Shall I open it early?
Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-12-23 2:47 PM (#5311)
Subject: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
The K1111 Balladeer reissue arrived this morning. I didn't expect it until after Christmas, since Bobbo's took 10 days and we've had all the snow around the country.
Anyway, it's only 2 days till Christmas and I could probably wait and make it my Christmas present to myself, but a big part of me wants to "inspect it for possible damage." I know that if I do that, I'll tune it up and have to play it just to test it and then it will join its mates in the music room. Another part of me would like to experience the joy of opening a guitar case on Christmas morning and seeing a new guitar. Even though I bought it for myself with money I made from selling another one, I have never had the experience of actually getting a guitar as a Christmas or birthday present. (Saying "OK that counts as your present" doesn't quite cut it.)
All emotional issues aside, does anyone know if there would be a problem, in case there is any damage, heaven forbid, with waiting until Christmas morning before doing the inspection?
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stonebobbo
Posted 2008-12-23 2:53 PM (#5312 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



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Posts: 8307

Location: Tennessee
Mark ... when I got the Lennon, it was counting as a Christmas gift. It got opened, inspected, played, and then put back in the box and under the tree. If there was a chance to do it all over again ... I'd leave it be for two days. It is worth having the joy of opening it up on Christmas morning. We boys always need special toys to open on christmas.
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Phil Wong
Posted 2008-12-23 2:55 PM (#5313 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


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Posts: 1792

Location: Rego Park, NY,
Mark right now it's 3:53 AM Wednesday the 24th, Christmas eve morning in China. SO it's not THAT EARLY. Go ahead OPEN IT !!
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Old Man Arthur
Posted 2008-12-23 2:58 PM (#5314 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



Joined:
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Posts: 10777

Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR
Patience Grasshopper...

You should wait for it to warm-up anyway.
So wait about 40 hours.

[I shouldn't have typed that... It makes it sound so long...]
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Trader Jim
Posted 2008-12-23 3:00 PM (#5315 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


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Posts: 7307

Location: South of most, North of few
I could have it opened and sold by Christmas. :D

that said, I'd wait. I've got one showing up on Christmas eve, but it's my birthday present, so I'm going to open it right away.
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Old Man Arthur
Posted 2008-12-23 3:09 PM (#5316 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR
My incoming Glenn Campbell is (wuz) scheduled to be here today... But that ain't happenin' :mad:

So I might get it tomorrow, and after Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and Oregon...
I may hafta wait until Christmas to open it.
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CanterburyStrings
Posted 2008-12-23 3:09 PM (#5317 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


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Posts: 2683

Location: Hot Springs, S.D.
I would inspect for damage right away. But if you really want to wait for Christmas, have a knowledgable friend open and inspect it while you're out of the room.
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2ifbyC
Posted 2008-12-23 4:06 PM (#5318 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?
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Posts: 6268

Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast
A few hours isn't gonna make any 'impact' on any damage.

Wait...Surprise yourself...
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CanterburyStrings
Posted 2008-12-23 5:16 PM (#5319 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


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Location: Hot Springs, S.D.
Depends on who the carrier was. But even more importantly, what a huge letdown it would be to open it Christmas morning and find a snapped peghead!
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Corey
Posted 2008-12-23 5:24 PM (#5320 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
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Posts: 23

Location: Sugar Land, TX
I can't feel too bad for ya. I've had a new "O" still packaged in the factory box under the tree since December 5th. I told my wife it gets opened first thing tomorrow morning. My reason is to play some Christmas music for the family.
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-12-23 5:26 PM (#5321 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
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Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
Originally posted by CanterburyStrings:
Depends on who the carrier was. But even more importantly, what a huge letdown it would be to open it Christmas morning and find a snapped peghead!
You are almost as pessimistic as I am. I'm going to have my daughter do an inspection.
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ProfessorBB
Posted 2008-12-23 5:45 PM (#5322 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



Joined:
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Posts: 5881

Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains
Open it up now and sleep in Thursday morning.
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-12-23 6:06 PM (#5323 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


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Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
Brad, although the kids are too old to wake us up early on Christmas, I'm too old to sleep in. I overslept this morning. Woke up at 7:05, but still made it in to work, even with the new snow slowing down traffic, by 8:05.
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Capo Guy
Posted 2008-12-23 7:33 PM (#5324 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



Joined:
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Posts: 4394

Location: East Tennessee
Have another family member open it to check for damage. If no problems, then wait till Christmas.
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-12-23 10:31 PM (#5325 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
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Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
I took it out of the box, but left it in the case and had my daughter do a damage inspection. She said it had a "stripe", which I figured was the middle panel. She left the case unlatched and I couldn't resist. Beautiful. Has really dark wood down the center, which makes it very distinctive. Back under the tree. Pictures on Christmas.
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Capo Guy
Posted 2008-12-23 10:34 PM (#5326 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



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Posts: 4394

Location: East Tennessee
Mark,

I'm proud of you. :cool:
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2ifbyC
Posted 2008-12-23 11:10 PM (#5327 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?
Joined:
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Posts: 6268

Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast
Oh yeah, sure! Sate your curiosity and make US wait...

:D
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-12-23 11:27 PM (#5328 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
I know that patience is not one of your virtues, Iffy.
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2ifbyC
Posted 2008-12-24 12:04 AM (#5329 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?
Joined:
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Posts: 6268

Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast
Kettle... pot...

