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Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | ... for now. I just received the third and final installment in this round of GAS. The stars aligned just right and three guitars on my wish list were all whispering to me over the past few weeks.
Today I received my new 1983 Elite 1537 (from OFC member Bradley) and it is everything you dream about in a guitar. Lush sound, great feel, and fantastic craftsmanship. Puts any Martin or Taylor I've had my hands on to shame. The setup is great on this guitar and it is in near mint condition. Thanks Bradley!
Last week I received a Deacon 12 I bought from OFC'r Shamus. He got it from Samova some time back. I've been looking for a good one for years, and this one finally appeared. It's got the same neck on it that I've seen on the Preacher Deluxe, with the block abalone inlays. Never seen this before ... a Hybrid? I can't tell you how incredibly well balanced this guitar is ... it is very comfortable to play. I'm still experimenting with all the different sounds you can get, and it's especially fun with the Line 6 Flextone and all the different amp models. I can't believe I finally have one and it has exceeded all my expectations.
Lastly, I got a "new" Viper (EA68) about a month ago. I bought it dirt cheap off eBay, and it is a terrific instrument. It was a bit grungy when I got it, but it cleaned up nicely and with the exception of a small chip in the bowl paint, it is like new. I put some ebony tuner buttons on it and they look great. Plays like a solid body but puts out very nice acoustic sound (gotta be plugged into something, though). I can't believe these aren't selling like hotcakes. Thanks to Roundback for hooking me up with the correct case.
So now it's time to save up again and wait for either the OFC guitar or the Adamas anniversary, if either one of those become reality.
Except ... waiting on guitars is addicting. I'm tracking more guitars on eBay than normal, my mouse is inextricably drawn to the "buy it now" and "place a bid" buttons ... I'm hitting gbase.com ... there's a Josh White there right now ... somebody help me ... yipes! :eek: |
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March 2002
Posts: 389
Location: RI. That small State out East | All smiles from this side of the country. The GAS has been coming in waves.
Moody PI had to slap me over an email to keep me in line.
The 30th Adamas with OFC markings is my dream...
I've been good Santa. In case your reading this.
Woz |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I will never say that my guitar quest is over |
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September 2003
Posts: 782
Location: Waurika OK | Congratulations,
Now I really want to meet you when I come to the bay area. (Or is it your guitars?)
noel |
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August 2002
Posts: 623
Location: Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey | Hey Man!
Congrats on the guitars! I wish you many happy years of playing them!
All the best!
Johnny |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Bob:
Those are great guitars. Anybody who's read my posts over the years knows how much I love my 1537 Elite. Glad you're thinking the same way regarding yours.
I think on the Deacon 12, there were a few built at the end of the run with the Preacher 12 neck. Ovation was just using the parts they had on stock. It's basically the same neck as on the earlier Deacan 12's, just a touch more unique. Bet it's beautiful.
As for buying more guitars to satisfy the GAS, I've often told my family that whatever my latest guitar purchase is, that it's my "last". These days, when they hear that, they just roll their eyes. Even the two dogs. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Congrats, Bobbo!!!
(I'm very jealous regarding the Deacon12) |
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Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Welcome to our own version of knights of the round table seeking the holy grail. |
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April 2003
Posts: 2503
Location: Fayetteville, NC | Congrats Bobo!
I'm happy for you and just a tad bit Jealous :eek:
I'm finding it hard to get the cashflow up for my 6 String O to go with my 12 String. It'll come in time but, as Tom Petty Said..The Waiting Is The hardest Part. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | You should enjoy that one, basically it's a wood top adamas. |
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May 2004
Posts: 295
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | I looked up your Elite in the discontinued items on the O website. It's quite similar to my Elite 1718, except mine has an "AA" top, not "AAA", and mine is a sunburst (like the picture on the website). Mine's got an OP-24; what's on yours?
The blurb on the 1718 basically repeats what cwk2 said: it's an Adamas with a wood top.
Gee, I hope the gang doesn't think we're "elitist"! :eek: Congratulations on your new acquisitions; three guitars in the space of a month - you must have been bent over double with GAS pains! |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ |
Gee, I hope the gang doesn't think we're "elitist"! [/QB]
that would be a givsung product |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Dang, I thought *mine* was a wood topped Adamas! Hey, wait, maybe that's what AAA means for the top:
Almost An Adamas
Guess the 1868 isn't a wood topped Adamas, as I've only got the AA top. Which, now that I've typed that, works on several levels.
:) |
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Posts: 295
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Do you play ZZ Top on your AA top? |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Thanks, all, for the kind words. I'm a lucky guy that the guitars and the cash flow both came together at the same time.
