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Location: Orlando, FL | I've been looking for a nylon string guitar and noticed a used "Viper" at a local retailer. It didn't have a model number on it that I could tell, and was curious if it might be a EA63 or a CV63. What's the difference in appearance between these two? I can't find a photo online of either model, so it's hard to tell what the used guitar is. The guitar I saw had a black back, and the thinline pre-amp. It had a 5-piece neck. Does the EA have a natural mahogany back, or is it painted? Any help would be appreciated. The used guitar was selling for about $575 with the case, which seemed kind of low for an EA63, which I understand to be a custom made guitar. |
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Posts: 6197
Location: Phoenix AZ | EA hs 5 piece neck. |
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October 2005
Posts: 52
Location: Orlando, FL | So, this is definitely the EA63, rather than the CV63 because of the 5-piece neck? The black back is really painted mahogany? Does that price seem reasonable? The neck definitely had too much relief, and the action was pretty high. Perhaps there are shims under the saddle that can be removed. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | That is an outstanding price for an EA in good physical condition. Even with a complete neck reset that is a good deal. |
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Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Also, check the OFC gallery. I know some of our members have got to have pictures of Vipers in their collection. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Stephen
So you're saying that the CV doesn't have a 5-piece neck? I haven't seen any photos of the CV63 or read any specs on them, so I want to be sure I'm looking at a used EA63, rather than the off-shore version. I took your advice and checked the Gallery. Noah had a Viper EA63, so I emailed him to get some details. |
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Location: SoCal | Rob, believe what people are telling you. The EA is built in the USA, the CV in Korea. The EA has a 5 piece neck, the CV a 2 piece. $575 is dirt cheap. If you don't want it, then give me the phone number of the store. I'll buy it tomorrow, assuming it's in good shape.
Buy the damn thing. Worse case senario is that you turn around and sell it to one of us and you're not out anything. |
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Location: San Bernardino, California | CV has a narrower saddle and different pickup than the EA. |
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October 2005
Posts: 52
Location: Orlando, FL | Wow. No need to get testy, moody. :D Just needed you to clarify the specific differences. Seriously, thanks to everyone for your info. If I don't buy it today I'll get you the phone number, moody. |
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Location: SoCal | You're right. I shouldn't geet testy. And in reality, I probably wouldn't buy this guitar right now as I've got a special order in with Ovation for a new custom built 1773LX nylon string.
But if you post the number, somebody here will buy that guitar. That price is dirt cheap and it's a better guitar than the Chet Atkins Gibson. Tell you what, if you buy it and don't like it, I will buy it from you. I suspect that I could get almost double that price on ebay. |
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Location: SoCal | 
I was not aware they made a "CV" version of the EA63. I was only able to find two images out on the web for comparison.
Mine has its 6 digit serial# stamped-in on the back of the headstock. The serial# on one of my EA's is the date it was completed? and is on the label inside. The label placement can be seen through the sound holes on all three guitars pictured.
My action is low. Shims?... never had a need to look.
If it's an EA63, I would buy it and send it in to the Mothership if it needs a neck reset. Let them set it up for you right.
Moody will be busy at church today... so if you decide not to buy it... email me the phone# to the store. |
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October 2005
Posts: 52
Location: Orlando, FL | Well, I took all your advice (and Serge's too) and bought the Viper today. A little truss rod adjustment, the removal of a couple shims and Voila! Great action. 3/32 at the 12th fret. It has a 30 day return option, so that gives me time to really check it out. Thanks for all your help. Hopefully, this is a keeper! |
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Location: SoCal | Congrats! A good move. These are great guitars and I think you'll be very glad you made the buy. |
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October 2005
Posts: 52
Location: Orlando, FL | Thanks. Did they ever make these guitars with a cedar top? The finish on mine is pretty dark, so it didn't look like the lighter spruce that's supposed to be on the current ones. |
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Location: SoCal | Originally posted by cwk2:
they were cedar. |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Rob,
Nice find. Did you find that at Sam Ash? I saw 2 vipers in there not too long ago. They occasionally have some interesting used Ovations next to the imports.
Have fun with it! |
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Location: Orlando, FL | Steve,
I did find it there. I was stopping in there almost weekly during my search, but never saw anything I liked (except for a $1300 Taylor). I stopped looking there for a week and it turned up. My wife had mentioned that a co-worker had seen one at one of the local Sam Ash stores, so she suggested we stop there while in the area. I was really surprised about the price, since they seem to overprice their used gear. |
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October 2005
Posts: 52
Location: Orlando, FL | On a related note, any recommendations on the best strings for the EA63? I put on a set of Pro Arte composite EJ46Cs (hard tension), partly because I had set lying around, and because I had read some good things about them. Just curious about what others had discovered through trial and error. |
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March 2002
Posts: 389
Location: RI. That small State out East | Great find...
It's on my "short" hit list.
I had one come close a few monts ago for $800.00 and I though that was good.
The seller didn't know what he had.
Woz |
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Nylon String Viper-EA63 or CV63?
