easiest playing guitar I have ever touched. I studied it and found it had no model number no sticker inside. All I found was a serial number. #6576349....this was it...she said it was given to her 10 years ago...and that he had it 2 to 3 years prior. All I could think about was this challenge....what is it and how can I get one? I have now learned it is a CS257...Mel at Elderly Guitars helped diagnose it....after I e-mailed pictures.
Now here comes the obsession part..... (And my questions)
When was this guitar made? And for how long did Ovation make the CS Models? When did Ovation start the CC line? Is this a replacement for the CS models? I found a CC44 8TQ used with case for $300...at GC is this a comparable replacement for the CS257? Its serial is #9512413.... I would love to know when it was made as well....any ideas? GC said they didn't know how old it was...any knowledge and wisdom would be greatly appreciated. (Because I have become an Ovation convert....I have seen the light!)
Thanks,
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Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | Welcome to the 'O'bsessionists.
You're not actually an Ovation convert just yet. You're a Celebrity convert.
The real joy is just around the corner - playing on a REAL USA Ovation. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Okay... A CS257 is a Super-Shallow Celebrity Deluxe.
I do not know for sure if they are made in Korea or China or Both.
Depending on the Year of manufacture a CS257 might have an OP-30 or an OP-24+ preamp.
The OP-30 is silver and has a tuner... the OP-24+ does not have a tuna.
I am not positive when they stopped making the CS257 but they have.
The nearest New model would be the CC48 with a Super-Shallow bowl.
A CC44 has a Mid-Depth bowl. A CC49 has a Contour bowl.
All that said... CS257's are available Used.
Visit http://www.ovationguitars.com/ if you haven't already.
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Posts: 28
| Thanks so much the help....your kindness is much appreciated. My next question...the CS257 has a spruce top the CC44 quilted maple...As I have read spruce seems to more desirable....any thoughts....also the CS257 in question has the pre-amp without the tuna.....so what year might that be?
Thanks....I have took some time looking at the CC48....and spent some time considering spending more and trying to find a used USA made Ovation instead...then I'll be a true covert! I really like the Blue Transparent though as a color option...and don't see it much out there in older models. |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I have had a coupla CC44's. They were nice.
I have also had a CSE44, which has a Solid Spruce top.
Speaking of which...
If the description states "Spruce" it is laminate (plywood).
If it states "Solid Spruce" it is Solid Spruce.
Also, the quilted maple and flamed maple is laminate, at least on Celebrity's.
In answer to one of the first questions...
Yeah, a Blue Quilted CC44 with a case is worth $300 as a concept.
If the action is good, not much fret wear, no cracks or boo-boos, and with a return policy.
You may find a Used USA Ovation for that price, if you wait long enough.
But if you are talking about a local Guitar Center, where you can play if before you buy it.
I might very well consider it. (I did pay $400 for a CC44 way-back-when)
Understand... We are all Ovation-snobs here.
We will Always tell you to go for the USA Ovation when you have the chance.
But I have owned many Celebrity's, so I try to be open-minded.
(I even own one Now... a Solid Cedar topped CC29S-4C... center-hole, contour bowl)
Edited by Old Man Arthur 2013-07-09 4:06 AM
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Posts: 13994
Location: Upper Left USA | I want to ask you "What is it you like about the guitar"?
Action - can be adjusted
Tone - can help you zone in on what you need
Feel - there are a few other shallow body units out there to choose from.
What part of the world/country are you in? I suggest attending a gathering and seeing what else is available. |
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July 2013
Posts: 28
| Thanks again for the wisdom and kindness in responding to a noobs questions.....you are appreciated.
Just a few more questions:
So you mean to say that a quilted maple top is actually plywood? How do they create this look... is it a stencil or is in just painted to simulate a quilted wood pattern? Personally I though it was just a very thin overlay layer over well....plywood...now that I think about it. Is the CS257 actually a solid top....hence the the "S"...
I guess I'll find out alot more later today the CC44 8TQ arrives today....my first Ovation....wanna be....