Cliff -- no reason to be jealous. I'll bring it to next years OFC jam. We can even talk about a swap of it for #54 ... but you might have to add some cash into the deal. :D
Moody -- I've learned to add "for now ..." at the end of all promises about guitars. Fortunately lady stonebobbo views guitars as little works of art, so when the Deacon and the 1537 showed up she was all smiles.
Steve C -- TP also said you don't have to live like a refugee. Of course, you could ... and use the money to buy guitars. :)
W-2 -- I've seen the 1537 referred to in print as "Wood Top Adamas" and "Legend Elite". No matter ... a couple of years back you posted that the 1537 should be the next great collectable guitar and that's always been in the back of my mind. Now I see why.
Duncan -- the electronics is the "two knobber" with a stereo out, like the early Adamii and the 82 Collectors. It'll be fun playing around with recording it this way. The 1718 is very similar but I think there are a couple of other differences: the fretboard is walnut (rosewood on yours I think), and the 1537 has wood binding (not sure about the 1718). The "Elitist" is a series of guitars Epiphone released (higher end Casinos, Dots and the like)... they were calling them "Elite" for a while but I think a certain set of P&T lawyers squelched that. ;)
Noel -- I'll look forward to seeing you when you get into Oakland ... or maybe you'll just lock yourself in my music room until it's time for the flight home and I won't see you at all. :eek:
The bad news is, the GAS pains have not gone away. There are so many other great guitars out there ... the good news is, lady stonebobbo has retaken control of the checking accounts and credit cards. The bad news is, she hasn't figured out I have a Paypal account ... :cool: |
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Posts: 295
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | The description of the Elite 1718 on the O website gives conflicting information about the fretboard. In the specifications it is described as rosewood, but in the excerpt from the 1986 catalog, which is cited beneath the specs, it says the fretboard is black walnut.
Does anyone know which one is right? |
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Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | For the first 2 years (or less) of production of the Elites, the fretboard was black walnut. After that it went to rosewood. So figure sometime in 85 it made a transition. |
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Posts: 295
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Funny, then, that the 1986 catalog would still say that it was black walnut. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Yup. It is funny (odd). But catalogs are not perfect. Feel free to believe whatever you wish. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I believe . . . . I'll go play some guitar . . |
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February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | WAIT ONE DARN SECOND THERE!
I wanted you happy, BUT YOU'RE TOOOOOO HAPPY!
I've changed my mind, send it back right now!!!!
And see if the Deacon 12 will also fit in the box!
What is the opposite of GAS?????
Seller's regret syndrome???
Seriously, enjoy the guitar!!! |
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December 2003
Posts: 13997
Location: Upper Left USA | "What is the opposite of GAS?????"
Honey, I sold the Kids! :eek: |
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May 2002
Posts: 3005
Location: Las Cruces, NM | I want you all to read my post about a Constitutional amendment allowing marriage with your guitars, it is the natural extension of the sentiments expressed here. I still haven't worked out the disposal of human wives (or husbands) but some humane and liberal disposition should be possible by forming committees of guitar owners.
Bailey
:p :p :p |
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February 2002
Posts: 613
Location: Zion, Illinois | stonebobbo said...
"W-2 -- I've seen the 1537 referred to in print as "Wood Top Adamas" and "Legend Elite". No matter ... a couple of years back you posted that the 1537 should be the next great collectable guitar and that's always been in the back of my mind. Now I see why."
Funny you should mention collectable guitars. When I was deciding which guitars to keep and which to sell , I came up with the following...
My Haida Gwaii parlor and my Paragon Maple : Not for sale. They will have to pry them from my dead cold fingers to get them away from me!
My Custom Legend : sounds great, but with the top cracked and slightly warped top I wouldn't get anything for it so I might as well keep it.
My Adamas II : Sell only if I have to.
That left my Haida Gwaii MJ rosewood and the Elite 1537. Both great guitars BTW, hated to loose either one. When I first saw the 1537 I couldn't believe the craftmanship, it really is a stunning guitar. But I decided to keep the Haida Gwaii because I thought it might be a collectable guitar years down the road! Paragon guitars just started out a couple of years ago. It use to take 9 weeks to order and receive a guitar from them. In a very short time their reputation has grown so much that it now takes 11 months to get a guitar! They started out as Haida Gwaii. They made 70 guitars before splitting up and becoming Paragon. Out of the 70, #13 was destroyed by the luthier because of a flaw. That leaves 69 Haida Gwaii's. The earlier ones had hand carved artwork on the bridges. I own #34 and #35, probably the last of the guitars with the hand carved artwork!
Only time will tell. My guess is both guitars are worthy as collector items. The 1537 was easily the best playing of ALL my guitars and I do miss it. I just very fortunate to find it a good home.
Oh, and by the way, post some pictures of your new arrivals! |
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The GAS Crisis is Over ...