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Location: Jet City | Nope, not my AD from the calendar, but in my opinion, I think it looks way better.
Not too sure how many of these were made, but I doubt there were many. It was a custom run for Guitar Center.
Model is 1779-5GC. It's an A-braced mid bowl with some pretty cool bling.
This is a bit different that a normal CL. It has no inlays in the middle of the fretboard, but the fretboard is lined with abalone around the edges. It also has ebony tuner buttons. The coolest thing (I think) is the binding. It's all black as opposed to the usual white. It makes for a great looking guitar for sure.
It has 2 outputs for splitting the signal several different ways with the HexFX preamp.
$850 with case
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Location: Jet City | 
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Location: Right now? | WOW. Absolutely gorgeous. Very stealthy.
Good luck with the sale, Damon. Somebody's going to be very happy to get that one.
Sigh.
;)
Willa |
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Location: South of most, North of few | Since the volume slider button is missing, I'll give you threefiddy for it. |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Very nice looking CL. Is that also a flat finish? |
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Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany | Wow, that's beautiful. Close to the 96 Collector's - but all black.
To bad it's a mid bowl - I'd be all over it.
Good luck with the sale,
Kurt |
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Location: Jet City | Thanks all.
bvince, it's glossy, that's just the lighting. It's a bastage trying to take pics of a black guitar without having everything reflect off it.
Kurt, I actually got it for 2 reasons. One cuz it's cool looking, two cuz it's a mid bowl. I was lead to believe that it had the "Al Dimeola" preamp package which to me meant BOOST BUTTON! But alas it was not so. Maybe Al used the HexFX before he had his signature one made. Anyway, I figured it might be easier and a bit lighter than my AD CL, but without the boost feature, I'll just stick with my AD.
Nuthin against the HexFX. I'm sure lots of cool things can be done with it. I was just expecting the boost button too.
BTW, it's in EXCELLENT condition too, and it sounds killer! I think I like the acoustic tone even better than the AD CL, but I think the AD CL is louder by a touch. |
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Location: Cincinnati | That is a real beauty, Damon. Too bad Uncle Sam owns me right now. |
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Location: Munich, Germany | Damon, why not just changing the preamp to an Optima WITH Boost Button? This guitar is great looking, I'd try everything to keep it.
Th HexFX is cool to play with and it will surely sell on the bay.
Best regards,
Kurt |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | Which preamps can they add the boost buttons to? ... and any idea of the cost? |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Lovely guitar and beautiful photography, Damon. I wish I had your eye and skill for snapping such outstanding photos. You're able to show so much close-up detail. I'm all about the bling, so this one speaks to me. It would be interesting to know if the factory could/would add the boost button to this model, but then the added cost would likely push it up to or beyond that going rate for an ADII on the used market. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Originally posted by bvince:
Which preamps can they add the boost buttons to? I had the boost button added to my 1187 custom which also specified the OP-PRO (non-Studio) preamp. I believe this is the same electronics package that is in the ADII model. |
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Location: Munich, Germany | The Optima had the boost button in the first AD model. And the Optima would fit the preamp slot that exists. That's why I suggested it.
Best regards,
Kurt |
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Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Thing 1: Beautiful pictures!
Thing 2: Gorgeous guitar!
Thing 3: I want it.
Thing 4: I can't have it, 'cause I can't afford it.
Thing 5: *** sniff ***
Thing 6: *** whimper *** |
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Location: Jet City | I've already had the thought and sent a not to Kim at the MS a while back. It would be cost prohibitive to do the change... for me anyway.
Here's what Kim said...
"Installing the DiMeola button requires a preamp change to a DiMeola Op-Pro ($275.00 plus labor), that could get expensive for just a button..."
I do know the Optima can do it too cuz that's the preamp in my Al DiMeola CL. I have the older one, not the new ADII. Still, I wasn't expecting there to be an additional cost to this guitar.
I have enjoyed playing it though. I've been comparing it to my 1778LX and I think it sounds better for sure. If my LX wasn't new and under my name for the warranty, I might put it up here instead. But then I'd have 2 guitars that look almost identical so that doesn't make sense.
AD CL...
And this 1779-5GC
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Location: Cicero, NY | I've never been too huge on black guitars but I have to say that I'm really liking that one. |
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Location: Tuscany, Italy | Damon, that's a beauty!
Don't sell it !!! |
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Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I like the carved bridge on this one better than the new ADII. |
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June 2004
Posts: 375
Location: Rocky River, Ohio | Ovation should contact Damon for photo shoots of future catalogs.
They'd probably see an increase in sales.
That is a killer guitar, and I'm usually not a fan of black guitars. |
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Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | I'm not a -5 fan, but day-um Damon, with your pics, that one I like!
And with no FB markers, a black saddle and nut would be a sweet touch! |
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Location: Cincinnati | I'm not a fan of black guitars either, but I really like them in flat black. |
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Location: South of most, North of few | "but I really like them in flat black."
So that would rule out an archtop? ;) |
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Location: Jet City | OK, I'm gonna see what else I can shuffle around to keep this for now. I'm getting deep pangs of sellers remorse so I gotta think it over some. |
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Location: Milford, MI | I would keep that one if you can. Very nice! |
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Location: Jet City | OK, I can't keep justifying keeping this around anymore. I've had my fun with it, but it's just too damned close to my 1759-5 Al DiMeola.
So $850 and you have a VERY unique Custom Legend. BTW, I did a comparison with a 1779LX and this one was much more pleasing to my ear than the LX.
This one has the A-brace pattern as opposed to the new LX pattern. |
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Location: Suisun City, Ca | Can you quantify the sound (difference) to a (my) CE?
I am interested... |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Gosh, I wouldn't have anything to compare. The only 2 Contours I have are a 12 string and an Adamas.
I do have my 1778LX. I suppose that would be identical except for the Contour. Let me go have a listen here in a few... |
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December 2006
Posts: 6996
Location: Jet City | Hmmm... I shouldn'ta done that. Now I think I should sell the Elite instead.
I suck at describing sounds. Same with tastes and wine. So that in mind, the tone of the Elite seems dead in comparison. I mean the CL is clearer and more crisp. I can hear the lower tones better too. The strings are probably about the same on both and are both the same brand and gauge. I do know my Elite sounds like ass with old strings. Maybe what I should do is restring both and pop a field recorder in front of each.
I was gonna be selling my 1768-5 too, so I may as well do that one as well. |
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Posts: 486
Location: Suisun City, Ca | Originally posted by Damon67:
Hmmm... I shouldn'ta done that. Now I think I should sell the Elite instead.
I was gonna be selling my 1768-5 too, so I may as well do that one as well. HA!
I don't see the 1768-5 on your "My Guitars".
I've got a willing buyer for my (older) Martin and I'd like another O... |
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Unique Custom Legend Black Beauty FS