In all honesty I have been been a professional bass player for 35 years....but I have some guitar skills major cords, finger picking, I was able to develop a really smooth fluid thumb, and four finger roll (but bar cords have always been my nenesis) but what hooked me was I could play this little CS257 almost effortlessly....after this experience I just got inspired to have a guitar that could play like this. (In all honesty....it began the obsession....how much? Was up to 4:30AM on this forum....please help me....what monster have created!) |
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Posts: 6995
Location: Jet City | Playability is what got me too.
Welcome to the club. I've upgraded your status, so feel free to go post about the site.
Now is when the real obsession begins. |
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July 2013
Posts: 28
| MWoody - 2013-07-09 11:03 AM
I want to ask you "What is it you like about the guitar"?
Action - can be adjusted
Tone - can help you zone in on what you need
Feel - there are a few other shallow body units out there to choose from.
What part of the world/country are you in? I suggest attending a gathering and seeing what else is available.
Action....yes! String height adjustment was amazing with no buzz.
Tone....not so much....I have heard warmer guitars....but the CS257 has crisp brightness that attracted me
Feel.....YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what hooked me.....the neck contour fit my hand perfectly...it was also very smooth and quick....it just has a feel that I never knew existed...and for the first time in years....I am stoked about owning a different guitar.
I have had a Yamaha FG 345 1977 model for years....in fact it is the only acoustic I have ever owned... (I am a 35 year professional bass player) but inside a frustrated guitar player...after playing this CS257....a new excitement to play guitar awakened....in fact....I also learned how hard my Yamaha really was to play....no wonder I gave up on it.
Also the strings....they were DR strings with some kind of coating....very soft like butter....
What part of the country am in: Illinois in the USA
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Location: Upper Left USA | Watch for gatherings of OFCers in your area and try to make it to a few! |
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July 2013
Posts: 28
| MWoody - 2013-07-10 9:00 AM
Watch for gatherings of OFCers in your area and try to make it to a few!
How do I learn of when these events are to occur....and do you know of any that have been scheduled...or have occurred in my part of the U.S.? I am actually two hours west of Peoria Illinois.
It sounds intriguing!  |
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Posts: 28
| Anybody familiar with a 386T model....our local pawn shop has one for $329 with case....a liitle dinged up, Transparent Blue finish....is this a Pinnacle series? Also compare it to a CC44 I'd like to know +'s and -'s. Experts I call upon you! |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | The Pinnacle 386T was made in Japan (or Germany).
You can check the sticker inside the bowl.
Either way it would probably be well made.
Since it is at your local pawn shop, just go look at it.
Check for fret wear and string height.
Do not assume that the action can be lowered, so I the action is really high... it might stay that way.
The "T" in 386T is for "Torch Top" so it has a veneer (laminate).
But if it is nearby, and it plays nice, and it has a case, and the electronics work...
Offer $300 and take it home.
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July 2013
Posts: 28
| Well my first (Ovation wanna...be) a CC44 8TQ arrived today....opened the Ovation case, and to my amazement...flawless...looks the same as brand new...looked very closely at the frets...barely any noticable wear, just a very clean well taken care of guitar.(even smells new) Action is good, (but I am taking it tomorrow to a local luthier) to lower the action and put on some DR strings...these things are like butter...overall a very nice, (plywood lamimated topped Chineese made instrument as I sadly had to hear above) Hey what can I say...it's my first Ovation (wanna be)...this could start something...who knows!
Great neck and feel, very similar to the CS257 I got obsessed with...wish it had the fret diamonds, and solid spruce top, but hey for this guitar, $300 with case, (new sells $529.00) I don't think I over paid...hey I like it...plays great...only blemish I can find...1 tiny scratch less than an inch (didn't even go through the finish) long by the bridge...and you can only see it if you catch the angle right...hard to believe a a scratch can cost $229! In that case I'll keep it!
Thanks for all the patience and advice you gave to this noob...also to the admin...this is a great Fan (obsessionist's) Site, thanks for allowing me to be part! |
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Can anyone help an obsessed man with questions?
