There is an Ovation on eBay.com, obviously a Long neck, but labeled as 1768 and with standard Elite fret markers. I know there was an early advert of Longnecks showing the same  fret markers, but so far never  heard they were used. There is no serial number on the back of the headstock, so I assume this guitar to be even older than my 1994 Longneck...And that would mean it probably is one of the oldest longnecks ever built.

I would like to ask the seller, but I cannot place a question, possibly because he does not sell to Germany. Would someone here mind to do me a favour and ask for the serial number?!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ovation-Elite-1768-long-neck-guitar-made-in-U-S-A-/222067753679?252

Thanks, Georg

just saw your post on the bay before coming back to the OFC, thank you!

I know that it is said they only started in 1995, but I myself own one with SN 483...., so mine dates also from 1994. Mine has the same electronics and looks as the one on the bay, but is correctly labeled and has the correct  fret inlays.

The one on the bay is even older, yet both might be early attempts....

My 1995 CCB has the serial number on the headstock and the next generation pickup.

Would be nice to have this one, but on the other hand, it does not  really make sense. I already have five....

Again, thanks for asking him!

BTW, I think I asked you before 2WD, would you mind to send me a photo of your DS 768, since I collect everything about Longnecks I can get!?

Well Beal, thanks for the offer, so I take a chance...

At first: I actually own five Longnecks, and easily it could be more... very hard for me to let one pass that's on the market.
I still keep looking for them and I collect pics from the www and any information I can get hold of.

Most interesting are those that do not fit into the official building period and looks.

Mostly you find the information (e.g. Ovation model reference in the FAQ section of the OFC) that they were built between 1995 and 1999 as DS 768 in natural finish and CCB and from 2000 as DS 778 with mid bowl until 2001, only in natural. But there was a 2004 DS 778 on Reverb, and I have also found pics of at least two lefties.

And there are a few old sunbursts as well, as are black ones:
I, myself, do own a DS 778-5, from 2007, bought in New York last year, and there is another black one from 2009 actually on ebay (without fret inlays at all).

I do also own a 2001 guitar, with the looks of the DS 778-4, but with a deep bowl and abalone fret markers...

So I guess, they are all custom made...?!
As I got it so far, the factory did a lot of special wishes, so why not these as well...
----
But probably the first/oldest Longneck ever is the one on this photo, with the epis not inversed and with standard Elite fret inlays...  where is this guitar!?

here again:

Earlier this week I saw the "Longneck" mentioned  in the opening thread on ebay US.
It is similar to the one on your photo, labeled "Elite 1768", natural finish, inversed epis, it has got the standard Elite fret inlays, but it obviously has the longer scale...
The SN dates this one in 1994.

I also own a 1994, handwritten labeled as DS 768-4, which already has the standard looks of the later models, but the older preamp and the SN still inside, not on the headstock.

- - - -

So, really, I do not have a single question, but am interested to sort this all out....

Beal, I do not expect a long answer, but you asked 

Kind regards, a german fan

Thanks a lot Beal for sharing these memories!

That's much more than I ever expected or hoped for.

I only do not know the bleen Adamas. Google does not help....  Is it the guitar Preston Reed is often shown with?

Again, thanks a lot for taking the time. Much appreciated.

Georg

Okay, thanks a lot Beal.

I guess your 2080 Custom is similar to StephenT's twin pair, I know the Book Longneck, and I do have a photo of a black 12string Longneck Ovation...

but not from a 12string Adamas. If you don't mind...do you have a photo of yours?!

Anyway, nice to know the story of how and where (Germany ) the Longneck was 'born'.

Regards, Georg