But guilty as charged!
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eGuitarNut
Posted 2008-12-24 12:33 AM (#5330 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
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Posts: 9

Iffy~ your post at 11:10 is hilarious!
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eGuitarNut
Posted 2008-12-24 12:34 AM (#5331 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
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Posts: 9

Iffy~ your post at 11:10 is hilarious!
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Phil Wong
Posted 2008-12-24 8:05 AM (#5332 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
June 2003
Posts: 1792

Location: Rego Park, NY,
Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
Kettle... pot...

But guilty as charged!
I don't know if it was a good idea to say you are guilty to a lawyer. ;) :p
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schroeder
Posted 2008-12-24 8:51 AM (#5333 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
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Posts: 4413

Wait - you may never manage to get one delivered this close to Christmas again.
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-12-24 10:29 AM (#5334 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


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Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
SWMBO said I should put it under the tree and wait for Christmas, so it doesn't matter what you guys say. (OK so I peeked a little.) I guess that means she didn't get me a guitar for Christmas. Now that was a real surprise.
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MWoody
Posted 2008-12-24 10:46 AM (#5335 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



Joined:
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Posts: 13984

Location: Upper Left USA
I try to make it a point (no matter how difficult) to ignore the box by the doorway and take the time to listen to my Wife and pay attention to her before taking the package into my Man Room.

Besides, isn't the anticipation one of the more enjoyable side effects?

With anything?
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Beal
Posted 2008-12-24 12:45 PM (#5336 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127

Location: 6 String Ranch
open it.
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stephent28
Posted 2008-12-25 3:18 PM (#5337 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



Joined:
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Posts: 13303

Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066
Well?
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-12-25 3:42 PM (#5338 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
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Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
Took pics, tuned it and played it. Wonderful, classic Ovation sound. Haven't found any flaws, so the FRG mystery remains.
SWMBO also got me a foot controller, which is way over my head. Ebay purchase that came with directions in every language but English, so I need to look for those on line. Post pictures later.
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Waskel
Posted 2008-12-25 3:50 PM (#5339 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



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Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
Originally posted by Mark in Boise:
SWMBO also got me a foot controller, which is way over my head.
I don't even know which way to go with this.
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gh1
Posted 2008-12-25 5:14 PM (#5340 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 972

Location: PDX
Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
I don't even know which way to go with this.
Sure you do -- let's have it!

_____
gh1
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-12-25 8:37 PM (#5341 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


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March 2005
Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
I knew exactly what I was talking about.
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Capo Guy
Posted 2008-12-25 8:44 PM (#5342 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



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Posts: 4394

Location: East Tennessee
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ProfessorBB
Posted 2008-12-26 11:29 AM (#5343 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881

Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains
Hey Mark, are you sure that foot controller is really that difficult to figure out? It only had two on/off buttons!
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-12-26 11:54 AM (#5344 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
Thanks for your help with that, Brad. It works fine and looks like new. The one I'm having trouble with is a Behringer FCB 1010 programmable (supposedly) MIDI controller. They are a bit difficult, even for people who know what they are doing. I thought it would sync with my Behringer amp, but apparently I need version 2.4 to do that and mine is 2.3.
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Waskel
Posted 2008-12-26 12:09 PM (#5345 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



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Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
Always a version short and a day late...

Mark, which is version 2.3, the amp or the controller?
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-12-26 12:33 PM (#5346 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
The controller Eprom is 2.3. I'll get an upgraded chip someday. Meanwhile, back to the plain old acoustic, deep, shiney, bowl. Love it:
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Waskel
Posted 2008-12-26 12:54 PM (#5347 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



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Posts: 11840

Location: closely held secret
Mark, that's a beautiful guitar.

Here\'s a site where you can not only buy a new eprom for it, but he's fixed the bugs in the original firmware. Those FCB1010's are nice units for the money.
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marenostrum
Posted 2008-12-26 1:04 PM (#5348 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



Joined:
August 2007
Posts: 1008

Location: Tuscany, Italy
Congrats Mark. Indeed a beautiful and a very distinctive guitar. It's on my wish list.
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stonebobbo
Posted 2008-12-26 2:13 PM (#5349 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?



Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307

Location: Tennessee
Damn, Mark ... that looks like a Dewey Weber creation! You sure got the luck of the draw with that top. Lemme know if you want to trade. Seriously. You can see the three boards in mine but I don't have The Stripe.

These are really nice handmade guitars. Fit and finish was fantastic. The attention to detail is phenomenal. The aged ivory binding is really well done ... very close in color to the original Josh White. I'm a big pearloid fan (tastefully done, of course) so the rosette on this guitar knocks me out. It is always interesting how the neck just feels different on these guitars with the smaller headstock and 14° angle, even though the profile (this one has a bit of a V to it) is distinctly Ovation. The Kluson Deluxe tuners are a nice touch.

This guitar rings like a bell! So much that when it first got here, it sort of barked when played hard. Definitely had never been played except for maybe a strum to two in QA. It is loosening up and getting all the parts working together now that it is getting played almost daily. I think you have to get a lot of vibration into a guitar before the mojo starts oozing back out.

These are the best brand new $700 guitars on the the planet.
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Mark in Boise
Posted 2008-12-26 3:28 PM (#5350 - in reply to #5311)
Subject: Re: Shall I open it early?


Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12750

Location: Boise, Idaho
They had one more on ebay and it looks like the offer expired without being accepted. Someone should snap it up.
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